Karin M. Thompson's Blog

As you know, living in this world has its share of problems. Often, all you see is the problem, and you can’t see yourself through it. It looks so big and overwhelming that you think it must be here to stay. Look at the situation one step at a time. Break it down into bite-sized pieces. What can I do today about this?

Here are a few rules I follow that may help you get answers and victory.

1.        Don’t depend on your understanding, as stated in Proverbs 3:5. Don’t overthink the problem. If you knew the answer, you would have applied it by now, and it would solve the problem. By thinking so hard, you will not find file 13 in your head that will have the answer!

2.          Go to God in prayer and present the problem to him. Hebrews 4:16. Let God give you direction–a step towards the answer. What you think is the problem is often not, but it is just a result of another problem. God will unveil the root cause of the problem, guiding you out of it step by step. Doing the first step as instructed will lead you toward victory.

Then God can show you step 2 and so on. But without first stepping on the path to the solution–step 1- the problem will continue. This will take an act of obedience and faithfulness on your part. Sometimes, you would rather not do it, but I promise the results will be worth it.

3.           Do what you can in the natural and trust God to do the supernatural. Don’t leave common sense behind; do the best you can do. For example, what is the most natural thing to do if you are head over heels in debt? Stop spending!

4.          Keep trusting God and confessing positively about the changing situation. Believe that it’s changing and not setting up camp in your life. You are just passing through. Psalm 23.

5.          Praise God for the victory every day. Have faith in the Power of God to bring you out. Nothing in this natural realm can stand against the Spirit of faith and the name of Jesus.

These are just a few suggestions to lead you to victory. Follow God’s leading step by step and obey His instructions.

 Here is a confession you could confess daily to strengthen you.

I am not head-led, feeling-led, or fear-led. I witness the Holy Spirit inside of me and am Spirit-led every hour of every day of the year. I am born of the Spirit. The Spirit himself dwells in me. The greater one on the inside leads and directs me daily, every night, in every situation. I refuse to be moved by anything else. I follow his leadership and guidance in every situation. Father, I ask you for your direction in every situation. Teach me about your leading; show me what I do not understand yet, and unveil to me, open up to me how to walk in the Spirit, to be Spirit lead in a greater way than ever before. I acknowledge you in all my ways. I hear the voice of God leading me.

What if Jesus walked into the room, placed his finger to His lips, and said, “Shhhh.”

What would your response be?

Are you feeling stressed and tired from the constant chaos surrounding you? Exhausted with no energy even to pray. Fatigue seems to loosen our tongues, causing us to voice negativity.

We talk and center our attention on the tasks and responsibilities calling out for us. The to-do list seems to get longer, never-ending. The more we engage in conversation, the more our stress levels rise.

If Jesus entered the room, all distractions would fade away as He directed your attention to one thing–Him.

Read the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42.

Martha was concerned, making a meal for guests that just kept coming. She could not cope, so what did she do? She exploded. Pushing her way through the crowd, she finally reached Jesus, stepping over people captivated by His words. She stumbled over her words before him, getting everything out at once.

“ Don’t you care? Tell Mary to get off her butt and come help me.” Jesus didn’t reply, “Oh, you poor thing, of course, Mary, get up and help your sister, you selfish girl.” Instead, He told him that Mary was doing the crucial thing: listening to God and being led to make wise choices.

Is it time for you to shhhh stop everything and listen to God? Let Him help you and direct you. Receive His wisdom on how to make the right decision.

We all need quiet time to stop everything and listen and think.

Let Jesus calm the storms in your life. Peace be still.

Peace means silence, a hush, properly, muteness, involuntary stillness, or inability to speak.

Is it time for you to shhhh?

Life can be very overwhelming, and maybe it’s time to rethink how you want to live.

Days tend to pass by in a haze as you go through the motions on autopilot. When you were younger, the world was a canvas of dreams and possibilities. The air was filled with the scent of wanderlust, and your heart danced to the rhythm of adventure.

