BALM for my soul

Hello friends,

I have missed you! I have missed writing! Somehow, six weeks turned into six months; that was not my intention and I wish that I could share that I spent it all praying, fasting, walking obediently in the word of God, but that simply is not true. I have struggled to stay motivated, to keep my commitments, to just live life. Most people do not see the struggle inside, but I feel it daily.

When last I wrote to you, I was working toward stillness, this practice has improved during my morning prayer time, but it has not been great in my daily life. How often my mind wonders when someone is speaking to me, or I turn to TV and food rather than silence before God. I argue with my husband instead of thinking through the real issue or I just make excuses for why something did not get done.

Even as I write this I am struggling. “I don’t want to write, I don’t want to get my house back in order or organize my life.” I do truly want these things, but I am fighting the flesh, and it has won so often these past months, past years even that the battle is tough. As I have always told my children, “Nothing good ever comes easily,” and I am ready to fight the good fight with Jesus at my side.

I am done waiting for tomorrow, waiting until I feel better, waiting until I am motivated. If I continue to wait – tomorrow may never come, I may never feel better, and motivation may never last. Thankfully, I do not have to do it alone. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” (Phillipians 4:13). Of my own will and strength, I cannot do it, but I serve the God who can!

Over these past weeks, I have pondered how achieve and maintain change, without getting to ambitious I have listed some steps.

1. Be consistent: “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” (Galatians 6:9) Jenny Champion – confirmed
2. Attain accountability: “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” (James 5:16) Angie Rose
3. Live intentionally: “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” (Philippians 4:8) Rosemary Osborne
4. Memorize Scripture: “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) Angie Franks

Did you notice the acronym, BALM? One definition for this word from Merriam-Webster is “an aromatic preparation (such as a healing ointment)”. Sometimes we have to endure the pain before the balm can soothe. This is where I am at right, enduring the pain, but knowing that peace is near. We read in Psalm 30:5, “Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning,” (NLT).

Perhaps, you are having an inner struggle as well, or maybe life is just hard right now and you need encouragement to keep moving. Wont you join me through this journey. Through the next few weeks, I will be unpacking the steps one at a time, with the help of people who demonstrate each of these each of these characteristics well!