Relief In The Attic

copyright Millie Plastaras 10/16/2008

In these troubled times... almost everyone you meet is weary,
tired, and often discouraged. The world seems chaotic,
falling apart at the seams, not a familiar place anymore.

Relationships are strained, and people are struggling
to find joy within them that sustains them through these times.

I am here to declare to you that there is hope, that hope
never fails, that the answer is on the way, it may be different
than you expect, but you will not be alone waiting for that
answer. You have a heavenly Father watching over you.
He sees each tear, he hears the cries of your heart, and
sees your fear and sorrow. He knows the trials you are going
through, whether brought on by your own mistakes or just
the part of life that all of us must face and learn to overcome
with the face and courage of a soldier, a victor, and a righteous
child of God.

Here is that good news:

This makes you very happy, even though now for a short time
different kinds of troubles may make you sad. These troubles
come to prove that your faith is pure. This purity of faith is
worth more than gold, which can be proved to be pure by fire
but will ruin. But the purity of your faith will bring you praise
and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed to you.
You have not seen Christ, but still you love him. You cannot
see Him now, but you believe in Him. So you are filled with
a joy that cannot be explained, a joy full of glory. And you are
receiving the goal of your faith the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:6-9

My friends:
Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything
you need, ALWAYS giving thank. And God's peace, which is so
GREAT we cannot understand it, will keep your hearts and minds
in Christ Jesus. Brothers and Sisters, think about the things
that are good and worthy of praise. Think about the things that
are true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and
respected.
Philippians 4:6-8

This verse contains the secret to happiness within.
Your focus. Where is your focus? Is it on your problems?
Is it on the hurt you are feeling from those who love you?
Is it on the rejection you feel? Is it on your crashing finances?
Is it on the chaos of this world? All these negatives serve
to do one thing to us. They bring us anxiety. Anxiety
breeds depression and every sad thought.

WE have a choice.

We were instructed to look on the things that are good.
We can do this by turning off the news, only watching it
for short times. Read good books that teach you and uplift you.
Get around people that uplift you inspire you and encourage you.
Volunteer at nursing homes and places where people need love
and encouragement. You will soon find yourself forgetting
about yourself and focusing on what you can do to make
a difference. Get busy, do useful things that make you feel
good and make a difference in the lives of others. If each
person did this what a wonderful place this world would be.

Losing courage shows one thing: lack of faith.

We all fight this battle. There is no Christian who does not.
The secret is to find relief in our attic: our minds.
We can seek that which is good, and fill our minds with hope,
inspiration, beautiful music, joy and the peace of God,
or we can fill it with things that defeat us.

Which sounds best to you? Which are you doing?
How is it working for you.

Jesus said:

I leave you peace; my peace I give to you. I do not give
it to you as the world does. So do not let your hearts be
troubled or be afraid.
John 14:27

Are you walking in faith or fear?

We have troubles around us, but we are NOT defeated.
We do not know what to do, but we do not give up the hope
of living. We are persecuted, but God does not leave us.
We are hurt sometimes, but we are NOT destroyed.
2 Corinthians 4:8-9

So do NOT lose the courage you had in the past, which
has a GREAT reward. You must HOLD ON, so you can
do what God wants and RECEIVE what he has promised.
Hebrews 10:35-36

My friends, like you I am going through great trials, and
some very deep internal pain right now. I could let it rule
my spirit, but I fight it with all that is in me. Everyday
I run to the arms of my Father God and leave it in his hands,
knowing full well He will watch over me, protect me, guide
me lead me, strengthen me and show me the way to go.

Who else could do this for you?

What are you looking at? What solutions are you seeking?
Has it worked for you?

Peace is a choice.
Happiness is a choice.
A hurricane could be raging around us,
but if we know how to focus on God, we cling to,
rely on, trust in, find hope in and REST in Him.

Just Trust.

Let RELIEF fill your attic, in Jesus name.

Casting all your care on Him, for He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7

Casting it away.. and not taking it back. Walk forward into
this new day with faith, hope and strengthened in the Lord
and the power of his might. Do not look to the right or left.
FULLY RELY ON GOD.

love always
millie