Frustration: 2 Ways to Handle Our Thoughts

Frustration is that negative feeling we get when things are not going the way we planned. Married couples know this feeling well. When frustration happens, we have to choose between indulging in the feeling and getting in the slumps or deciding to shrug it off and be positive despite the negativity. It is an unwelcome interruption in our thought process and a distraction to our purpose.

Sometimes I have experienced frustration when I have attempted to do something over and over again without success. I feel like a failure. For example, I felt like a failure as a mom when I had difficulty nursing. I have been frustrated in trying to be a perfect wife (good luck with that!). It is discouraging and self-defeating to wallow in this feeling. Currently, people are frustrated with the racial climate in America. Understandable!

Frustration can quickly lead to anger, self-pity, depression and a host of other unhealthy emotion. The Bible tells us to guard our hearts and our thoughts (Proverbs 4:20-27). They are a perfect battleground for the enemy of our souls. If we think it, we just might act on it! The question is how to do that. Glad you asked!

Capture it!

First,bring every thought into subjection (2 Corinthians 10:5). Defend your mind. Learn to capture your unruly thoughts that lead to frustration. It takes practice. We are already aware of some things that trigger frustration in our hearts, so those things should be avoided right? If a certain song, person or environment cause you immediate frustration, ask the Lord to either remove you from it or empower you to change it!

Re-Capture it!

So let's be realistic. Sometimes our thoughts and emotions are running the show. Just when we think they are captured, they show up again and threaten to undo us. We try and try, but we can feel out of control at times. Be careful to get the right amount of sleep, food and exercise. Your physical activity (or lack thereof) can affect your spiritual activity. Stop things that lend themselves to frustration and replace them with positive actions which will produce positive thoughts.

If you do not replace what you have removed, expect more of the same frustration.

The key is to replace those thoughts with the Word of God. It is your mental offense. Instead of engaging in negative self-talk like "I am so stupid", "No one cares", "I'm such an idiot", "I can't do this", "Those ___ people!!", start speaking to yourself in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs (Ephesians 5:19). Quote and sing scripture. Surround yourself with people who are more positive. Go to church. Pray and pray again.

Two things: Proper defense in prayer, and offense in the Word of God can defeat frustration!

Prayer: Father, I confess to you that I am frustrated. So much in my life can put my heart in turmoil. I need You. Show me how to apply the Word of God to my situation so that I can be victorious at all times in Jesus name I pray, Amen!

Action: Write down your current frustrations. Attach a scripture to each one and pray over it.

Watch the scope.

When Should my Children be Baptized?

Good Question!! When our youngest asked Jesus Christ into his life at 8 years old, we were excited and willing to help him to grow as a christian, but we honestly were a little apprehensive when he asked to be baptized. I guess we should not have been surprised since we raised him to know the Word of God and to live it. "Don't be just a hearer of the Word, but a Doer", we said! 

My husband and I needed to re-research the Word on this. In Matthew's gospel, it is clear that making disciples includes baptizing them and teaching them to observe all things that Jesus commands (Matthew 28). Well...the Bible also mentions children reaching the age of accountability when they can answer for themselves before God, but how old is that exactly? (Isaiah 7:15, Ezekiel 18:2-20, Matthew 18:3, Romans 14:10,12). 

The Bible also mentions to "forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God" (Matthew 19:14). We are not Catholic, so they had never been sprinkled or dunked or submerged in any water unless they were taking a bath or in a local pool or something. This was much more serious. As parents, God will hold us responsible for the actions of our children until they did so for themselves. This is similar to the warning about taking the Lord's Supper unworthily. We would not be good parents if we did not instruct our children to not take part of the Lord's table unless they were right before God. The Bible says that many are sick or even dead because they do not take the warning seriously! We certainly were not going to risk it in any church ordinance. We decided instead to allow the boys to take the four required classes necessary to "prove" their knowledge about these ordinances of The Lord's Supper and Baptism. We would only deny them until they did the work.

We would not say No to baptism, but we could not say Yes until they proved their accountability.

They did it!! They finished every class and explained the entire process to the Deacons in charge of preparations. They were even quizzed and passed with flying colors. Our confidence in our sons and in our church was now established. I am proud of our church for being thorough (because it is really the parent's job to ensure that the Church is teaching their children correctly). They were ready and anxious to let everyone know that they were obedient to Christ and willing to be associated with Jesus as His disciples. 

