“All that money you’ve lost – where did it go?;” “Russia test fires long-range missile…warships call in Libya;”  “Foreclosure Activity Increases 8 Percent in July;” “Thyroid cancer on the rise;” “Hurricane Slams Into Mexico;” “FDIC Seizes Two More Banks.”  These are all actual headlines from around the country and around the world. And as if all this bad news wasn’t enough, how about the biggie – “World gripped by largest financial crisis in 100 years!”

For caregivers, this means double or triple what it means to the every day “man on the street.” We are not just dealing with these crises as individuals. We are dealing with our own set of problems, while juggling the problems one or more of our loved ones is facing. It can be frustrating, depressing, and even frightening.

As I was working on my Bible study today, and reflecting on these different thoughts, God reminded me that we need to look at these headlines and these problems with spiritual eyes. No matter what it may feel like, we are never alone. I found some some wonderful encouragement from the book of Psalms:

Clap your hands, all peoples;
Shout to God with the voice of joy.
For the LORD Most High is to be feared,
A great King over all the earth.
He subdues peoples under us
And nations under our feet…
Sing praises to God, sing praises;
Sing praises to our King, sing praises.
For God is the King of all the earth;
Sing praises with a skillful psalm.
God reigns over the nations,
God sits on His holy throne.
The princes of the people have assembled themselves as the people of the God of Abraham,
For the shields of the earth belong to God;
He is highly exalted.  Psalm 47:1-3,6-9

When we are feeling afraid, nervous, or even angry at what is going on, we need to turn away from the problems and turn to the problem-solver, God. One way I like to do that is to print out verses like these, and carry them with me. Whenever I get a minute, I read a portion of it, and then just keep thinking about that, meditating on it, and praying through it. It’s like letting them soak into my “spiritual pores.” I would encourage you to let God’s Word minister to you today and every day. A good passage for that would be Psalm 57. I love to think of my problems as lions which breathe forth fire! I know that God is more powerful than them!

Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me,
For my soul takes refuge in You;
And in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge
Until destruction passes by.
I will cry to God Most High,
To God who accomplishes all things for me.
He will send from heaven and save me;
He reproaches him who tramples upon me.

God will send forth His lovingkindness and His truth.
My soul is among lions;
I must lie among those who breathe forth fire,
Even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows
And their tongue a sharp sword. 
Be exalted above the heavens, O God;
Let Your glory be above all the earth. 
They have prepared a net for my steps;
My soul is bowed down;
They dug a pit before me;
They themselves have fallen into the midst of it.

My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises! 
Awake, my glory!
Awake, harp and lyre!
I will awaken the dawn. 
I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to You among the nations. 
For Your lovingkindness is great to the heavens
And Your truth to the clouds. 
Be exalted above the heavens, O God;
Let Your glory be above all the earth.

So next time you hear a news headline that threatens your peace of mind, grab your Bible or that printout of verses and start meditating away. Allow God’s Words and His love to make your heart steadfast once more.

Church was great today! The music was wonderful and the sermon was interesting, educational, and funny (I love that combination). We were reminded of the importance of hiding God’s Word in our hearts that we might not sin against God. My memory is not so hot for memorizing any more but as I keep helping grandkids memorize their verses it plants those seeds into my head as well. I love that! I have fun making cute little charts for them with their verses and posting them all around the house. I have one hanging in the guest bedroom, I have one beside the toilet, and another one in the shower. I also keep one in the car for when we’re driving. During the school year, I use Awana’s verses and school verses. Each summer, we work on special projects. This past summer, we memorized The Lord’s Prayer. As soon as they have it totally memorized, we’re headed for Chuck E. Cheese to celebrate! For my grandkids who don’t live as close, I have fun making coloring pages and putting Bible verses on them. I also love singing Bible songs to them on the phone as we chat. It’s a great way to build memories, deepen our relationship, and share God’s love and Word together.

Another way I have found to plant God’s Word in my heart is to Scripture pray for others on a regular basis. I made a chart in Excel and listed over 90 of my favorite verses on it. Each day I pray for all of my beloveds – family, friends, neighbors, and others God brings to mind. (Yup, I have a chart with their names as well – that whole memory thing again J). I pray for various needs I am aware of.  I pray Romans 10:9 for any who are unsaved or not walking with the Lord. Finally, I read through and pray out the three verses I have listed for that particular day. Over the course of the month, I wind up praying 90 verses for all those people, as well as myself.  After doing that for several years, I’m finding many of those verses becoming more and more familiar to me and I trust that if ever it was necessary, God could bring those verses to my mind.

What ways have you discovered to hide God’s Word in your heart? We’d love to hear your ideas!