“It’s no sweat!” we say when something is easy for us. What if we lived life without sweating? Without straining, hurrying, or worrying?

That’s how Adam and Eve lived in the Garden of Eden—till they separated themselves from God. Ever since people have been working by the sweat of their brow. But we misunderstand this and think that work is the curse. No! We were created by God to rule and reign with him (Genesis 1:28). Work is not the curse—sweat work is the curse.

How do you do your Work?

I talk with a lot of pastors and many other kinds of ministry leaders from presidents to parents and so many of them tend to live by the sweat of their brow. They’re straining to serve God, help people, and accomplish their work for God. Often they’re rushing from thing to thing, running late.

I understand. Most of my life that’s how I lived—till I discovered Jesus’ way.

How about you? Are “sweating it out” as you do your work and face the challenges of your life?

Jesus’ “No Sweat” Way

Jesus redeemed us form the curse, setting us free from sin and sweat too. Often sin and sweat go together. Sweat work—continually straining to do more, faster, and better—is likely to be a manifestation of our pride, relying on ourselves rather than the Spirit of Christ with us. It’s said, “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.” Well, it’s just as likely to be true that “Busy hands are the devil’s workshop.”

The issue is how we do our work—how we serve customers, teach students, parent our kids, clean our house, run errands, and minister to the people in our church. Jesus invites us to do our work in his “easy yoke” (Matthew 11:30). He did his work with a relaxed attitude and a smile on his face—that’s Jesus’ way.

How about stepping into Jesus’ easy yoke today as you do your work? Remember, ”The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).

More Soul Shepherding

Recently a Soul Shepherding reader wrote: “I was highly encouraged as I read this blog on hurry. The connection between my own hurried agenda and the sin of pride is an excellent reminder to live in the present moment and celebrate the moments we have been given as a gift from God. This was a great reminder to live in the present grace of God.” If you go to our page on “Overcoming Problems” you’ll find this and other similar articles under the category “Hurry Sickness.”

In my book, “You Can Live in Jesus’ Easy Yoke” you’ll find uncommon insights on dealing with stress, creative and refreshing ways of praying Scripture, and an opening to walk the path of life with the Prince of Peace.

Bill Gaultiere, Ph.D. & Kristi Gaultiere, Psy.D. ~ http://www.soulshepherding.org

Negative emotions. We all have them. We all have struggled with how to deal with emotions like worry, anger, depression, shame, ambition, lust, and jealousy—even a psychologist like me who has devoted 24 years to helping people overcome emotional problems.

Of course, having an emotion isn’t a problem—it’s normal. But how do we respond to troubling emotions? That’s the issue.

Emotions become “negative” when they are internalized or acted on in ways that harm yourself or others. Many of the ministry leaders and other Christ followers that we talk to struggle with negative emotions.

Learn from the Psalmist

“Do not worry… Do not worry… Do not worry…” the Psalmist repeats his counsel three times in Psalm 37 (verses 1, 7, 8). Just like Jesus did in Matthew 6 (verses 25, 31, 34).

“Do not worry.” This is not empty reassurance. The Psalmist understands our emotional problems and he shows us the way to work through them in prayer so that not only can we have peace with God, but also we can have the peace of God.

The way of the Psalmist—God’s wisdom—runs counter to the way of the world. Our culture tells us that the way to be free of negative emotions is to “get them out” by venting. That’s not true. Expressing our emotions in a loving way (toward others and self) does help us to be more aware of them which is part of the answer because it can facilitate receiving empathy so we know that we’re not alone and we have help to carry our burdens. But there is more.

The Psalmist does more than just vent his emotions to God — he is growing in his understanding of himself and his life, taking responsibility to deal with his situation, and reaching out in faith for the comfort and guidance from God that he needs.

He demonstrates that there are reasons why we struggle with emotions like anger and these reasons need to be understood and resolved if we’re going to make good decisions and become a better person.

Emotions and the Kingdom of God

One of the reasons why we struggle with negative emotions is when in a given situation we are not fully submitted to God and his kingdom.

I want my way. I want things to work out fairly. I want to be happy. I want to feel in control. I want people to be happy with me. I want, I want, I want!

It’s natural to have wants, but if our desires aren’t submitted to God and if we don’t find the Lord himself to be our portion then those desires will wreck havoc in our lives.

Jesus said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and all that you need will be provided for you in due time” (Matthew 6:33, paraphrase). When you or I are overtaken by an emotion or reacting to it in an unloving way we can be sure that in that situation (and probably in the underlying psychological dynamics) we have not yet learned to be fully submitted to the Lord.

Pray Psalm 37

David’s prayer in Psalm 37 helps us learn to submit to God — to trust our Good Shepherd, to focus on our responsibility to do what is good and right (no matter how it feels), to wait for God’s provision and guidance, and, most of all, to find delight in what is most precious — knowing the Lord!

Do not worry…

Trust in the Lord and do good;

Dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the Lord;

Trust in him and he will do this: he will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;

Do not worry… Do not worry (Psalm 37:1-8).

Which Emotion do you Need to Pray About?

Try praying this passage by substituting for the word “worry” whatever negative emotions you struggle with. One at a time focus on your emotional struggles to submit to God. Pray, “Do not _______ …”

Perhaps you need to pray, “Do not fear / hurry / envy / be angry / be ambitious / be competitive / lust / be greedy / be ashamed / criticize yourself / feel inadequate / feel insecure.”

Pray that God would help you learn to become the kind of person David is describing: someone who finds such delight in knowing the Lord and doing his will that he or she can be at peace when circumstances are not good.

More Soul Shepherding

Learn more about growing in submission to the Lord.

Learn how to pray as a Breath Prayer Psalm 37:4, “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (This will make you smile with Jesus!)