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 3 John 1:4

Proud is not a great enough adjective to describe our emotions at that moment! I thank God for allowing me to see this day and for my children to stand as witnesses to the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ as His disciples! *tear*

Guardians of Ancora Game Review

Our boys love Guardians of Ancora! This is why we love it for them:

1.  

Getting the Word of God to our boys and regular engagement with the Bible DAILY!! The boys ask to play this game regularly and we get to reward them online for doing so. They are really learning true bible content and not just fluff and entertainment. Everything about this game is biblically-based. Even the title means a keeper for the Anchor which is Christ. It was developed in the UK, but is spreading like wildfire!

2. 

The game is not cheesy. It is completely dynamic with amazing cinematic color, movie-like musical scores and it is extremely easy to interact with from the very beginning. They boys would say that is is EPIC...lol!

3. 

You can choose your own character! I love this feature because, honestly, you can be yourself with your skin color and choice of hair and outfit. Letting our boys be in the Bible as themselves is priceless! As a family, we each have our own unique character to play with and can communicate with each other by making posts. To "see yourself" in the Bible story is amazing and a lifelong memory.

4. 

It is FREE!! Yes, I would totally pay for this Bible game, but having it free is truly a blessing.

5. 

It is SAFE!! There are no commercials or spam in this game. It is a secure playing environment and that is surely a relief with all the mess on youtube and other (even christian) online-based activities. As parents, we can walk away from the game device feeling assured that their eyes are protected.

6. 

There are quizzes! Not only do the boys have a chance to learn bible stories, but they earn more points by answering detailed questions based on the content (and it is NOT that easy either). Our boys are about tween age now, and this is appropriately challenging for them and us as parents! 

7. 

This game does not take up tons of data! As complex as the worlds that you get to discover are, this game does not take scores of data or bandwidth to play. It is available on IOS, Android devices or Kindles. Did I mention that it is FREE as well??

8. 

The website is phenomenal! There is so much additional content available for this game. There are multiple bible plans on Youversion that go along with the game and extra devotionals on the website. There are also many activities to do with your children at home based on all the lessons. It is a homeschoolers dream come true for Bible curriculum!

9. 

We can cast it! If you have a google dongle or some casting technology at home, everyone can watch! It makes the game more of a family activity instead of your child learning alone. It makes for interesting conversation and lends to bible questions without parent pressure! 

                                                                             10.  

 The narration is also right on point. Not only do the boys learn great bible stories, but they are also challenged within the story to apply what they are learning to their own lives. What parent doesn't want that?

We could go on....but we think you should try it our for yourself. The website is Guardians of Ancora. Come back and tell us what you think about Guardians of Ancora or any other online bible games or apps that you like :)

*We received no payment for this review. The opinions within this post are our own.*

Four reasons why God will give us what we ask

Almost everyone knows The Lord's Prayer. There is a part that says "Give us this day our daily bread". Isn't it amazing that Jesus instructs us to ask things of God? It is the right and privilege of the child of God to have things from their Father. I tread lightly even when I ask my husband for something. I should have a good reason. I consider the likelihood of him saying "Yes". I try to position my point to my advantage and present a reasonable and undeniable proposal. Sometimes I get shut down, other times he sees my point of view and we agree.

However, when we come to God, it is up to us to come around to His point of view. We are not to manipulate and attempt to convince Him. When we say "Give us", what we are really asking for it for God's will to be shown through us. Give us what we need in order for Your name to be glorified God. Give us more patience, self-control and long-suffering to more like you God. Give us opportunities to overcome difficulties and become stronger God. When you think of it this way, it changes how and why you approach our Sovereign God. Think about these four reasons that God says "Yes".

If God says "yes" when you pray:

1. It is useful for you. Consider yourself blessed! He is waiting to give to you. God knows that what we are asking for is actually in our best interest sometimes.

2. You needed it. God will not give to you when it is not needed. We often ask for what we want, but God has already promised to supply all our needs (Philippians 4:19, KJV).

3. He wants to give it to you. He does not owe it to you because you prayed. We cannot force His hand. He is simply a generous and loving Father who longs to see His children happy!

4. We will be grateful and He will be glorified. We don't deserve God's generosity. He does not rightfully give us what we DO deserve and He is pleased when we thank Him for what He does.

Prayer: Father, give me what I need in order to glorify you the most.

