Thinking About our Thoughts

I was in a bit of conflict with my thoughts at the YMCA Spinning class this morning. The song blasting out was “Everything is Awesome.” I didn’t feel so awesome at the time. At the same time, our instructor yelled, "Get out of your comfort zone! Go faster! Push it!”  I thought I was already out of my comfort zone!

Every one of us is constantly thinking. Sometimes positive thoughts. Sometimes negative thoughts.  We’ve got thoughts swirling around our hearts that often, we can’t even control. What do we do with our thoughts?

Some experts estimate that we humans have around 70,000 thoughts a day. Some say that 75% of these thoughts are negative and 95% are repetitive. Ouch. These thoughts often pop up due to stress, anxiety, lack of sleep, or big changes in your life or body.

Why not check your thoughts right now? Time yourself. Take the next two minutes. Notice every time you think about something and put a slash. How many thoughts did you have in those two minutes? Were they positive or negative?

Our society around us urges us to conform to the world's standards. Toxic thinking. Judging others. Comparing. Participating in political vitriol. Placing value on what we drive, our homes, and what we wear. Have you seen the effects of social media on our thought lives? The more we immerse ourselves in it, the lonelier and more depressed we can become. Every thought and focus can have a consequence.

Oh, how we could all benefit from transforming our thought lives! Listen to J.B. Phillips's version of Romans 12:1-2:

“With eyes wide open to the mercies of God, I beg you, my brothers, as an act of intelligent worship, to give him your bodies, as a living sacrifice, consecrated to him and acceptable by him. Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold, but let God re-mold your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all his demands, and moves towards the goal of true maturity.”

We weren’t made to be molded into the ways of society. But so often, we are! Yet, God wants to help us with our thinking. Our God wants to help us rewire our thoughts. As we ask Him, He will help us create a new way of thinking.

We can get so disturbed in our lives! What immediate matters are pressing in on you today? Jesus invites you to consider Him. Present your bodies to God. Give Him Your worries, fears, and anxieties. God wants you, not just your work. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Consider this question when thinking about your thinking: “What is true here? What does God’s Word say?” (Enduring Word, Romans 12:1-2) Think about your thinking. May we enjoy God's peace today and every day.

Take a listen: Still My Mind: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpqaIU2vzhc

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.

Refreshment

The hot temps in South Texas this week have been brutal. After riding Daisy, my horse, I will hose her down with water. Normally, she doesn’t like water on her face, but now she’s welcoming it! She loves to drink straight from the hose! She is in horsey heaven with the waterfall flowing into her mouth. I knew exactly what she needed and she happily responded!

I sense we could all use a bit of refreshment and encouragement these days. Maybe the political discourse is weighing heavily on you. Maybe a medical diagnosis that is hard to swallow. Perhaps you’re waiting on God to answer your prayers.

Maybe it’s true…. everyone is dealing with something. As I read and pray over the prayer cards in our Y branches, I am no longer shocked by the difficult things that people go through. There is so much pain! We often don’t even know that the people around us are struggling. 

Just like I knew Daisy needed a spray of water, I sensed everyone around us could use a bit of encouragement, care, and love. Have we been so absorbed in our own stuff that we miss those around us?

Here are a few ways we can refresh and encourage others:

Practice caring, really caring: I’ve often said to someone “How are you?” and barely waited for an answer. It can come out of my mouth so naturally. But do I care how that person really is? Do I wait to ask more questions? Do I listen well and respond? Galatians 6:2 says 'Carry each other's burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ." We weren't meant to do life alone. 

Be generous: I think we can be so busy with our own lives that we forget the simple ways to love out of our overflow.  We can be generous with our presence, truly practicing the presence of the people in our midst. Look them in the eyes. Listen well. Wait until they're finished talking to respond. We can also be generous with our money. We can give freely without having expectations of anything in return. We can initiate with a few people we haven’t seen for years and say, “I miss you and just checking in to see how you’re doing.” What would it look like for you to be generous to others?

Encourage One Another: I received a word of encouragement recently that was exactly what I needed. It was written by someone who had lost their spouse unexpectedly in a bike accident. His word of encouragement to me was “Cherish every moment.”  It hit hard. I can take my husband for granted, yet every day with him is precious. I ne Hebrews 3:13 says “Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”  I am more and more convinced that encouragement is like oxygen for us. It truly inspires, lifts us, and is like a fresh waterfall on a hot summer day. We all need encouragement! What happens without encouragement? We feel unloved, unimportant, and forgotten. Pray for God to show you who to encourage and how best to encourage. Be specific and intentional in how to encourage.

I have a feeling that those of you reading this need to be refreshed and encouraged today. Even though you may not receive it today, give it away. You’ll be refreshed and encouraged by giving it to others.

May God refresh us so we can refresh others: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcGrYvyQleU

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.

Overcomer

I would love it if my Dad could tell me the Rattlesnake story again. After he told it, I would ask him “Could I hear it just one more time?” This ridiculous event would have made even the toughest rancher cringe. As a young man near their Wyoming ranch, he went hiking and found a cave he wanted to investigate. He crawled in and looked around and lo and behold there was a Rattler coiled up at the side of the entrance in the cave. What in the world? It was then that I asked, “WHAT DID YOU DO THEN?” Ever so slowly, he crawled to the side of the hole and shimmied out of there never to awaken the sleeping snake. Whew.

