November 19, 2013 Issue #092

Does anxiety have to rule us?

It got to the point that I made a little sign that says "Focus on what really matters" and hung it by the bathroom sink. I see it when I shave in the morning and just before I go to bed at night. For me, what really matters is God, my family, and other people.

As I've often said, I'm no spiritual guru. I stumble as much as anybody. Part of the problem for single people is the nonstop barrage of advertising and noise that accosts us every day. When I force myself to Focus on what really matters, I'm able to tune out most of the static.

Segments of the government and corporate world work hard to keep us confused and frightened. When it comes to trust, though, we shouldn't listen to politicians or paid spokesmodels. We should go to church and hear the Word of God preached. God's only agenda is you and what's best for you, because he loves you.

In this increasingly chaotic world, those of us who don't have a spouse need to find safe ways to counteract those anxiety-producing influences. Here are some suggestions on what to do when anxiety strikes.

Anchor me

This world can make you drift away
from where you ought to be,
unless you're clinging to the Rock.
O Lord, please anchor me!

Oh, anchor me and hold me tight
until this storm is through.
Watch over me and keep me safe
and show me what to do.
I need to feel your precious love
the grace that set me free.
I need the harbor of your arms,
O Lord, please anchor me!

I set my sail, I'm headed home,
through life's adversity.
You are the port I'm dreaming of
O Lord, please anchor me.

Oh, anchor me and hold me tight
until this storm is through.
Watch over me and keep me safe
and show me what to do.
I need to feel your precious love
the grace that set me free.
I need the harbor of your arms,
O Lord, please anchor me!

~ Jack Zavada, 2013 ~

November Quote of the Month

Unfortunately, Auden was wrong. There has always been anxiety, because human beings have always had a desire for security. Insecurity brings on anxiety, that uneasy feeling something bad is going to happen, but you're not sure what.

If you look around at all the incompetence, dishonesty and dysfunction in the world, it will make you feel anxious. On the other hand, if you put your faith in the unchanging God, you will be anchored to the only thing that is totally reliable.

Security doesn't lie in more stuff, better stuff, or even more money. Look at all the celebrities who have mountains of stuff and millions of dollars, then get hooked on drugs or alcohol. No, security lies in God alone. Our future is safe only in His hands. Until we accept that truth and act on it, we'll always be anxious about something.

Like romances? Own a Kindle?

A COWBOY'S CHRISTMAS PRAYER

Young widow Gretchen Norgard struggles to keep from losing her cafe to a predatory businessman on the Kansas frontier in the 1880s.

APPALACHIAN CHRISTMAS DREAM

Junie Corban is a single school teacher in the pre-World War I coal patch town of Mission Creek, Kentucky. Her dream is to start a Moonlight School to teach the illiterates of the area to read and write.

MARY'S CHRISTMAS GIFT

This modern story set in Chicago stars Mary Chapman, a 34 year-old single executive, pregnant and alone at Christmas time.

These warmhearted Christmas stories have received thousands of downloads over the years, and now you can read them all through the convenience of your Kindle. Christmas Romance 3-Pack is only $2.99 in Amazon's Kindle Store.

Put encouragement in your Christmas cards--F'REE!

There are three PDF titles: God is Your Biggest Fan, When God Seems Far Away, and You Can't Let Failure Stop You. Each little pamphlet is a quick read, featuring a double-dose of encouragement and and a triple-dose of hope.

And did I mention there's absolutely ZERO charge for these mini-encouragers? Hmm. Guess I did.

Well, I know I didn't mention the download link yet. Check them out, print out as many as you like, then congratulate yourself for being so doggone clever:

F'ree Mini Encouragers

Giving thanks makes you appreciative

If you're a Christian, you can always give thanks that you're saved, and you can thank Jesus again for dying so you can live with him forever. Eternity in heaven is no small matter.

Thanking God helps you realize how fortunate you are. It makes you more appreciative. Even if you're in the middle of hard times, you still have some nice things in your life you're grateful for. Tell God about them and thank him.

We singles need to focus on the positive as much as we can, and the biggest positive in our lives is the faithful love of God. It's a good thing, a big thing, and a reliable thing.

My inbox is open 24/7/365 if you want to wing an email my way. Just use our yam-free contact form.

That, fellow singleites, is the November Inspire-O-Gram. Thanks for reading. Until the December issue,

Happy Thanksgiving!

Jack Zavada