Many people respond to trauma by repressing it, in an attempt not to notice or give a name to what has happened. The trauma that is pushed/moved aside is manifested through the development of a variety of physical symptoms such as: headaches/migraines, asthma attacks and a wide range of physical pains. Trauma can be represented in many ways, from childhood trauma to issues that have arisen in work. Such as during a war, in your work etc. Thankfully there are people to help, for example you may want to look at Operation Heal America. 

​The price of ignoring trauma or distorting the body's messages is the inability to identify what is really dangerous or harmful, as well as what is safe and nutritious. Self-regulation depends on being able to have a good relationship with your body. Without this you have to rely on external regulation - drugs, drugs, alcohol, compulsive pleasures of others, the need for constant approval and the like. Traumas can affect health in old age in many different ways. Increased mental stress can lead to decreased immune system function and flare-ups of symptoms that existed in the past. Another explanation for physical problems among trauma survivors is the occurrence of an “body memory” experience that causes emotional discomfort associated with a particular organ in the body, which may later manifest itself in physical pain.

The frightening physiological sensations

• Traumatic people are often afraid of their emotions
  
• It is no longer the abuser they are afraid of (hoping they are not harmed in the present) but their bodily sensations have become the enemy.
  
• The fear of being taken over by uncomfortable feelings causes the body to become frozen and the mind to shut down
  
• Although the trauma belongs to the emotional brain it continues to produce feelings that make you feel scared and helpless
  
• Trauma has a wide impact on physical health including the immune system, blood pressure, and cortisol levels
  
• There is evidence that stress and strain following trauma activate the area in the brain that is responsible for emotional regulation
  

Breaking the silenceTrauma victims cannot recover until they become acquaintances and friends with the feelings. To accept it and to break the silence. When you hide things away, the feelings become more intense; that is why there is a saying “a problem shared is a problem halved”. That is why journaling is often a great way to battle anxiety, you can write down your issues to unburden yourself. Being scared means living in a body that is always in a state of alertness, and anxiety. In order to change, human beings need to become aware of their feelings and the way their body interacts with the world around them. Physical self-awareness is the first step in releasing the tyranny of the past:

• As long as you keep secrets and suppress information, you are at war with yourself
  
• Repression of key emotions consumes a huge amount of energy, prevents you from achieving worthy goals, and leaves emotions closed.
  