Your mind painted vivid pictures of traveling with your loved ones, exploring new horizons, and embracing the unknown.

But then, as life unfolded, reality came crashing in like a thunderstorm. The sound of bills piling up echoed in your ears, drowning out the melodies of your dreams. The weight of responsibility settled on your shoulders, like the heaviness of aging parents and the incessant demands of your children.

Slowly but surely, your dreams took a back seat. The vibrant colors of wanderlust faded, replaced by the dull shades of everyday life. Yet, a flicker of hope remains buried deep within your heart, yearning to be reignited.

Rule 1: Rethink how you want to live

Consider envisioning the life you desire. Reflect upon the things and people that hold the utmost importance to you. Do you find a discrepancy between your current self and the ideal version of yourself? Identify what you wish to incorporate more of or reduce in your daily routine.

Here are some pointers that will guide you in the right direction.

Rule 2: Take time for yourself

In the modern world, it may appear selfish to prioritize oneself. However, it is essential to understand that you alone can take care of yourself. It is crucial to attend to your physical, spiritual, financial, and mental well-being. If you neglect self-care, no one else will step in to do it for you. Given the constant demands placed upon you, it becomes even more important to rejuvenate your soul and nurture your spirit.

Rule 3: Switch to the ‘one thing at a time’ mindset

Stop trying to be superwoman and constantly multitasking. This can trip you up and leave you with many unfinished tasks. Multitasking is very distracting. Your mind cannot focus on two things at a time. Learn to live in the now and be present in everything you do. This will help you stay on top of your game.

Rule 4: Share the load

Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you have too much on your plate. Learn to say ‘no’ and not feel guilty. Make sure you have a clear list of priorities. You don't have to do everything on your own.

Rule 5:Remember to enjoy life.

Be happy and smile. Take a moment to appreciate the small blessings in life. God has given you an abundance of goodness. Don't forget to express your gratitude to Him for everything He has done for you. Instead of complaining, seize control of your world and seek guidance from God. Whenever you need help, just say a prayer and it will be within reach.

I hope these nuggets help you, my friend.

Pressure is a part of life. God doesn't pressure you to make sudden decisions. He leads and directs you gently, never forcing you or overwhelming you.

The Holy Spirit is a gentleman, leading by his still small voice. Let the peace of God act as an umpire in your life. The Holy Spirit always leads and directs you by peace, and He will show you the correct way. If you do not have peace, it is a good indicator that something is wrong. Wait before proceeding. To make wise life choices, we should prioritize inner peace and resist the overwhelming pressure to do something quickly.

The enemy uses pressure to push us towards mistakes and away from trusting God. While waiting for an answer, maintain a sense of expectancy and praise God for what is coming. The enemy's pressure may seem overwhelming, but moving without God's direction will cause failure.

Abraham and Sarah felt this pressure. Although God had promised them a child, they had yet to see any evidence of it. So Sarah made her plan. Yielding to the pressure, she made Abraham have a child with her servant girl, and Ishmael was born. This was totally out of God’s will and plan for their lives. If Sarah trusted in God's faithfulness, He would have revealed to her she would have her child, Isaac, in the future.

Be patient and wait for God to move. Keep your mind focused on His promises and know that He is faithful in bringing them to pass. Let the peace of God rule in your heart.

Scripture references

Philippians 4:7

1 Peter 5:7

Isaiah 54:17

My Doctor looked at me with glaring eyes and said. "You will need to change things. We need to get these numbers down."

My first thought was, what again, all I do is change. Life was constantly throwing curve balls, and I always needed to change to keep up with them. Here was another curveball, and I saw what I had to do—change something again.

Growing in Christ requires us to embrace change as a constant in life. To become the best version of ourselves, we must crucify our flesh and resist temptation. That, of course, requires hard work and lots of change.

