Managing emotion

One discussion that takes place in my home on a regular basis is time management.  Questions like...how can we fit that in?  Should we fit that in?  You go with Madi and I'll go with Jake.  Can you be home by 6:00 so I can leave by 6:15?  Can we attend that banquet?  We have a birthday party Friday night and Saturday afternoon.  Will we go to church Saturday night or Sunday morning?  When was the last time we talked about something other than our schedules and how tired  we are???

Maybe that sounds like a foreign language to you, but I can ask and answer most of those questions in my sleep they are so common in our home.  Tonight was one of those evenings, when I thought I must have "the mono" as one of my dear friends would say.  I sometimes get so tired and overwhelmed that even washing my face and putting on my pajamas can seem insurmountable.  How can I get it all done?

This evening as I spent several hours working on the long list of tasks that weren't yet checked off as of 7:00 pm...In the back of my mind, I was complaining yet again to the Father, "please help me manage my time." And then that still small voice that is so familiar, and particularly in those overwhelmingly busy times, is also too often out-shouted and over looked, pierced through my chaos, "Time management isn't the issue...managing the way you spend your emotion is."

That has rattled my cage.  Emotion management...as I have pondered that, it makes perfect sense.  His ways are not our ways and His thoughts aren't our thoughts.  They certainly aren't mine.  But when He speaks, He makes all things clear.  My time never increases or decrease, there is never more or less.  Always the same, 24 hours each day.  But the way I spend my emotion during those 24 hours changes every day. 

I think what the Lord may be speaking to me is that our time is so precious and valuable...that we must consider, what moments and with whom we will spend our emotion?  Today, for instance..I had breakfast with Jake and Madi.  Texted Tanner and Whitney and several friends, family and co-workers.  Spoke to my sister on the phone.  Attended the all A lunch with Jake and his friends.  Had lunch with a precious friend.  Laughed with my kids.  Cried in worship and listened to some incredible teaching via podcast.  Aside from those things, I did many task oriented duties and was somewhat productive.  As I write this blog now, I am tired...both body and spirit.

But my perspective has changed...

A few hours ago, I was overwhelmed to the point of tears because it seemed like there wasn't enough time in this day.  But after a simple statement from the Almighty, things shifted.   My day today moved quickly and there were items unchecked on my to-do list.  But I am very pleased with the way I spent my emotion...with people I love who make me laugh and keep me grounded.  With my God who multiplies all our resources, including our time, to accomplish His calling.

Tomorrow I will think less about my time and more about my emotion.  I intend to manage it and spend it wisely.  I pray the same for you.

Encouragement...

I am thrilled about our latest assignment from the Father!  I can't give you all the details, but if you ever doubt or fear the next generation and their spiritual foundations...you will be encouraged.  We are working with some amazing college students and I wanted to share an exchange with you.

Here is my post to them:
I hope you are having a great week! As soon as I type these questions, I am going into a prayer time for you! Praying that the Lord would give you favor and influence. That you would be reminded of the power of the Holy Spirit in you and that His Word will be alive and active in you. I know that many of you are looking into new possibilities. Some are looking for internships, looking to become a member of a cast and preparing to start your career. I am thankful that the Word tells us that He goes before and behind us. He makes the road rise up to meet us. I am praying that you will know beyond a shadow of a doubt where He is directing you. That He would give you perfect peace. Go get 'em!!

Okay, this week's question:
I am working with a high school student who is really struggling. She comes from a good family and has involved, precious parents. She is in a season of full on rebellion. She has been dating a high-school drop out, drug dealer who may have another girl pregnant...behind her parents' backs. He was arrested for drug possession and weapons. She still wants to be with him. Her parents are desperate. How do we reach her?

Here are a couple of their responses...WOW!
1) That's a rough situation, gosh I would hate to be going through some junk like that. If I were her parents this is how I would reach her ( I'm gonna write this as if I were her dad)... Honey I know you know that me and your mom love you more than anything in the world, we want you to be the happiest you could possibly be and we have all your best interest at heart! Now this decision your making by wanting to stay with this guy is not the one you want to make. Why would me and your family and everyone who loves you the most try to lead you down a path that would not be the absolute best for you! I can't sit here and support you in something that I know will hurt the most precious thing to my heart! I'll scream, cry and pray at and for you until you realize what your doing isn't gonna be good for you. Now i don't want to control you or make you do anything but if you keep thinking the way you are right now it's going to get very uncomfortable for you, I'm going to have to take away everything that could aid you in hurting yourself, whether it's your phone, car, or money I will no longer provide that for you as long as your heart is set the way it is. You are always welcome here where you will never get treated bad and will be provided for but your boyfriend is not allowed here. If you choose to go your own way I won't stop you from leaving and even though it would break every one's heart that truly does love you it doesn't mean that any time you ever want back you will be welcomed back with open arms. But please don't take that road that everyone who cares about you is promising you will lead to horrible horrible pain. I hope that you don't make any life changing choices that you can never get rid of. Please don't resent us for responding to your path you are choosing the way we have but you have to know that it is because we love you and want you to be the best and happiest you can be. Now read the story of the prodigal son and I want you to realize that I'm gonna be the same way to you as his dad was in the parable. I'm fighting as hard as I can for you but if you want to go eat with the pigs I'm so sorry for you but I'm here always and forever for you! I love you! And if you want more examples of people that have done what your choosing and regret it I can go on for days. Goodness I want you to be happy so bad I can't stand it!
Love dad

