How to Be Better

November 16, 2024 Cathleen Zahradnik

“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3 NLT

Better. Most of us desire to be better or do better, but sometimes we compare ourselves to others and, whether we admit it or not, we think we are better.

The Dicionary.com definition of better is this:

of superior quality or excellence
morally superior; more virtuous
of superior suitability, advisability, desirability, acceptableness, etc.; preferable:

Am I really better than someone else? Am I of superior quality or morally superior? Am I preferable? Let me put it this way: Does God prefer me over someone else? You and I are well aware that the true answer is no, but there are times when we may painfully feel like God prefers someone else or pridefully feel He prefers us. Ouch either way!

When I think of myself or my ideas or my convictions as better than someone else, I am not thinking like Jesus. Jesus showed us the way of love, a better way (1 Corinthians 12:31 CEB)

The better way is the way of humility, kindness, gentleness and patience (Col 3:12-14). The better way is love which elevates the needs of others above my own. Better is serving. In a cultural climate of division, we can do better. We can be better. Division comes from thinking that my way is better and because my way is better, I am better.

What Are You Thinking?

November 9, 2024 Cathleen Zahradnik

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:8 NLT

Where are your thoughts these days? Are you expecting the worst? For your family? For our nation? Are you expecting the best? There are a lot of questions about all of it.

Where is God in your thinking? I have found that when my thoughts wander to the worst, God has provided a tool to wander back to truth. God has given us guidelines for our thinking. Philippians 4:8 describes what to think about so that we stay focused on Him and expect the best that only comes from Him. Expecting the best is expecting God to come through.

Expect the best even when you accept trouble. Does expecting God to come through mean you will never have any trouble? Of course not. Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble, but take heart I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Focusing your thoughts in a positive direction is not about ignoring trouble or expecting God to deliver you from every trouble. Despite what some preachers have told you, trouble is a part of Christian life. Read the New Testament more carefully and you will notice that the New Testament writers came from that position.

The Promise of Perseverance

November 2, 2024 Cathleen Zahradnik

“Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.” Hebrews 10:36 NLT

Life can be hard. True? There have been times when my life seemed so incredibly difficult that I could only handle one moment at a time. Perhaps you’ve been there. I call managing those moments “survival mode.”

In survival mode, you do the needed tasks but have nothing left for the extras. You focus on getting through the present but have no energy left to imagine the future. Perhaps your hopes have been decimated. I’ve been there. Imagining a different future is not possible while you process that pain. Survival mode gets you through.

But it is in survival mode that you begin to truly understand “Apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) It is in survival mode that you experience the truth “He is near to the broken-hearted.” (Psalm 34:18) It is in survival mode that you find strength in the “everlasting arms.” (Deut. 33:27)

Through every survival mode season, there are some things I have found to be true. Here is some hope for your current or upcoming survival mode.

God is using survival mode for your good. Current pain can blind us to the current positives. It can be hard to see beyond how hard it is now. But please, Dear Friend, remember that God is good and only does good. There have been moments when all I could do was remind myself of God’s good character. I couldn’t see the situation as good. I didn’t feel good. But because God is good, I chose to believe He was at work for my good.

That is true for you as well. Feelings are not good forecasters.

Am I Closer to God?

October 26, 2024 Cathleen Zahradnik

After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you.” John 17:1 NLT

Do you want to get closer to God? If you are a Jesus-follower you probably ask yourself, “Am I as close to God as I should be?” For most of us, me included, that question can bring up a nagging feeling of failure. No. I am not as close to God as I should be or as I want to be.

So, what do we do about it? How will we know if we are growing closer to God?

Jesus sets the example in all things, right? It would be easy to dismiss His example of intimacy with God. He was Jesus! But what if we looked at His example for clues that could show us we are on the right track?

John Chapter 17 records a long prayer Jesus prayed just before Judas arrived with the religious leaders to arrest and crucify Him. Jesus covered a lot of ground in that prayer, but He begins with a statement that indicates His intimacy with the Father and gives us clues to evaluate our own. Curious?

After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you.” John 17:1 NLT

Prior to this statement Jesus gave a “pre-battle pep talk” to His disciples at the Last Supper. He taught them about how to live without Him and about the coming Holy Spirit. Then He addresses the Father. Jesus’s prayer was an agreement with God’s will, a recognition of His timing and a commitment to His glory.

What does Jesus’s statement show us about how can you and I evaluate if we are growing closer to God?

What is the Best Gift?