Jesus came so that we might have a life that is full of blessings and joy. To experience this life, we must transform our self-centered ways and adopt His mindset, compassion, and behavior.

Oh, you may get away with things for a while, like me.

But after a visit to my doctor and some tests later, the writing was plain to see. I had to change. I am getting older, and the things that I could do in my twenties, my body no longer appreciates. So we designed a new diet plan for me that excluded all my favorite things in this world. "It's for your good," the doctor informed me as I frowned at her.

This is what I’m doing now—changing my diet, eating healthier, and walking past the chocolate and cake aisles. Of course, God can heal me and bring the numbers down, but if I keep doing the wrong things, how long will my healing last? I have my part to play, which, of course, is changing.

Perhaps you have something you are putting off? Maybe it seems too hard to do, and secretly you don’t want to.

Change, my friend, is good. I know it's hard. When I walk into the grocery store, every chocolate in the aisle calls out my name. "Hello, over here. We’ve been waiting for you. Look, I'm on special. You can get two for the price of one!"

I must keep my focus and determination strong if I want to succeed in giving up junk food for good. God wants you to have the best things in life. Jesus gave His life to provide you with His best, but you must also do your part. God will not do your part. He will guide and help you, but you will need to do the work.

Yes, change is here to stay. Embrace it because if you must change, that means you are growing and are deeply loved. God is working on you to make you a better, stronger, and wiser person. Now that is something worth changing for.

Hebrews 11:6 says, But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Faith is a necessity, not only in pleasing God but also in obtaining His promises. Without faith, we have nothing. Everything in God’s world requires our faith, from receiving Him as Lord and Saviour to believing that every need is met.

Sometimes we find our faith wavering, especially if we have had a long battle that has gone on for some time. It's hard to believe during those times.

Faith acts as a barrier between us and the trials we face. We cannot afford to neglect our faith, and if it is wavering, we must repair it as soon as possible.

How do we increase our faith?

Romans 10:17 says, So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.

Consistent exposure to the Word of God through hearing, reading, and meditation is necessary for faith to grow. The greater our immersion in the Word of God, the more our faith will flourish. As our faith grows, so does what we receive from God.

I have learned in my life that when my faith is not where it needs to be, it's time to increase my Word intake and build it up again. Get my confidence back on track, knowing God is able.

Staying in the Word daily and feeding my faith helps me stay strong and assured that God is with me. If a problem looks too big, increase your Word intake until the situation stops overwhelming you.

You can only believe in what you are confident God can do for you. If you feel anxious, it's time for some faith fuel. You can never overdose on God’s Word. The more of it you have the better things will be for you.

Now that’s something to get busy doing.

When experiencing a panic attack, it's recommended to soothe oneself by concentrating on taking deep breaths.

Inhale deeply and count to four, then hold your breath for seven counts before exhaling slowly for a count of eight. The purpose is to shift your focus from panicking thoughts to counting.

Well, I think we can take this exercise up a notch.

Inhale deeply and repeat the phrase, "Jesus loves me. "

Hold your breath and repeat the following phrase, "I entrust this concern to Him, knowing that He cares for me."

With a deep exhale, whisper, "Thank you, Jesus. I trust you to handle my problem."

Jesus is the only one that can calm your storm. If you connect to Him when anxiety rises, it can quickly calm down your troubled thoughts.

We were never promised a life without trials and problems. But He has promised us that if we keep our minds on Him, He will surround us with His peace. You can go through a storm, but in you, is a peace you cannot explain.

Knowing who our God is and that He takes care of everything that comes our way should give us hope and relief. You will never do life alone. There will never be a situation that God cannot help you with. So if you feel a panic attack coming, practice speaking to it while you do your breathing exercises. I know for a fact that Jesus will calm your anxious mind down and give you peace.

