Steps to Peace When You Feel Unsettled

Kathy Carlton Willis reminds me of the Energizer Bunny. She accomplishes more in one week than I do in one month! In all her busyness, she's always got a wise and cheerful word of encouragement as she spreads God's truth along her way. However, Kathy is very transparent about her humanness. In this Peace UPGRADE, she reminds us that there are times God allows uneasiness in our lives for a reason—He wants us to find our peace and purpose in Him.

“I’m starting the year feeling uninspired and restless,” says Kathy.

When I (Dawn) read that, honestly, I was shocked. Kathy is one of the most goal-oriented people I know. But knowing her, she didn't stay unsettled for long.

Kathy continues . . .

I live life with intention, and I try not to base my to-do list on what I feel. Productivity can only happen with a plan and with discipline.

But there are times God allows us to feel unsettled because He’s about to help us let go of something and reach ahead to something different.

That’s where I am right now. Even while I wait, God is giving me peace, and I know He will give peace to you as well.

Sorting Out the Essentials

I’ll never forget the year we moved from a 4,100-square-foot historic home to an 800-square-foot rental. As you can imagine, it took a great deal of sorting our belongings into essentials and non-essentials. Learning to prioritize what to keep, what to sell, and what to store helped.

I asked myself these questions.

• Is it necessary?
• Will it go with my new surroundings?
• Do I have room for it?
• Will I miss it if it’s gone?
• Does it have special meaning to me?

These questions also come to my aid when I ask God to help me prioritize my life choices.

Is it necessary? When our choices match up with the direction of God in our lives, the Holy Spirit gives us a satisfied peace.

Will it go with my new surroundings? Our locality dictates how we can best reach others for Christ. There are different cultures and traditions we must learn and adapt to (without changing biblical doctrines, of course).

Do I have room for it? There are many good options, but God doesn’t expect us to have room for each one of them in our lives. He will help us determine how to best use the abilities He has gifted us with for His glory and for the good of others.

Will I miss it if it’s gone? I’m sensing God is leading me to let go of some things in my life to make room for the new. This question helps me sort it out and add the essence of what I might miss into a new option.

Does it have a special meaning to me? We allow so many mundane, ordinary activities to fill our lives that we lose our joy. Will the love, joy, and peace in my life bubble over and splash on others so they can experience how special a life in Christ can be?

Do you have any extra life baggage you need to get rid of?

Letting go will deliver a new parcel of peace your way. We can do that as we seek God’s direction.

Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble. (Psalm 119:165 NLT)

There are two great benefits to loving God’s instructions. When we desire to obey His Word, we have all the resources we need for great peace and the ability to not stumble.

There’s never enough reserve in our own selves to work up even a limited version of peace, let alone a God-sized portion of peace. But the good news is that we can always find peace as we find our way back to God.

 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! (Isaiah 26:3 NLT)

This is one of my all-time favorite Bible verses on peace in Scripture.

Questions to Ask Yourself

• How do you fix your thoughts on God?
• Where do you tend to let your thoughts be focused instead?
• What does trust have to do with being kept in perfect peace?
• What does fixing your thoughts on God have to do with experiencing perfect peace?

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13 NLT)

Paul gave the Romans so much rich detail regarding the victory we can have as we determine to grow in trusting God.

There is something special about seeing words such as fill, completely, and overflow. We often study about peace because we do not feel filled to overflowing!

If we’re honest, sometimes, we feel empty or drained.

Is there an area in your life in which you are struggling to trust in God for your peace?

Kathy Carlton Willis is God’s Grin Gal. She writes and speaks with a balance of funny and faith—whimsy and wisdom. Over a thousand of Kathy’s articles have been published and she has several books in her Grin Gal brand. Today’s Upgrade with Dawn is inspired by Kathy’s latest Bible study, The Grin Gal’s Guide to Peace. Consider using one of Kathy’s books for your next small group or study. More information at www.kathycarltonwillis.com.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Aaron Burden at Unsplash.

Do You Have Spiritual Dementia?

