A word of caution to summarize this entire post: don’t be so focused on God working the way you want Him to, that you miss the incredible things He’s doing in your circumstances as it is. My baby isn’t exactly how I wanted her to be, but I couldn’t imagine her any different now. And while I would still take this from her in a heartbeat, I know that God will do miraculous things through this circumstance. Do you?

So, let’s talk about this. Sometimes circumstances seem so much bigger than they are, right? In the moment, it’s overwhelming, and catching a breath seems impossible. 

In hindsight, maybe they don’t seem so big after the fact, but by golly in the moment? It seems bigger than what’s handleable.

Starting with a disclaimer: We are not here to tell you how to vote or to persuade you towards a specific candidate or party. Fulfilling the Ministry does not endorse any candidates or political parties. In fact, there are a few things Mel and I don’t necessarily agree on politically. And that is OKAY. We agree on the main points of the Gospel and that is more than enough. Today’s post is more to encourage you to care about politics and how to approach them from a (very basic) Christian manner. Now, with that being said, I am opinionated and do enjoy talking about politics in safe environments, so if that is what you’d like to do- let’s have ice cream one day and talk!

Self-Control is used for so many things. Food, habits, fighting against sin, and a plethora of other things, and we, as christians, are promised a helper when it comes to self-control.

I chose ESV for this because it says self-control explicitly, but CSB says “sound judgment” instead, and I love both! We live in a world where self-control is treated like a frivolous virtue. Why be in control or disciplined when you can indulge in just about anything you want. Between the internet, media, and even our own relationships, everything we could ever want is right at our fingertips, all we have to do is do. 

Life isn’t fair. Did you guys know that? I can’t remember the exact moment that I realized it, but I remember it’s been a long time. And, while I think the phrase in itself is cynical and not altogether useful, I do think there’s some merit to it. There is no point in the Bible or history that God has told us that things would be hunky-dory. There’s no verse that says life will be fair just because we believe in Him, the Bible literally tells us otherwise.

Instead, amid a week where I have struggled with the unfairness of this pregnancy, my husband taught the kids about this verse in Psalms. He taught the kids that we are never truly alone. Even if we feel like it, even if we physically are on our own, we are never without our Lord God. 

Have you ever been brokenhearted, reader?

Love God and love others. Jesus walked this earth 100% human, He KNOWS how hard people make it to love them. I promise, even as lovely as you are, reader, you’re also difficult to love to someone out there. Jesus knew this and still told us that this is the second greatest command.

Gossip isn’t usually intended maliciously: we view it as venting usually. But that doesn’t change the fact that if someone heard us saying these things, they’d be hurt.

This is a judgment free zone, so it’s okay to admit where we’ve fallen short, but it’s not okay to stay there. Let’s read that verse together: “...His religion is useless and he deceives himself.” Can we all just say “oof” together on this? If we can’t control our tongue, and we do EXACTLY what I just admitted to doing, my religion is useless.

Does God really care about the occasional mean thing I say? Is it really that big of a deal? Let’s talk about it.

Everything God says is truth. His truth is forever and it doesn’t change.

Are you content with life? If you’ve been reading our posts, you may know that my pregnancy has been a hot mess the last few months. God has blessed me with the test of a lifetime: terrible prognosis after terrible prognosis for my baby. 

It went from “she probably won’t make it” to “we’re very sure she has down syndrome.” Then “she has a heart defect, but we don’t know how severe it is” to “she most definitely has downs, and a huge hole in the middle of her heart that will need surgery.” 

What a roller coaster. 

And if the definition of godliness is conforming to the character of God (in regards to our thoughts, feelings, actions, desires) I can tell you that this “godliness with contentment” is hard when things are NOT going as we have planned. 

So, be faithful. Hear that God has a will for you and it’s better than anything you could ever imagine. And while you think you know what’s best, the best thing you can do in this season of waiting is just wait with Him. Take this time to remember the joy that we are allotted in a way non-believers aren’t, and then use this time to show that joy to them. Be a light, even in what could possibly be a very dark time for you yourself. I pray that you have that opportunity, to realize just how much you need God, and the stillness that we can only have through Him.

So, how do we fast? First, you pray about it. From there, you decide how long, and what you’ll be doing during the fast. Whether it’s reading through certain scriptures, praying for longer intervals, or doing a specific study through the Bible. 

But, an important note is that this isn’t something to brag about. Matthew 6:16-18 tells us that we shouldn’t try to make it obvious so others will notice. We don’t fast for others, only to be closer to God. Isn’t that a common theme? Not for others but for God only.

The importance of fasting comes from realizing our need to be close to God, and seeing this as a tool to do that. Even Jesus fasted after His baptism, to be closer to God for those 40 days before His ministry truly started (Matthew 4:2). Let us know below if you make a regular practice of fasting, or if you want to start!

Learning to put our trust in people is hard, especially in the world we live in where people will hurt others just because they can. But as Christians, we are given love and joy, peace, and patience, and several other attributes from God that make us the best at living in community. God has blessed us with the ability to share this life, this mission on earth, with others until we finally join Him again. Even when God created all things, the only thing that wasn’t perfect in His eyes was Adam being alone. That’s why He made Eve, Adam’s helper. Why is that important?

But not in the way you think. 

Some people like to throw around accusations that feeling intense emotions during scary or unpredictable situations isn’t very Christian-like. “Just pray about it, and it’ll all work out for those who love Him!” “God doesn’t give more to you than you can handle!” These are kind platitudes but not always Biblical.

I’m here to tell you that those intense feelings are completely in line with being a Christian, and perfectly acceptable so long as we remember our place with God.