Retirement is something we all think about throughout our working life. Whether it is something you have started to look forward to or you are thinking of it as an intimidating change, retirement is an important part of life. 
While government schemes and pension programs allow us to make the most out of these golden years, there is much you can do to truly craft your dream lifestyle once you have said goodbye to your work colleagues. However, planning in advance is a must - especially if you are unsure about how your lifestyle will change after your last day at work. Here are ten tips to prepare in the best way for this important milestone. 
Test Your Lifestyle in AdvanceAs you approach the last day at work, you can start calculating your pension. Usually, between the pension contributions and your savings, you will live on 70-80% of your current income. Many people find the transition between work life and retirement scary and intimidating, especially because they are unsure about what to expect from this change. 
But if you are able to anticipate how much money you will have, you can start testing your new lifestyle early on. Reducing your expenditures and living below your means can help you save more and know exactly what to expect post-retirement.  
Check Out Your Retirement Destination EarlyIf you wish to move after retirement, you should make sure to spend some time before checking out the location. And this does not only mean learning about available properties and locations. It also means being in the destination area during the different seasons, learning how these affect your life, and finding out transport connections.
After all, after retirement, you might not be able to count on the mobility and level of energy you have been used to. Therefore, you will need to find a location that is well connected to amenities and main transport hubs - and ensure that harsh seasons won’t take a toll on your lifestyle!
Set Up An Emergency FundWhen you stop working, you might not be able to count on a steady income that can help you cover unexpected expenses. Therefore, it is crucial that you have set up an emergency fund far before the retirement date. This allows you to start saving up for emergency costs that might arise later on in life. These might include healthcare or medical costs, assistance, and equipment. 
Many retired professionals feel that paying lump sums after retirement can be a struggle, especially if you have monthly expenses to take care of and you are unable to save as much as you wish to. That is why important repayments, investments, and funding projects should all be made before your last paycheck!
Start Investing EarlyYour savings alone might not be rough to support you throughout a long and happy retirement. In this case, you should consider investing to achieve the level of savings you need to live a frugal but fulfilling life. When it comes down to investing in improving your retirement lifestyle, it is vital to balance benefits and risks. If you are new to this complicated world, you should always try to find an advisor that can talk you through the steps of improving your finances. 
Don’t Make Risky Moves.There are moments in life when it is right to be more risk-prone. By getting out of our comfort zone, we can face our fears and grow. However, as you are preparing for retirement, there are several important decisions that you will need to make. And, it is vital that you don’t take important risks at this time in your life. 
After all, you could be losing the savings of a lifetime or seriously compromise your lifestyle after retirement. If you are unsure about the right moves for your situation, it is always recommendable to consult an experienced financial advisor. 
Find the Right Care CenterEveryone dreams of the perfect retirement - but sometimes the perfect retirement is not the one we have in mind! In fact, in certain cases, it might be vital for you to have assistance. Thinking about this possibility in advance and finding the best care center in your desired area can help you make the right choices. 
Aside from checking out the staff’s qualifications, ensure that the center aligns with your values. For example, the Catholic Care Center can help you strengthen your faith and others to share your experiences with - all while receiving state-of-the-art care. 
Keep Yourself BusyThe lifestyle changes that might come with retirement can have long-lasting consequences for your mental wellbeing. Someone who is used to working several hours a day and leads a busy life might lose focus and purpose. In this case, it is crucial to be prepared for it, undertake new hobbies, and rekindle new interests. 
Whether this has to do with sports, crafts, DIY, gardening, community help, or volunteering, it is vital to dedicate yourself to a new purpose. Thinking about what you wish to dedicate your golden years to can truly make a difference in how you will live this period of your life. 
Maintain an Active Social CircleOnce you have said goodbye to your work colleagues, you might find it hard to restore your social circle and enjoy events and parties. However, cultivating a rich social life is just as important in retirement as it has always been. Whether you make new friends at a club, church, community center, care center, sports field, or volunteering grounds, there are always new people to connect to - put yourself out there!
Location MatterThe location you choose for retirement can make a difference in your future experience. Naturally, the city and surrounding area are important. But it is also crucial to agree with your family about where you will live. In fact, you might need their support, and they might want to look after you and your family. Make sure you are all happy with the arrangements before you start further looking into these locations.
Don’t Delay Estate Planning.Your properties are important. Of course, you will want your home to be your nest throughout retirement. Yet, material possessions are likely to outlast us on this Earth. Therefore, don’t forget to take care of them and pass them onto your offspring. While we are all hesitant about this, the earliest you divide your possessions, the earliest you can enjoy a stress-free retirement. 

​

Change is something that many people have become all too familiar with in recent months. Since the pandemic arrived, the lives of people right across the globe have gone through unprecedented disruption. This is a time that will go down in history and will be spoken about for generations. For those living through the pandemic, the changes that have happened have been a challenging adjustment to make. Almost overnight, everyday life was flipped beyond recognition, and daily routines, work, events, celebrations, and every aspect of normal life changed. It is little wonder that for many people, the impact of the pandemic and resulting quarantines and disruption has had a negative effect on their wellbeing. Adjusting to the ‘new normal’ is a challenge in itself, especially as the pandemic is a rapidly evolving situation. Understandably, this is an uncertain time, so you may find that these tips for embracing change during difficult circumstances help:

Change is a part of life

Change is a central part of life which is crucial to remember when you are struggling to deal with change. It is understandable to want to resist unwelcome changes, but change is everywhere throughout life and is often unavoidable. 

You may find it helpful to explore the subject of change itself and to understand some of the significant changes that have happened on earth throughout history. Reading books and researching subjects such as What every Christian should know about evolution will help to bring a fresh perspective to the idea of change.

Look for opportunities

Sometimes the most difficult circumstances provide the biggest learning curves. In the face of adversity, there is the opportunity to thrive, to grow stronger, and to demonstrate the power of your faith. The more challenging the situation, the bigger the opportunity to make a difference, to stand up and be counted. By reaching out to help others, you will provide proof that there is good in the world, that no matter how difficult a situation may be there will always be hope and someone that is willing to help.

When life gets challenging, the world needs kindness more than ever before. Bringing compassion and kindness into your heart and then sharing them with the world helps to create moments of positivity that are able to illuminate even the darkest of times. 