Anxiety Scriptures

Philippians 4: 4-8

Isa. 6:1-3

Hebrew 13:8

Lam.3:17-20

The answer to anxiety is to establish your life with a strong belief system. Believe in God's Word and promises. Have habits and moral boundaries that anchor your soul. A stabilizer that keeps you grounded in the faith.

When the wind blows and anxious thoughts come, you have a sturdy belief system to fall back on. Your foundation is firmly planted in God, who will not disappoint you. You won't be shaken and you won’t quit cause you know who your Redeemer is. You know the scriptures and you answer that anxious thought with the truth of God's Word.

Your belief system is sound and firmly grounded. If your foundation is weak, it will move you, tossing you back and forth. Anxiety will be your constant companion. Knowing how much God loves and cares about you will calm your troubled mind, replacing anxiety with His peace.

Rejoice in God and believe that He’s for you. Let Him have control of your life and rest in His arms. Fill your mind with God’s thoughts, not what ifs and maybes.

Remember the times He has seen you through. Keeping your focus on Him will take your mind off your troubles. Anxiety passes as trust in God’s love for you increases.

God has got you and is for you. There’s nothing that could happen that God can’t take care of.

Scripture reading

Lamintations 23:21-26

Isaiah 26:3

Jeremiah 17:7-8

This week I had the opportunity to lose my cool and throw all my toys out of the cot!

Someone took advantage of me and stole some of my money without my consent. I spoke to them, and they blatantly thought they were in the right and that a refund would not happen.

The song, “Somebody done me wrong,” kept repeating in my head. I lost a night's sleep as I stewed over this incident. My peace went out the window, and frustration, tears, and anxiety replaced it.

Then the wise words from Elsa from Frozen reminded me to, “Let it go!”

My friend, I know you can relate to this. Every day, the devil is trying to steal our joy. Daily, there is an opportunity to step into strife and get frustrated about something.

You must consider whether it is worth it - the answer is a loud NO.

I soon realized that my joy was gone. Besides feeling so tired, I felt disconnected from God.

I repented of allowing this to get under my skin and gave the situation to God. I prayed for the person who did this, forgiving them for stealing from me. Then I rebuked the devil and told him that he couldn’t steal from me and had to return sevenfold. See Proverbs 6:31.

Like you, I am believing God for many things, and this one incident is not worth the trouble it wants to cause me. Strife stops your prayers from being answered. Anxiety causes pain in your body and mind.

The Word of God says to cast ALL your cares onto the Lord. See 1 Peter 5:7. God wasn’t suggesting this. He tells you to do it because He knows what will happen if you don’t. We need to stay on the love walk and not allow anything to take us off that path.

Anxiety and situations will come, but how you deal with them is up to you. Give them to God and let Him take care of you. After all, He can do exceedingly above and beyond all you can ask or think. See Ephesians 3:20-21.

Now that’s something to think about.

Feeling stuck? Not sure which way to go? Should I do this? Should I not do this?

Are there more questions than answers? This is not the way God intended you to live-frustrated and confused. He has a plan for you.

Strategy means: Planning in any field a carefully devised plan of action to achieve a goal, or the art of developing or carrying out such a plan.

It's time to ask God for a plan of action specific to you. Whenever people called on Him, He provided them with a plan to escape their predicament. He instructed the Israelites to march around the Jericho Wall seven times. He instructed Peter to throw his net back into the water and catch a huge amount of fish.

God has a purpose for you, a one-of-a-kind plan for your life. But you have to find it; tap into it. How? By finding the time to be still and contemplate His presence so you can hear Him?

One word from God can change your life. If you follow God, it will always result in a positive outcome and accomplish success. His strategies will not fail you, but help you carry on knowing that He’s guiding your steps. It’s a perfect plan, one that works.

So put aside some time and seek His face diligently to get the strategy and plan He has for you today. Press into His presence and wait till you hear from heaven. Achieving a clear vision of your life could have a tremendous effect on living a tranquil life, and who wouldn't want that?

Seek the Lord while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. Isaiah 55:6.