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Tag: problems

Fit to be Tied

Fit to be Tied

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Fit to be tied-rope tied into a heart shapeMost of us have occasional fit-to-be-tied moments. We become:

  • Angry
  • Upset
  • Excited

We fly off the handle.

When fit to be tied, we get out of control.

Our emotions grow so great, we need someone to calm us down. No one actually ties us. However, they do try to:

  • Prevent anything we will regret
  • Keep us from hurting ourselves or someone else

We may grow fit to be tied for selfish reasons. 

  • When we don’t get our way
  • If our plans don’t work

We may also grow fit to be tied for unselfish reasons.

  • When someone abuses a child or older adult
  • If someone lies, steals, or hurts people in any other way

Little things often make us fit to be tied.

Some of us deal well with life’s big problems. Yet, we blow off steam when faced with small ones such as:

  • Slow traffic
  • Food spills on a clean floor
  • Noisy neighbors

God gave us emotions.

However, we want to use those emotions for good, not harm. How do we do that?

  • Recognize what upsets us.
  • Remember we can’t control everything.
  • Change what we can.
  • Ask for help when we need it.
  • Focus on what matters most.
  • Ask God to guide us and work through us.
  • Choose to love everyone, including those who make us fit to be tied.

“Don’t let your spirit rush to be angry, for anger abides in the heart of fools” (Ecclesiastes 7:9 HCSB).

Thanks to Pat Stapp for the suggestion.

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Run with It

Run with It

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Run with It--runners in a raceSometimes we get an idea and run with it.

We see a need or better way to do something, so we take care of it. Occasionally we say take the ball and run with it.

We run with it when we act on what we think should be done.

 We don’t wait for someone else to:

  • Tell us what to do
  • Do it
  • Help us do it

Instead, we figure out what to do. Then we meet the need by ourselves and in our own way.

Other times we wait on an idea. 

We wait for:

  • The right time
  • More information
  • Someone to show us or tell us what to do
  • Extra help

Without help, we can get in over our heads or run out of steam.

After we run with an idea alone, we may decide to ask for help.

A good idea often grows and needs more workers.

Whether we run with an idea on our own or work with others, we do well when we meet the needs around us.

“Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV).

Thanks to Judy Clark for the suggestion and Franklin Clark for the photo.

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In Hot Water

In Hot Water

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In Hot Water--Yellowstone geyser basinIf I take a wrong step in Yellowstone National Park’s geyser basins, I end up in hot water. Other people have done that and did not live to talk about it.

I have been in hot water a few times in my life. I did not like it and don’t want to do it again.

If I am in hot water, I am in trouble.

I have done something wrong. My actions:

  • Make someone angry
  • Result in my punishment
  • Cause shame for me or those close to me
  • Put me in the doghouse

I would like to say I have never been in hot water.  

However, I can’t.

  • Sometimes, I make mistakes I don’t mean to make.
  • Other times I make mistakes because I want my way instead of the right way.

I may end up in hot water if the rules are wrong.

If someone in authority says to do something morally wrong, I must choose.

  • Will I do what the person in authority says?
  • Or will I make the right choice and end up in hot water?

I hope I always make the right choice and follow the straight and narrow.

In every situation, I live with the results of the choice I make. I reap what I sow.

“The Lord shows his faithful followers the way they should live” (Psalm 25:12 NET).

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Rise from the Ashes

Rise from the Ashes

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Fise from the Ashes-Mount St. Helens
Mount St. Helens, July 2011

On Sunday, May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens blew.

Everything disappeared under the volcano’s ash and heat.

  • Trees
  • Plants
  • Houses
  • Animals
  • People

Yet, soon after, life began to rise from the ashes.

Plants grew. Animals returned. The land’s rebirth amazes all who see it.

Rise from the ashes comes from a myth about a bird.

The bird burns to death and then rises from the ashes.

However, the possibility of a fresh start is no myth. Anyone can begin again after hard times.

People must decide if they will rise from the ashes.

Will they refuse to allow a bad experience to keep them down? Or will they pick up the pieces of their life and keep going.

Sometimes people recover by themselves.

They heal from:

  • Illness
  • Job loss
  • Death of a loved one
  • Theft
  • Failure

Other times people recover as a group.