Kathy Collard Miller is one wise woman! She's learned that wisdom in the trenches of spiritual growth. In this Spiritual Maturity UPGRADE, she creates a unique application—spiritual dementia—to physical dementia."Larry and I were challenged as we took care of his mother who had Lewy-Body Dementia," Kathy said. "Then I later realized I have spiritual dementia"

I (Dawn) wondered, "What is spiritual dementia? Do I have it? How would I know?" Kathy didn't leave me wondering.

Kathy continues . . .

My 91-year-old mother-in-law, Audrey, had wagged her finger at me, exclaiming,

“You are so mean, Kathy. You dropped me off yesterday several blocks away and I had to walk home in the hot sun.”

I was stunned how to answer. Of course, I hadn't done that, but because of her dementia, she believed it was true. She had a form of dementia called Lewy-Body (www.lbda.org) and with that came paranoia, delusions, and hallucinations.

In that journey of caring for her, Larry and I learned a lot.

To my shock and dismay, I learned I have spiritual dementia.

To some degree EVERY Christian has spiritual dementia.

Here are three primary symptoms.

1. Spiritual Delusions

Audrey had delusions which were very real to her. Nothing Larry and I said ever changed her mind about anything, even obvious proof.

I knew the Lord was speaking to me. I am faced with spiritual truth constantly, and some of it I reject.

I read the Bible and mentally cast away anything that is not within my already-determined belief system . . . or feels like too much of a challenge to obey.

I began to evaluate:

• Am I casting away truth?
• Am I rejecting God’s ideas because I can’t acknowledge I don’t know everything?

Romans 12:2 urges us, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (ESV).

2. Protecting Your Image

Audrey often said, “Someone stole my hearing aids.”

When I found them, she replied, “They put them back.”

Because of her paranoia, Audrey wouldn’t take responsibility because then she would be faced with knowing she is incompetent.

I see myself in her reaction.

My goal is to appear competent, dependable, and efficient. If I can’t answer some biblical question or my answer turns out to be wrong, I try to explain it in different ways. I have a hard time admitting I’m wrong.

3. Taking Things Personally

When Audrey lived in assisted living before coming to live with us, if someone was whispering, they were whispering about her. If someone was upset, they were upset with her. She took everything personally as if it was a reflection of her.

I can be the same way.

When I fixed Audrey's breakfast, she said, “I couldn't eat all the cereal because you put too little milk with it and it got too dry.”

Hearing the accusing word “you” raised defensiveness within me. I thought, “She thinks I always do everything wrong.”

But then I remembered Audrey was raised in the depression and wasting anything was shameful. She was actually saying, “I hope you won't think badly of me because I wasted the cereal. But I couldn't eat it. It’s too dry.”

Knowing the underlying reason helped me be gracious toward her and reminds me to be compassionate toward others.

Maybe it's not all about me but their own struggles.

When the new believers he mentored had problems, the Apostle Paul didn't take it personally.

He wrote,

“. . . Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God” (2 Corinthians 1:12 NIV). 

We can trust God knows the truth about us.

Every one of us struggles with spiritual dementia to some degree. God will help you just like he is helping me.

Which symptom of spiritual dementia (if any) do you struggle with?

Kathy Collard Miller has continued to be in awe of God’s ability to use her through writing over 60 books and speaking in 9 foreign countries and over 30 US States. Her newest women’s Bible study book, God’s Heart for Your Marriage (available in print and Kindle), is perfect for individual or group study. Kathy and her husband, Larry, of more than 50 years, are parents, grandparents, and lay counselors, and they live in Boise, Idaho. Visit her at www.KathyCollardMiller.com.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Benjamin Balazs at Pixabay.

3 Kinds of 'Holding' in a Hope-filled Life

Recently, I took time to meditate on the words "holds" and "holding" in the Bible, and the study blessed and encouraged me. In this Christian Life UPGRADE, I want to share what I found.

There are three kinds of "holding" in a hope-filled life. Let's explore each of these.