Just remembering that story scares me! It reminds me of the time David in the Bible was in a cave in Psalm 142. Psalm 142 is titled: “A Contemplation of David. A Prayer when he was in a cave.” Charles Spurgeon (in Matthew Henry's Commentary) goes on to say, “It’s a Psalm of instruction, because of the good lessons he had himself learned in the cave, learned on his knees, and so learned that he desired to teach others.”

Psalm 142: 1-3, 7 - “I cry aloud to the LORD; I lift up my voice to the LORD for mercy. I pour out before him my complaint; before him, I tell my trouble. When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who watch over my way…..Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name.”

David was freely expressing his helplessness and hopelessness as far as his present circumstance was concerned. He knew to cry out to God. He was also determined that God could rescue him. Even when he felt alone and no one cared for his soul, he knew that God would hear his cry.

We can feel imprisoned just like David. Somehow the power of those old wounds still wound. The power of insecurity can cripple. The grief that still hurts. The fear of rejection and abandonment is real. The agony of a wayward child. The horrific memories of what should never have been can still linger. The fear of “what will happen?” Many things can hinder us. But God wants us to have courage and pray with confidence “Set me free from my prison that I may give thanks to your name!”

David expressed openly his desperation. He was downright real. It's OK to be desperate for God to work! I certainly am these days. It’s ok to admit that life is hard. It’s ok to pray for God to change things. I pray every day for God to change this anxiety diagnosis. And you know what, God truly wants us to be an overcomer! He wants to see us through our trials. Don’t give up. Don’t quit.

The lyrics to “Overcomer” by Mandisa are true for you and me: “Whatever it is you may be going through. I know he’s not gonna let it get the best of you. You’re an overcomer. Stay in the fight ‘til the final round. You’re not going under ‘cause God is holding you right now. You might be down for a moment. Feeling like it’s hopeless. That’s when he reminds you that you’re an overcomer. You’re an overcomer.”

Take a listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8VoUYtx0kw

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.

Happiness Vs. Joy

Are you ready for some football? I certainly am! I’ve loved watching the Olympics. But I’m super excited that football is finally here, even if it's only preseason games. It makes me so happy. I love this time of year!

Each of us has things in life that make us happy. Being with family and friends. Sports. Our jobs. Volunteering. Helping others. Sleeping. Exercising. Being married. Our children. Doing acts of kindness. Practicing gratitude. Being outside.

Yet, we’re not always happy. There are times in life when we’re far from experiencing happiness. That’s where it’s important to understand the difference between happiness and joy. I think we can get the two words confused.

Happiness is a state of emotional well-being that a person experiences when good things happen in a specific moment or more broadly, as a positive evaluation of one’s life and accomplishments overall. It’s that feeling that comes over you when you know life is good and you can’t help but smile.

I love looking at the word joy from a spiritual perspective. Joy is a feeling of good pleasure and happiness that is dependent on who Jesus is rather than who we are or what is happening around us. Joy comes from the Holy Spirit as we learn to trust God and find our hope in Him.

So, happiness is based on circumstances. I’m happy watching football.  I'm happy hiking with my husband. I’m happy if things go my way. As you can see, joy is much different. Look at how the Bible describes joy:

Jesus desires our lives to overflow with joy: “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” John 15:11

God can bring joy even amidst difficult circumstances: “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence, there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11

God can give true hope, joy, and peace: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13

I love being happy, but I realize I'm not always happy. Yet, I can trust Jesus to experience joy no matter what the circumstances. I want that kind of joy, don’t you?

Take a listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uysGt7JVw9U

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.

Trusting God in the Trials

Daisy’s hoof print is indelibly engraved on top of my boot. A nice visual memory for when my horse spooked and came down on my foot. I’m no longer wearing cowboy boots these days, but a walking boot. It’s cumbersome, ugly, and not the fashion I want for the last part of summer. Hopefully, it will aid in healing my broken toe.

It’s been quite a summer! It started with an inordinate number of shakes or tremors that seemed to come out of nowhere. Through a series of doctor visits, it appears I have an anxiety disorder. This summer has turned out to be one of the hardest in a long time. There appears to be a lot of unknowns, which I have a hard time with.

What I do know is that I will trust the Lord the best I can through these series of trials. I sense God uses our daily life to draw us close to Him and teach us. For me, I sense there are things He wants me to take note of in my life. What stresses me out? What healing work needs to be done? How can I seek God during my pain rather than be annoyed with Him for allowing this?

James writes in James 1:4-5 “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” I want to sit with that verse for a moment.

Right now, I don’t care about being mature and complete. If you’re like me, I prefer to make an all-out effort to avoid trials at all costs. I just want to be well. But God, in His grace and love for me, wants to use these trials for my good!

