Heart Trouble

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33 NIV)

Bonnie, Charley, Frances, Ivan – is there another storm coming from the South? All around our beautiful state, we encounter people whose nerves are on edge. We are all concerned about the long range effects due to the huge damage to our environment, personal property and infrastructure. Many people are watching their businesses crumble from a lack of customers.

The damage is also transparent on the human side. Parents become short with each other in the home. This angst and discouragement influences the children. These external pressures and concerns can even contribute to various psychosomatic problems that may lead to peptic stomachs and high blood pressure. All this negative emotion is carried to the work place and the school. It is time for us to take personal responsibility for all these negative emotions and do something about it.

We must all begin to practice optimistic courage and look for ways to survive this season of storms by looking outside our own interests to the needs of others. Focus on the good things that are still going on in our lives. We can overcome this negative stagnation by focusing on our opportunities and blessings instead of our worries. When we launch a program of aggressive giving to others, we will realize more of God`s blessings for our own lives. "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in the," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." (Malachi 3:10 NIV)

I recall something beneficial from my old days with Dale Carnegie and Associates. "Live in day tight compartments." Or as one country crooner belted out: "One day at a time!" Each day has its own set of problems and opportunities. Work on the here and now before fretting about tomorrow. "Now listen, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.` Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, 'If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." (James 5:13-15 NIV)

Become active again. Get everything in motion. Put wings beneath all those good intentions. As granddaddy used to say; "If it is worth doing it is worth doing right and now." Perhaps you have been thinking about the condition of your spiritual life. Maybe you are not satisfied with your relations to God. Today is the day to do something about that. Surprise folks, get up and walk through the door of the church meetinghouse. "As God's partners, we beg you not to reject this marvelous message of God's great kindness. For God says, 'At just the right time I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.' Indeed, God is ready to help you right now. Today is the day of salvation." (2 Corinthians 6:1-2 NLT)

It has become a cliché in the computer world: "Garbage in – garbage out." This also applies to the human psyche. The more negative ideas and emotions we put in our mind, the more "garbage" that comes out. Begin a concentrated program of thinking about good things and good people. Begin doing good deeds today and you will see immediate results. "Finally, brothers, 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. (Philippians 4:8 NIV)

You are invited to attend the services of the Church of Christ at the corner of 3rd and E Streets. Write me with any questions or comments David Binkley, Sr., P.O. Box 186, Cedar Key, FL 32625 or E-mail at dgbinkley@aol.com. You may also request to receive the daily WORD OF THE DAY by e-mail. Check out our web site at http://www.cedarkeychurchofchrist.com.