October 19, 2024 Cathleen Zahradnik

“They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.” 2 Corinthians 8:5 NLT

My mom has a birthday today. The number of her age is not as important as understanding she is closer to ninety than to eighty. I am still trying to wrap my head around that!

Birthdays are an opportunity to express love and appreciation. We usually give gifts, right? What gift does an almost ninety-year-old need? What is the best gift?

Perhaps you’ve asked that question as well. I’m learning that the answer has implications far beyond a birthday present for my mom.

Jesus is the model for the best gift. When God gave a gift to humanity He gave Jesus. John 3:16 describes the gift that matters most.

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17 NLT

God gave His only Son to redeem our broken relationship with Him. The fullness of God dwelt in Jesus. (Colossians 1:19-20) When God gave His only son, He gave us Himself. Yes, Jesus sacrificed Himself, but then He also gave us the gift of His presence in the Holy Spirit. He is with us. Jesus gave us Himself. Not just on the cross, but every day.

Giving begins with a decision. At the right time, God sent Jesus, but He decided long in advance. (Galatians 4:4, Ephesians 1:4-5) From the moment of creation God knew humans could not maintain an intimate relationship with Him. (Isaiah 46:10) He knew Eve and Adam would succumb to the temptation to forge their own broken path and planned in advance to restore what was broken. Sending Jesus started with a decision based on our need.

Looking for an Answer to Prayer? Work, Watch, Wait

October 12, 2024 Cathleen Zahradnik

“Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act.” Psalms 37:7 NLT

“It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow.” 1 Corinthians 3:7 NLT

I recently “planted a seed.” No, not a literal seed. But I sent out a small thing that I hope will bring back a harvest. That seed is surrounded by prayer. How and when will God answer that prayer and what should I do while I’m waiting?

Another seed: I finally wrote a book! Years ago, God gave me the seed of an idea as I prepared a sermon. It took a while for me to plant that seed in writing and then for the seed to germinate as I developed the ideas. Now, I’ve begun to see sprouts and am learning how to tend the seed for growth. Soon, the plant will be developed and bear fruit. The book will be published before the end of 2024. I am planning for December 1st. If you would like to receive email alerts about the book, click here.

Are you waiting for a harvest, too? What can you do while waiting for an answer? If you have planted a seed of prayer or action, there are things you can do while you wait.

Work. Being still before the Lord does not mean you plant yourself in a chair and stay there until the answer comes. It doesn’t mean you stare at the seed until you see a sprout. Being still before the Lord means you quiet the inner need to make something happen. It means you step back, open your hands, and let Him lead the way.

In the meantime, you work.

Is the Future Good?

October 5, 2024 Cathleen Zahradnik

“I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’” Isaiah 46:10 NIV

Ever been in a season of waiting? Like thunderstorm winds, you may find questions rumbling in your brain. What’s next? How is this going to work out? What am I supposed to do? Can’t I make this go any faster?

Tom and I are in a waiting season right now. The only thing we are certain of is that God has said to rest. Rest? What does that mean beyond sleeping and sabbath? We are learning, but the questions still buzz in our brains.

I find comfort in knowing that God holds the answers to all the questions. Much like the circle of calm in the middle of a hurricane, I can stand in peace. Here’s the truth that plants my feet in peace as the winds whip past me.

He knew before. There is so much comfort in recognizing that God is omniscient. He sees everything. He knows everything. He knows how things will turn out. He knows the future before it happens. He knows the end from the beginning.

Anxiety or Peace?

September 28, 2024 Cathleen Zahradnik

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NLT

“I’m not anxious. I’m trusting God!” I want that to be true. But I know that what I want and what I am experiencing don’t always line up. What about you?

Years ago, God gave me an anxiety indicator. I felt like my tongue was swollen and asked for prayer. The Holy Spirit showed my pastor that I was rubbing my tongue against my teeth because of anxiety. That was a surprise! After that, I learned to recognize that tension in my jaw is an anxiety indicator.

You and I know peace is possible, but how do we move past anxiety and get to peace?

What are your anxiety indicators? Part of making our way to peace is to recognize anxiety. As I shared, when I notice tension in my jaw and neck, I know that anxiety is present. My brain may not be busy, but my body tells me the truth.

Sometimes my brain is busy trying to solve problems. You too? My busy brain might look like this: Recurring thoughts trying to resolve something that is or is not my responsibility to fix. It might be about money or relationships, the future or the present. It might even be about world events. The world is full of people and people have problems that need solving. But those problems are not usually my responsibility. Or yours. I have learned that mentally trying to solve a problem is my attempt to control it. Control is not trust, is it? In fact, the desire to control is a peace-stealer.

