Philippians 4:7 “and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (New King James Version)

Last Sunday I told my Pastor I was anxious and fearful about my upcoming dental procedures. I had three upcoming appointments at the dentist to have deep cleaning and some teeth removed to get dental clearance for my knee replacement surgery December 1^st. I had not been taking care of my teeth like you are supposed to and these teeth could not be saved. I was worried about the deep cleaning as it hurt the last time, I had a cleaning. I also had a tooth out before, and I was in a great deal of pain afterwards for a couple of days without strong pain medications. (Can you tell I do not like to be in pain?) I was worried about missing too much work. I was also worried about the costs after my insurance paid their part. My Pastor offered to pray with me.

While my Pastor was praying, he prayed I would have the peace which passes all understanding. Suddenly a light went on in my head. I had heard the phrase “peace which passes all understanding” hundreds of times in my life but I never really thought about it. The light in my head said: “this peace is from God, and it is beyond our understanding.” It is not like the peace we think about when we have conflicts with one another. It is not the absence of war or conflict. It is a peace which settles deep inside of us giving us the knowledge we can trust God completely in everything.

It is beyond understanding because it is God-given. God’s wisdom and understanding is far greater than we can comprehend. After all, He cares for each of us deeply yet keeps the universe going exactly how it is supposed to go. He knows our name and He knows what is best for us but also gives us free will to go our own way. Yet trusting God and completely giving Him what we are anxious about leads to this perfect peace. I experienced this peace this past week.

My first appointment was 8am Monday morning to start the deep cleaning process. I was scheduled to work at 11am at my part time job at Walmart. The hygienist was wonderful. She numbed up my gums before going to work with a power washing tool I did not know existed. It took about an hour to clean the bottom teeth in my mouth and answer all my questions. Afterwards, I kept waiting for my mouth to have a great deal of pain, but it did not happen. I went to work and completed my shift without problem.

Wednesday morning at 8am I was scheduled to have the other half of my teeth cleaned. I felt comfortable with the procedure now and felt a sense of peace. The teeth removal was scheduled for 1pm the same day. After the teeth cleaning, I went home and ate a little and took a nap. I am often awake during the early hours of the night, and I woke up at 4:30am and could not go back to sleep. It was not because I was anxious it was more of an excitement to get the procedure done so I could have my knee surgery.

Normally I would be in great fear about how much pain I would be in, about missing work, and the cost of the procedure. Yet here I was taking a nap before I went back to the dentist that day. Must have been the peace of God inside of me beyond my understanding, but still there.

The dentist was amazing, and it took about an hour start to finish. The dentist allotted two hours and I was thinking it would be two hours. When the dentist had finished removing my teeth, I could not talk with being all numb up and big wads of cotton gauze in my mouth. The arranged for a follow up visit in four weeks. In the initial exam the week before I was given an estimate by the dentist on how much the dental procedures would cost. I told them I had half set aside and they said I could pay the rest in a couple of payments. So, after the teeth removable I asked if I could pay $400. I could not talk so they had me write on paper any questions I had. They said the $800 estimate was for worse-case scenario. The final cost was less than the $400. I was in shock!

I was in shock because this was not the first dentist, I went to for surgery clearance. The first dentist wanted to remove all my upper teeth and three of my lower. He wanted me to buy dentures from him. He also wanted me to purchase a $130 toothbrush and spend $38 for toothpaste and $38 for dental rinse. My total bill came to just under $4000 after insurance. This dentist said he would not proceed unless I produced the $4000 before the first dentist would do any work on my teeth. I was in tears after I left the first dentist. It was then I realized I should get a second opinion. I am sure glad I did because the second dentist only needed to remove two teeth of my upper teeth not all of them.

