I was thinking it’s probably a great time to just talk about facts. You know, the world we live in is damaged. Viruses make people sick, and cancer slips in unannounced. Cars collide and people abuse other people. Jesus said ‘In this world you will have trouble, but take heart- I have overcome the world.’ And yes, that’s a someday statement, but it’s also a today statement. Even in this damaged world, people heal and cancer can go into remission and lessons are learned and people get second chances. Maybe find a quiet place to write down all you observe that’s precious and good and hopeful. I guess Paul thought of that too when he said ‘whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things and the God of peace will be with you.

Lisa Barry

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Ways To Get A Better Perspective

These days, to an even more extreme extent than in the past, watching the news or spending time on social media can lead to some serious anxiety. Thanks to instantaneous connection to a lot of the world, we are seeing the suffering of many. Consider that until very recent history, people only had access to local or regional news. Were our brains designed to handle this flood of information? In addition, the conflicting opinions on social media about basically everything is enough to make your head spin!  For our own mental health, we need to find ways to get a better perspective every day- or more precisely, God’s perspective. 

1. You’ve probably heard it said it’s best to start your day in the Bible and with prayer. If it’s a struggle for you to focus first thing in the morning, set a time in the day for your quiet time. Set an alarm on your phone or write it in your planner until you get the habit down. 
2. Write down some Scriptures to keep in key places you’ll see several times a day. This is certainly not a new idea, but if you forgot about it or never actually tried it yourself, it can really help to center your mind on God’s truth when your days feel like a whirlwind. 
3. If you like to unwind by scrolling Facebook, and you’ve been finding yourself more anxious,  find a different way to relax for a while. It’s so easy to let something like social media become a habit instead of a tool. If you find anything in your life that has become more like an addiction than a help to you, take some time to restore it to its proper purpose. 
4. Start a journal or a commonplace book (more on that later.) There are many well-documented benefits to journaling, but I want to focus on being able to change your perspective and your feelings based on what you pay attention to. 

You might have had enough life experience to know what things contribute to your peace and what things contribute to your anxiety, but if not, now is a great time to think about it. You owe it to yourself to keep yourself as healthy as possible. 

Commonplace Book 

Commonplace books (also known as commonplaces) can be used in a variety of ways, but the most widely accepted ways seem to be the recording of quotes, favorite passages from reading, proverbs, prayers, and ideas. I especially like to choose quotes or selections from my reading that make my eyes light up…that make me sit up a little straighter…you know what I mean? Sometimes I even write about something that happened to me or that I witnessed that shows me God’s love. For example, I love birds. I think God lets me see amazing things regarding birds because it really speaks to me. I especially love watching the process of nesting, laying and fledging baby birds. It’s such a beautiful and mysterious thing to me that always turns my thoughts to God. Partly, because of the Scripture that talks about how we are more precious to God than many sparrows, and partly because of the references to God protecting us under His wings. 

“What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭12:6-7‬ ‭NLT‬

“Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings! Interlude” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭61:4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

All that to say, keep track of the things God does to show you his goodness. You’ll always be able to look back in times of trouble and be able to see the evidence of God in your life. 

Keep growing and shine bright. ?