2) I wish I could say something that would be really helpful in this girls situation but me and my parents are in a similar situation with my sisters. I can tell you the two things I've learned one: the power of prayer always works! be SPECIFIC with Jesus. Make her your "sun stand still" (sun stand still comes from a book and its about Joshua asking God to make the sun stop in the middle of the sky and delay its going down for a full day. "There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the LORD listened to a human being. Surely the LORD was fighting for Israel!") <---that's the power we have with the same prayers.
The next I would do is to tell the parents to cling to Psalm 34:18. 

I hope that encourages you...it certainly does me!  Thank you God that you are strong in our weakness and we want you to be Mighty among us!!!

You are CHOSEN!

I asked 15 college students the question, "If you had 15 minutes to speak to a group of middle school students,what would your topic be?"  Though they stated it in different ways, without exceptions they answered...their identity.  All of the college students described how insecurity about who they were designed to be and trying to "fit in" were their biggest struggles as middle school students.

Certainly, as I have interacted with this age group fairly extensively, I would agree 100%.  The ages  8 - 12 years are some of the most difficult in a person's lifetime.  We cannot escape our surroundings.  The name of the game in middle school is...make fun of someone before someone makes fun of you.  It is a hostile, dog eat dog environment. 

Strengthening our character is no different then strengthening our bodies.  It takes time, focus and dedication.  We start with light weight and increase the amount we can handle as we commit to the process and our body begins to respond.  The same process is necessary as we seek to strengthen our character. 

Several years ago, the Lord put on our hearts at CareNet the desire to strengthen the next generations of young people.  They are being eaten alive...drugs, alcohol, sex, bullying, technology, and the culture are literally overpowering them.  Overpowering Christian kids and unsaved kids alike.  Overpowering our kids who have the Spirit of Almighty God living on the inside of them.  The same Holy Spirit who parted the Red Sea and raised Jesus from the dead is theirs to give them direction, ways of escape and victory...yet, the culture, peer pressure and sin seems to be the tag line of the day.

What were we going to do about?  Not take it laying down, that's for sure!  We began offering several mentoring programs...one of which I am thrilled to introduce you to today!

CHOSEN is a Bible study curriculum for young ladies ages 8-12 years.  The curriculum is 26 lessons in all and is broken up into 4 sessions.  The curriculum comes with a Leader's guide which contains all the lessons, explanation of activities that help to bring each topic to life, and a letter to give to the girls' moms each week.  We want parents to know what the girls are learning so that they can have valuable discussion with their own girl about the different subjects.  Also, we have a journal for the girls to use throughout all 26 lessons.  The hope is that by the end of week 26, she will be having her own powerful and personal quiet time with the Father each day.  An amazing gift from the Father, are the 4 posters contained in the journal.  The posters are prints of four original paintings done by Ginger Nelson.  They are divinely inspired and covered literally in all of the scripture contained in each session!  The posters serve as reminders to the girls of all they have learned and accomplished.


The lessons are practical and on her level.  We talk about the character qualities that we should have as fruit of the Spirit living in us.  It is the Spirit that gives us the power we need to be more than conquerors through Him who loved us.  So, when you have a friend gossiping about you during lunch...how would the Father want you to respond?  Even at 10, we don't have to be ruled by our emotions.  We can be Spirit lead and that is the goal...to see these girls living lives that powerfully, boldly and lovingly reflect the face of our Great King!

We would love nothing more than for you to be connected and involved with us!  If you live in the Amarillo area and would like to sign your daughter or a young lady in your life up to participate in our next CHOSEN session...you can contact us by visiting our website www.youarechosen.org or calling our office at 806-354-2288.  We would love the opportunity to journey with her!  OR you can purchase the CHOSEN curriculum and lead your own sweet group of girls through the program.  It is easy to use and we are happy to help you in any way we can.  I believe that the next generation can change the world...but we must prepare them on purpose!  It won't happen by accident.

Please contact us today to sign your girl up or to start a group of your own.  Also, please let your friends know about the program.  I would love for you to follow us on twitter @CandyKGibbs and post us on your twitter or facebook account.  For all of you Pinterest addicted, you can pin us there too!

I am so thankful for the opportunity the Lord has given us with these precious girls...every time I stand in front of them and look out at their sweet, innocent faces...I am reminded that in our weakness, He is strong!!  Our enemy better look out, because oh the mighty warriors for the Kingdom that I serve!

All my love to you!! To you be all glory, King Jesus!

Contact us today and please spread the word!