MY BLOG POSTS

The future is scary. And I’m not just talking about potential wars and inflation and other horrors. All of us have “future fears”, whether you’re a teenager worried about grades; a college student worried about  your career; a parent worried about children; a grandparent worried about retirement…The future looms large, hovering like a dark cloud, and it’s so easy to spend time wondering and worrying about what might happen.

Or maybe it’s just me. Maybe you’re reading this and thinking, “What is she talking about?” If that’s you, feel free to swipe up on this blog and enjoy your carefree life.

For the rest of you — there’s a one word solution to our fears of the future. Are you ready for it? Grab a pen….

Just stop.

Before you swipe up, give me a chance to explain:

We can choose what lives in our mind, what takes root and grows. Conversely, we can choose what only stops in for a visit.

For example, I am often tempted to let fears about the future take root in my brain. I hear something on the news about potential war, and I begin thinking about books I’ve read about World War 2, about bombings and deaths and men dying and economies being crippled…and on and on. I can let that one thought develop into hours of fear, creating stories in my mind (a downside of being a writer!).

But I don’t have to let that thought take root. I can push it out. God doesn’t want me dwelling on a hypothetical future. In fact, Jesus commanded that we “do not worry”!

So what can I do when those thoughts drop in?

• Memorize a Bible verse (I recommend Phil. 4:8 or Matthew 11:28-30)
• Pray for someone
• Look for someone in your life you can serve or encourage
• Share your struggles with a godly friend
• Read a Christian book

Friends, to worry is human. But that doesn’t mean it’s right. And for some of us, it’s become a habit — a habit that we need to break.

So, when you find yourself circling down the drain of worry, STOP. Retrain your brain. It is possible, I promise. Not easy! But so worth the effort.

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” ~Phil. 4:8

I’ve been listening to a podcast, The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill, which is both interesting and painful. What pains me most is the testimonies of those hurt by toxic leaders who mistreat others in the name of Christ.

I find myself identifying with them – a few years ago, I was part of a ministry in which church leaders were anything but godly and whose decisions and behavior devastated our family and many of our friends. I’ve had to pause a few times and confess, again, anger towards those men, as feelings resurfaced that I thought were long buried.

Sadly, many of us have stories like these – maybe not as extreme as the testimonies from Mars Hill. Still, we have been hurt by those claiming to be Christians, and those wounds fester and the pain from them can affect our future ministries, relationships, and thoughts.

And, yet, it’s complicated. As I think on my traumatic experience, I know there are people in that same ministry – still today – who love the leadership, respect them, support them. How is that possible?? Do they not know who these men are and what they’ve done??

On the other hand, I have friends who have been hurt by ministries I’ve been part of — ministries that I love and whose leadership I support. They can’t understand how I can speak highly of people who have devastated them. Do I shun those ministries, in support of my friends? Do I shun my friends, in support of the ministries? Is it possible to support both? Why am I not as outraged on their behalf as I am on mine? Conversely, why I can’t I justify the actions of people who have wounded me when I can justify those who haven’t?

Which leads me to the reality that I am sinful. I know this, theologically. But I tend to overlook it, practically. I’m great at recognizing the sins of others. Really great. But recognizing my own sins? Not so much. And, yet, I’m sure, in the 20+ years I’ve been in ministry, that I have hurt others. I know there have been times I’ve lashed out at students. I’ve said things I shouldn’t, criticized, been negative, lacking in mercy. And those words may very likely have sunk deep, those wounds festered. They may be looking back on me as someone who hurt them, as the root of their own spiritual trauma. I may not be as bad as the pastor in the podcast, or the leaders at the church that so wounded us, but sin is sin. And I’d get a lot farther in my own sanctification if I focused more on my own sin and less on others’.

Spiritual trauma is real. It hurts and recovery takes time. If you have experienced it, I recommend that, if possible, you seek the help of a Christian counselor who will help you work through those emotions. What we have to do, and what is most difficult, is forgive. Know that forgiveness isn’t the same as excusing. There’s no excusing some behavior. But we can forgive. We forgive because God forgave us. We forgive because it frees us. We forgive and know that God, not us, is the ultimate judge. If we focus on revenge, we’ll miss out on the abundant life God has for us.

Forgiveness isn’t a one-time event. I’ve had to go back and forgive again and again – every time the memories return. But I choose to keep forgiving, not to give Satan a foothold in my mind and heart. And I choose to check my own heart, my own behavior. I choose today to reflect Christ in what I do and say, in how I treat people. I choose to seek the forgiveness of those I’ve hurt, and to do all I can not to hurt others. I want to be an instrument of healing, encouragement, and light. I want people to see Jesus in me and to draw closer to Him as a result.

(This post is adapted from a talk I recently gave to the ABIDE Women’s group at Truett McConnel University)

My daughter Emma and I were at a museum in Knoxville TN last month. For me, the most memorable exhibit was a mural titled, “History of Tennessee”. It was beautiful and it was huge – it spanned an entire wall, floor to ceiling. On it, as the title suggests, was a visual history of my birth state.

