Do you ever struggle with feelings of frustration with those are around you? Or have recurring agitation with situations that feel out of your control?

Be encouraged, you are not alone – there is MUCH hope.

I was recently listening to C.J. Mahaney’s message at the New Attitude 2004 Conference – Cravings and Conflict and was convicted at how quickly I get desensitized to the severity of my own sin, especially in my attitudes and actions toward others. As C.J. puts it: “Relational conflict is inevitable…it’s worse than you think…it’s simpler than you think.”

What a helpful message! I am truly thankful for C.J.’s openness in regards to his own relational conflicts in this message. He has reminded me that I am not the lone ranger. This message is both refreshing and convicting. Fresh conviction is a sweet-pain for me, which is usually followed by God given change. When that change occurs, I am sure it affords a sigh of relief to those who live in close proximity to me and who are more acquainted with the far reaching affects of my sin than I am. So get acquainted with the book of James and the Lord’s assessment of conflict. (Your loved ones will be glad that you did.)

David Powlison has written a series of articles for Boundless Webzine called Sane Faith. In part one he presents the “Antipsalm”.  Most of us have seasons where we can relate. I am thankful that the article doesn’t end with the problem but reveals the cause and by God’s grace, the remedy.

I’m on my own.
No one looks out for me or protects me.
I experience a continual sense of need. Nothing’s quite right.
I’m always restless. I’m easily frustrated and often disappointed.
It’s a jungle — I feel overwhelmed. It’s a desert — I’m thirsty.
My soul feels broken, twisted, and stuck. I can’t fix myself.
I stumble down some dark paths.
Still, I insist: I want to do what I want, when I want, how I want.
But life’s confusing. Why don’t things ever really work out?
I’m haunted by emptiness and futility — shadows of death.
I fear the big hurt and final loss.
Death is waiting for me at the end of every road,
but I’d rather not think about that.
I spend my life protecting myself. Bad things can happen.
I find no lasting comfort.
I’m alone … facing everything that could hurt me.
Are my friends really friends?
Other people use me for their own ends.
I can’t really trust anyone. No one has my back.
No one is really for me — except me.
And I’m so much all about ME, sometimes it’s sickening.
I belong to no one except myself.
My cup is never quite full enough. I’m left empty.
Disappointment follows me all the days of my life.
Will I just be obliterated into nothingness?
Will I be alone forever, homeless, free-falling into void?
Sartre said, “Hell is other people.”
I have to add, “Hell is also myself.”
It’s a living death,
and then I die.

HT: Justin Taylor

It is so important that we know of the lives of the godly men that have gone before us and blazed a trail that leads us and points to the glory of God. John Piper studies and teaches on the lives of these men – “Men of Whom the World Was Not Worthy”.

These messages have been most treasured through times of difficulty. Those seasons when it feels as though I cannot find the oxygen necessary for breathing…when I am gasping for air and my focus is on me. God has used the lives of these men to pull up my chin, and bring my eyes to gaze upon Him – to look upward, instead of inward. God has used these messages to revive my soul.

I have also found it most helpful to learn from these saints during seasons of plenty and peace, to prepare myself for the change of seasons that seems to be inevitable.

So pull up a chair, download some messages, and pray that the Lord would open your ears for messages of hope.

(We seem to have a Piper theme lately on the Girls Pivot Blog…I like it.)

John Piper on sleep:

“Sleep is a daily reminder from God that we are not God. “He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:4). But Israel will. For we are not God. Once a day God sends us to bed like patients with a sickness. The sickness is a chronic tendency to think we are in control and that our work is indispensable. To cure us of this disease God turns us into helpless sacks of sand once a day. How humiliating to the self-made corporate executive that he has to give up all control and become as limp as a suckling infant every day.”

This great article from John Piper opens our eyes to how easily good desires can turn into covetousness. We know that the enemy comes to kill, steal and destroy (John 10:10) and we need to be aware that he is more than happy to use our own sinful cravings to contaminate what the Lord has meant for our good. Here are a couple of excerpts:

“Covetousness” means desiring something other than God in the wrong way. But what does that mean—“in the wrong way”?

