Live Free For Jesus
WELCOME TO MY BLOG (PREVIOUSLY Called To Be Free) WHICH IS ONE OF A FEW CHRISTIAN BLOGS I RUN. THERE ARE 60+ POSTS HERE. MANY OF YOU HAVE BEEN REGULAR READERS (2-3k Views Monthly) AND THE BLOG CAME TO A HALT BECAUSE THE WEBHOSTING COMPANY HAD PLANS TO CHANGE SITE BUILDERS. SO NOW WE ARE BACK ON TRACK WITH LIVE FREE FOR JESUS (PREVIOUSLY Called To Be Free) I have a different website with that name now HERE
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Janet's Blog
Janet's Blog
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Living in a Restless and Stressful Age
| Posted on 16 March, 2016 at 12:26 |
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It's true, is it not, that the Age that we're living in is so restless and stressful? It's a busy life, hectic for some_ running here and dashing there, concerned that we make it in time for this and that. An endless array of people with busy schedules and commitments and I wonder how those who are engaged in some types of work can keep up with an endless stream of appointments throughout the day and socially in the evening? A Day and Age where time itself is going so fast it is flying pass many of us who cannot seem to keep up with the pace of life because a month or a year seems to be going by 3 times more quickly than they have before. Look at this year_ we only just celebrated New Year "yesterday" so to speak and already we are in spring/autumn. Is'nt that crazy? I mean to say, that would have been years ago when a year used to take it's time to go by and the pace of life was more relaxed. This in itself is stressful for many of us. And there's the saying "Look after Nb 1" that can be a good thing for those who tend to keep putting others before themselves and a not such a good thing around those who put themselves before others anyway and maybe practice it to extremes - showing little or no sensitivity to the needs and feelings of others in society and even in their family or workplace. The shopping centers is a classic place for them to display their behavior often, walking directly in front of you to take your turn or get "what they want". Oh, and the drivers who show no consideration whatsoever to other people driving.......lane hopping to where they want to get to; hugging bumpers to get you out the way; always wanting to be the car in front; those who so rudely cut in front of you, only to make a left turn shortly after; not to mention those who make outlandish attempts in busy traffic......the road was made for them, was'nt it? Some people like to show their impatience and discourtesy in car parks by grabbing your park before your eyes; beeping or crowding you when you're reversing etc And the one that really concerns me is those who walk directly across the back of your car when reversing.......especially those with little children and toddlers. To me, that demonstrates little care and regard for their children's safety - highly irresponsible but half of them have not given any thought to that. More often than not, they take it for granted they are not in a "blind spot''...... yes it is so dangerous! Those are just a few things that most of us encounter on a regular basis. And I hope it made some of you feel a bit better to read some of those things. I mean to say, things have got so hectic and selfish that an elderly person or someone who is not well thinks twice often before going out. That is not fair is it? We need to show kindness towards others. A little consideration goes a long way. It could even make someone happier on the inside. As a matter of fact, people are surprised sometimes when I mention to them how concerns like those mentioned here were addressed prophetically 2,000 Yrs ago. Often, you will hear someone commenting on the way things are. While I am not into religious churchy living, I do have time for Jesus and find His words to be true in so many things He said and a few of His followers who wrote part of the Bible. Yes, some of it relates very closely to our Day! "In the Last Days there will be Stressful Times. Some will be lovers of self, lovers of pleasure and money. Some will be ungodly, reckless and conceited. Many will break contracts........Children will be disobedient to parents". Describes our surroundings well, don't you think? Even cars and aircraft and computers were mentioned in the bible too, so it is not a book of fairy tales. Many of us are recognizing a need for spiritual things now - that we don't just have a body, mind and emotions but we do have a spirit, and there's something missing until that need is met. There are Scientists and Neuroscientists acknowledging this and saying that it is vital to our health to meet those needs. It's important what direction our 'quest' or search for life takes us in because there's so many unstable schools of thought out there - religious and New-Age! I encourage you to find for yourself that real "Living" is to be found with JESUS. He is the one who has gifted me with research, poems like Helen Steiner Rice, inspirational writings and website creation (multiple websites). I would not promote Him as a Santa - that is not right to me but walking close to Him is to experience His Graces if we don't limit Him. Christian ethics has been