1. We Hold onto Jesus.

The song "Anchor" by Hillsong Worship says, "I have this hope as an anchor for my soul; Through every storm I will hold to You."

There is a sense in which we "hold" onto Christ. We anchor our lives in Jesus, our Savior; we hold on tightly to Him.

Hebrews 6:18b-19a says,

. . . we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul. . . . (ESV).

What does that mean? It means we hold tight to the anchor of the promises of God for our salvation. We cling to the old rugged cross and our Lord's sacrifice for sin.

We trust in Jesus alone, believing what God has told us about sending Jesus to be the Savior (1 John 4:14), and that we will have eternal life through Him (John 3:16, 36; 5:24; 6:40; 10:28-30; 17:3; Romans 6:23; 1 John 5:11, 13; 2:25 ).

He is our only hope.

2. God Holds onto Us.

The song "He Will Hold Me Fast" by Ada Habershon and popularized by Keith & Kristyn Getty and Selah, best exemplifies this.

"He'll not let my soul be lost, His promises shall last.

Bought by Him at such a cost, He will hold me fast."

The song reminds us that Father God will hold onto us, His redeemed children,

• when we fear our faith will fail,
• when the tempter seems to prevail, and
• when our love grows cold.

One line especially spoke to my heart. While it is crucial that I hold onto Jesus,

"I could never keep my hold,

He must hold me fast."

My salvation is not a matter of my holding out until Jesus returns, but rather on God's eternal plan and purposes, and our Heavenly Father's commitment to hold tight onto those who have trusted in His Son.

He holds us fast when we are marked with the seal of the Holy Spirit—our Father's guarantee of redemption to the praise of His glory (Eph. 1:11-14).

Consider the wonder of Father God taking us by the hand:

• Even if others abandon us, He takes us in and holds us close (Psalm 27:10 NLT).
• As His hand holds us, He carries us along, leading and saving us (Psalm 139:10; Isaiah 46:4 ESV).
• He takes hold of our hand and holds us up with his victorious right hand (Isaiah 41:10, 13; Psalm 63:8 ESV).
• His presence is so near that He has, in fact, engraved us on the palms of His hands (Isaiah 49:16 ESV).

That last verse is such a comfort.

Can you imagine having your picture (Amplified), or your name (NLT) being carved into God's hands? The symbolism is so beautiful.

In Psalm 73, the seer (prophet) and psalmist, Asaph, testified to the close relationship he experienced with God, even though he had almost lost his footing spiritually (vs. 2), and even though he felt bitter, foolish, and arrogant (vv. 21-22).

Furthermore, Asaph proclaimed that even if his health failed him and his spirit grew weak, God was his forever! (v. 26)

That is truth for all of us who know the Lord. God's children belong to Him and He holds their hands (Psalm 73:23 NLT), even when they feel they are falling apart.

We are safe with God, no matter what happens in this life.

How wonderful to be firmly held onto by the Father, now and forever.

When I was a mom with young boys, I noticed the freedom they felt when I held their hands in dangerous situations. They felt protected. Their hearts were at ease.

That is the freedom we feel when we remember that Father God holds our hand. We experience peace because He is with us.

3. We Hold Fast Our Confession of Faith.

Hebrews 10:23 tells us to hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful (ESV).

To hold fast is to hold firmly. Confession can also be translated "profession"—what we profess.

The writer of Hebrews is saying, "Keep a firm grip on what you have professed and affirmed, that your hope, your confidence, is that God can be trusted to keep His promises."

Holding fast to our confession also means we must display our faith in God and our loyalty to Him in a public way. 

God doesn't call "secret service Christians."

We are to declare verbally (Romans 10:9) what we have believed for salvation. We must be faithful witnesses.

When we consider that God is holding us firmly, something should happen in our thoughts and emotions. We should be motivated to share what God has done in us, for us, and through us.

Philippians 2:14-16a says,

Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the mist of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life . . . . (ESV).

There are two ways to look at that scripture.

First, we're to "hold fast." As we hold onto Jesus and rejoice that the Father is holding onto us, Paul says we have the responsibility to be powerful examples in our generation. And how do we do that? By "holding fast to the word of life."  

