His Yoke is Easy, His Burden is Light

Philippians 4:13 (New International Version)

13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.


This is a verse I have memorized before when I was pregnant with Lily and in the hospital and scared to death that I would die from the complications I was having and I would have to leave Charlie & Claire. I did not know how long I would have to be in the hospital or how long it would take me to get better or if I would. But, I read my bible as much as I could with the IV's in my arm and this is one of the verses I leaned on the most.

Today, I am feeling a lot better about things. Coming through a lot of YUCK! A lot of worry. Things are not necessarily better but I realize just how much I have been giving Satan a stronghold in my life but allowing him in my mind. He has convinced me that I am not capable of handling anything. When in reality, I am capable of handling EVERYTHING that comes my way because I have the Lord who is my true stronghold.

I have always been full of self doubt. I am very hard on myself and I tend to dwell on my mistakes. Lately I have been thinking how I can't possibly handle a third child. I make so many mistakes with the two I have! How on earth is this going to work? And, I beat myself up all the time for the things that I don't do or don't do right with the girls. I think that I am the most terrible mother ever. And the biggie? I don't think that I deserve my babies. I don't believe that I deserve my husband. I am a failure. The list could go on and on forever. I get in this pit, this self incriminating, destructive mindset and I stay there and live in self pity. Because it is comfortable to me. It's easier to believe in others than to believe in myself.

But, today, God has given me this WORD and I must soak this in and Pay Attention to what HE is telling me. I CAN DO THIS!!!!! I am a good mother. I am a good wife. I can be all these things through Christ. And, that my friends, is the biggest relief of the huge burden I have been carrying! So, today, I am letting God carry it for me. For "His yoke is easy, His burden is light."

Hope ya'll have a wonderful day!

Philippians 1:1-5

I am finally getting this up, it's not going to be very enthralling as I am no Beth Moore and it's been a rough day but I am committed to doing this. I want a stronger more thorough knowledge of God's word. So, here goes:



Vs. 1 - Denise said that Paul was saying a prayer of thanksgiving for the saints and I believe that is exactly what is going on here.



vs. 2-4 "Every time I think of you I give thanks to my God" Do people, when they think of me, thank God for me? Am I remembered as a good kind and thoughtful person? I am sure that many times I am not. Do I lift up others?



Vs. 4- Paul says " I always pray for you, and I make my requests with a heart full of joy." Do we pray for each other always? Much less with a heart full of joy? This is such an "ouch" verse for me, often times I have to confess that I do not pray for others as I should and certainly not with the joyful attitude that I should have. This verse should step on our toes.



vs. 5- Paul says that we are partners in spreading the Gospel. Do we sometimes look at it as a competition? Sometimes I get jealous because I think so and so is a better Christian than me, a better mother than me, a better friend, a better blogger, a better baker, a better baby shower thrower, a better singer, a better crafter, a better house cleaner, a better ......... you fill in the blank, the list could go on and on! I certainly get jealous when it seems like other people effortlessly bring people to church and go and visit and reach out to others when it seems like all I can do to take care of my husband, raise my kids, and clean my house and keep hot meals on the table. That is overwhelming at times and adding in the pressure to bring souls to Christ and well, let's just say that's not an easy pressure to handle so why put it on ourselves? PARTNERS!!!! GOD wants ALL of his children working together!!!!



So,I guess this is it for tonight. I need to go get in the bed but first I still have to feed Lily and I am exhausted. A lot going on in our lives right now and my foot is really hurting!



Thank you so much if you are doing this study with us. You don't have to comment if you don't want to. I know that I have a lot of readers who do not comment, and that's okay! lol. :) Just doing this today has already helped me so much!



Tomorrow we are studying Philippians 1:6-11! So, let me know your thoughts!



Love and Prayers,



Julie