by Hello Everyone!
It is good to be back, isn’t it, Journey? Journey and I were tied up in knots! That’s right, we were bound head to foot with the ropes of life here on the ranch. When you have too much to do and you can’t make up your mind what to do, you are, “tied up in knots” but…
Journey and I escaped our busy lives to do a stunt for you. Right Journey?
I’m going to put this rope around your neck, O.K.?
(See this stunt in the youtube video).
We have just illustrated how easy it is to free yourself from being tied up in knots.
How did you feel when I put a rope around your neck, Journey?
“Confused, fearful and frozen.”
That’s how it feels when you are tied up in knots but there is someone who can always free you.
Who is it, Journey?
“You,” replied Journey.
“No, it is someone bigger. No person can set us free from anxiety.
Journey whispers,
“Jesus”.
This blog is dedicated to my nephew, Wyn Ericson. Wyn went to be with the Lord, earlier this month. He was young but he accomplished more in forty five years than most of us ever do. Wyn was given the honorary title of, “Master Painter”. He won a world-wide contest in watercolor. You can view the masterpiece he painted if you look up , “Wyn Ericson” online.
The way Wyn Ericson was able to create a masterpiece was because he had faith in Christ. He continually depended on the Lord to provide him with the ideas for his paintings that would show his deep knowledge , power and closeness to the Lord. This closeness and dependence for everything he needed enabled him to be calm enough to paint with a steady hand, the portraits that won him a global award. His secret? Faith in God, in our Lord Jesus Christ. He immersed himself in scripture before painting. Wyn’s paintbrush was the instrument the Lord used to communicate how grateful he was for the beauty found in this life. We learn from this great artist to appreciate everything we see, hear, touch and feel in this world.
Anxiety is the worrisome disorder of people who are, “Tied up in Knots”. This can cause us to be angry, confused, to worry and ultimately, we cannot make decisions. We miss out on the pleasures and gifts that await us each day. We cannot appreciate anything when we are tied up in knots. When it is too hard to decide what to do, the best thing to do is to take time out. Do this in an acceptable way. Here are some ways you can take a rest from problems and tasks that seem to overwhelm us:
Take a walk. Better yet, walk your dog. Learn a new stunt online. Make it work! Share it with someone.
Draw or paint, ride a bicycle, wash your car, walk on the beach or any activity you find enjoyable. Remember, this is a time-out. It is not an escape. Do this when you are frozen solid and cannot budge.
Biblical Perspective:
The best way to untie our knotty life is to read Scripture. The Bible tells us, to be anxious for nothing and in everything give thanks. Take a moment to pray and thank God for all you have then study Philippian’s, chapter 4. When you do an activity you find relaxing and enjoyable , it is easy to be thankful.” This chapter teaches us to think about good things .
Questions:
Have you ever been so confused that you cannot make a decision? Describe that event. How did you feel?
Do people, themselves, cause you to be confused? Has your friend ever confused you by asking you to do something you know is wrong to do? Share that experience.
What person in your life expects you to do too much work?
Can you space out the tasks you must do so they do not overwhelm you?
Scriptural Ways to handle anxiety:
Philipians 4: 4
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your mind in Christ Jesus
Boundaries Application:
Adults tell children to do everything they are told without grumbling and disputing. What jobs or assignments are you given that you do not like to do?
Can you think of a good reason to do a task you don’t like?
Friends can cause us to be, “tied up in knots”. They do this by asking us to do something we know is wrong to do. We want to spend time with friends but sometimes, they ask us to do things that aren’t right. Share an example of something a friend might ask you to do that is not acceptable. How can you get out of this?
One thing you can do to avoid wrong choices, is to talk to your friend about your values. Values are the truths you live by. For example, it is wrong to lie to someone. Ask your friend if he lies. If he says that he lies all the time, he will lie to you. It is best to find an honest friend.
Share when a friend lied to you. How did it make you feel? Is this person still your friend?
When someone says they are your friend and they say bad things about you to others, this can cause you to be angry, confused and unable to decide if this person is your friend. You are , “tied up in knots”, because you like this person. He or she was your friend but they speak unkindly about you. What course can you take to have peace with yourself?