They heal from:

  • School shootings
  • War
  • Business failure
  • Floods
  • Fires
  • Tornados
  • Other man-made or natural disasters

With Jesus, anyone can rise from the ashes of sin and death.

When Jesus rose from the dead that first Easter morning, He defeated sin and death.

All who accept Jesus as Savior and Lord receive:

  • Forgiveness of sin
  • New life
  • An eternal home in heaven
  • Peace in all life’s storms

Not every problem disappears, but Jesus walks with believers through every problem.

“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay” (Matthew 28:6 NIV).

Have you had a rise from the ashes experience? If so, please comment.

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Figure Out

Figure Out

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Figure Out--flowers with butterflySome things in life are hard to figure out.

  • How do flowers grow from buds?
  • What makes winter so cold and summer so hot?
  • How do butterflies grow from cocoons? (Can you find the butterfly in this picture?)

Some people say figure it out instead of figure out.

When we figure out anything, we solve a problem.

We:

  • Learn how to do something
  • Understand what we did not understand before
  • Find an explanation for something
  • Begin to see daylight

Sometimes we figure out things. Other times we figure out people.

  • Not all people think the same way we do.
  • Our actions differ.
  • We have different goals.

We need to figure out how to get along in spite of our differences.

  • We don’t have to agree to be agreeable.
  • We don’t have to act the same way to act with kindness.
  • We don’t have to share the same goals to support one another.

If we look at the other side of the coin, we may learn something.

I have a hard time figuring out math problems. I know all my questions drove my teachers crazy. One would say, “Think. Just think.” I was thinking. However, I could not think like he did. I was in over my head. I am thankful those teachers did not give up on me. Instead, they bent over backwards to help me.

Life is often hard. Why not help one another figure out the best way to live it?

“This is God’s Message, the God who made earth, made it livable and lasting, known everywhere as God: ‘Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own’” (Jeremiah 33:2-3 MSG).

Thanks to Judy Clark for the suggestion.

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

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Begin to See Daylight

Begin to See Daylight

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Begin to See Daylight -- a sunriseIf we get up early, we begin to see daylight as the sun rises. After a long night, daylight appears. We enjoy the promise of a new day.

Sometimes our lives feel like a long night.

We face problems with no end in sight.

  • We think we will never get out of school.
  • Our job never seems to end.
  • Goals appear too far away to reach.

We begin to see daylight when success seems possible.

  • Classes are almost over.
  • We near the end of our long task.
  • Our goals appear within reach.

We finally see light at the end of the tunnel.

We don’t see daylight when we look the wrong way.

If we fail to look outside, we never see the sun rise. If we always look on the bad side of everything, we never see the good. We remain down in the dumps.

As this New Year begins, we choose.

  • Will we focus on our problems and the dark side of life?
  • Or will we look up and begin to see daylight?
  • When we begin to see daylight, will we let our light shine?

“My God turns my darkness into light” (Psalm 18:28 NIV).

Do you have a favorite expression or one you want explained? If so, please comment.

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Count Your Blessings

Count Your Blessings

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Count Your Blessings-cornucopia with pumpkins

I love to hear Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney sing “Count Your Blessings” in the movie White Christmas. I also love the words of the hymn “Count Your Blessings.” In recent years, Laura Story’s “Blessings” has become another favorite.

Laura wrote “Blessings” after she learned her husband had a brain tumor. I first heard it after my husband’s brain tumor diagnosis. Laura tells her family’s story in this video.

All three of these songs remind me (and you) to be thankful.

We can count our blessings at all times and in all circumstances.

  • During good times and bad
  • Whether rich or poor
  • When alone or with others

Hard times can be blessings in disguise.

  • Illness often gives us a greater love for life.
  • Job loss sometimes leads to a better job.
  • Pain can make us stronger.
  • Money problems can teach us better spending habits.

Let’s think about the good in our lives and give thanks. When life gets hard, let’s ask God to show us the blessings in those experiences.

Happy Thanksgiving!

“May God our Father shower you with blessings and fill you with his great peace” (Colossians 1:2 TLB)

What are some of your greatest blessings? Please comment below.

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God Willing and the Creek Don’t Rise

God Willing and the Creek Don’t Rise

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God Willing and the Creek Don't Rise -- flooded creekAll my life I have heard people say, “God willing and the creek don’t rise.” My family usually said, “Good Lord willing and the creek don’t rise.”

