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Leaving a Margin

Thoughts_About_God — Sun, 13 Sep 2026 07:06:09 +0000

“The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down” (Proverbs 14:1)

She confided that life just seemed to be fraying around the edges, especially in her home. As we talked it was clear that the frenzied pace she kept was taking a toll on her home. “I love to be busy”, she said. Yet the fruit of that busyness was not the fruit she desired for her home and family.

When we live at a pace that continually drains us we end up taking it out on those closest to us. Complaining, frustration and lack of patience can surface all too often. As women we can actually be tearing down relationships by our own hand and not even be aware we are doing so. A wise woman will take note of her reactions and make a choice to be a builder.

If your quiet time with God has slipped by the wayside of your life it won’t be long before you notice the tell-tale reactions of complaining, negativity and frustration in your life and relationships.

Ask God to help you keep some margin in your life so you are not running to the max all the time. Learn to choose your time investments carefully.

Ask God to come in a fresh way into your life to help you make time with Him a priority. Choose to make some changes in your schedule so God can make some changes in your heart. Invite His Holy Spirit to be the change agent in your life today. Ask for what the Bible calls the fruit of the Holy Spirit. (Galatians 5:22) It’s “The Great Exchange.” He will help you build your relationships. You can depend on God to be your source for all your needs.

Exchange your weakness for His strength.
Exchange your unsatisfied heart for His joy.
Exchange your annoyance with His love.
Exchange your anxiety with His peace.
Exchange your impatience for His patience.
Exchange your complaining for His contentment.
Exchange your harsh attitude for His gentleness.

Father in Heaven, Today I ask that You would forgive me for foolishly reacting in ways that can tear my relationships down. Fill me afresh today with the fruit of Your Holy Spirit. May I be a wise woman filled with the wisdom and revelation that Your Spirit offers me. Help me to choose my activities carefully and to leave some margin in my life for rest. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

by Gail Rodgers
used by permission

FURTHER READING

A Little Frayed

What’s the Tone in Your Home These Days?

Everyone Should Think about Divorce

The post Leaving a Margin appeared first on Thoughts About God.

A Little Frayed

Devotionals — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 07:06:06 +0000

“The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down” Proverbs 14

The frenzied pace we sometimes choose to keep can take a toll on our homes and impact our relationships.

If your quiet time with God has slipped to the sidelines of your life, it won’t be long before you notice the telltale signs of complaining, negativity and frustration in your life and relationships.

Ask God to come in a fresh way into your life to help you make time with Him a priority. Choose to make some changes in your schedule so God can make some changes in your heart.

Invite His Holy Spirit to be the change agent in your life today. Ask for what the Bible calls the fruit of the Holy Spirit. (Galatians 5:22) It’s “The Great Exchange.” He will help you build your relationships. You can depend on God to be your source for all your needs.

–   Exchange your weakness for His strength.
–   Your unhappy heart for His joy.
–   Your annoyance for His love.
–   Your anxiety for His peace.
–   Your impatience for His patience.
–   Your complaining for His contentment.
–   Your harsh attitude for His gentleness.

Father in Heaven, today I ask that You would forgive me for foolishly reacting in ways that tear my relationships down. Fill me afresh today with the fruit of Your Holy Spirit. May I be a wise woman filled with the wisdom and revelation that Your Spirit offers to me. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Take Action: Look at the list of the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22:
–   Love
–   Joy
–   Peace
–   Patience
– Gentleness
– Goodness
– Faith
– Humility
–   Self- control

Ask yourself which one of these fruits is in short supply in your life right now. Identify it. Then invite the Holy Spirit to produce it in you in new ways today.

By Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

Rat Race

Thoughts_About_God — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 07:03:27 +0000

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…” Hebrews 12:2

Have you ever felt like you were in a rat race?

Jackie struggled with that feeling. She was a Christian wife and mother, held a part-time job, and was actively involved in church.
For the most part, she enjoyed her activities. But increasingly her efforts seemed fruitless. She became discouraged, stressed and ready to drop out of life.

If you’ve ever been tempted to drop out when life seemed like a rat race, let me assure you, you’re not alone! Even the Apostle Paul felt that way. His Biblical advice is to strip off the unnecessary weight that slows you down. And to keep your eyes on Jesus.

Jackie heeded that advice by prioritizing her church responsibilities, dropping some commitments, and giving each day to God.

Run the race God has given you, friend, but don’t pick up hitchhikers!

By Vonette Bright
used by permission

Self on the Shelf!

Thoughts_About_God — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 07:06:24 +0000

“For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” Galatians 2:19-21 (ESV)

I have been busy lately – doing – so although things have been stressful and protracted, I thought I was fine.

This last Sunday arrived as a wake-up call as my body, mind and spirit came to a complete stop, the spirit-o-meter in my being read empty. I had some flu virus, which laid me out totally. Even breathing was an effort, with my ribs feeling sore. I sat still for twelve hours and watched Caroline move around me, whilst inwardly I prayed my fever would get no worse.

It was at this point that my inner-self reacquainted me that ‘he’ was not crucified and was definitely feeling limited by this lack of activity. He wanted this canister of a being to be well – now! I do not do being ill very well.

To my great surprise and rejoicing, on Monday, my recovery was progressive and so rapid that I went to work in the afternoon to cover my evening session, having earlier thought I would be off most of the week.

In the stillness of the Monday morning not yet well, but rising, I wrote a song. I began to ponder what it meant. God was tangible, like after a heavy thunderstorm the freshness of His presence permeated the room as His Spirit poured over my consciousness. For this moment, my mind was still so I could receive what I had been given and so I wrote it down as I played it.

…So you’re free to worship me, whenever you choose Even when you get the blues, lean on me…

Like Peter reaching for Jesus’ out-stretched arms as he sank into the waves, looking elsewhere is a bad idea. So today, I ask myself the question: doing is good, but for whom are you doing it?

PRAYER: LORD, I thank You for the gift of words through which we can touch each other even when we are lifetimes or oceans apart. I rejoice in Your patience with me that allows my approach even when I am too embarrassed to run forward. Grant us Your understanding of what is good, pleasing, proper and appropriate for You to reign in our lives. Amen.

by Rod Marshall
used by permission

FUTHER READING

Be Still and Know

Finding Stillness

Heart, Soul, Mind, Strength

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