Author: Kristen Kansiewicz, LMHC

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Psalm 34:1-3

“I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together.”

I’m excited that you have joined us for our Psalms series as we journey into Psalm 34. Now’s a great time to forward/share with your friends so they can jump in with you! You can invite friends to Like the Freedom For Today Facebook page too.

Psalm 34 is interesting because David wrote it during the time he was trying to avoid harm from Abimelech by acting super crazy. Like drooling on himself on purpose kinds of stuff. You can read more about it in 1 Samuel 21 (the names might confuse you, but the differences may relate to titles versus the use of first names). In this Psalm we see David’s desperation — he was willing to take drastic actions in order to stay out of harms way. This psalm shows us what what going on in David’s mind during that scary time.

In light of this, I find it interesting that David starts with, “I will praise the Lord at all times.” All. Even when I am scared and having to go to great lengths to avoid being killed. David uses the word “helpless,” revealing to us that he felt totally powerless in those moments and unsure if his strategy would really work. His advice? “Take heart… tell of the Lord’s greatness… exalt his name.”

Here’s your freedom for today: praising God is a great response to helplessness.

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Here’s your freedom for today: praising God is a great response to helplessness. Sometimes it is literally the only thing we have the power to do. There is so much of life we cannot control. So many possible dangers that could take us out at any moment. Our efforts to protect ourselves can only get us so far, but what goes on in our minds and our spirits is far more important. If I can utter a word of praise to God in a moment of desperation, I have access to a spiritual power that cannot be defeated. It may not change my physical powerlessness, and it may not eliminate my suffering in that moment, but it will supernaturally stop evil from overtaking my heart and mind. Say a word of praise today, especially if you are facing a challenge or trial. There is nothing you can do to aggravate Satan more than that.

If I can utter a word of praise to God in a moment of desperation, I have access to a spiritual power that cannot be defeated.

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BONUS POST — Why Mothering Is Not A Job

“She is clothed in strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” — Proverbs 31:25

Happy Mother’s Day!

I’m excited to bring you an extra post today in honor of Mother’s Day. You probably either know a mother or are a mother, so I’m assuming you’ll humor me in reading about mothers today. Over the years, I’ve seen a lot of articles and other comments about being a mother and many of those compare mothering to various jobs. I’ve even seen calculations of the combined salaries of various jobs that mothers “should” get paid. Taxi service. Chef. Personal assistant. Maid. Event planner. Salary per year: $800,000. You get the point… moms do a lot and they don’t get paid for it.

As a mom, I used to think in those terms. But I don’t anymore and here’s why: I realized being a mother is not a job. It’s a relationship. When I put a dollar amount on what I should be paid for all I do, it only serves to rob my heart and plant a bitter seed. Not saying that is the case for everyone or the motivation of those writing such things. But for me, when I think of my role as mother as a job, I want to punch in and punch out. I want to have very specific job descriptions and go on strike when I am treated unfairly. I want my subordinates to behave themselves or get fired. But none of those things are what it means to have a family.

“Mothers who mother well are those who are kind and generous because that is the kind of person they want to be.”

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Mothers who mother well are those who are kind and generous because that is the kind of person they want to be. They focus on relationship and step into an emotionally nurturing role that gives back the satisfaction of impacting a life rather than a paycheck or a thank you. Mothers who mother well have a clear sense of their leadership role in the family system and they see their children as independent people who need emotional care. Mothers who mother well are “clothed in strength and dignity” as the above verse describes. They know God, they know themselves and their peers, and they know their children. And they align those in the right order.

“I fear that as a culture we have lost what it means to love.”

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I fear that as a culture we have lost what it means to love. Everything is measured in time and money. Here’s your freedom for today: take time to measure your heart. What does it mean that God is parenting you? If you are a mother, how does that translate into how you can mother well? If you are not a mother but you know one, love her well so that her tank is full. May we all love one another out of the place of overflow.

 

 

 

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Welcome!

Welcome to Freedom For Today! Here we will dwell in the Word of God and seek to understand God’s wisdom and his heart for mental health. Each day Kristen will post a short devotional thought that you can meditate on throughout your day. She hopes to both challenge and inspire you to apply the Bible to your life, finding freedom for today.

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