We hold firmly to what we have been taught and what we know about Jesus, who is the living Christ (1 John 1:1).

But there's another application.

The Amplified version of Philippians 2:16 reads this way: holding out and offering to everyone the word of life.

In other words, we invite those around us to receive the same hope in Jesus that we have. We do that as we witness to them with our words, not only our lives.

As we live for the Lord in practical ways, and cooperate with the Holy Spirit in conforming us to Christ's likeness, others will see God operating in us—and perhaps they will be more inclined to listen to our testimony.

The Christian life is full of hope, and we have the responsibility and joy to share with others how to know Christ.

So remember:

• We hold onto Jesus.
• Greater still, God holds onto us.
• And we hold firmly to our testimony—we hold forth the word of life to others.

Which of these kinds of "holding" do you need to focus on today?

Dawn Wilson, founder and President of Heart Choices Today, is a speaker and author, and the creator the blog, Upgrade with Dawn. She is a contracted researcher/reviewer for women's teacher and revivalist, Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth at Revive Our Hearts, and is a regular columnist at Crosswalk.com. She and her husband Bob live in sunny Southern California, and Dawn has traveled with Him in Pacesetter Global Outreach. They have two grown, married sons, three granddaughters and a rascally maltipoo, Roscoe.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of D Mz at Pixabay.

Revival: Fresh Water in a Dry Land

In this Revival UPGRADE, Dawn reminds us that revival is highly personal before it ever passes to others.

Yesterday (6/20/23), I chatted with a good friend about revival. It's a topic I've always loved. But it's more than just "a topic."

God is everywhere-present; but when biblical revival comes, God's people sense His manifest, holy presence in greater, deeper ways.

I so long for that, but I don't pray for it enough. I don't cry out for it, desperate for God to move among us. It's not even a matter of getting weary in well-doing. To be honest, for me, it's the problem of not wanting it enough—not being willing to pay the price of earnest, fervent prayer for revival.

The church as a whole needs revival, not more "revival meetings"—though God may choose some godly servants to help bring revival.

I'm convinced our nation needs to see God's holiness and power in His people once again. It's already seen enough of hypocrisy and lukewarmness.

We are like dry land, parched in wickedness.

Revival is fresh water—Living Water—coursing through us and enlivening everything again.

When revival comes to our heart, the change in us will be a powerful witness to a watching world.

I remember the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water" (John 4:10). The non-believer needs this living water, and the Samaritan woman had only to "ask Him" for it. (She did, and the inhabitants of her village noticed the difference! She had a changed heart.)

Likewise, the Christian needs to ask for a revived heart. More than ask. Cry out for it!

Why? One reason is our witness. As one old saint said, "The world waits for a daily demonstration of the Christ who lives in you."

But also, the Christian desperately needs the freshness of revival because "Christian living" can grow old and stale. Sins can pile up. Selfishness can creep in. Self-sufficiency (independence from God) can take over.

I once heard something like this:

Let's stop looking around at the world and others and saying, "Oh my."

Let's allow God's Spirit to search us until we cry in repentance, "OH, ME!"

In other words . . .

• We can't wait for our brothers and sisters to bow in humility. Revival is personal—we need to hoist our own white flag in surrender to God.
• We can't wait for others to clean up their act; we need to allow God's Spirit to sweep our own heart clean.
• We can't wait for our church to cry out for revival; we need to cry out for it ourselves.

Del Fehsenfeld, Jr., the founder of Life Action Ministries—who first whet my appetite for revival in the church—said it this way:

"Revival, no matter how great or small in its ultimate scope, always begins with individual believers whose hearts are desperate for God, and who are willing to pay the price to meet Him."

It indeed involves surrender. As Bill McLeod—a pastor whose church experienced revival in the great Canadian Revival in 1971—said, "When I ask the Lord to fill me with His Holy Spirit I am, of course, relinquishing all rights to the control of my life for that day." I would add, "and every day."