I apologize to grammar teachers. I know don’t should be doesn’t. However, that is the only way I have heard or seen the expression used.

God willing and the creek don’t rise means people will do what they plan, if all goes well.

For example:

  • We will visit you tomorrow, God willing and the creek don’t rise.
  • She will begin her new job next week, God willing and the creek don’t rise.
  • I will finish this paper tonight, God willing and the creek don’t rise.

The speakers know they can’t always do as they plan. They can’t control everything that happens.

Years ago, if people lived near a creek, a flood could cut them off from the rest of the world. Often, they had no good bridge to cross the creek. When it started raining cats and dogs, they could not go anywhere. They had to delay plans. That was as bad as being up a creek without a paddle.

“If God’s willing, what does it matter if the creek rises?”

That quote came from Dave Dudgeon. His wife, Dana, added, “If God’s willing, He will provide a way, even if it looks impossible (or impassible) to us.” Mark 10: 27 tells us “all things are possible with God.” Maybe we should just say, “God willing” and not be a worry wart about the creek.

“You ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that’” (James 4:15 NIV).

Have you heard this expression? If so, did you hear “God willing” or “Good Lord willing”? Please comment.

Update:

Since this posted, I received several messages about a different origin for “God Willing and the Creek Don’t Rise.”

According to the Native Heritage Project, “the phrase was written by Benjamin Hawkins in the late 18th century. He was a politician and Indian agent. While in the south, Hawkins was requested by the President of the U.S. to return to Washington. In his response, he was said to write, ‘God willing and the Creek don’t rise.’ Because he capitalized the word ‘Creek’ it is deduced that he was referring to the Creek Indian tribe and not a body of water.”

This explanation also makes don’t correct, since it refers to a tribe (plural).

Regardless of the origin, the life lesson remains the same: Trust in and follow God’s will.

Thank you to everyone who contacted me on this. You keep me on my toes.

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Thanks to Becky Nash for the suggestion.

Make a Mountain Out of a Molehill

Make a Mountain Out of a Molehill

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Make a Mountain out of a molehill--mountain reflected in waterWe often let the smallest problem bother us most.

We make a mountain out of a molehill. We make:

  • Something easy seem hard
  • A small problem seem big
  • Something unimportant seem important

Moles are small animals. So are the hills they make. Yet, we don’t like them.

  • They make a mess in yards and fields.
  • We may fall if we step on them.

However, if we watch our step, we can walk around or over molehills. We must climb for days to the top of some mountains.

Molehills destroy a yard’s beauty. A mountain’s volcano can destroy everything for miles.

We often forget how small our problems are.

Think about:

  • Colds compared to cancer
  • Flat tires compared to car wrecks
  • A bad meal compared to no food
  • A rained-out ballgame compared to an island destroyed by a storm

We may not feel on top of the world all the time. However, most days can be hunky dory.

Make a Mountain out of a MolehillLet’s not allow small problems to ruin our lives.

Rather than make a mountain out of a molehill, remember what matters most. Also remember, whether our problems are big or small, we never have to walk alone.

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us—they help us learn to be patient” (Romans 5:3 TLB).

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

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Jump through Hoops

Jump through Hoops

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Jump through Hoops--a dolphin jumping through a hoop in a poolSome animals have to jump through hoops to get what they want.

People also jump through hoops.

We have to perform certain tasks to get what we want.

Several services require us to jump through hoops.

That is true for:

  • Health care
  • Insurance
  • Government agencies
  • Jobs
  • Businesses
  • Schools

Often, we must jump through several hoops.

Phone calls may mean:

  • Make the call.
  • Wait on hold.
  • Transfer to another person.
  • Wait on hold again.
  • Leave a message or call back later.

Paperwork can include:

  • Fill out a form.
  • Wait.
  • Fill out more forms.
  • Wait again.
  • Make a phone call to see what happened to the paperwork.

Have you been there and done that?

I have bad news and good news.

The bad news: We will probably have to continue jumping through hoops for most services.

The good news: Jesus loves us just as we are. If we give Him control of our lives, He will:

  • Forgive our sins
  • Offer guidance every day
  • Give us eternal life

No hoops, just an invitation into the family of God and a home in heaven.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NIV).

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

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