Not only did I not have to worry about a dental bill to pay off but through out the evening I did not have much pain. I was expecting to be in a lot more pain but throughout the afternoon and evening I never experienced much pain. Still a friend asked if she could do anything for me and I said yes. Deep inside I really did not want to bother her, but the dentist had prescribed a dental rinse and steroids to help with the swelling and pain. Even though I had extraordinarily little pain I still was coming off the Novocain and had a mouth full of gauze. I did not want to drive all the way to Walmart to get my prescriptions. She said she would and had other things to get there so it worked out well.

I still did not have pain as I slept well through the night. The next day, per the instructions from the dentist, I stayed home. It felt good to nap a couple of times throughout the day. By evening I got ambitious and made a fall wreath for my door. The Lord gave a sense of peace throughout this past week. I just cannot explain it, but it is the most wonderful peace I have ever had. The verse before verse seven says “6Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (NKJV). Give to God whatever is bothering you and give Him thanks for giving the Peace of God.

Below is a book and a couple of gift ideas from this verse. If you click on the link and make a purchase I may receive a small percentage of the purchase at no extra cost to you. This helps keeps this website active. Thanks for your support.

The Peace of God
By Jim Rannells / WestBow Press

Peace of God Palm Cross
By Lighthouse Christian Products

Small cross fits into the palm of your hand to encourage and comfort you. Squeezable bright blue color with Scripture verse, The peace of God…exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds. Philippians 4:7. Foam rubber; 5″ x 4″.

The Peace of God, Philippians 4:7, Olivewood Plaque
By Logos Trading Post

Wood plaque handcrafted of natural olive wood from Bethlehem

• For desktop display; with dowel easel at the back
• 2.75″ x 4″ with Scripture verse quote in white lettering
• Due to natural wood variations, the grain and shading on each plaque will differ slightly
• The peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7
• For desk, shelf or table display

Deuteronomy 33:12 About Benjamin he said: “Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders.”

John 13:23 One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. 24Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, “Ask him which one he means.” 25Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?”

As I read this scripture this morning from Deuteronomy 33, I could not help but think of my pastor’s sermon yesterday about John, the disciple whom Jesus loved. My pastor’s sermon was about how John referred to himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved because John knew it was the best title of all the titles John had. John also knew it was a title we could all have: The disciple whom Jesus loved. Yet, my pastor also described the scene at the Last Supper where John was leaning on Jesus. I pictured John leaning on Jesus’ shoulders knowing he was loved, and it was a safe place to be. A restful place where one could cast all their worries on the shoulders who loves them.

What fond memories do you have of leaning on someone’s shoulders knowing you were loved and safe?  I remember sitting in church next to my mom and leaning on her shoulders. It felt safe and I felt loved.  So much more does Jesus want us to lean on His shoulders when times are tough.

I set this blog post aside this week to focus on getting plans set in place for my upcoming knee replacement surgery. It was a busy week between work and my child having a flat tire on a rural highway and calling me to come help. I learned to lean on Jesus’ shoulders when I learned the girl who was going to be my caregiver during the two weeks of my surgery backed out and now, I have no one to go with me. Leaning on Jesus’ shoulders for wisdom about my knee.

Today marks the twentieth anniversary of 9/11. As I was sitting and listening to the names being read off, I was reminded how many lives were touched that day. Even though I did not lose anyone I felt my life changed because of that day. Since then, I learned to lean on Jesus’ shoulders through my divorce and death of loved ones. I also learned to lean on Jesus’ shoulders while I was raising my children and going to school. Chronic pain and illness are also a cause to lean on Jesus’ shoulders. He was there during the darkest nights of COVID and more recently the chronic pain which riddles my body. I know He loves me, and I sense signs of His love every day.

Another week or so has passed since I wrote this post. It was a busy week of appointments and birthday parties. There were times I was feeling overwhelmed with the stress of the upcoming surgery. Yesterday, my knee was giving me a lot of pain because I over used it. I was worried about who would be my caregiver and how I was going to pay some unexpected expenses. Suddenly the Lord spoke to me and said “when have I ever failed you? Lean on Me”. Shortly there after I learned I have a caregiver for my surgery.