Revival is a blessing, not the sad, negative experience some make it out to be. God loves us and He is good. He longs to draw us to Himself.

The only sad, negative thing about true revival is coming face to face with the ugliness of our sin.

What joy comes when fresh water is poured over a parched soul, trickling down to the depths of sin and washing it away.

God longs to do that in us. He will do that (Isaiah 44:3). Jesus came for that (John 4:14).

There's nothing like a Christian's joy when Christ reigns within. We have the river of life within us. Unlike anything the world offers, Jesus satisfies our thirst with Himself; and as we believe in Him, "rivers of living water will flow from within" (John 7:38)

It's not about DOING more for God to make us love us more or to bring Him pleasure. It's not about activity.

It's about simply BEING with Him and allowing Him to do His work.

The psalmist says, "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10). God is God and we are not. We cannot imagine what He might do when we seek our Father God for revival.

• Set aside all distractions.
• Bring your restless soul to the throne of God in prayer—cease striving.
• Offer Him your flag of surrender. Come in humility, desiring only His will.
• Confess all known sin—agree with Him that you have sinned (1 John 1:9).
  
• Cry out for revival. Begin (and keep on) crying out in prayer until it comes.
• Proclaim how wondrous God is, and the marvelous salvation He designed.
  

The psalmist continues (46:10), "I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." That will be completely true someday; but we can still exalt Him—praise Him, worship Him, obey Him, live sold out lives for Him—today.

And we can best do that with a revived heart.

Here's the kicker:

It's not enough to read about revival or listen to messages about it. It's not enough to acknowledge we need it. It's not enough to preach and teach and write about it. No. We need to CRY OUT for it.

It's not just another activity to add to an already busy life. It's part of our "be-ing" with God.

And yet we are content to let others take on the challenge.

Revivalist Leonard Ravenhill said, "The only reason we don't have revival is because we are willing to live without it!"

Sad, but true. For the church and for individuals.

So what are we going to do about it? I don't know about you, but the Holy Spirit is telling me there is nothing more important for me to do today but to begin crying out for revival in my own life.

Are you crying out for revival? Yes? Praise God! No? Will you begin today?

Dawn Wilson, founder and President of Heart Choices Today, is a speaker and author, and the creator the blog, Upgrade with Dawn. She is a contracted researcher/reviewer for women's teacher and revivalist, Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth at Revive Our Hearts, and is a regular columnist at Crosswalk.com. She and her husband Bob live in sunny Southern California, and Dawn has traveled with Him in Pacesetter Global Outreach. They have two grown, married sons, three granddaughters and a rascally maltipoo, Roscoe.

Graphic adapted. Original is a photo on Soundscapes' television music channels.

What Do You Have Apart from Jesus?

In this Spiritual Life UPGRADE, I want to share the blessing and power of not doing anything apart from Jesus.

February 1, 2022, when I couldn't sleep in the night, I started thinking about what life would be like apart from Jesus. In that long night, the Holy Spirit was my Comfort and Peace, but my mind turned to my Savior.

I thought about all He had done for me. I thought about Him praying in Heaven for me. The more I meditated, the more I realized how He touched every part of my life, and that I, in fact, had no life apart from Him.

Here is what I reminded myself about that night.

Nothing Apart from Jesus

1. Apart from Jesus, there's no PATH to eternal hope and heaven.

In other words, there's no salvation. Jesus said,

I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6).

Apart from our Savior, we have no hope for eternity; but with Jesus, we have "a living hope" (1 Peter 1:3).

2. Apart from Jesus, there's no PURPOSE for spiritually-meaningful life and legacy.

We all have personal goals—some made with much prayer and in seeking God, and others planned without Him.

The best way for a Christ-follower to live is to prayerfully ask God for direction.

Why?

For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10).

God planned works for us to do. He had jobs, careers, and responsibilities in mind when He created us.

I've thought about this a lot. I believe:

• God gifted me and He empowers me.
• He knew I would be a wife, mother, and grandmother.
• He knew I would be a writer, speaker, and love to sing in the choir.
• He has provided all I've needed, in my weakness, to be strong in Him.
• He designed me to love truth and show mercy.
• He gave me the desire to live for His glory.

