Elizabeth George's Blog, page 43

What to Do about Worry

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I’m a person who used to sleep with my pillow under my stomach to comfort my bleeding ulcer instead of sleeping with the pillow under my head. Finally I acknowledged that worry is a terrible sin… and a terrible habit. As I read my Bible and grew as a Christian, I couldn’t help but notice there are so many commands in the Bible telling God’s followers not to worry!

Worrying is a Bad Habit

I grabbed onto these two and began to pull them out when I felt my stomach burning or caught myself wondering and worrying. Jesus commanded: “Do not worry about your life” (Matthew 6:25). And Paul commanded: “Be anxious for nothing” (Philippians 4:6).

Worrying is a bad habit. A habit is anything you do on a regular basis. Habits can be good ones…or bad ones. Reading your Bible and praying are good habits that you want to be a part of your life. But any habit, whether it’s an action or attitude or thought process that tempts you to turn your heart away from God and onto yourself is a bad one and must be changed and dealt with dramatically and drastically.

What to Do about Worry

Worry is definitely one of the actions that takes your eyes off God. Worry says that “this” (whatever “this” is that you’re worrying about) is something that can’t be handled by God, with God, or by His grace. This attitude is the exact opposite of trusting God. You might as well be wearing a T-shirt or pin that says, “I don’t trust God.”

The goal of spiritual growth is to exchange the bad habit of worrying with the excellent habit of trusting God. Whatever your situation, do your part. Do all you can. But most of all, be sure you turn your concern over to God!

RESPOND

Dear God, I so easily focus on the bad and then I worry. Please guide me in redeeming my negative thoughts by using them as reminders to pray. I want to fully trust You in all things. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES

A Woman After God’s Own Heart – With over 1 million copies sold, this wonderful resource shows you how to embrace God’s plans for you. And find real purpose in a life of prayer, a life of priorities, a life as A Woman After God’s Own Heart.

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REFLECT

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart.” (Proverbs 3:5)

When trouble crosses my path, what is my first reaction: do I worry or do I pray?

REMEMBER

The goal of spiritual growth is to exchange the bad habit of worrying with the excellent habit of trusting God.

Believing God One More Time

“Sarai was barren; she had no child.” Seven words. A simple statement of cold, hard fact.

Perhaps Sarai (whom God later called Sarah) wondered, What’s gone wrong? What have I done? Why hasn’t God blessed me with children? On and on her questioning went…and so did her pain. Nothing could relieve it, soothe it, take it away. Childlessness was a stigma that seared deeply into her soul with each childless sunrise.

When Believing God is Difficult

Sarah was the wife of Abram (whose name was changed to Abraham) and a follower of God. She was barren for many years, but then God promised Abraham and Sarah a child in their old age. But the baby was a long time coming.

With aching heart and stinging tears, Sarah trusted God one more time, for one more day, over and over. Despite a few setbacks, Sarah learned that faith—instead of giving up, succumbing to bitterness, lashing out at others, turning her back on God, giving in to a contentious spirit, and manipulating the situation—is the best way to face the distresses of life.

When the Promise is Fulfilled

For 11 years Sarah grabbed on to God’s promise. That’s more than 4000 “faith reaches”! Then God’s promise was fulfilled and Isaac was born. Oh, how Abraham and Sarah must have rejoiced!

Faith, like physical muscle, is developed and strengthened with use. Each time you trust God as you face seemingly unbearable, unusual, unchangeable circumstances, your faith increases. What difficult issue are you facing today? Reach out to God one more time! Turn toward the unknown, the unseen, the eternal, and watch your faith grow.

RESPOND

Lord, thank You for leading me to the center of Your will. Help me to see Your hand in everything that comes my way as I follow You today. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES

One Minute with the Women of the Bible—Start or end your day with these powerful one-minute devotions that are reminders of God’s work in the lives of women in the Bible.

Take 15% off your entire order of $10 or more with coupon code JEGSUMMER → SHOP NOW!

REFLECT

“Sarai was barren; she had no child.” (Genesis 11:30)

Have you prayed about one more “faith reach”?

REMEMBER

Turn toward the unknown, the unseen, the eternal, and watch your faith grow.

Read Believing God One More Time on Elizabeth & Jim George.

I Will Give You Rest

If your life is uncertain and filled with difficulties, be encouraged! God is not asking you to handle your entire life all at once. More often than not, your what-if imaginings about the future turn out altogether differently. Instead of being anxious, choose to concentrate on today. With God’s strength and grace, you will make it.

You can also choose to pray and draw near to the God who loves you unconditionally and promises to take care of you. Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” God loves you and wants you to rest in Him.

Let today be the boundary for your fears and worries: “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things” (Matt. 6:34). And if the going gets tough, concentrate on making it through one hour at a time without anxiety. Faithfully follow Jesus one step at a time, one hour at a time, one day at a time.