Whose shoulders are you leaning on? Jesus wants you to lean on His shoulders!

Here are some books and gift ideas. If you click on a link and make a purchase I may earn a small percentage of your purchase at no extra cost to you. Thank you!

Leaning on the Promises of God for Moms
By Sally Clarkson / Tyndale Momentum

You, dear mother, are a hero. Every day, you serve as teacher, spiritual director, friend, and so much more to your children. In Leaning on the Promises of God for Moms, find encouragement and inspiration for your motherhood journey. On each page, beloved author Sally Clarkson provides you with the words you need at times you need them most-and gently guides you to the One who promises to be with you every step of the way.

You Are Never Alone: Trust in the Miracle of God’s Presence and Power
By Max Lucado / Thomas Nelson

You’re stronger than you think because God is nearer than you know! He’ll meet you wherever, whenever—in lonely waiting rooms, rehab centers, and convalescent homes. Into all of life’s messes and thorny thickets, he’ll come to you, without hesitation, to lift you up. Lucado demonstrates by walking you through John’s words and Christ’s miracles. 240 pages, hardcover from Nelson.

Job 2:10 Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” So in all this, Job said nothing wrong.

We often do not understand why things happen in life.  Why is there pain and suffering?  Why are there terrible diseases like Alzheimer’s and cancer?  Why are there severe weather and forest fires and other natural disasters?   Why do people suffer financial loss through no fault of their own?  Why are some people successful while others fail?  So many questions?  The book of Job is puzzling.  He suffered loss of all his children, his home, his livestock, and his health.  Yet, he was one who known to be blameless in his life.  Why does God allow things like this to happen to good people?  I can think of two reasons: sin and testing of one’s faith.  Yet sometimes we just do not know why.

As I was going through my prayer list this morning I was thinking of my brother.  He has always lived a Christian life.  He has a heart for God and has serve Him in many ways.  Yet he has dementia and can no longer do many of the things he used to do.  I ask God often why this brother?  Why did God allow what seemed to be the spiritual leader in my large family to lose his mind to dementia and such a young age?   We may never know this side of Heaven.

Then I got to praying for people in my church.  There are a few with cancer.  I do not know them because I have not been at the church long and COVID has kept the ones with cancer home.  Yet, there are people in my previous church who loved the Lord and served Him well who lost their lives to cancer.  One of them was my dear friend Ralph.  He was only 58 years old when he died.  We dated the last two years of his life and I still miss him every day.  Why did he have to die so young?

A few years ago, my nephew’s home caught on fire and burn down.  No lives were lost but they lost all their possessions.  Many things can be replaced but things like photos and family heirlooms cannot.  Why did this happen?  A lifelong friend lives in Florida.  She has lived through several hurricanes since she moved there many years ago.  She has not had any significant damage or lost of life from any of the hurricanes, but I cannot imagine the fear one goes through when the storm is overhead.  Why does God allow natural disasters?

Another close friends of mine had a daughter with severe disabilities.  She lived her adult life in a nursing-type home.  Last year she passed away.  I am sure my friends were heart broken.  I have not seen them for more than a year because of COVID.  Why are there children born with disabilities? 

Often, we see people suffer financial hardship.  When COVID was at its worse many businesses had to close, and people lost their jobs.  Now there seems to be an employee shortage.  Many small businesses cannot get enough help to keep their doors open.  This causes more hardship.  Many of those who lost their jobs are choosing to stay on unemployment rather than take jobs with less pay.  Many small businesses cannot pay enough to entice workers. 

Chronic pain comes in many forms and can sometimes be disabling.  I have arthritis throughout my body and fibromyalgia as well.  Last year I took early social security at 62 years of age because the stress of chronic pain and my job was getting unbearable.  I wanted to focus on my writing instead of working long hours.  Now I need knee replacement surgery.  Some days it hurts to walk.  Others have it worse than me yet come to work every day.  I have one friend who has become so disabled she cannot work anymore.  I do not know how they do it or why this happens to good people.

When Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate the fruit, they were told not to eat, the world changed.  Because of this people suffer hardships and illnesses.  There are wars and famines and natural disasters.  Sometimes we do not understand why but God does.  As I said earlier, it usually is either sin or God testing us.  Sometimes, or often, we need to really look at our lives and see where we are falling short.  Maybe God allows something bad to enter our lives to show us our sin.  Several years ago, I got into a lot of financial debt after getting out of grad school.  I thought I would get a great job so I would be okay.  How wrong I was, and it has been years of taking control of my finances and working on my debt while working low wage jobs.  The great job never happened.  Yet, God has been good to me and forgave me.  I still suffer because I went astray but I have learned to be content.

Another reason is God testing us.  God knows what we can handle yet sometimes He allows stuff to happen to allow us to be tested and to grow in our faith.  I can think of several things in my past which forced me to grow and learn to trust God.  My divorce and death of my dear friend Ralph were two of them.  Yet, ever since I moved to the Wausau area, I have experienced even more growth even though I went through COVID twice and have been sick other times.  Trials make us stronger.

Finally, sometimes we just do not know why bad things happen to us and may not know until we reach Heaven.  Just yesterday a customer told me she lost her son at 24 years of age.  She said she still does not know why he had to die so young.  Has God allowed trouble in your life?  Do you know why?  Has it helped you grow as a person or become closer to God?  Or has it help you realize there is sin in your life you need to get rid of and ask forgiveness.  Always, trust God to see you through the trials we don’t understand why. 

Here is a couple of books on the topic.

15 Reasons Why Things Happen: Navigating the Adversities and Conflicts of Life

By Darril Deaton / WestBow PresWhy Do Bad Things Happen To Good People?

By David Arnold / Creation House



Though we live in an imperfect world, there is always hope through our Lord Jesus Christ. In Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People David Arnold shows how suffering and turmoil are not beyond God’s ability to heal. Sit at the feet of Pastor Arnold and listen in as he helps you to understand our fallen world and the comfort and hope found in Christ.

Matthew 6:25-34

25“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

28“And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.  30And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

31“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

34“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

Yesterday my Pastor preached on this passage.  I am not going to repeat his sermon here nor will I play Monday morning quarterback and discuss what he should have done better.  As far as I am concerned my Pastor only preached from his heart the Word of God and it was perfect.  Yet, this morning in my prayer journal I found myself worrying about things.  Then I figuratively slapped myself and said, “what did I just learn from my Pastor’s sermon yesterday?”. 

Worry takes many forms.  It could be concerns about finances, family, friends, or future.  Some people worry about what they hear on the news and how it may affect them.  Others worry about whether they will be accepted in a certain group of people.  The list could go on and it is usually what is the most important thing to you.  What do you worry about?

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else.

What does this mean?  Let us break this down.  Seeking above all else.  This means to put it first in your life.  What do you do first when you wake up?  What is on your mind?  I like to get my coffee started and make sure the cat has dry food and water.  Yet when I settle on the couch with my coffee what is the first thing, I grab sets the tone for my entire day.  I must consciously grab my prayer journal and not my phone.  Facebook, emails, account balances and weather can all wait I need to see what God wants me to see first thing.  Reading scripture and a devotional gives me thought for what I write in the journal.  I have grown so much as a person and a believer in Christ since I started writing in a journal every day.  It helps me center on what is important.

Yet I am easily distracted by my world around me and often my thoughts.  If you read my journal, you will see I am often apologizing to God for being distracted.  These are things I worry about, and I need to give these worries to God and get back to what God is trying to teach me that day.  God knows I am human.  He knows all my problems.  He wants me to seek Him first and give them to Him. 

Why do you have so little faith?