How do you release control and gain peace? I once heard someone say that anxiety results when I want to control something that is God’s to control, and peace comes from releasing control to God. Here’s an easy way to summarize it: A-C=P. In other words, Anxiety – Control = Peace.

If I feel anxious, I ask myself: What am I trying to control? How can I release that to God?

Easier said than done, I know. But the first step is to peace is acknowledging the anxiety and the desire to control to yourself and then bring it to God. When you and I bring our anxious thoughts and desire to control to God it’s a form of worship. Really! Being honest with God is worship because it acknowledges that He is the one with the power. It means that you or I step away from the steering wheel and let Him do the driving. When we acknowledge God as God that is worship.

What does peace look like? Peace comes when I leave the outcome to Him. If I am anxious, it is about the outcome, not the situation itself. Peace comes when I trust. Trust is ready to accept any outcome. That is when peace settles in like cloud cover.

Clouds seem to make the world a bit smaller. Although we prefer the expanse of blue skies and the warmth of sunshine, “peace clouds” call us to a cozy, indoor day where we are safe and comfortable. Ominous dark clouds are different. They call us to prepare for a storm. “Peace clouds” bring a gentle rain that refreshes vegetation and clears the air.

Dear Friend, you and I fail to trust God often. It’s a fact. But don’t be discouraged. God understands our weakness. That’s why He encourages our trust over and over. He knows trust leads to peace.

God has given you and I trust as a goal and then tells us how to work on it. Pray. Bring your anxious thoughts and desire to control into His loving and forgiving presence. Thank Him for His past faithfulness. Enjoy His presence now and trust Him for the future faithfulness you can depend on. Then peace will settle in.

Key Question: How do I move past anxiety to peace?

A Scripture to Consider: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6-7 NLT

A YES Challenge: Ask God to show you any “anxiety indicators.” What outcomes are you trying to control? Take some time of honest prayer to release control to God.

Prayer: Father, I thank You for giving me anxiety indicators. Help me to recognize them and pay attention. Show me how my desire to control outcomes is leading to anxiety. Help me to bring my anxiety to You and trust You regardless of how things work out. I need the peace that only You can give. Amen.

Rest. Are You Listening?

September 21, 2024 Cathleen Zahradnik

“God has told his people, “Here is a place of rest; let the weary rest here. This is a place of quiet rest.” But they would not listen.” Isaiah 28:12 NLT

Tom and I had COVID this week. Not a big deal. Not like it might have been in 2020. But being sick is ALWAYS inconvenient, isn’t it? If you are like Tom and me, you have a list of things to accomplish in a week. But being sick means our priorities change. Appointments are rescheduled. Errands are postponed. Being sick slams on the brakes.

Let’s say you are traveling on a local open road at 55 miles an hour and suddenly a deer leaps in front of you. You slam on the brakes! Once you miss the deer and start to move again you proceed cautiously, keeping your eyes moving. Where there is one deer there are usually more, right? After a while, once you are sure that deer is alone, you regain 55 mph and cruise on. You refocus on getting to your destination. That is what most of us do. That is how we often approach life. At least, I know I have.

But what if God uses those times in life that cause us to “slam on the brakes” to get our attention? What if He intends to call us into a season of rest? What if He is saying to resume your journey at a slower pace? What if there are beauties to notice along the way?

Just Being There is Enough: The Ministry of Presence

September 14, 2024 Cathleen Zahradnik

“Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 NLT

I have been thinking a lot about the “ministry of presence.” My husband is a chaplain, and the term is used frequently in chaplaincy circles. I’m a researcher, so curiosity leads me to look it up with my good friends: Search engines and books. I tried to find the origin of the term but came up empty. Still, many search results had the term in the title. Even scanning those titles and articles helped me crystallize my thoughts. So, here are some conclusions.

My presence is ministry when it is an expression of Christ’s love. American society is all about problem-solving and productivity. But the only problem Jesus came to solve was the problem of sin that separates us from relationship with God. He did not come to solve my relational or financial problems although He might. Jesus’ most productive act was His death. His death was an expression of love that opened the door to relationship and brought life.

My presence is ministry when I lay down my needs, wants, and desires as a bridge for others to get closer to God. Jesus’ sacrifice demonstrates what love looks like. He became our bridge to God. You and I are called to do the same for others.

Presence shares the burden and doesn’t try to fix the problem.