Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 084 - No Worry

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast
Episode #084 – No Worry

Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me. I am blessed to be back with you to discuss intentional changes that will equip each of us to concentrate on Jesus and live with heart and mind focused on eternity to seek more ways to live with eternal perspective. Let’s start growing together now.

I’ve got big news to share! Just a few days ago my family brought home a new puppy!

Saying those words feels so surreal.

As much as I loved our dogs, Max and Misty, which you may know passed away this summer, I am joyful to have this new baby. But I am not crazy about the puppy stage. At least I haven’t been in the past.

God is doing a new work in me.

Let me back up a little. If you have been listening to this podcast for a while, you know about us losing both of our dogs in June of this year. If you are a new listener, I’ll add a little background.

Max was our ten year old Golden Retriever and the biggest Mama’s boy! Max was what we called a “Velcro dog” who was always in the middle of whatever we were doing. He was a 70 something pound baby who thought he was the size of our Miniature Schnauzer, Misty, who left us at 13 years old. Misty loved music and would melt when you sang to her. Her eyes were so beautiful with long sparkly eyelashes and her gentle gaze was full of love and trust, somehow even more so when she gazed at my husband.

Both of our dogs were sweet and loving. They went to school with us and participated in every activity we had going at home. They were deeply loved and it was a hard blow when they both suddenly turned ill and passed away; Max on June 18th and Misty on June 21st. One death was hard, but then just three days later, the other was gone.

Although it wasn’t significant at the time, the importance of the number between the days of loss is special to me. God knows every detail. Nothing is overlooked.

Max passed, then three days later, Misty was gone. Unknown to us at the time…a litter of puppies was born three hours away from us three days after Misty passed away. Three days later. Guess what time the first one was born? Three in the morning.

Why is this so important? That first puppy born in that litter at 3:00 am was the runt and is now our baby. A sweet baby boy who was exactly what we love. He is handsome, loving, smart, sweet, and a big softie. Just like the two goldens we have had before.

Why do I keep mentioning the number three? In the Bible, the number three is very significant.

Numerous times (and for a variety of reasons) God’s word mentions the number 3 in scripture with mighty importance.

Waiting periods, times of important spiritual actions, purity, healings, and most importantly, the resurrection of Jesus are all examples of the noteworthy moments the number 3 is used.

Think about this truth. My family never would have been looking for a dog if our precious pets were still alive. Our adults dogs were well trained and loved us! We cherished them. Our sweet babies are deeply missed and have left a mark on our hearts forever.

Yet God allowed a plan that none of us understand or wanted at the time. and the bittersweet situation has brought us a darling baby who has brought new love and life into our home. God blessed us with a puppy who reminds me of a mini Max, yet has his own special characteristics. We’re so happy to watch him grow into the dog meant exactly for us when he was woven together in secret. God’s eyes saw his unformed body and all the days ordained for him were written in His book before He ever came to be. Nothing is overlooked by our Heavenly Father, who lovingly cares for our every need and goes before us in all ways.

As we train our new baby, we recognize his curiosity and readiness to explore everything. Yet he is very easily distracted, and we remember that at just eight weeks old, his mind and actions are like those of a toddler.

It makes me ponder how easily humans tend to sway from our intentions to live with eternal perspective focused on our relationship with Jesus. Just as our efforts to train our puppy are important, because everything he learns will add up to who he becomes, each moment we purpose for eternity matters. Just as these following questions are important to ensure that we stay on course to run the race God has set before us and to equip us to finish well.

1. Do I switch interest to something easier or more convenient at that moment or am I committed to living a life that honors and pleases my Heavenly Father?
2. Do I twist theology to meet or match my interests or sins?
3. Do I remember to capture the mindset and thanksgiving of Jesus despite what each day brings?

Yesterday I was on the phone for hours in preparation for our youngest daughter’s upcoming medical procedures. I lost count of the number of departments that called me. Toward the end of the day, another person called to talk about what our financial obligation will be. As I felt my frustration growing inside, I wanted to make snarky comebacks to the words she said. It would have been so easy and I felt justified in the moment.

But God.

He reminded me that what I was feeling in the moment was not of His mindset. It was not within His plan. There was a reason this particular person was responsible for calling me at this very moment.

Instead of lipping off to her with the thoughts and emotions I felt inside, God asked me to gently explain why I wouldn’t be paying the over three thousand dollar portion of what was expected that insurance would not cover after the procedure next week, during our phone call today.