Finding acceptance

Simply accepting the current situation may seem like an impossible task, but staying connected to your spiritual beliefs during this time is vital. We never know what God has in store for us as part of his plan. Having faith that you are on the correct path will help to ease your acceptance of the changes that are happening all around you.

Looking for opportunities to make the best of the situation as a learning experience is an ideal way to make change easier to accept. Embracing changes during difficult circumstances is not easy, but will help you to move forward with your life and will make it far richer as a result.

​

Wrapping Up Warm For The Winter: Cute Jumpers To Cosy Up In

The winter months are coming in strong, bringing with them cold weather and the desire to wrap up. 

Scarves, hats and gloves are always great protection against the elements, but with the world spending that bit more time indoors due to the pandemic, they might be needed a little less this year. Instead, warm indoor clothes are needed. And we all know the best warm indoor clothing item is the jumper. 

But there are many types, styles and fits of jumpers to choose from. Obviously, the answer is: wear them all! But if you are looking for something specific, why not peruse this list?

Christmas Jumpers


Image credit: TheUglySweaterShop.com / Wikimedia Commons 

That’s right! December isn’t long away now, which means Christmas is right around the corner. And with Christmas comes Christmas jumpers. 

Whether you go for a classy jumper or a full-blown ugly Christmas jumper is up to you, but the need to have at least one Christmas jumper in your winter wardrobe is a must. 

Slogan Jumpers
Slogan jumpers are a classic and staple of most wardrobes. Slogans can range from old university names to inspirational quotes to vintage kids football teams. 

If you have a particular interest in an area, there will be slogan jumpers for it, I promise. Grey’s Anatomy? Done. Taylor Swift? Done. Christian t shirts and jumpers? Done. 

Patterned Jumpers


Image credit: Piqsels 

A patterned jumper can be a really great way to add a focal point to an outfit, a statement piece, let’s say. 

Patterns can range from the simple, classic stripes or polka dots to more extravagant patterns, like sheep or stars. 

A patterned jumper is often the kind of clothing item that will get people stopping you, asking where you got that great jumper from!

Colour Block Jumpers
Just look at the popularity of Harry Styles’ colour block cardigan, and you’ll know that colour block jumpers are a trend this season. 

Colour block jumpers are a great way to bring brightness to your wardrobe and outfits. It can be a great way to try out new colours you rarely wear, as the colour won’t take up the whole clothing item. You might find something new you like. 

Jumper Dresses
The jumper dress is the ultimate hanging around the house outfit. Warm, cosy and comfortable: what’s not to love? 

Another perk of the jumper dress: it can be both dressed up and down. You could totally wear it to a hang out with your friends at a local coffee shop, and wear it on a Saturday while you binge Netflix. 

Great for a stylish walk around the woods, or hosting a winter celebration at home, the jumper dress will never let you down. 


It’s good to keep warm in the winter, but it’s even better to feel like you’ve got a great outfit. Luckily, with jumpers, you don’t need to compromise either of these things. But is there such a thing as too many jumpers? Probably not. 

​

The global pandemic has had a big impact on our world. For some people, it’s meant a huge change in priorities, as well as starting to think differently about your future.

Dating before the pandemic was a lot more straightforward, despite being hard at times! But it’s now set to be even harder, which is why it’s important to think about what you want. As things start to go back to normal, or at least as normal as they can be, you’ll need to revisit the dating world and get yourself back out there.

Here are some things to think about when it comes to dating post-pandemic.

Image Credit: Unsplash under Creative Commons
Think about what you really wantLife is short, and it’s important to make the most of the time we have. When it comes to relationships and dating, you need to think about what you really want. This begins with focusing on yourself and thinking about what you want from life. Taking steps to boost your own confidence can help you give you greater clarity, while ensuring your own happiness comes first.
Find someone who shares your ideas and interestsOne of the most important rules of dating is not to waste your time. You don’t want to spend time with someone who doesn’t share your views and ideas on life and your future. You should have discussions about Christian dating and marriage at an early stage to make sure you both know where you stand. Spending the rest of your life with someone is an important step to make, and by finding someone who shares your beliefs and interests, you can look forward to a happy marriage.
Don’t feel pressuredThere can be a lot of pressure on women (and men) to be in a relationship, especially as you start getting older. But it’s important not to let other people’s expectations and opinions affect your choices. It’s important that the path you take feels right for you, and that your own happiness takes priority. If dating isn’t your priority right now, be sure to pursue your other interests and do the thighs you want to do.
Expand your horizonsIf you’re feeling frustrated by dating right now, it might be time to expand your horizons. Finding the right church could help you meet some new people, and potentially the love of your life. Get out there and socialize and connect with some like-minded people - you never know where it might leave.