After we saw that, I thought about how great it would be if God were to show me “The History of Krista McGee” – just the big stuff from my life, so I could know what was coming. When I was little, I wondered what I’d look like when I grew up. when I was a teenager, I wondered who I’d marry, how many kids I’d have. As an adult, I wonder what jobs I’ll have, what places I’ll live, what tragedies or blessings I’ll experience in my later years. I can spend a lot of time dreaming and worrying about what will be on my “mural”.

But God convicted me that I don’t need to spend time dreaming and worrying about tomorrow. God has called me to focus on TODAY. He tells us, in Mt 6:33 to “Seek first the Kingdom of God” – this in a passage previously warning people against worrying. My mind should be fixed on Christ, on what I can do to elevate Him and accomplish His will.

I am a big fan of Post-It notes – I have them all over my desk and computer, with specifics to remind me what I need to do each day (Take Attendance! Grade essays! Go to the grocery store). Those, along with my planner and Reminders on my phone, are crucial to my being able to accomplish all I need to accomplish each day.

So I started thinking about those Post-It’s. And the mural. The mural has great ideas, but that’s all. The Post-It’s, on the other hand, get the job done! Spiritually, then, I’d be much better off thinking in “Post-It’s” rather than “mural”. If God wants me to seek first His kingdom, then I can do that by asking Him every day, “What do you want me to put on my Post-It’s?” Maybe it’s helping someone in need, sharing my faith with a friend, listening to someone who’s hurting. Certainly, it’s reading my Bible, praying, and spending time with other believers.

I began to realize that, while there’s certainly a lot of my mural that is unknown, there are plenty of Post-It’s that are certain! I’ve discovered that, if I change my focus from “mural” to Post-It’s”, I’m more joyful, more fulfilled, more at peace: God gives me just what I need each day, to accomplish what He has for me.

If you’re not sure what God might want you to write on your Post-It note for today, start with some of these verses. Each of them is a command – God’s will for you!

• Mt. 22:36-40
• I Thess. 5:16-19
• Rom. 12:1-2
• I Pt. 3:15
• Prov. 12:22
• I Thess. 4:3-5
• James 5:19-20

It’s been a minute since I’ve written! We moved to Georgia, our daughter, Eliana, got engaged, our son, Thomas, left for college, and Dave and I started teaching exclusively online. Whew. Lots of changes.

While our changes – though monumental – are good, I know many of you are dealing with changes that aren’t so good. Many have faced incredible hardships over the last few months – there has been so much pain, so much arguing, so much hurt.

I remember, way back when my children were little, my mother-in-law told me that time in my life was a “season”. I didn’t really get it, then…maybe because I was so exhausted! Or because I was living in a place that didn’t really have seasons 😉 But I get it now.

I live in north Georgia, where fall has just begun. The leaves are changing, temperatures are dropping, and pumpkin spiced lattes are brewing. It’s wonderful. I love fall! I love wearing sweaters and boots, having my windows open, smelling fires burning from neighbor’s fireplaces and backyard fire pits.

But I know that, after fall, comes winter. I do not love winter. I’m a Florida girl, so anything below 50 degrees is arctic to me. Having to wear a coat, gloves, and scarf just to go for a walk is not fun.

But (remind me of this in February!) that season will pass. I don’t live in Narnia, so I won’t have to live in winter indefinitely. It’ll get warm again, turn to spring, then summer, then back to fall!

What my mother-in-law was trying to tell me, way back when, was that the season of raising small children would eventually pass. And, while it was almost impossible to believe then, I know it now! We have an empty nest! It’s bittersweet. Even when I was exhausted, I still loved having kids at home. But I also love having grown-up kids – they are so great! I love the more relaxed time at home Dave and I can enjoy. I love finding new hobbies (hiking and kayaking!) and taking a shower whenever I feel like it and only having to run the dishwasher a couple times a week.

What I’ve learned about seasons, though, is that they pass. Sometimes a difficult season transitions to an easier one. Sometimes it’s the reverse. Sometimes, it’s location that changes, or relationships, or jobs. But, as the old song goes, “Change gonna come”.

Here’s the biggest lesson I’ve learned from the varying seasons of my life: If I focus on the season, I can get overwhelmed. I don’t know what’s coming. I don’t know if it’s about to get better or worse. I don’t know if I can handle it…!

What I need to focus on is the Creator of the seasons: God knows exactly what’s going on; He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. If I focus on Him, cling to the Rock, I can withstand whatever “weather” each new season brings me. I won’t be swayed, moved, or overpowered. When I remember “greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world,” I can rest.

I don’t know what season you’re in right now, but I do know that, whatever it is, God is right there with you. He will help you through it, He will be your Rock, your Fortress, and your Deliverer.