I like to think I have a lot of faith God will meet my needs and He always does.  Yet, I still find myself worrying about things in my future.  This is where I go into planning mode sometimes.  Planning helps calm my worries but sometimes our plans are not God’s plan for us (See Not What I Planned https://northwoodsgirlblogging.com/not-what-i-planned/ ).  Yet if I seek God’s kingship in my plans, they will usually go better than my plans.  Afterwards I look back and have to say to myself “Where was your faith?”  Yes, make plans and schedules, but seek God first in them and not worry.

So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

Live one day at a time.  Start the day focusing on God and give it to Him.  Make your plans and lists prayerfully.  Prioritize as you feel led by the Lord in your plans and lists so you will not feel guilty if you do not get through everything.  With each item on your plan or list ask if this will please God if you do it.  This is a way of seeking God first.  Finally, be mindful of your thoughts.  Are they drifting into worry?  Change them to something grateful.  Thinking about an inspirational song or verses.  This will help you change your worries into joy.  What do you worry about and how are you handling your worries?

This is the website for my church if you want to hear the message my Pastor preached yesterday. Click on Live Stream. https://bethanyschofield.org/

I am an affiliate for Christianbook.com Home which offers books, Bibles and gifts. If you click on the link and make a purchase I may earn a small percentage of your purchase at no extra cost to you. These earnings go towards the costs of keeping this website running. Thank you for your support.

John 16:22 (NLT)

So, you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy.

This past Sunday as I was entering my church my Pastor asked me how things were going.  I told him there were things which were heavy on my mind.  Later, during the service I was thinking of how unjoyful I must have sounded.  The words “rob you of your joy” came up.  While this verse does not exactly say what I want it has the phrase I wanted.  What happened to my joy?

Sure, there are things which are pulling me down.  One is my grandchild moved away and I am not sure when I will see her again.  I am even sadder to see how it is affecting my son.  Family discord can rob me of my joy.

In my last post I wrote on domestic violence because someone I knew was killed because of domestic violence.  It was heartbreaking to see a young, fun-loving woman killed in such an awful manner.  As the story is only a week old more news has come out about it since it first came out.  Things in the news can rob me of joy.

One of the reasons I went part time last year was to cut down on the destructive forces my job has on my body.  It has helped but not enough.  Lately I have been having problems with my knees.  The pain is intensified at work when I am walking around on concrete floors all day.  Back to the doctor I went and got injections in both knees yesterday.  These injections are very painful and take a few days to start to work.  I am at the point where my knees hurt so much, I am calling in and not working today.  This causes me emotional distress as I do not like to leave my work shorthanded.  Chronic pain can rob me of joy.

I have tried praying for my joy to return but I have not found it yet.  I need to count my blessing instead of my sorrows.  Sorrows only rob me of my joy.  I also think praising God and listening to worship music will help.  Finally, find things to look forward to can help restore my joy.  Things like looking forward to photos and videos of the grandchild will help in my loneliness.  Seeing the men who killed my friend brought to justice will help me, but it will help the family so much more so.  Looking forward to less pain which will come soon is something to look forward to but knowing I can resume some of the things I love like photography I find my joy returning.  Ah yes, I can feel joy!  What is robbing you of joy?

Below is a list of books from Christianbook.com Home. I am an affiliate with Christianbook.com Home. If you click on a link and make a purchase I may earn a small percentage from your purchase at no extra cost to you. This helps with the costs of running this website. Thank you for your support.

Finding Joy
By Joy Melton

Finding Joy
By J. C. Lafler

Finding Joy in the Broken Pieces
By Joy O

A woman I know was murdered the other day.  Her body was found on the side of a rural road near a small northern Wisconsin town.  At the time of this writing the man who committed the murder is still at large.  This young woman was someone I worked with a few years back.  She was one of my immediate supervisors.  She was going to school at the time to study management.  After she finished her degree, she was promoted to assistant manager at another store in another state.  About a year and a half ago, she moved back to the small town where I still was living.  Yet she somehow had changed.  Gone was the happy person who was fun to work with and seemed to enjoy life.  She was quiet and distant.  I now know she returned to the rural area as a protection for her and her daughter.