The pandemic has left a lot of people with uncertainty, but it doesn’t all have to be negative. Now is a time to reflect on what you want and to put your own happiness first. While it might feel more difficult to date during a pandemic, it’s not impossible, so when things calm down, and you’re ready to re-enter the dating scene, do it with confidence and faith and see where it takes you. 

​

​Improving our living spaces is an important and worthwhile act of self-care. You don’t need to break the bank to improve your home; there are many simple ways to make changes. To design a home that improves your wellness, consider the following ideas.
 
1 . Keep It Green
 
Creating an earth-friendly home is a fantastic way to enhance your well-being. There are lots of ways that you can design a greener home, such as:
 

• Solar power: Instead of choosing a conventional energy service consider using solar power for your home. Renewable energy solutions are also useful to save money.
• Composting: Instead of throwing out your food waste, start a compost pile, and use it to improve the soil in your garden. Composting can help you to reduce the amount of waste that you send to landfill.
• Use green cleaners: Instead of using conventional cleaning products for your house, try out earth-friendly products, which are made of plant-based ingredients.

2. Improve Your Garden
 
Gardening is a fantastic hobby to help you de-stress, improve your well-being, and grow some healthy and nutritious foods. When you put effort into gardening, you’ll improve the quality of your outdoor space and achieve a sustainable lifestyle. There are a few applications that can be helpful to learn more about gardening.
 

• Smart Plant: This application is perfect for those who want to develop their gardening skills. You can use the app to get tips, banish pests, and identify a wide range of plants.
• Veggie Garden Planner: Using this app, you can learn how to make a perfect vegetable patch with plenty of advice on sowing times, neighboring plants, and more.

 
3. No More Clutter
 
When our homes are cluttered, we tend to feel less comfortable and more stressed. Many people don’t even realize that clutter affects their mood (until they have a nice clear out)! Tackle one room at a time and separate your items into different categories. These categories might include ‘keep’ ‘sell’, ‘throw out’ and ‘charity store.’ To sell your unwanted items, you can use the following tools:
 

• Letgo: Using the Letgo marketplace, you can sell your old stuff in a wide variety of categories. A few of the categories include electronics, homeware, video games, and even cars.
• Nextdoor: With the Nextdoor app, you can connect with local sellers whether you’re looking to sell old clothes or furniture items, Nextdoor can help you to find a new home for your old clutter!

 
4 . The Natural World
 
Designing a home that improves your wellness doesn’t have to be complicated. One of the easiest things you can do is to pick out a nice selection of house plants for each of your rooms. House plants can help cleanse the air of harsh chemicals and toxins, plus they make great natural decorations. Anthurium plants are a great choice for the bedroom; they can boost oxygen and improve your sleep. Aloe Vera Plants are a great choice for the bathroom as these love humidity.
 
5 . Express Yourself 
 
To design a home that improves your wellness, you need to create a space that helps to feel positive, relaxed, and comfortable. One of the best ways to do this is to express your personality through your decor. There are many ways that you can achieve this, including:
 

• Use memories: Decorate your home using your best memories, whether it’s your favorite photographs or displaying your achievements.
• Color schemes: Choose color schemes that represent the atmosphere you are looking to create. Yellow is closely associated with positivity and creativity, while green is a soothing color that can help you to feel calm.

 
6. Deep Cleaning
 
When your home is lovely and clean you’ll feel healthier and more relaxed in your space. It can be a great idea to use green cleaners, as these are made from non-toxic ingredients. For more cleaning tips check out the following tools:
 

• Our Home: The Our Home app is just ideal for those who want to help their kids learn about chores. With the app you can create a personalized list of chores, to get on top of all household tasks. You can assign different cleaning regimes to the members of your family, and everyone can check using their own device.

 

• Tody: Tody is the perfect app for cleaning, with plenty of tips tricks, and features to help you get organized. The application doesn’t feature alarms or deadlines, but it does help you to take control of your cleaning routines. There are cleaning plans provided for each of your rooms, which you can customize as you wish.

