Tag Archives: encouragement in Christ

~The Ocean Series~ Beach Sand

May 29, 2018Spiritual Encouragement, The Ocean Seriesbeach, Christian encouragement, Christian life, encouragement, encouragement in Christ, God's peace, ocean, sand, spiritual encouragement, The Ocean Series, Unconditional love, vacationT.W. Allgaier

You made it. There it is…the ocean, the beach, vacation!!! Half the fun of vacation is the anticipation of it. You grab your bag, cooler, umbrella, towels, chair and the trek begins to sit right in front of those delightful waves with a book you have been waiting all year to read. It looks like a mile away, but you will make it!

Then….

Your sandal clad feet it the sand and…….ouch! That beautiful sand has become a conduit. How could this gorgeous sand be so miserable? The white sand that we were walking on last year was cool and comfortable. But this is not the same sand….Deception. There are times when something beautiful can really be harmful and disturbing. Let’s not forget the garden. And let’s not forget there were two trees there..

Even something that we think is really good can take us away from the beauty of the Father. We get busy with those “good” things and we miss our time with Him. Don’t be deceived into thinking that what you do brings you closer to God or that it makes Him love you more. Your works don’t make Him love you more or less.

Been there, done that….

So next time we are near the beach, I will most certainly check out the temperature of the sand before we venture forward!!

~Be Encouraged Today~

Tammy

Looks can be Deceiving…Hanging On!

May 9, 2018Spiritual Encouragementanxiety, Christian encouragement, Christians and depression, depression, encouragement, encouragement in Christ, God's love, God's peace, hanging on, honesty, looks can be deceiving, mental health, panic attack, perfection, pretending, Rest in Christ, rock climbing, spiritual encouragement, transpT.W. Allgaier

(Departing from ~The Ocean Series~ today)

Sometimes “looks can be deceiving.” Case in point. Look at picture #1. What a man! He is a great climber, especially for his age!

As I have listened, prayed, studied and re-evaluated so many things in my life the last couple of weeks, this seemed so fitting.

A person can “look” good on the outside, but on the inside it is a different story. We can “photoshop” pictures like we can our own lives. We want it to look perfect…like we have accomplished something, or that we have it all together, when actually we sometimes don’t even get off the ground. Check out picture #2!

And actually, that is okay. We can only do what we can do. Quit putting pressure on yourself. Once we surrender our lives to Christ we quit trying to “perform.” We don’t have to pretend for anyone.

We can be who God designed us to be, and not pretend to be something we are not. Our lives are not perfect and there is pain sometimes. Transparency and honesty bring healing.

And truthfully, sometimes we are just hanging on as best we can…

~Be Encouraged Today~
Tammy

~The Ocean Series~ Sailing Off into the Sunset

May 4, 2018Spiritual Encouragement2 Corinthians 4:8-10, Abba, Abba Father, Christ's rest, Christian encouragement, Christian life, encouragement in Christ, future, God's peace, Grace, mental health, ocean, panic attack, past, present, sailboats, sailboats sailing, sailing in the sunset, spiritual encouragement, sunsets, The Ocean Series, Unconditional love, worryT.W. Allgaier

The sail boat glides across the water as the red, orange and coral sun sets over the horizon. The pace is that of someone not worried about time, or what is in the future or past. The only concern is the present. They are not worried about solving someone else’s problems. Sailing off into the Sunset…literally it seems.

I believe a lesson for me right now is simple for my mental health. I cannot help everyone solve their problems. I cannot “mother” everyone I come in contact with….I can love them, but not take on those burdens as my own.

My “type A” personality has done that my whole life. As the eldest of three with divorced parents, I took charge. I was the one who had to make sure everyone was ok.

This past week the Lord has allowed me to rest, and learn. I can only do what I can do. And I hear this “the very thing you are gifted in is the thing that can destroy you.” My sweet friend told me that long ago. She was prophetic I think.

My compassion for others has come close to destroying me a few times. But the Lord in His wisdom helps me remember that I am not to be consumed with “fixing” everyone. He can take care of them…I just need to let Him and not try to do it myself! I often worry about situations that God has already worked out, I just need to step out of the way.

So in the sail boat I glide, watching the sunset. Breathing and living life in the moment….in the here and now.

Feel free to join me, just don’t expect me to do all the guiding!

~Be Encouraged Today~
Tammy