As I spoke with her, gently allowing her to see me as another human whose child was about to undergo a procedure, she confided in me the details of her own life, assuring me that she understood. She had lost her grandchild six years ago and understood what it was like to have a child who needed medical care. We were able to talk about the peace only God can give, opening the door to discussing the mighty ways only He provides.

We live in a time where not many get along if our viewpoints seem to be different. Yet everyone has a story and the bottom line is that we are all human sinners in need of grace and repentance. Too many people are full of hatred for others right now if they disagree with their choices, instead of accepting that God formed us with free will and the right to live in accordance with it, deciding what is best for our body and our family.

We have been talking about the peace only Jesus can give over the last few Live With Eternal Perspective episodes. The Lord has been so intimately concerned with the details involved with what my family has faced the last few weeks with different responsibilities, procedures, and incidents. But isn’t He always this way? God’s word promises us how much He cares. It assures us that He is always present. The more we look for and to Him, we see His mighty compassion, concern, love, and provision in both miraculous and sometimes simple ways.

Next up on our family schedule is the heart catherization and liver biopsy scheduled next week for my youngest daughter. Just as perfect peace surrounded me with my recent biopsy, which returned with a benign report, He is carrying us with a peace only He provides. It’s not easy to remain peaceful when issues concern our children, yet God is the ultimate provider. His complete and perfect peace really can rest on and through us when we fix our minds on Him.

Our level of peace really rests on whether our trust is centered on Him.

Statistics show that approximately 77 percent of people feel stressed or carry worries. Polls also show that approximately 65 percent of people claim to be Christians.

God’s word is very clear about releasing our stressors to Him.

The New Living translation of 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” This Bible translation is easy to comprehend, yet listen to the Amplified Version. “Casting all your cares, all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all on Him, for He cares about you with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully.”

He cares for us with deepest affection. Did you let that truth penetrate you?

He watches over us very carefully. Not just me. Not just your neighbor. Not just the lady across the street. He watches over you very carefully.

Knowing God loves us with an everlasting and intimate love is comforting if we have a personal relationship through Jesus. Then we are able to walk more and more closely moment by moment and focus on Him with an eternal perspective that drives us ever closer to the Lord daily.

Philippians 4:6-9 says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

God allows us free minds to pursue what we desire.

Not all that we search for or chase is profitable or worthy.

Nothing can fill us with the everlasting sense of peace and satisfaction that Jesus can.

Through the scripture I read, Philippians 4:6-9, we are reminded that God is ready for our petitions to Him and is waiting to hear from our heart. He desires to offer each of us a peace that surpasses any understanding and will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ. He also offers instructions on how to begin to achieve that peace and promises that He will be with us.

So what happens if we don’t feel that peace?

Deuteronomy 31:6 says, “Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.”

When we feel peace is absent, we can trust that God is not.

When peace is not felt, we must consider our relationship with God through Jesus.

James 1:2-4 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

Psalm 55:22 says, “Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.”

Psalm 29:11 says, “The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.”
Continue with a strong focus on repentance and relationship with God through Jesus. Know that His word is true.

Isaiah 55:11 says, “So My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.”

Matthew 24:35 says, “Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.”

Isaiah 40:8 says, “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.”
Invest time in the Lord.

Place Him first in your daily schedule.

Everything else will fall into place behind Him.

Gracious and loving Heavenly Father, how we try so hard to carry loads on our own shoulders when You boldly and lovingly invite us to hand them to You. Forgive us for our unbelief or pride that keeps us from following You in the way You desire and request. Lord, Your word is so true. You re all You profess, plus more than we can imagine. You have such good and perfect gifts for us, yet You desire that we love you for the sake of loving You. We do, Father. Help us to discover a deepening love for You moment by moment as we pursue You and find You in new ways that will carry us into eternity with You, bringing many with us because we allowed You to work through us as we stepped out of Your way and allowed Your perfect peace and humility to cloak us. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

As we finish the month of August with episodes suggesting past Live With Eternal Perspective episodes, I suggest that you might like to listen (or re-listen) to a few of the first recorded episodes last year.
Episode 001 Heart Conditions
Episode 003 Obedience
Episode 004 Eternity Driven Hearts

I pray these episode will encourage you afresh as you purposely seek the Father and renew or deepen your walk with Him daily.

Thank you for listening to this podcast. Please visit terrihitt.com to access podcast episodes housed in one convenient location, read blog posts, transcripts, and access additional resources designed to mature your walk with Jesus through an eternal perspective and encourage you to raise or influence children to choose Christ over culture.

I pray this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.