Serving from the Strength of Christ

Several years ago, I read the book Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver. It was a wonderful book that I studied with a group of moms. During our discussion, some of us related more to Martha, some more to Mary, and some to both, depending on the place we were at in our lives.

I confess that at times I can relate to neither Martha nor Mary, as I have an awful tendency to be both lazy and not prayerful at the same time, just sort of sitting around focusing inward rather than upward toward God. This is a constant battle and it is good to know that God never takes His eye off of me, even if I wander away from Him.

One of the best things from the book was a discussion of the 3 Deadly D's:

Distraction, Discouragement, and Doubt

We can end up on a path of downward spiral simply by becoming distracted, and we all know this is so easy to do in the information/entertainment age in which we live. Once we hit discouragement, which may be where Martha was when she complained about Mary not helping her, it is not far until we are clouded with doubt that can pull us into despair (a D all it's own) if we are not vigilant. It takes a recollected, prayerful heart to keep from being pulled into this downward spiral. When we are recollected in the Love of God, then we can serve from the strength of Christ, rather than our own inevitable weakness.

Another very clarifying element of the book for me was Joanna's discussion of concern versus worry and her battle against fear. Joanna tells us, "Concern draws us to God. Worry pulls us from him."

Concern	Worry
Involves a legitimate threat	Is often unfounded
Is specific (one thing)	Is generalized (spreads to many things)
Addresses the problem	Obsesses about the problem
Solves problems	Creates more problems
Looks to God for answer	Looks to self or other people for answers

So, if we find ourselves anxiety ridden, fearful, or insecure, we must give our anxieties, fears and worries to God, and He will give us peace. We need only trust in Him and His love and care for us and our needs.

Here are some helpful strategies for fighting discouragement that Joanna gives us in her book
Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World:

We all dip down now and then into discouragement. The secret is not to stay there. Here are several ways you can beat the downward spiral of the Deadly Ds in your life.

• Allow for rest stops. Discouragement is often our body’s way of saying, “Stop! I need rest.” Try taking a nap or getting to bed a little earlier It’s amazing how different things will look in the light of morning (Exodus 34:21).
• Get a new point of view. Take a few steps back and ask God to help you see his perspective on your situation. Often what seems to be an impassable mountain in our eyes is only a steppingstone in His (Isaiah 33:17).
• Have patience. It’s easy to get discouraged when things don’t go the way you planned. But if you’ve committed your concerns to the Lord, you can be sure He is at work, even when you don’t see His hand (Romans 8:28).
• Mingle. Discouragement feeds off isolation. Get out of the house! Go visit some friends. It’s amazing how good, old-fashioned fellowship can lift our spirits and chase away the blues (Psalm 133:1).
• Set the timer. Okay. So things aren’t so good. I’ve found it helpful to set the oven timer and allow ten minutes for a good cry. But when the buzzer sounds, I blow my nose, wipe my eyes, and surrender my situation to the Lord so I can move on (Ecclesiastes 3:4).

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

Deuteronomy 31:8