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Articles by Traci Huff

Stinkin’ Thinkin’: Nervous Nelly

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Life and peace? Yes, please!

All around us things clamor for our attention, making peace a seemingly elusive concept just out of our reach at times. Paul tells the Romans a mind set on the Spirit leads to life and peace. That sounds great, but how do we do that? How do we take our minds off of our flesh and set them on the Spirit?

Stick around this week and see what God’s word has to say about it …

 

Nervous Nelly

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

praying_on_bible_redNervous Nelly is the “loving” nickname my family gave me years ago. Truthfully, it’s not the name that I would have chosen, but if the shoe fits?

See, I would never have considered myself a “glass half full” or a “glass half empty” kind of person. Instead, I would say I’m more of a “what if the glass spills” kind of person…and the liquid is hot…and it might burn someone…or what if the glass breaks…where are we going to get a new glass…what if someone gets a cut….

The nickname makes more sense now, doesn’t it?

It would be a struggle for me to put into words how the Lord has worked on me in this area over the past several years. He has done a mighty work on my anxious heart. However, the struggle is still there and worry is an old hat that I’m quick to put on. Diligence in praise and prayer is imperative to keep that old hat off my head!

Paul instructed the Philippians to worry about nothing but to pray about everything. He encouraged them to tell God what they needed and to thank Him for all He had done. Then, they would experience a peace that exceeded anything they could understand.

While worry is never an appropriate response, and praying about everything is imperative, another part is not to be missed. For too long, I just skipped over the thank Him for all He has done part. Because honestly, when life feels uncertain and my faith feels weak in the knees, my focus is on me and the storms around me. But when I’m able to take my thoughts off of myself and praise Him with thanksgiving, I gain some proper perspective as well as the peace I’m desperately needing.

But how do we do this when our weak-kneed faith collides with the storms of life? We praise Him. With great intention, we recall His works in our lives and we thank Him.

When our worries are turned into prayers and His goodness is recalled with thanksgiving, our hearts and minds are with His peace, exceeding anything we can understand.

With thanksgiving,

Traci

Stinkin’ Thinkin’: The Lord, a Root Canal, and Me

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Life and peace? Yes, please!

All around us things clamor for our attention, making peace a seemingly elusive concept just out of our reach at times. Paul tells the Romans a mind set on the Spirit leads to life and peace. That sounds great, but how do we do that? How do we take our minds off of our flesh and set them on the Spirit?

Stick around this week and see what God’s word has to say about it …

 

The Lord, a Root Canal, and Me

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

Isaiah 26:3 NLT

DSC_0363 (2)Squeamish is not a word that has ever been used to describe me, but I must admit that the dentist can get me feeling a little anxious. My dentist isn’t the one to blame because it’s all me. Between the sounds of the instruments, the foreign objects crammed in my mouth, and trying to answer questions with said objects in my mouth, I want to just skip my appointment altogether. For the sake of full disclosure here, every time I leave the office, I wonder why I got myself so worked up. It’s never as bad as I think it’s going to be!

Now that you know this about me, you can probably imagine that when I needed a root canal, I was not cool as a cucumber. It wasn’t a bad experience physically, but mentally it was awful! I’m talking, somebody give me a brown paper bag! I’m hyperventilating over here! It wasn’t good.

As I was lying in the chair, my mind was trying to go into panic mode. I did my best to keep it all together because let’s face it, I was a 30-something year old woman who knew how to behave, and I really didn’t want to be THAT patient.

During the procedure, I remembered today’s verse: You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! And so lying in my chair, with all the instruments crammed in my mouth, I began to think about the Lord. With intention, I shifted my thoughts from my circumstances to my Savior. I meditated on His character. I recalled His provision over me in the past and His promises for the future. I recited Scripture. I prayed.

There, lying in a dental chair, peace flooded my soul as I took my thoughts off of my circumstances and put them onto my Savior.

I realize your “root canal”— the situation occupying your thoughts and stealing your sleep, is likely much worse. You feel anxious and weary. Regardless of the circumstance that threatens to sweep you away, our God is a God of peace. Praise God, He is bigger than any circumstance we face.

He is there, His peace waiting to flood your soul as you take your eyes off your problems and fix them on your Provider.

Fixing my eyes on Him,

Traci

We’re In This Together: Can’t Get Enough Of Hur

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So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose men for us and go out, fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will station myself on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought against Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set. So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. 
Exodus 17:9-13, NASB

Tucked neatly into five verses in the 17th chapter of Exodus is found a powerful portrayal of a battle-weary, yet faithful Moses. While this passage may have little screen time in God’s narrative, it packs a big message. Let’s unpack it together this week …

 

Can’t Get Enough Of Hur

“See, I have called by name Bezalel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship.”

Exodus 31:2-3 NASB

IMG_0103I can’t seem to get enough of Hur this week, so please bear with me as we talk a little more about this seemingly minor character whose actions had a major impact in the story of God’s people.

If you’re still with me in Exodus 17, you can turn to the right in your Bible and you will find in Exodus 31 a man by the name of Bezalel, who was chosen by God to build the Tabernacle. This gentleman is the grandson of a man named Hur, who is believed to be the same Hur that we met earlier this week. Pretty cool, huh? What makes this so cool? I’m glad you asked.

We’ve all heard that “little things” can make a big difference in the lives of those around us, but sometimes I need a little reminder. Hur is a man whom we know was faithful in a seemingly little thing, and it is presumed that his grandson went on to build the tabernacle. Is it possible that Hur was a man who was consistently faithful in little things, leaving a legacy of faith for his family?

Each of us have a sphere of influence. It may be in our homes, our school, our workplace, or our neighborhood. Regardless of where we are, people are watching our response to not only the battles of life but also our day to day. They see how we respond in the little things as well as the big things.

It’s easy to believe the lie that the work we’re doing is not important and that we are contributing little to the kingdom. But I believe, that all we have to do is what God has called us to do. We only need to do the “thing” that He has placed before us, regardless of whether it’s “little” or “big.” Today, my job has been to give extra love to two of my kids who are sick. It’s certainly not worthy of accolades, but today, that is the job the Lord has given me. And because it is assigned by Him, I trust that it is kingdom work.

Friend, someone is watching how you live your life. Your spouse who wants nothing to do with church, sees your faithfulness. Your neighbor sees your kindness and your faithfulness to your friends and family. Your integrity in the workplace does not go unnoticed. Friend, your faithfulness in “little” things can impact generations to come.

Dear God, we thank You for the awesome opportunity to witness to others by simply living our lives. However, we realize the magnitude of this task, and we cannot do it alone. Lord, please help us to be faithful in the big things and in the seemingly little details so that we may impact others and glorify You through the lives that we live. Amen. 

Amazed by His grace,

Traci