RESPOND

Father, today I give You praise and thanks. Every circumstance brings me to my knees before You because You are the Author of my life. You are Creator, King, and Savior. I am blessed and privileged to be Your daughter. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES

A Woman After God’s Own Heart Bible – With 365 daily devotions, 150 biographies, a reading plan, and more … this Bible will encourage and inspire you! Pick up your copy here.

The Lord is My Shepherd – Special: $3.00! Combining careful Scripture study with personal experience and gentle encouragement, Elizabeth leads women to 12 promises that will help them in the seasons of life they’ve experienced — as well as in the seasons to come.

REFLECT

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

What is your first emotional response when you are tired? The next time you find yourself exhausted, turn to God and ask for His rest.

REMEMBER

God loves you unconditionally and promises to take care of you.

Read I Will Give You Rest on Elizabeth & Jim George.

How to Slow Down – Teen Tuesday

 

Moms and Grandmothers, today’s devo is designed for you to share with your daughter to have a conversation about how to slow down to spend time with God.

Have you ever felt nervous…fidgety…on edge… cranky? And even though you didn’t want to act the way you were, you kept on stomping through your day, lashing out at everybody who crossed your path? Well, take heart! You’re not alone!

This happened to Martha, a woman in the Bible. She got too involved in the activities of her life. In all her busyness, Martha didn’t take time to enjoy Jesus and worship Him when He came to visit.

Are you thinking, I would never ignore Jesus if He came to my house! But imagine how easy it is to go about your day without lifting up a prayer, without doing devotions, without serving Jesus, without thanking Him. You’re missing out!

Put aside the busyness and chaos of school, pressures, and worries. Totally enjoy time with the Lord.

RESPOND

Lord, I love You. I want to hang out with You. Life gets crazy sometimes. I want the peace of Your love. I want the joy of being in Your presence. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES

A Girl After God’s Own Heart Coloring Book – NEW RELEASE! This beautiful and fun coloring book will help your daughter meditate on powerful Scripture verses included on each page.

REFLECT

“‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things,  but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.’” (Luke 10:41-42)



What can you say no to today so you can say yes to time with God?

REMEMBER

All our time is better spent when some of our time is spent in God’s Word.

Read How to Slow Down – Teen Tuesday on Elizabeth & Jim George.

The Proverbs 31 Woman – A Model to Imitate

Today’s devotion is one of the 150 biographies included in A Woman After God’s Own Heart Bible by Elizabeth George!

The Proverbs 31 Woman

Notable Accomplishment: Model for all women

Meaning of Name: Unknown

Main Text: Proverbs 31:10– 31

A Little History

The last chapter of Proverbs begins with a young prince learning from his mother what should characterize his reign as a godly king. Then this godly and wise mother gave a description of the kind of wife the young prince should look for. She asked, “Who can find a virtuous wife?” This mother points out that such a woman is rare but explains how finding such a woman is worth both the time and effort it takes.

Her Story
Her marriage — Proverbs 31:10-12

This amazing woman demonstrated impeccable loyalty to her husband and earned his trust and confidence. Because of her thrift and industry, she added to her husband’s wealth and reputation and her family’s comfort.

Her behavior — Proverbs 31:13-24

This enterprising lady was compared to a merchant ship that travels to distant lands to seek clothing, food, and items to be bought and sold for profit. She was a “realtor” who bought, improved, and sold land. Her physical strength and endurance seemed inexhaustible as she rose before dawn and worked far into the night caring for her family and household, which were her foremost priorities.

Her character — Proverbs 31:25-27

This magnificent woman was said to be clothed in “strength” and “honor,” which described her character. Her inward character gave her the outward confidence to face the future with its unexpected challenges. She took what she had learned and passed it on to others with wisdom, all the while displaying a heart of kindness.

Her family life — Proverbs 31:28-29

Because of her unfailing love and ceaseless energy, the Proverbs 31 woman was highly respected, not only by her community but most importantly by her family. There is no greater joy for a mother than for her children to grow up to praise her as a source of the wisdom that made them godly. But her highest praise came from her husband who said, “You excel them all” (v. 29).

Her spiritual life — Proverbs 31:30-31

The book of Proverbs begins with a reference to the fear of the Lord as the beginning of wisdom. As the book concludes, this same quality is again seen in the life and heart of this exceptional woman. She may have been hardworking and an exceptional businesswoman, but her true source of power was her devotion to God.

RESPOND

Lord, right now I commit my life and my day to You. Create in me a fiery love for You and Your Word. Lead me to make choices that move me toward living as a woman after Your own heart. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES

A Woman After God’s Own Heart Bible – With 365 daily devotions, 150 biographies, a reading plan, and more … this Bible will encourage and inspire you! Pick up your copy here.

