First Things First

Therefore do not worry, saying, "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink?" or "What shall we wear?". For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all those things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:31-33)

When I was in my early twenties, just embarking on my journey into adulthood, I used to dream and want, and want and dream. I grew up in a religious household and understanding the need to read and study the Bible. But as I grew up, I became so fixated on what I wanted that I forgot "first things first."

I lived a pretty typical young adult's life; working and waiting for the weekend, so that I could party; sometimes so much so until when Sunday morning came around, I would be too exhausted to go to church. I forgot "first things first."

Then I got married, suffered through 21 years of unhappiness; and kept asking: Why me? Why Me? You see, I forgot "first things first."

When I got divorced, I became a rebel at an age closer to 50 than 40. I wanted to experience all of what I thought I had missed out on being married at 25 and for such a long time. I forgot "first things first."

My post-marriage experience turned out to be nothing but a frantic grasp at trying to live a life I thought would make me happy and give me fulfillment; I forgot "first things first."

During my fruitless attempts at self-awakening, I went through a myriad of crazy emotions and far-reaching impulsive adventures that were exciting and truly destructive. I played games I would never had done before. I became reckless, getting involved with two "bad boys", and all while harboring  feelings of uneasiness throughout both relationships...I was just seeking a bit of happiness; looking for a reason to justify my foolishness. I forgot "first things first."

With my divorce came the crushing reality I was left alone to pick up the financial pieces of a broken marriage. Bills were mounting and I felt the walls were closing in and I was emotionally drowning. I forgot "first things first."

During that time, I lost three people who were extremely close to me; my mother and my 'play' mother. Then I lost me. I struggled to make sense of everything that had happened to me. I struggled with trying to make ends meet I struggled with an overwhelming loneliness. I struggled with those loss. I struggled with no one to turn to for encouragement. I forgot "first things first."

I began to start worrying. I worried about everything. How was I going to pay my bills; sometimes how was I going to get food to eat; how was I just going to make it from day-to-day. I was a mess because I forgot "first things first."

It has been thirteen years that I've been struggling with all of this. Thirteen years of not looking up when I felt my world crashing around me. Thirteen years of not handing my problems over to the One who has taken on the cares of the entire world and continues to do so every day-every hour-every second. Thirteen years of forgetting "first things first."

Now as I pen this post, I can smile. My life is still a mess; I still struggle with paying bills and making ends meet; I still suffer from overwhelming bouts of loneliness; I still sometimes feel inadequate. However, now I know that through my Savior, I can do all things. (Philippians 4:13)

Christ loves us and we can lay aside all worries. He has already given us everything we need. We have an all-inclusive promise from the Lord in Matthew 6:33. We don't ever have to worry how are bills are going to be paid; if we'll have a place to live; if we'll have food to eat, or even if we will have someone special in our lives. The Lord is ready and able to give it all...and He will! But, we have to realize and do our part. We need to look up and never forget "first things first!"

Some “Do’s” and “Do Not’s” for spiritual and physical healthy living

Do not worry, for worry is the most unproductive of all human activities.

Do not be fearful, for most of the things we fear never come to pass.

Do not cross bridges before you come to them, for no one has yet succeeded in accomplishing this.

Do handle only one problem at a time, and leave the others to the Lord until their turn comes up.

Do not take troubles to bed with you, for they make very poor bedfellows.

Do not try to carry the problems of the world on your shoulders, for nobody (except for One) has a back that is broad enough.

Do be a good listener, for God often speaks to us through the mouths of others.

Do not try to relive yesterday; for good or ill, it is forever gone. Live in the now and rejoice in it.

Do firmly dismiss feelings of frustration, for 90% of it is rooted in self-pity and will interfere with positive action.

Do count thy blessings, never overlooking the smallest, for our biggest blessings are composed of many small ones.

Modified from “AUTHOR Unknown”

Chasing Shadows

For the sake of our pease of mind and especially our souls, the time has come when we must stop chasing shadows. We can spend the better part of our mortal existence regretting that the "what ifs" aren't "it is's". There is an old saying that hindsight is 20/20; but since none of us can tell the future, hindsight is misleading, and dwelling on decisions we did not make is unproductive.

Our lives can be so less complicated if we left the shadows of unrealized dreams, and [perceived] lost relationships where they belong - a past that was not supposed to happen, or it would have! However, we've all done it...cried over what we thought were missed opportunities of a more fruitful life. But what do you consider a fruitful life? Is your [fruitful] life inclusive of walkiing worthy with the Lord? If not; why not?

Chasing shadows is too consuming and puts the focus squarely on us. It becomes all about what we want. Instead of God-centered, our world becomes us-centered. We lose sight of our first love. (Revelation 2:4; Matthew 22:37; 1 Corinthians 16:22).

Chasing shadows takes us to a bad place and leaves us there a little longer than we want or need to stay.

Chasing shadows puts us at odds with our Godly duties because we are too busy worrying over worldly things.

Chasing shadows is rooted in a selfishness that can only be satisfied by temporal indulgences. (2 Corinthians 4:16)

Chasing shadows pulls us away from all that is good; all that is holy; all that is real. It deposits us into a realm of pleasure seeking this is contrary to the Word. (Galatians 5:19-21; 1 John 2:15-16; Colossians 3:5).

As children of an awesome Father (God), we are here to do His will through obedient service. We no longer chase shadows...we cheerfully submit to Him in everything that we do with a hopeful expectation for a magnificant eternal reward! (Romans 8:23-25; Titus 2:11-14; 1 Timothy 4:10)