I look to the hills

 (Photo: Unsplash/Nicolas Cool)

Stressed? Confused? Bored? Alone? Heartbroken? These are common human experiences which we can go through at times.

If we look to natural means to distract or numb us from feeling these emotions, it may mask the pain for a while but in my experience it will not last too long.

I look up to the hills, but where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth.

Psalms 121: 1-2

I know I can sometimes look to other things or people to help me. While there are helpful tools we can use when going through difficulties, like exercise, nourishing food, breathing, connection, nothing will really calm our souls like spending time alone in prayer with God.

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Colossians chapter three speaks on setting our minds on heavenly things which has helped me shift from a natural mindset to viewing life from a heavenly perspective.

Put on your new nature and be renewed as you learn to know your creator and become like him...

Colossians 3:10

We have a new nature, and we need to renew our minds as we learn more about God and become more like him. We need to remind ourselves we have Christ living in us, the Hope of Glory (Colossians 1:27)! And that we have the mind of Christ dwelling in us that we can access through prayer (1 Corinthians 2:16).

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts...And be thankful.

Colossians 3:15

To live and function in this world to thrive and not just to survive, I need the peace of Christ to dwell and rule in my heart.

When we or our loved ones are going through challenging times, I pray we may hang on tight to Hope, remind ourselves of who we are in Christ, and walk through life with a bold, godly confidence.

News
Fire severely damages historic Amsterdam church on New Year’s Day
Fire severely damages historic Amsterdam church on New Year’s Day

A major fire tore through one of Amsterdam’s best-known historic buildings in the early hours of New Year’s Day, seriously damaging the property and forcing people to leave nearby homes.

Rwanda’s president on the defensive over church closures
Rwanda’s president on the defensive over church closures

Rwandan President Paul Kagame defended the government's forced closure of Evangelical churches, accusing them of being a “den of bandits” led by deceptive relics of colonialism. 

We are the story still being written
We are the story still being written

The story of Christ continues in the lives of those who take up His calling.

Christians harassed, attacked all over India at Christmas
Christians harassed, attacked all over India at Christmas

International Christian Concern reported more than 80 incidents in India, some of them violent, over Christmas.