Now our relationship was never close.  We were friends on Facebook for a short after she moved away but as she moved up the corporate ladder, I did not see any more posts from her.  I do remember seeing her post she was in a relationship with a guy.  I was happy for her.  Whether this was the same guy or not I do not know, but I do know she had a child with the man who murdered her.  The child is reported safe with her family.  I still feel emotions of sadness and anger.  My prayers are with the family during this awful time.  I hope the man is caught and brought to justice.

We all know what domestic abuse is and how verbal abuse can lead to violence.  Yet what does the Bible say about abuse. 

Colossians 3: 19 Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly.

Exodus 22:22 22 “You must not exploit a widow or an orphan. 23If you exploit them in any way, and they cry out to me, then I will certainly hear their cry. 24My anger will blaze against you, and I will kill you with the sword. Then your wives will be widows and your children fatherless.

Romans 13: 10 Love does no wrong to others,

Proverbs 18: 14 The human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear a crushed spirit?

I Corinthians 13: 4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

Psalm 11: 5 The Lord examines both the righteous and the wicked.

He hates those who love violence.

Psalm 10: 17 Lord, you know the hopes of the helpless.

Surely you will hear their cries and comfort them.

18 You will bring justice to the orphans and the oppressed, so mere people can no longer terrify them.

Psalm 34:18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

While the Bible does not directly come out against domestic violence, it clearly does not condone it.  We are to show love towards each other, and love does no harm. 

Domestic violence happens across all peoples whether they are rich or poor, religious, or not, married or not and across all age groups.  It is the most under reported crime of all.  In some cultures, it is almost a right of a husband or father to discipline their wives or children.  In American most people enter relationships as equal partners and wives have equal rights.  Many adult-on-adult violence stems to how a child is raised.  Often children who grow up with violence in the home believe it is normal and continue it.  Other times the abuser has either mental health issues or addictions to drugs or alcohol or both. 

I do not think hurting one another whether it is physical, emotional, or sexual is okay with God.  After all Jesus commanded us to first love God then to love others.  God does not treat us badly why should we treat each other badly.

What are some signs to watch for in others of domestic abuse?

One of the most obvious signs is bruises or actual injuries.  However, the abused often become good at covering bruises up or making excuses.  Some of the more not so noticeable signs are:

• Not being allowed to attend functions.
• Being cut off from family when there is no evidence of conflict within the family.
• The victim is verbally abused or put down in front of others by the abuser.
• Weight loss when the victim is not trying.
• The victim does not have any control of money or appears to be forced to work while the abuser does not, yet they are not allowed to spend their own earnings.
• The victims have low self-esteem or suffer depression or anxiety.
• There is an alcohol or drug abuse problem either on the abuser’s or the abused part.

What can we do to prevent or intervene?

Offer to be their friend if you are not already.  Offer to be a part of their support system.  Offer your home as a safe place the victim can come to be safe from their abuser.  Get the number for your local women’s shelter and carry it with you in case the victim needs help.  Visit the shelter’s website for more information on how you can help.  For my area http://womenscommunity.org/ offers a wealth of information.

What are things we should not do?

Intervene unless the victim wants you to intervene or unless it is a life-threatening situation.  Let professionals such as the police or social workers handle the situation.  Do not confront the abuser because it may lead to more abuse later when the abused gets home.  If you are a guy and being abused do not be afraid to get help.  Males get abused too. 

If you feel you are being abused, please call your local shelter.  Find people you can trust to be your support system.  Do not be afraid to get help.  You do not deserve to be abused.  You are precious in God’s sight, and He loves you.

Rest in Peace Hannah!

Update: Hannah’s killer has been found and is awaiting trail.