Devastated Christian

Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And The Peace of God Which Passeth All Understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

You don't know how many times that Christ has gotten me through difficult times through this Bible Passage. Additionally, He gets others through their difficult situations, as well. What do I mean by that?

Well, there was a time when my son was born and he had a serious condition and had to be rushed to a hospital 2 1/2 hours away to a big city to have emergency surgery the same day he was born. Everyone else had their babies in their arms, but I didn't. I thought about it and realized that normally I would have been a Devastated Christian with having my newborn son rushed hours away for surgery, but I wasn't. That's when I first realized that Christ had given me The Peace Which Passeth All Understanding. I knew that if Christ went to great lengths to give me this calm that only He can give in the midst of traumatic situations, that He would take care of everything. Knowing that got me through until I could go see my son.

It's happened various times in my life and I am so thankful for this special blessing that Christ has bestowed on me to know He is right there beside me through thick and thin. Now, when others are going through traumatic situations, I pray for God to give them The Peace Which Passeth All Understanding, as well. Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And The Peace of God Which Passeth All Understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Thankful Christian

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5: 19-20

Do I really give thanks for the sags an bags and floppy skin the way I say I do, now that I've lost the weight? I really didn't appreciate them as much as I should have in the beginning. They were just one more tell-tale indicator that I used to be fat and had out-of-control eating. 

Now, I feel I am a more Thankful Christian, appreciating these bodily imperfections as a sign of the miracles that Christ has done in my life. They are a lasting reminder that I don't want to go back to that crazy life style where food became a false god in my life, because I turned to it in times of stress instead of to my Lord and Savior.

Now, my life runs so much more smoothly, because I'm putting my life, food, and concerns into God's very capable hands. I realize that I may have never developed the close relationship with my Savior that I do now, if I hadn't gone through all the compulsive eating, bazillion diets, etc. before realizing that Jesus can heal my aching soul, if I only let Him. I am so truly blessed! Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5: 19-20
Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Rose Colored Glasses Christian

For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that He might be Lord both of the dead and living. Romans 14:8-9

There are times I feel that others think I'm a Rose Colored Glasses Christian, thinking everything is going to be wonderful and am not focused on reality. I guess they are entitled to think that. I found out a long time ago, that I can't control what other people think. As I have been turning more and more of my life over to Christ's very capable hands, I realize what really matters is what He thinks of me.

Do I fret over what will happen if I gain my weight back? Do I worry if I were to get sick and die? Do I worry about things out of my control? I wouldn't be truthful if I said that I never worry, but I find that I worry a lot less when I am trusting Christ to be in control of my life and the lives of the people that I care about.

When there are problems, I do trust that my Savior will get us through them. I don't know that there is always going to be a fairy tale ending to each situation, but I know that Jesus will get us through the good and the bad and the in-between. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that He might be Lord both of the dead and living. Romans 14:8-9

 Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Focused on Other Things Christian

And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.  And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.  Luke, Chapter 17, verses 5-6.

This passage seems especially appropriate since I’m a “Focused on Other Things Christian,” thinking about selling my house, finding a job and buying another house.  If I were really paying attention to what I’m writing, I would realize my faith is weak, because I am worrying and having sleepless nights.
I need to focus on God and things will fall into place.  He works everything out so beautifully in timing, if I have the patience to let Him.

Here are some related passages:
Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?  But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.  Luke, Chapter 12, verses 6-7.

*Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing?  And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.  But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.  Matthew, Chapter 10, verses 29-31.

Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.
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