Grief

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Sometimes the news comes quick. Sometimes the news comes slow. No matter how or when it comes, grief travels in the wake of the news. Grief is heavy, weighty, a burden, especially when it involves someone deeply loved. Grief is not meant to be carried alone. It’s too heavy and may last a while—and that’s ok. That’s what family and friends are for, to share the load. Jesus stood outside the tomb of his friend and wept but He did not weep alone. It was a deep, human moment. “ Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted ” (Matt 5:4). If anyone knows how we feel in grief, it’s Him. But His grief did not linger long, as at the mention of his name, Lazarus came forth. We are not meant to dwell in grief, but should leave room enough for it. Let it run its course. Like the song says, “ Every Storm Runs Out Of Rain .” Another song says, “ The storm We will dance as it breaks The storm It will give as it takes And all of our pain is washed away Don't cry or be afraid Some things...

Discard Anxiety

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"Today I escaped anxiety. Or no, I discarded it, because it was within me, in my own perceptions not outside." (Marcus Aurelius)

Which is easier to manage: a bundle of wood, or a stick of wood? How often we look at a situation and begin to spiral about the burden. "It's too big," or "I can't do this," or "the pressure is too great!" and before long anxiety has blurred our vision, weakened our resolve and undermined our foundations. When we build a fire, we don't carry the whole stack inside at once. We take a few sticks at a time and before long the entire pile has been moved! Why focus on the wood pile when all we need is to move one stick at a time?

You've heard the old joke, "how do you eat an elephant?"
The answer is "one bite at a time." 

So when you feel worry set in, discard it. Anxiety won't help move the pile and will drain your energy. Anxiety won't add years to your life. How often we work ourselves up into an unnecessary lather!

Be kind to yourself and discard anxiety. When you discard anxiety, you have control. Anxiety has no control over you. It's a lie. Change your perception of what troubles you. 

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