 
7. Design Cozy Spaces
 
Feeling relaxed and peaceful at home is all about comfort. Designing cozy spaces is a great way to improve your well-being. For example, why not try designing a cozy reading corner? You can do this by purchasing an armchair, a footstool, and plenty of soft throws and cushions. Purchase a miniature bookshelf, and decorate the corner using fairy lights and cute artwork.
 
8. Plenty Of Relaxing Scents
 
Aromatherapy is an ancient wellness practice that has a variety of different health benefits. Using the right scents, you can feel more relaxed, boost your mood, or create a calming energy for your home. Some of the best candles for relaxation include jasmine, bergamot, peppermint, lavender, and rose. Candles are one of the easiest ways to create a relaxing home space.
 
9. Beautiful Artwork
 
With the right artwork, you’ll make your home a beautiful space in no time at all. When you’re choosing artwork for your home, it can be useful to create a budget beforehand and determine the style you are looking for. Consider the interior style of your home to determine which kind of artwork might fit in best. Whether you’re looking for photography, a sculpture, or a painting, Etsy Marketplace is a great place to find deals on artwork.
 
11. Use Air Purifiers
 
Air purifiers can help you to create a healthier home by removing toxins, chemicals, and allergens from the air. With the right healthy touches, you’ll stand to improve your wellness levels.
 
12. General Wellness Tips
 
Of course, improving your wellness isn’t just about your home; there are plenty of other ways to boost your well-being. For a few more ideas to think about, consider the following:
 

• Yoga practice: Yoga is a great exercise practice to boost your wellness levels. There are so many advantages of practicing yoga, including improving flexibility, improving posture, and helping you to relax.
• Try mediation: To calm your mind and practice mindfulness, mediation is one of the best practices you can try.
• Keep up with health checks: Basic self-care means keeping up with your regular health checks, from hearing tests to dentist trips and eye-tests. If you are currently looking for more information about eyeglasses prescriptions, you can find it here.
• A new hobby: Sometimes, we need a new challenge in our lives, and a new hobby is a fantastic way to boost your wellness levels. Creative hobbies are particularly useful to improve your wellbeing.

 
To Conclude 
 
As you can see, there are plenty of options to improve your home and lift your wellness levels at the same time. Throughout the process of simple interior design, we can express our personalities, make our homes more comfortable, and even live a greener lifestyle. Once you’ve decluttered your home, try to adopt mindful shopping habits. Think carefully before you buy each item, ensure that you are only buying things that you will use long-term.
 
 

But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said.

Although he doesn’t explicitly state he is the son of God in this exchange, it is enough for Peter to respond: Lord, if it is you…” I wonder why Peter didn’t distinguish immediately Jesus’ voice. As Christians, we will know Jesus voice and the more we mature, the more we become sensitive to distinguishing his voice from all the others: My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”
When we know who we are and whose we are, the stronger we can become to do the work of the kingdom and not fall into Satan’s snares. When we build our identities on the truth that we are sons and daughters of the king and heirs to the throne of God, we will be able to carry out the work of our Father, just like Jesus did. But when we build our lives on shifting circumstances (like raging waters) we will surely sink.
Peter believed Jesus was enough. Enough to come out into the water. Enough to walk towards. Enough to attempt the impossible. All because of one statement: “It is I. Do not be afraid.” But when we build our lives on the belief Jesus is not enough, this is when we get into trouble. Jesus in his compassion rescues us. But the more we practice allowing Jesus to be enough for us, the less we will sink, and the more opportunities we will have to proclaim the Gospel to the masses.
Where is your identity rooted?
If we want a life that defies limits, we need to know to whom we belong. We have to know Jesus is enough for us. Not only must we know it, we must believe that as well. We cannot live a limitless life if we build our identities on things that don’t matter. While God may choose to bless us with possessions and other benefits, this should not, and does not define who we are. We cannot be searching for approval in anything other than who God is.