A Girl After God’s Own Heart Coloring Book  –  Help your daughter become a girl after God’s own heart with this interactive gift that will teach your daughter Scripture.

REFLECT

Models are to follow. God did not include this woman in the Bible to be rejected as an impossible standard, but to be accepted as a model for every woman’s growth and fulfillment. No mountain was ever scaled until the first step was taken. God is asking you to take a first step as described in the life of this remarkable woman. What first step can you take toward becoming a woman of excellence?

  REMEMBER

Our inward character gives us the outward confidence to face the future with its unexpected challenges.

Read The Proverbs 31 Woman – A Model to Imitate on Elizabeth & Jim George.

God Will Lead You – Tween Tuesday

Moms and Grandmothers, today’s devotional is as a tool for you to share with your tween girl to have a conversation about God & His Word.

Did you know that God has a treasure for those who choose to follow Him? Matthew 6:21 says, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

When it comes to treasure, you have a choice to make. You can choose to look for the things you want and think are important, or you can let God direct you to the treasure He has for you—a life of fabulous blessings especially for you. What’s really neat is that God’s treasure isn’t hidden. And it’s not hard to find.

As you go through each day and follow God’s path, He will lead you step by step to discover the many treasures He has just for you along the way!

RESPOND

God, please help me to make Your treasure my treasure, to focus the wants, dreams, and desires of my heart on You. I want You to be the most valuable prize in my life. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES

A Girl After God’s Own Heart Coloring Book – NEW RELEASE! This beautiful and fun coloring book will help your daughter meditate on powerful Scripture verses included on each page.

You Always Have a Friend in Jesus (50% off when you order the Coloring Book!) – Your daughter will grow in confidence, faithfulness, and joy as she discovers her friendship with Jesus.

REFLECT

Memorize Matthew 6:21, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

REMEMBER

God’s treasure isn’t hidden. And it’s not hard to find.

Read God Will Lead You – Tween Tuesday on Elizabeth & Jim George.

Raising Children Who Love God

Do you desire that your children love God with all their heart? Here are three ways you can go about raising them to help plant those seeds:

Pray

Mom, praying for your children will make a difference in their life. It took me awhile to discover the power of prayer—and I’m so glad I did! As a young mom, I’d made the decision to stay at home. And there were many times when I felt useless and ineffective. But when I was introduced to the idea of prayer as a ministry, that changed my perspective. I began praying for my children, around my children, and with my children. And what a privilege it was to teach my two girls to pray

Talk

Then be diligent to live a life that reveals your love for God. Ephesians 6:4 says to “bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” There’s a very simple way for this to become second nature: talk of the Lord.

Talk about Him when you’re at home and in the car, before the kids go to sleep, and as soon as they wake up. A woman — a mother — who loves God is a light in darkness. Matthew 5:16 says, “Let your light so shine before men [before your children], that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Read

Last, spend some time each day reading the Bible. Share its life-giving truth with your children. It requires the sacrifice of time and energy, but the years you have with your children fly by so quickly. Psalm 119:11 says, “Your word I have hidden in my heart.”

Your time in prayer, talking about the Lord, and in God’s Word is time He’ll use to make you a mom after His own heart who raises children after God’s own heart. It’s time well invested!

RESPOND

Dear Father, let my lips sing praises, speak requests, and make frequent mention of Your mercy. Give my children ears to hear of Your goodness so that they turn to You, their heavenly Father, with ease and delight. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES

A Girl After God’s Own Heart Coloring Book – Pre-order this beautiful and fun coloring book to help your daughter meditate on powerful Scripture verses included on each page.

You Always Have a Friend in Jesus (50% off when you order the Coloring Book!) – Your daughter will grow in confidence, faithfulness, and joy as she discovers her friendship with Jesus.

REFLECT

Do I connect everyday life to God’s Word and pause to pray with my children?

REMEMBER

Prayer for your children is ministry.

(Today’s devotion is taken from A Mom After God’s Own Heart Devotional by Elizabeth George)

Read Raising Children Who Love God on Elizabeth & Jim George.

Pray for Your Husband

Hopefully you’ve already had your husband as a key focal point of your prayers up to now. If so, your husband is a blessed man to have you as his wife! To make him your special “prayer project” for life, here is a suggestion to keep in mind.

Pray

Pray without expecting instant results. God is always at work … but God doesn’t work according to your timetable.

I’m sure you know this from firsthand experience. For instance, God has been patient with you so far, hasn’t He? And yet He has been at work in your life. You’re not where you need to be or where you’re going to be, but you also aren’t where you used to be!

Now you must apply this knowledge of God to your husband. And so you pray faithfully and forever for your husband. That’s your commitment of love. And, as you pray for your husband, don’t expect or look for any overnight miracles.

