Hello Reader.

If you are just now joining us, welcome! I hope you'll enjoy these monthly emails and find them beneficial. (If you haven't done so already, please be sure to add patti@ptcovert.com to your address book so future e-newsletters won't end up in spam.)

To the rest of you, I'm glad you're here, too! You all keep me motivated to think deeper than I might otherwise.

Have you ever looked at your life and wanted freedom from the mess? You know what I mean--those things out of your control that roll into our lives like one humongous breaker after another. If you've read my book, The Windblown Girl: A Memoir about Self, Sexuality, and Social Issues, you know life's storms have tossed me around quite a bit. But through all of that churning, I've learned how to find freedom from misery in the midst of life's messiest circumstances. So during the month of July, I like to celebrate the precious gift of the exquisite liberation Jesus brings regardless of what we're going through. These disciplines are challenging, but maybe they'll help you, the way they help me.

Focus on Christ

When fierce waves roll in, threatening to drown me in despair, a Bible story often helps me rise above them.

You may know the one--it's the story where Peter is with the disciples in a boat. A storm rages all around them. Then, they see Jesus walking on the water, and they're terrified as uncertainty about their circumstances prevails.

But when Peter expresses his faith, Jesus calls him to put it into action.

"Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, 'You of little faith, why did you doubt?'"

Did you see it? As long as Peter focused on Jesus and refused to doubt, he stayed above the turmoil. He only started to sink when he shifted his focus to his circumstances. And, even then, all he had to do was call, and Jesus saved him. So in the midst of a mess (especially one of those sticky heart-wrenching relationship issues), we need to be determined to stay focused on the Living God and trust that He'll guide us through the storm. I often pray that Jesus will not let me look right or left but will keep my eyes fixed on Him. With every resource at His command, He can keep us walking in the direction most conductive to healing, even when someone we love is on a self-destructive path or walks out of our life. Still, living according to biblical truths requires us not to do the "what ifs."

Control Your Thoughts

It's easy to worry. About annoying little things. About life-changing BIG things. What if that guy I'm crazy about leaves me? What if I lose my job? What if the substance abuser I love gets serious consequences?

Refusing to let our thoughts go places they don't belong sets us free from worry. (Yes, I know that's easier said than done, so please keep reading.) During some of those very circumstances, I had to learn how to keep my mind from going places it shouldn't. As a result 2 Corinthians 10:5 became one of my favorite verses. Over time, it has gotten easier because the faster I go there, the sooner I have peace of mind..

Every thought. I don't know about you, but sometimes my anxiety threatens to go beserk. What then? Philippians 4:6-7 gives the remedy.

Humble prayer. With gratitude. And trust. Knowing Jesus always wants my best good, I began asking my Savior to do what I cannot--bring my thoughts captive to His obedience. And, I'm convinced that's one prayer He loves to answer especially when we express our appreciation for His power and presence. And, when we're determined to choose His eternal kingdom instead of this world's.

Live with an Eternal Mindset

By believing in Jesus, we've exchanged this world as our home for His kingdom. Although we spend several decades here in the place we call home, ultimately we live in an eternal realm. 2nd Corinthians 5:1 gives us a glimpse of our forever home.

There's no doubt we'll struggle and suffer in this world. It's filled with sinful people, who make poor choices that get consequences. And, sometimes those results spill over onto us! (As though we don't cause ourselves enough trouble!) Each individual has free will and we can do things our way or God's. By showing people Jesus--His goodness. His grace. His mercy--and that we trust His faithfulness, even when things go awry as they often do, we fulfill our purpose.

That level of trust leads us into the most fabulous freedom of all. We no longer have to demand our own way or operate according to our very limited perspective and capability.

Freedom To Be Me

Oh, I'm not talking about the me that kicks and screams whenever I encounter difficulties. But the me who tries to be like Lladro's Windblown Girl. Standing strong and confident on the rock of Christ, no matter how fierce life's winds blow. When I shift my gaze to this world and challenging circumstances, I fail and it's so comforting to know that (like Peter) Jesus still loves me and will help me find the way to a safe place. But more often now, I'm learning to keep standing firm on my convictions, and they reveal the me God wants me to be. Ephesians 4:22-24 sums it up well:

I like that me better because putting on that "new self" gives me true freedom of the very best sort. My last four blog posts show more about walking into this liberty. If you haven't read them yet, you may appreciate these concepts as well. The fourth one about why social justice is not biblical reveals how they are all intertwined and result in a freedom worth celebrating all year long, not just in July.

Until next time,