Joy and Strength (Christian life and music)

Feeding your heart and mind with God's truths is the best way I know to delight in Him. Lately, I have been wrestling with anxiety over certain issues surrounding my life.  Although my morning routine of spending at least an hour with the Lord in my quiet time has not changed, it's not long after my hour of bliss that worries, fears, and anxiety start to chase me down. I prayed and asked the Lord what I should read or listen to.  That's when I happened upon a Charles Spurgeon teaching on YouTube. I am a big Spurgeon lover and knew that he would give it to me straight.  And it was just what Dr. Jesus ordered! As I was listening to Charles Spurgeon's sermon, read by a very calming voice with a British accent, I began to feel God's Presence and peace in me.  I was letting go.  I was being enveloped by the Holy Spirit. This was not some super spiritual phenomena, but I believe that this is how the Christian life is to always be lived, ideally!  I want to live in this pl

So why do I let my emotions take me for a roller coaster ride daily? I could blame hormones, circumstances, or any other matter or person.  Bottom line, I don't want to ride the ups and downs of my emotions any more. I don't need excitement, I need peace. I don't need entertainment, I need contentment. I have spoiled my emotions - letting them do and feel whatever they like.  Problem is, it is not a pretty sight sometimes. Oh yeah, I forgot the pandemic - I could blame it, too, for my tangled up emotions. But blaming anyone or anything gets me nowhere. Either I appropriate the peace of Christ in my heart, mind, and soul at any given moment, or I don't.  Yes.  It's that simple and that black and white. Think of it as being at the beach - my happy place.  All is calm, peaceful, relaxing and just right .   So why do I let my petulant emotions drag me away, far away, from my "beach?" Pride. Yep.  When I give in to changing emotions, I am calling them lord in t