He did all of this for me and in and through me as I am "in Christ"—and I am so grateful!

Perhaps you might review your own life. Consider how God has prepared the way and used you in ways you never would have imagined.

Perhaps you are like me. Without the Lord, I have no spiritually-meaningful life. Without Him, my legacy would be shallow. But with Him . . .

3. Apart for Jesus, there's no POWER for godly choices and change.

We may be able to overcome some issues with sheer will power, but godly choices requires knowing God. When we have the "mind of Christ," we will think differently (1 Corinthians 2:16).

Also, because Jesus stands in victory, we do not have to sin! As a popular song says, "sin's curse has lost its grip on me." * I have both the desire and the enabling to overcome temptation in Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57) and through the Word of God (1 Corinthians 10:13; Psalm 119:11).

I am being transformed through the "renewing" of my mind (Romans 12:2). God is changing me to become more like His Son (Romans 8:29).

Without Christ, we can do nothing, but with Him—when we abide in Him, when we live in His strength—what a difference!

4. Apart from Jesus, there's no PROVISION for spiritual growth and godliness.

God gives us great grace. It is the grace of God that He chooses to bless us instead of give us what our sin deserves.

Paul reminds us that nothing good dwells in our flesh (Romans 7:18). How can that which is not good do good? Even our so-called goodness is as "filthy rags" before God—tainted by sin or wrong motives.

Oh, how we need Jesus!

In Jesus, God made a way not only for eternal life, but blessings as well. In Christ, we are given many spiritual blessings and we are able to live "to the praise of his glory" (Ephesians 1:3-14).

God give us "grace gifts" (spiritual gifts) to help us "bear much fruit" (John 15:8) as we serve Him and pursue God-given goals.

• Father God calls us to be holy as He is holy (1 Peter 1:15-17).
• He gave us the Holy One, Jesus, to enable our holiness (John 6:68-69).
• And Jesus prayed the Father would send the Holy Spirit to guide us into righteousness (Romans 8:14; Galatians 5:16).

Clearly, it is God's will that we be holy; but we cannot be godly apart from our Savior.

5. Apart from Jesus, there's no PEACE in the world's confusion and chaos.

Just listening to newscasts for one day is enough to either make us angry or make us afraid. We rightly ask, "What in the world is going on?"

We may be tempted to panic. We crave peace in all the confusion and chaos. 

Yet, as Christ-followers, we know there's more going on than earthly headlines.

• We know Jesus, the Prince of Peace, is coming back to set things right.
• We know that—whatever happens to our earthly bodies—sin, circumstances, and the evil one cannot destroy us.
• We know that apart from Jesus we might panic, but in Him, we have peace that the world cannot understand.

Jesus desires to give us HIS peace, far beyond the peace promoted in this world (John 14:27). It's the kind of peace that enables us to not be troubled or afraid in the scary circumstances of life.

Apart from Jesus we may feel hopeless, purposeless, powerless, helpless, and restless. But all that changes when we are alive in Him.

"No guilt in life no fear in death,

This is the power of Christ in me.

From life's first cry to final breath,

Jesus commands my destiny." *

How grateful I am that I do not live apart from the One who loved me enough to die for me, the One who has provided all I will ever need.

Is there some area of life where you are apart from Jesus? Do you have a personal relationship with Him? What do you have that has not come from Him?

Dawn Wilson, founder and President of Heart Choices Today, is a speaker and author, and the creator the blog, Upgrade with Dawn. She is a contracted researcher/reviewer for women's teacher and revivalist, Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth at Revive Our Hearts, and is a regular columnist at Crosswalk.com. She and her husband Bob live in sunny Southern California, and Dawn has traveled with Him in Pacesetter Global Outreach. They have two grown, married sons, three granddaughters and a rascally maltipoo, Roscoe.

* Lyrics from "In Christ Alone" by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Matteo Vistocco at Unsplash.