a strength for me through the years and I've found Him to have a measuring rod for certain experiences I've had, He has caused me to know gladness in place of sadness. Most of us live at a busy pace from day to day with people around us rushing here and rushing there - even on the home scene many times. Also, noise has become part of day to day living for most of us, from unwanted machinery, aircraft and traffic to TVs and Sound Systems - welcome and unwelcome. Whatever it is, it all adds up to noise pollution, collectively speaking. We have become so restless for some reason - we have our tablets and laptops on for hours and we take our smart-phones and MP3 players with us everywhere we go. Many of us can't keep our mobiles out of use when dining out and our MP3 player is on when we walk from A to B - even if we go for leisure walks. "Hey.........wait a minute" is not silence a good companion sometimes? Have we lost it's value somewhere along the way? Too much silence can be maddening if you're in isolation, that's true but may I suggest to you that it is sane for most of us. A missing link. It can bring calmness to our mind and emotions; composure and restfulness to our inner recesses; order into a hectic day; solutions in given situations. Things pertaining to our spirit is a missing link also because in the silence comes inspiration and time for our Creator to speak to us in the quietness of Nature or gentle voice within. So may I put it to you that quietness is not a bad thing but should be sought after on a daily basis. Think of quietness for your mind and spirit in terms of what it is like for your body after you bath or shower and when you go to bed after a hard days work - is'nt that restful? Friends, your body, mind and spirit needs more of those quiet-times where you can find a restfulness - at least on a weekly basis 3 or 4 times. When you have discovered it's merits, you will not look back - you need to make time for this. Perceived opportunities don't always present themselves but when you look for them or make way for them, it's amazing how much time you can have for this area in your life. With tranquility comes equilibrium - you will find yourself restored and experiencing better health. It is a stressful Age we're living in - Jesus said it would not be easy in this Day. May I suggest to run to your Creator instead of away from Him, because there is also a prophetic promise in the Bible that "When hard times break out on the Earth, His Light (Joy, Peace and Purpose) shall rise on those who walk with Him". Many are experiencing this in their personal lives. He did not want so many different religions any more than you or me - it can stifle the very life of God in our lives. In addition to one's own worries or situations, we often have the added weight of others' stress and disappointments from family and friends. Especially with those who don't know when to stop talking about them - maybe repeatedly. You feel like you're playing the part of a counselor sometimes - not that they want your advice. It is a good thing these days, to make certain boundaries with friends, that you don't mind being a confidant occasionally and you like to enjoy your friendship with them. Otherwise, the best of friendships can get taxing. A Better Friendship The last time that you spoke to me to get things off your chest when you forgot them afterwards I was not feeling at my best. I'd like to have some lighter times for laughter and for fun some peaceful relaxation like when our friendship begun. We're living in a world of stress you know that would be less if we value each other's company in ways that make us free. Enjoying certain activities not just sitting down we could enjoy a walk in a park with nature all around. There's something about activities they make us forget our cares. So does placing them on the shoulders of our Mighty God upstairs. Janet Vargas © Why are most of us restless? I think it's partly the effect of stress and partly an attempt to throw it off. Could it also be a part of running away from God for some because how is it that we have to keep ourselves amused or busy most of the day and evening? Maybe it is because someone or something is too much for us and we are running away from the seriousness of it?. Whatever it is that motivates us to be so restless, we need to stop still sometime - at least once a day - otherwise, you are taxing your mind and body in some way and your spirit is not being fed. You know that most people who are restless don't even know that they are? I hope these insights are helpful to you. Please find some ways you can have pleasant quiet-times. Life to your body, life to your mind, life to your spirit, dear friends. A Favorite Bible Verse that Inspires Me! Phil 4:8 is my favorite verse: "Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise think about these things." Because that is the best pattern for thinking....it speaks about having a Christ awareness .....appreciation of nature... the qualities and giftings in others.....it speaks of renewing your mind consistently.....loving His Words of Life..... having right attitudes and healthy thoughts and company.....being creative .......and having a desire for progress. Peace to you who read this Post! |