Whatever your this is, I’m here to tell you there is joy available to you right now. (Even in the midst of a pandemic!) You don’t have to wait for your circumstances to get better.
In fact, I am writing about joy from a place of brokenness, not because I’m happy-go-lucky.
When you read the word brokenness, what do you feel?
Brokenness feels:

1. Lonely
2. Detached
3. Wounded
4. Rejected
5. Betrayed
6. Trapped
7. Discouraged
8. Numb
9. Powerless
10. Empty

Joyful Worship
Being joyful while broken is an act of worship. Obedience. Yielding. Making it about Christ and his Kingdom—not about me and this temporary problem. And this, all of this, is temporary except for my relationship with him.
Joyful Brokenness
When I think of brokenness, different biblical examples come to mind. Jesus blessed the bread before he broke it.  (He blesses us in our brokenness, too.) He gave his body, broken for our sins. The alabaster box was broken to anoint Jesus’ head with oil. Or we can go even further back and think about the broken pottery shard of Job. Brokenness doesn’t mean forever hopelessness.
We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Hebrews 12:2 (NLT) shows us in the middle of brokenness, Jesus kept his focus on the joy yet to come. When we keep our gaze on Jesus despite our own broken places, he nurtures our faith and will lead us to future joy.
In Matthew 26, after Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, while they partook of the Last Supper together, Christ told them of his impending betrayal and sacrifice. So as they waited for what was up ahead, even in the midst of concern and confusion, they sang a hymn after they shared the Last Supper. This is an example of being able to have joy despite brokenness.
Joyful Peace
When joy ministers to the broken heart, it creates peace. All is well, not because it is well now, but because I know it will eventually be well. This helps me be able to say “all is well” right now, in the middle of the current trials.
Joy Delivers:

1. Wholeness
2. Belonging
3. Freedom
4. Excitement
5. Truth
6. Release
7. Hope
8. Refreshment
9. Refueling
10. Healing

When I experience this unexplainable joy, it creates such a peaceful place in my heart. Peace helps you feel undisturbed from whatever typically disturbs you. Peace helps you be still—and being still helps you have more peace! What does peace do?
Peace:

1. Quiets
2. Calms
3. Soothes
4. Reassures
5. Encourages
6. Relaxes
7. Lifts
8. Settles
9. Relieves
10. Clarifies

Who doesn’t want a little more (okay, a lot more) peace? And peace provides an environment for joy-filled hope to flourish.
Silent Saturday
After Resurrection Day (Easter), Christ followers had their hope fulfilled. We as New Testament believers hold on to the hope of Easter and trust he will come again. But the day after Good Friday and the day before Easter, Saturday was silent.
Can you imagine what believers felt on Silent Saturday? Perhaps they felt like those of us who are in-between what was and what is yet to be. Those of us in the middle of a wait. Knowing Silent Saturday was just a blip before Resurrection Sunday helps me know my own in-between is on its way to transformation, too.
Joy Transforms
Jesus didn’t stay dead and our dead spots (our trials, problems, challenges, waiting periods) don’t have to stay dead either. Something alive (something new) is coming! Those bad times aren’t final. It leads to the joy found in newness of life.
When a Christian gets baptized we quote something like, “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life,” (Romans 6:4 ESV).
What do you think of when you read “newness of life”? It begins with believing the hope of the resurrection. We don’t have to wait for heaven for God to be our blessing. Even if our bad circumstance doesn’t get better, having God ever so near is the peace that takes the sting out of suffering.
This is why I can have joy in my brokenness. In the middle of my wait. And so can you.
About: God’s Grin Gal, Kathy Carlton Willis, writes and speaks with a balance of funny and faith, whimsy and wisdom. She coaches others to remove the training wheels of fear and not just risk, but also take pleasure in the joy ride of life. She is known for her debut book, Grin with Grace, and for her grinning Boston terrier, Hettie. Her new book, The Grin Gal’s Guide to Joy is inspiring Joy Sightings everywhere.

​“But we were hoping He was the One who would redeem Israel. And besides all this, it is the third day since these things took place.” Luke 24:21.
 
 Have you ever thought about what everyone must have been thinking when Jesus had been crucified? Three days passed before the fulfillment of his prophecies took place.  But what about the days in between?
 
Three days.
Three days to wonder if Jesus was who he said he was.
Three days to go back to the familiar.
Three days to switch from hope to despair.
 
On Friday, the two disciples must have been scratching their heads, wondering if they had gotten it all wrong. Because time had passed, they thought Jesus was not going to be the One. Little did they know, on the road to Emmaus, Jesus was walking alongside of them, even when they didn’t recognize Him.
 
That is, until Sunday came.
A hopeless world quickly turned from despair to hope.
 
If you ‘re living in the in- between, don’t fear. In this ever- changing world, these are crucial times to cling to God more than ever. Cling to the promises of God. If your life looks more like Friday, hold onto hope that not all is lost.
 