Past Encouragement

Learn a lesson from Monica, the mother of Augustine, one of the early church fathers. This devout believer and devoted mother prayed for decades before God opened her son’s heart and he embraced Christ at age 31. First Corinthians 13 tells us that “love suffers long…[and] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (verses 4 and 7). That, my praying sister-in-Christ, is to be our approach to praying for our husbands.

We pray no matter what. We pray—and suffer long, patient while we bear and endure all things, always believing and never losing hope. Don’t get discouraged in the course of your prayer journey. It’s exactly that—a journey! That means it involves time and takes time, even a lifetime. Be persistent yet patient as you pray.

RESPOND

Father God, I do not cease to pray for my husband and to ask that he may be filled with the knowledge of Your will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES

15 Verses to Pray for Your Husband – You, dear wife, may be the only person praying for your husband. This wonderful book by Elizabeth George shows you how!

Prayers for a Woman’s Heart – Filled with prayers and devotions, this new resource will help you grow in wisdom, patience, and peace!

REFLECT

Turn Colossians 1:9-11 into a prayer for your husband.

REMEMBER

Being a wife who prays for her husband is a unique privilege. And it’s a necessity because you, dear wife, might be the only person on this entire planet who is praying for your husband!

Read Pray for Your Husband on Elizabeth & Jim George.

The Simple Solution to a Better Day

Psalm 121 is one of the “Pilgrim Psalms” or “Songs of Ascent.” Each year God’s people were required to attend the annual festivals in Jerusalem. Fulfilling this law called for a commitment to a long and strenuous journey—an uphill climb every step of the way up to the mountaintop where the temple, the seat of worship, was located.

Uphill Climbs

These devoted worshippers trekked through desert lands where bandits often robbed the pilgrims along the way. Families banded together and traveled in caravans to provide safety for all family members, from babes to the aged. And they sang these songs as they ascended the terrain to the temple!

Many of our days are uphill climbs. Our climbs at home and at work often involve stress, weariness, and the challenge of managing heavy burdens and workloads. It’s hard some days to find any joy as we labor on. Yet these pilgrims sang!

Unending Praise

They sang songs like Psalm 121 to praise God as they pushed themselves and their gear uphill. On their way to worship God, they worshipped Him with songs of praise. As they struggled onward and upward, through music they …

rehearsed God’s promises.
recounted His character.
recalled His faithfulness.

As you step into your day and step up to take on your responsibilities, with every step you take, lift up your eyes to the Lord. Lift up your songs of praise when you are worn out and weary. Lift up your heartfelt worship as you labor. Your help comes from the Lord.

RESPOND

Lord, I lay before You my worries, my sorrows, my disappointments, and my failures. I am looking to You for a portion of Your strength for today—and for joy in my work. As I rise to take on the tasks ahead of me, I give thanks as I remember that “My help comes from the Lord.” Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES

Prayers for a Woman’s Heart is filled with this and other devotions and prayer to help you grow in wisdom, patience, and peace! Order your copy here and receive a limited-time only free gift!

REFLECT

“I will lift up my eyes to the hills—from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber… neither slumber nor sleep.” (Psalm 121:1-4)

Do I daily spend time in prayer and God’s Word?

REMEMBER

“God is ready to assume full responsibility for the life wholly yielded to Him.” (Andrew Murray)

Read The Simple Solution to a Better Day on Elizabeth & Jim George.

Sweet Speech

Fast talk, sarcasm, and banter can be fun. That would be something I would do if I didn’t continually ask God to “sweeten” my speech.

Sweetening My Speech

I can verbally spar with the best of them, but is that what God is asking of a godly woman?

Choosing words that build up and lift up yourself and others will bring praise to God. Those words will also bring a gladness that surpasses the momentary satisfaction of winning an argument.

Saying Nothing

When you speak, make sure your words “come from [an] upright heart,” and that your “lips utter pure knowledge.” Ask God for His help in curbing rampant, destructive, and ungodly speech. Proverbs 12:18 tells us, “There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise promotes health.”

If you want to be wise, restrain your lips. Just say nothing. Try it for a day. It will be difficult, but it will be a day marked by wisdom— a day of glorious victory, peace, and self- control.

RESPOND

Father, help me remember to hold back from speaking the sharp words that come so quickly to my mind. Fill my mind with Your thoughts and my mouth with Your wisdom. Let my speech be sweet and encouraging. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES

A Woman After God’s Own Heart Bible – this devotion is one of 364 daily devotions by Elizabeth George in this beautiful Bible. Pick up your copy here!

A Girl After God’s Own Heart Coloring Book – this interactive gift will help you teach your daughter Scripture. Add You Always Have a Friend in Jesus for Girls for 50% OFF when you PRE-ORDER this wondering coloring book today!

REFLECT

If you want to be wise, restrain your lips. Just say nothing. Try it for a day.

REMEMBER

Let the words of my mouth & the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight. Ps. 19:14
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Read Sweet Speech on Elizabeth & Jim George.