Daily Wisdom for Women - March 1, 2023

 March 1, 2023 - Stir My Heart "My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king."  Psalm 45: 1

I like to take notes.  When we were attending the Christian Church in Francesville, I always enjoyed the sermons because Jim was very organized and there was an outline in the bulletin that he always followed. We would fill in the blanks or list points as he had indicated or just take extra notes as needed.  It wasn't very often that I would refer back to those notes, but my 'learning style' is one that thrives on listening and writing notes.  I remember several sermons that just seemed to 'move' me, and if I mentioned that to E. Anne, she would say that Jim always said he was just the messenger, not the one coming up with the good words.  God was speaking through him.  

Now we are attending the Delphi United Methodist Church and Pastor Todd's method of delivery is much different than Jim's.  There is a bulletin with a blank spot for sermon notes.  I am finally getting into the habit of taking notes as he talks.  After Christmas he preached a series on Mental Health.  Each Sunday he focused on a different aspect of mental health, such as anxiety or depression or grief, and pulled in scripture and suggestions for help.  Two of those sermons hit me hard, and at the end I was in tears.  One Sunday the focus for help was on faith, which is also my Word of the Year.  The final song was "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" which is my favorite hymn. I was crying. Gary reached over to hold my hand.  After the service Landon gave me a hug. Hilary came and squeezed my shoulder.  I was mentally and emotionally exhausted.  My heart was stirred.  

Later I shared my concerns about anxiety with Dr. Hart and he prescribed a medication to help.  Two days after that appointment I talked with two of the nurses for my cardiologist.  They were quite encouraging about using the medication (since both of them took it also) and shared that it would take probably two weeks for the med to begin working and for changes to be noticed.  I marked two weeks with the med yesterday. While I knew that I needed to have this talk, it was easier knowing that there is no shame nor does it lessen my importance in the lives of my family to have an issue with anxiety.   Plus the Biblical connection is something I had not considered before.

Have I noticed changes?  Yes I have.  I am calmer.  I am not crying all the time.  I am not scared when I wake up in the morning.  Night time is not as stressful as it had been.  I am not scared and worried constantly like I was.   But the main thing I have noticed is that I am trusting God more to handle the stresses in my life.  I share more with Him.  I talk with Him more often.  I feel more confident in my faith (which is good since it IS my Word of the Year!).    My heart is stirred.

 Dear God, thank You for being a heavenly King I can actually have a close relationship with.  Stir my heart today into worship, into action, and into a life with You beside me.   Amen.