Action: Play a game with a child. Give them what they ask for 5 whole minutes. Be prepared! Lol.

Watch the Scope.

Cut it out

I just had a chat with one of my mentees the other night about the married man who had been hitting on her. It was disgusting really. This person, who was "supposed to be in ministry" was developing a relationship with a younger woman online. It all appeared rather innocent actually. She is cute. He is smart (and married) and they had quite a bit in common.

With a history of sexual abuse on both ends and the right situation, they had been developing an emotional attachment to one another, and...well, she liked it even though she knew she was wrong. Dead wrong! Initial, innocent conversations grew a bit sexual in nature. She led him on even though she hated what was happening. He asked for pictures. They looked forward to hearing from each other, and that was all the fuel the enemy needed to lure them both into sin. No, not physical sex, but mental captivation. You see, the bible is very clear about WHEN sexual sin starts!

  "...but I say unto you, That whosoever looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart" (Matthew 5:28, KJV).

So what was my advice to her? "FLEE girl, FLEE!". There is a medication called nitroglycerin or nitro for short. It is good stuff, if you have high blood pressure, but you must be careful about how it is applied. It is very hypotensive. Just one touch of it can cause rapid vasodilation and send your blood pressure plummeting. You could find yourself on the floor literally! That is how sin can be. One look, one touch, one moment can be the death of you. Think I am exaggerating? The bible says that the wages of sin is DEATH (Romans 6:23). It is always deadly. Maybe not in an instant, but it will happen.

The pressure that your spiritually conscience provides plummets with each glance, touch or stroke of the keyboard. It is so real that it is truly frightening. So I told her to cut it off. End it now. You can't play with medicine like that. It is only to be used in marriage. Follow the manufacturer's instructions! It will kill you for sure. And thank God she listened to me. As we were speaking, she said goodbye to him and began blocking and closing chat windows, putting up roadblocks to the enemy's entrances in her spiritual life. It was a brave step in the right direction. He did not cut it out so she did. I warned her that this may not be the end, and that she must lean on God's strength to stay away and not her own.

 Like a surgeon who understands the need to remove a tumor, Jesus is ready to help you cut it out too. Will you give Him consent?

Prayer: Lord, I want to weed out anything in my life that is sinful. Please help me to identify it and to get rid of it in Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Action: Do some gardening. Cut out the weeds with the right tools!

Watch the scope.

Promoting Christian Blogs!!

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An InLinkz Link-up

Friends by Blood

Mary and Elizabeth were not sisters by blood, they were cousins, but they had something amazing in common! Elizabeth and her husband, who were too old to be pregnant, had conceived. Mary did not have sex with any man, yet she was pregnant as well. Imagine the gossip happening among their family! One would carry John the baptist, the forerunner of the Messiah, and the other carried Jesus, the Messiah Himself (Luke 1:46-55). These two women had a relationship unlike any other seen in the entire bible.

Some people we meet are potential friends and we get to know them and decide that they are not. Other people that we do not suspect at times, can end up being the closest friends imaginable. It is these people who become kindred to us. Some may even refer to their friends as family. In Mary and Elizabeth's case - family became friends. They saw potential in each other and encouraged each other in what God had called them to do. Not everyone may experience this blessing but perhaps we can spur each other on to good works (Hebrews 10:24). Here are a few ideas based on Mary and Elizabeth's relationship.

1.Listen to each other. Most friends stay close by hearing each other out. Mary and Elizabeth shard their hearts freely while the other listened attentively. It is a blessing to share and to be receptive to hearing what others have to share.

2.Be hospitable. Close friends make the time and space for one another. Mary was welcomed at Elizabeth's home. How can you be more available for your friends?

3.Don't reject what is different about your friends. These two women had a large gap in age, but it did not keep them from fellowship.

4.Support one another. It is always good to have someone in your corner cheering you on. Even when Mary's husband was unsure about God's plan, Elizabeth was there to affirm Mary in what God had shown her.

5.Point them to Christ. The goal of friendship is the glory of God.

May your friendships and kinships be rooted in Christ. That is the best medium for growth and producing the glory of God in both your lives!

Prayer: Lord, let my friendships glorify You. Teach me to celebrate others in my life, encourage them and be an asset to their life in Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Action: Call, phone or text a friend. Challenge each other to bring out the best in one another for the glory of God!

Watch the scope.