Because it’s always Sunday somewhere.
When Sunday comes, hope is sure to follow.
When Sunday comes, we worship a risen Savior, the One even death couldn’t defeat.
 
In life, we have Fridays and Sundays in our lives. Sad days and happy days, and days somewhere in between. Rejoice everyday, because Fridays can be turned into Sundays if you look hard enough.
 

​What is this you have done?
Judges 2:2
By Kathy Collard Miller and Larry Miller
 
In Judges 2:2, God asks, “What is this you have done?” of the Israelites after they resist his directions. He draws their attention to the reason for their current difficulties, which he has provided for the consequences of their disobedience. His intention is to motivate them to see the damage sin brings. Yet, they seem clueless. They don’t see the connection.
 
Clueless could really be every person’s middle name. At the time of temptation, we are blinded by the demand of our own desires, which seems absolutely reasonable to choose. We expect our choice will bring our good. And then God or people don’t respond according to our selfish expectations. We wonder why and act sinfully, feeling justified. Then we should ask, “What is this I’ve done?”
 
Judges 1 gives the back story to God’s question. The Israelites enter the land promised them by God, but they don’t fulfill their part of the covenant. God promises to empower them for war to take total possession of the land of milk and honey. Instead the Israelites allow many of the Canaanites to live among them.
 
As a result, God says, “You have not obeyed my voice. What is this you have done? So now I say, I will not drive them out before you, but they shall become thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare to you” (Judges 2:2-3, italics added). He is asking them to evaluate their motives of demanding their own way, thinking the Canaanites offer some kind of benefit. They refuse the truth God will only drive out the Canaanites if they obey. God keeps his part of the covenant—the Israelites will still inhabit the land, but it won’t be as trouble free as it could have been. The remaining unbelievers will be a temptation for the Israelites to abandon worshipping their true Lord God.
 
What motivates the Israelites to disobey their loving Master who knows what is best for them. Are they worried? Their strong and courageous leader, Joshua, has just died and they are without leadership. After traveling together for a long time, each tribe has now gone off to inhabit their assigned land. Do they feel alone? On their own? Sometimes those are the feelings and lies we believe when God doesn’t seem faithful.
 
Often, we think God has promised us some “land,” and then obstacles block or hinder us from having complete fulfillment. There’s the possibility we didn’t hear correctly, or we have disobeyed. If some people are thorns in our side, what is God trying to reveal about the motives of our own hearts? Have we begun worshipping something or someone else rather than our faithful God? Has our trust in God diminished because what we thought was promised hasn’t occurred? Or maybe the thorny people are just the hazards of living in a sin-controlled world and their presence says nothing about whether we obeyed.
 
But we can be assured this fact is absolute truth: God is faithful. He always keeps his covenants and promises even if he must allow consequences for our disobedience. But like the Israelites, even consequences of “thorns” and “temptations” are God’s faithful calling to motivate us to turn back to him.
 

• When has God revealed himself most clearly to you as faithful?
• When your expectation isn’t met by God, how is God’s faithfulness meaningful to you?

 
Almighty God, I praise you for your faithfulness, even though I am not faithful. Thank you for staying true in wanting my best.
 
The Millers have been in ministry since 1978 as speakers, authors, and lay counsellors. They married in 1970 and God empowered them to overcome the dysfunctional marriage and family they had developed early in their marriage. Larry is a retired police lieutenant from Huntington Beach Police Department. Both individually and as a couple they have authored over 55 books and spoken in nine foreign countries. They live in Southern California and are parents and grandparents. Visit them at www.KathyCollardMiller.com
 
IF APPLICABLE:
Kathy is making a copy of God’s Intriguing Questions: 40 Old Testament Devotions Revealing God’s Nature available to the winner of a book drawing. Enter by win by …… . The winner will be drawn on …… (US addresses only can win.)
 
This guest blog is adapted from God’s Intriguing Questions: 40 Old Testament Devotions Revealing God’s Nature
 
Order God’s Intriguing Questions: 40 Old Testament Devotions Revealing God’s Nature at:
https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Intriguing-Questions-Testament-Devotions/dp/195197008X/
 
Connect with them at:
 
www.facebook.com/KathyCollardMillerAuthor and https://www.facebook.com/larry.miller.3532?
Twitter: @KathyCMiller and @LarryMiller
Pinterest/Kathyspeak