Fretting or trusting? The choice is yours

Recently, I began reading Psalms 37. It was a familiar passage; however, I had not visited it in a long time. As I read the passage, it seemed so relevant to our current state of affairs here in our nation. Psalms 37-1-9 (NIV) says: “Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.” “Do not fret,” is stated three times, and when I thought of the word fret, I pictured someone wringing their hands. I researched the original translation of the word in the Hebrew, and it had a totally different meaning than what I pictured. The word fret, from the Hebrew and the Strong’s Concordance, means “to glow or blaze with anger.” Wow. I see a lot of anger and hatred flying around our country with Republicans, Democrats, conspiracy theorists and, unfortunately, with Christians. This makes me sad that we cannot value relationship just because someone has a different train of thought, questions us or agrees with us. Satan loves to cause strife and division in families, churches, denominations and among friends. For those of us who walk with God, I feel it is simply a negative strategy to rob us of peace and distract us from what God really wants us to do, which is to lead people to Jesus, pray with the sick, comfort those who mourn and love like he does. James 3:16 (KJV) states: “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” We see the evidence of our nation blazing with anger and in strife toward one another, and it has allowed evil to flourish. God tells us in Psalms 37 how we need to conduct ourselves. Our forefathers wrote it on our currency, “In God we trust,” but we have strayed from trusting God and doing good. This passage also says to delight ourselves in God. To me, this means to be fascinated with him, direct my attention to him and commit my way to him each day. God instructs us three times to not blaze with anger, but to trust in him, so it must be important. If you are guilty, let me encourage you to repent, trust, commit your way to God and get back on track. God wants to use you and me to show those around us the love of Christ and the joy of walking with him. When we do this, Psalms 37:10 (NIV) says, “the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace.” Psalms 37 also tells us to hope in the Lord, wait on him, turn from evil and do good. When we do these things, we obtain the promise found in Psalms 37:37 (NIV), “…there is a future for those who seek peace.” So, do not fret and step into your future.

Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie is a native of the Hill Country, a podcaster, author, writer and speaker. Contact her at kathleenmaxwell1@gmail.com. You can also purchase her book, “Thriving Through Seasons of Grief,” or listen to her podcast on her website, www.kathleenmaxwellrambie.com

Serving the right fruit brings restoration

Picking the right fruit to serve brings restoration • Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie • March 2023 copyright

Several years ago, I sat on my back porch watching a roadrunner zip by and baby bunnies hop across the field. I pondered my problem and began talking to God about it. He is never too busy to visit with me and is my helper in times of trouble. Psalms 46:1(NIV) says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Running to him is always the best thing to do. I usually let things roll off my back, but a recent event with someone left me a little bruised and upset. “Lord, you saw what happened,” I softly said to God. “And it hurt my feelings God,” I continued. Just as I uttered the words, I remembered a statement I heard years ago.” You don’t have a right to be hurt, you have a right to be healed.” I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. I felt misunderstood and I wanted to nurse my hurt a little before I really turned it over to Jesus for healing. I contemplated hanging on to my hurt and offenses for a little while, but as I’ve matured in life and my walk with the Lord, I know that is not the best thing for me or the situation. Galatians 5:22 says, “For the fruit of the Spirit, is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such there is no law.” We put ourselves in a win-win situation when we practice these attributes and give them to people. And let me just say, it takes lots of practice. The fruit of the Spirit is how God wants us to live. He has given them to us to govern our lives and when we live in them; we stay in step with Him. Most of all, I feel God wants us to give them away to others to touch their lives. I felt God ask me, “Kathleen, what fruit do you need to serve in this situation?” Once again, I took a deep sigh. … I wasn’t sure I wanted to serve anything to anybody, but I quickly let go of that thought as I thought of God’s patience with me and his kindness and love. “Well God, it needs love; I can be loving like you.” I muttered, still struggling. “I can serve patience because you have been patient with me, and I can give self-control even though I do not feel like it,” I continued to pray. “Change my heart God.” I began to ask God to help me to love like he does, pour patience over the situation and to exercise self-control instead of doing what I felt like or wanted to do. Everything in our lives is about us being conformed and changed into the image of God. He uses everything in our lives, the good things and the hard things. I also realized I could serve some gentleness in my approach to this person and that could defuse defensiveness and create a pathway for communication and restoration. Step one in tough and difficult situations is always to get my heart right in situations. When I lay down my right to be right and ask God to help me see things from his perspective, forward steps toward restoration are always made. Do you examine your heart in situations and ask God where it needs to change? Not long after my conversation with God, I arranged to meet this person, as it is usually better to address situations soon so walls do not build between the two of you. “God give me your heart and give me your grace and power to serve the fruit of your spirit and say healing words,” I prayed. As we met, I gently stated my love for the person, my desire for restoration and wanted to hear their perspective. I saw the situation begin to change. I saw where I needed to be more patient and let God work on the situation instead of me. As I served with self-control, kindness and love, things changed and there was a beautiful restoration. What fruit do you need to serve to others around you? Do you need to lay down your right to be right? Which fruit do you need to practice? God is right there to help you, to change you and your conflict or tough situation. I challenge you to pick a fruit and get busy practicing and serving it to those around you. You will be glad you did and so will those around you.