The reason this matters is both vertical and horizontal. Idolatry will destroy our relationship with God. And it will destroy our relationships with people.

So check out the “12 Ways to Recognize the Rise of Covetousness”.

…up until today, I was not a fan.  I didn’t see it as anything useful, but only as a potential time gobbler, but then enter: John Piper.  He is on Twitter and his reason why is just as Christ exalting as anything else that I have ever read by Piper.  Here is a snippet:

I’ve been tweeting anonymously for a month mainly to test its spiritual and family effects on me. In spite of all the dangers, it seems like a risk worth taking. “All things were created through Christ and for Christ” (Colossians 1:16). The world does not know it, but that is why Twitter exists and that’s why I Tweet.

HT: Justin Taylor

I found this great article by Mary Kassian at Girls Gone Wise ( I really like that title).

She’s an assertive, self-assured woman, and she’s perfected the subtle art of attracting men. She knows how to flirt with her eyes, seductively tilt her head, and position her body in a provocative way. She’s a classy dresser who chooses her wardrobe carefully – curve-hugging clothes that reveal just the right amount of skin. Tempting, but not distasteful. High heels are a must. Especially with those tight designer jeans.

Her closet needs constant replenishment. Clothes, jackets, shoes, jewelry, accessories, handbags. And she doesn’t neglect her beauty regime. Make-up, manicured nails, styled & highlighted hair, tanned skin, whitened teeth… creams, lotions, perfumes. Magazines keep her up to date with the latest advice on interacting with men. She’s become an expert at playful banter and innuendo. She goes to church and Bible Study, but her commitment to God is superficial.  Her deepest desire is to be sexy, powerful, and alluring.

Who is this woman?…find out here

HT: titus2talk

I talk a lot….often times, too much.  Over the past few years, the Lord has revealed to me my sin in this area.  I still have a long way to go, but I know that sanctification will continue.

My husband and I have recently been sharing the following verses with our son for him to see his need for self-control and restraint in this area as well…and it has been a good reminder that the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree, and I need to continually pray these verses:

James 1:19 – Know this my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger

Proverbs 10:8 – The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin. (ouch!)

Lydia Brownback has a great article in NEXT Webzine that is a fresh reminder that we (Christian women) are called to modesty in our speech.  Here is an excerpt:

Sharing confidences and personal experiences with someone forms a bond. There is always an element of vulnerability when we choose to trust another with our confidences and with not rejecting us when our weaknesses are exposed. If we share a little bit with someone and all goes well, it seems safe to share more, and before we know it, a bond has formed. This can be a great blessing, but when we allow it to happen in the wrong context, it is unwise, and great hurt can result.

HT: Carolyn McCulley

(Thanks again, Carolyn)

John Piper posted this on April 13, 2007. I am a week late for a Friday the 13th post, but I think this would apply to every day fear. 

Consider two biblical truths in relation to this kind of fear.

1. God governs the lives of his children—not fate and not the devil.

One in-your-face example from the life of Jesus: “At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, ‘Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.’ And he said to them, ‘Go and tell that fox, “Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course”’” (Luke 13:31-32). In other words, sly as he is as a fox, and powerful as he is as king, Herod can’t trap me till it is my Father’s time for me to be trapped. My father rules my life.

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:29-31)

2. God lets no curse against his people stick.

Remember Balaam. King Balak hired him to curse God’s people. It backfired. God commanded the opposite. Here’s what Balaam said to Balak:

God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? 20 Behold, I received a command to bless: he has blessed, and I cannot revoke it. . . For there is no enchantment against Jacob, no divination against Israel; now it shall be said of Jacob and Israel, ‘What has God wrought!’ (Numbers 23:19-23)

The bottom line answer to the superstitious is: There is no divination against Israel. So go out today, Friday the 13th, find a black cat and cross her path, find a ladder and walk under it, and open your mouth and tell of the triumphs of the Lord.

Check out Mandy’s testimony on Carolyn McCulley’s blog!