Can I believe and live like I can grow in spiritual strength and maturity even when things aren’t ok? Could I make that my aim each day? Can I have and experience patience while I’m GOING THROUGH the trial? How? Many scholars say the word “perseverance” literally is the idea that someone remains consistent through opposition or continues despite the difficulty.

So, what does it look like for you and me to do this? First, “Endurance makes us spiritually mature. It’s not the suffering that produces maturity, but the act of endurance. Consistency in life, even in the face of trials, produces Christian maturity, not just suffering.” (God Questions, How can we let patience do its perfect work?) Secondly, we must turn to God for strength and hope when things get hard. It’s easier sometimes to turn to self-pity, anger, or avoidance. A daily choice! Finally, it’s important to ask God for wisdom as you walk through the ups and downs of trials. When we ask Him, He is happy to guide us and give us the wisdom we need at each turn.

I don’t know what will happen in the future, but I do know that God desires to walk with me through my trials today.

Take a listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8eh1Yu-kFM

“We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character, and character, hope.” Romans 5:3

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.

Droughts

Due to the low water conditions, we haven’t been able to take our kayaks on the Guadalupe River for the last few years. The drought here may have lifted this past week! Finally, the Guadeloupe River is on a big rise. The river flooded for the first time in almost 6 years! 

It’s no fun kayaking when there’s little water in the river. It’s a real pain. You must keep popping out and dragging the kayak where there is little water. Finally, kayaking on the river is in our future!

I’ve been in my share of droughts. One year, while working at a camp in Northern California, we had restricted shower times. Here in Texas, we’ve had restrictions on watering our yards for years, resulting in a dismal yard by the time August rolls around.

Droughts can affect us personally. What do you hunger to see happen in your life that hasn’t happened? Have you endured excessive stress and little rest? Have you faced ongoing personal challenges? Are you going through intense work demands? It can feel overwhelming to face any one of these drought-like circumstances! We are left feeling depleted or empty.

It’s very tempting to let my droughts affect my spirit, thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It affects everything. It’s times like this, that I must reflect on how God has worked in my life in the past. I have to remember that He is still a good God and has my best interests in mind. Over the years, I’ve been drawn so much to this verse in Jeremiah 17:7-8 that describes a person who trusts in the Lord:

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is in the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8

The passage paints a picture of those who trust God and have confidence in Him no matter what happens! He describes faithful people as being like trees that grow beside a river. Their roots extend to the deepest parts of the river and they are nourished by the water. I see those beautiful Willow trees along the Guadalupe River and picture this verse! The trees are not affected by heatwaves or droughts because they’re deeply rooted in the river. And that can be each one of us too!

I get it. Droughts are hard to get through. But, as we trust in God, He can help us withstand even the harshest of circumstances. He helps us thrive, even when things aren’t the way we wish them to be. 

“O God, You are my God; early will I seek You, my soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for you in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.” Psalm 63:1

Take a listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taLDKHfpHsE

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.

A Simple Life

Anyone who knew Catherine knew she was full of life, joy, and kindness. She would light up a room with her smile. The Y was her second home, always participating in senior events and group exercise classes. You couldn’t help but see Catherine’s love for the superhero Wonder Woman. Many had given her Wonder Woman T-shirts or hats and she wore them proudly.

Catherine was so much a part of our lives there at Harvey Najim Y that we couldn’t possibly imagine life without her. Until we had to imagine life without her.  Catherine unexpectedly passed away last week. She was an integral part of our Y family and we are mourning her loss. Catherine died unexpectedly last week.

What most didn’t know was that Catherine had a very tough life. At one point in her youth, she and her family were homeless. Catherine lived a simple life. She had very little. But you wouldn’t know it, because she was always talking about what she DID have. She had joy, her Y family, her church, her serving opportunities, her library and her Y group classes. You would never see her speaking poorly of someone else, gossiping or slandering. Catherine would notice things others didn’t see, like a bird or butterfly, simply because they were God’s creation. If you were looking to connect with a mover and shaker, you’d completely miss Catherine. Many people passed Catherine by.

God didn’t pass Catherine by. Catherine knew Jesus and is now experiencing seeing Him face to face. I think Jesus must have loved Catherine’s childlike, loving, and simple life.

Jesus lived a simple life too. Because he lived a simple life, He was able to focus on what mattered most. He wants us to know that we don’t need all thing things or experiences that we do. Jesus wants us to know that He doesn’t see the rich and important people any different than He sees those who are poor and seemingly unimportant.

Adele Ahlberg Calhoun writes in the Spiritual Disciplines Handbook “Jesus teaches us that freedom is not found in having and doing but in keeping God and his will first in our heart. ‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven…For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’ (Matthew 6:19-21) Jesus wants us to know that we don’t need all the things or experiences we think we do. What we really need is to keep first things first- Jesus and his kingdom. Life becomes much more simple when one thing matters most.”

How much of your identity is wrapped up in what you own, where you go, who you know, and who you are? What “Catherines” might you miss seeing simply because they may not be “that important?”  Catherine taught me a lot in life. Maybe you as well.

‘Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little.” (Philippians 4:11-12, The Message)

Take a listen: Living Hope by Phil Wickham: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-1fwZtKJSM

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.