Kathleen Maxwell is a Hill Country native, a writer, speaker and podcaster. She is passionate about helping others discover the joy of walking with God. Contact her at kathleenmaxwell1@gmail.com. For information, articles, podcast or to purchase her book, “Thriving Through Seasons of Grief,” visit www.kathleenmaxwellrambie.com.

Dealing with fear of the unknown

Dealing with fear of the unknown Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie Feb 19, 2023 0

The longer I walk with God, the more I realize I need a fresh revelation of his love for me in challenging times. Most of us could use an upgrade when it comes to comprehending God’s love for us. Scripture is clear about the connection between the love of God and fear. I John 4:18 (NIV) says, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” The more we live in an understanding of how radically loved we are, the more confident and secure we are. Fear torments and is like punishment. God’s heart for us as his kids is to be free to enjoy life and live secure in his love. I feel it is imperative that we treat fear as a robber or thief instead of a house guest. I was the queen of excuses, guarding the fears, thinking they were normal. After studying I John 4:18, when I feel fearful, timid or hesitant, I ask God for a greater revelation of his love for me. One of the biggest fears many struggle with is the fear of the unknown. It often paralyzes people and keeps us stuck and from living a life of faith. In reality, life is full of the unknown. Many times, we want a guarantee before we step into the unknown, but the only thing we can really rely on in life is the love of God and the fact that he promises to be with us. I learned this when my mother was stricken with a debilitating rare disease, and I was tormented by the unknown and the fear of losing her. One of the blessings of her illness was that I learned a very valuable life lesson: God is always with me, and he loves me. He was with me in one of my darkest valleys, and I lived Psalms 23:4 (NIV): “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” I felt his hand steady me, guide me and comfort me, and it is part of the fabric of my being, not just a scripture. We are in uncertain times with inflation, shootings and many other things, but I can tell you with all confidence, God is with us to guide us, if we partner with him. We will never face a situation without the presence and care of God. It is up to us to hold his hand, seek him and magnify God, more than our situations. Our confidence must be in his presence, love and trust in him. Hebrews 10:35 (NIV) says, “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.” As we conquer our fears, it helps others walk out of their fears. Overcoming your own fear is not just about you, but also about those God wants you to impact. We must see the bigger picture in overcoming our fears. As we walk in these days of uncertainty, remember Psalms 112:7 (NIV): “They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.” Ask God for a greater understanding of his love for you and tell fear and panic they are not your friends. Rest in his love and presence, hang on to your confidence and trust him.

Kathleen Maxwell is a Hill Country native, a writer, speaker and podcaster. She is passionate about helping others discover the joy of walking with God. Contact her at kathleenmaxwell1@gmail.com. For information, articles, podcast or to purchase her book, “Thriving Through Seasons of Grief,” visit www.kathleenmaxwellrambie.com.