Pastors, pastor’s wives, missionaries, and other Christian leaders may struggle with negative emotions too. In our Soul Shepherding ministry we help them to overcome these issues through counseling or spiritual mentoring.

Bill Gaultiere, Ph.D. & Kristi Gaultiere, Psy.D. ~ http://www.soulshepherding.org

On the cross Jesus let go of everything and abandoned all outcomes to the Father. To help him do this he prayed a line from Psalm 31:5 to his Abba: “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46).

This is a prayer of submission to God that expresses how Jesus lived everyday of his life (John 5:19). We can apply this little prayer to any situation in our lives with powerful effects.

For instance, Jesus’ prayer has helped me and many people that I counsel and teach to overcome anxiety. Instead of worrying or trying to control how events turn out or what people think about us we can learn to put them in our Father’s loving hands and be at peace!

Let Go. Let God.

What stress do you need to turn over to God? Maybe it’s a financial problem, a conflict in a relationship, or a challenge you’re facing. Maybe it’s a burden for a loved one. Take a moment to identify this now…

Let it go! Release your concern to the Father. You can name the situation and put it into God’s hands by praying, “Father, into your hands I commit ______.”

Abide with Jesus in Prayer

You might try staying with this prayer for awhile: repeat it to yourself slowly to connect more deeply with your Heavenly Father. You want to pray the Scripture from your heart. (This is what it means to meditate on a Bible passage.)

It helps to imagine yourself in the situation of distress. (Or if you’re interceding for someone else you imagine the one you’re praying for and his or her circumstance.)

Then slowly repeat the prayer, “Father, into your hands I commit ______.”

You might find it comforting to relate to God from the child-like part of you on the inside (remember Jesus said, “Bring the little children to me,” Matthew 19:14) by praying, “Abba, into your hands I commit ______.”

Breathing your Prayer

You also can try breathing Jesus’ words in and out. Being intentional in this way will help you to be more still in your body and mind. It will help you to focus your thoughts and engage your heart with the Lord. It will help enable the life-giving words of God to live in you.

Breathe in: “Father…”

Hold your breath…

Breathe out: “…into your hands I commit ______.”

Make your rhythm of breathing in and out a prayer:

Breathe in the precious name, “Father…”

Hold onto his love for you…

Let go of control and worry: “…into your hands I commit _____.”

You’ll be Transformed

Why abide in prayer? Why use a Breath Prayer rhythm?

You’re participating in a deep work of the Holy Spirit. You’re…

• Directing your thoughts onto God’s Word to get hold of your heart and submit it to God’s kingdom

• Committing to the Father your desires for the situation you are stressed about

• Abandoning the outcomes of this circumstance to the Sovereign Lord who loves you

• Letting go of control to “Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart” (Colossians 3:15).

• Watching and praying with Jesus (Matthew 26:41) in order to become more like him so when you are under stress you will not press and stress to make things happen but will instead trust your Heavenly Father who loves you (and the other people who are involved in the situation)

The Father’s love was enough for Jesus on the cross and it is enough for us in our trials!

Practice God’s Presence

You can use your Breath Prayer to help you stay in conscious contact with God throughout the day, to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). As often as you can remember breathe your little prayer.

Have fun with it! See how often you can remember to set your mind on your Heavenly Father’s love for you and the people around you.

Jesus’ Yoke for You is Easy!

The cross of Jesus leads us to the easy yoke of Jesus — truly! This Bible meditation is excerpted from my new book, You Can Live in Jesus’ Easy Yoke: Practicing His Rhythms of Grace for your Daily Stress.

Bill Gaultiere, Ph.D. & Kristi Gaultiere, Psy.D. ~ http://www.soulshepherding.org

Usually its better to slow down!

By Bill Gaultiere © 2010

I was coming down the stairs this morning with my arms full and heading out to an appointment that I was going to be late for when I spilled my cup full of cereal all down the stairs and across the entry! This is a parable…

Most pastors and leaders that my wife Kristi and I minister to have the same problem I had this morning – they’re carrying too much and they’re moving too fast. They’re under tremendous stress and have difficulty making time for the intimacy with Jesus that they crave and that is the source of their power, compassion, and insight for ministry.

Who cares for the pastor who cares for you? Who looks after the souls of the Christian leaders who are responsible to guide congregations and organizations of people?

We do at Soul Shepherding. We help many leaders to live and minister in the “easy yoke” of Jesus. And, despite the appearance of my overloaded, stair-spilling story, we actually practice living in the rhythms of Jesus ourselves.

Ironically, that’s why I got a late start this morning and lost track of my goal to arrive early for meetings in order to pray. I had been in my prayer room meditating deeply on a little “Jesus’ Prayer” I wrote that’s inspired by Psalm 123: “Lord Jesus Christ I look to your hand of mercy.”

This prayer helped me greatly today. For starters, when I spilled the cereal I didn’t lose my temper, condemn myself, or carry agitation into my day like I would have some years ago. Thankfully, I let the peace of Christ rule my heart (Colossians 3:15). How did I do that? Assisted by the Spirit of Grace, my Jesus Prayer was active deep in my soul and it spilled out with my cereal! And it continued to spill out in counseling sessions and prayers with pastors today.

Obviously, I still have a ways to go! Jesus was never in a hurry except to spill his mercy for us on the cross.

Thank you Heavenly Potter that you’re patient to keep forming our hearts with your loving hands to help us to be more like Jesus. Yes, Lord, we want to live unhurried, uncluttered lives. We only want to hurry to spill out with your mercy for everyone – including ourselves when we try to do too much, too fast. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

There really is great power in praying the name of Jesus Christ, the name that is above every name (Philippians 2:9). You can learn how to do this too: The Jesus Prayer: A Little Prayer and a BIG Change!

It’s great to hear from so many of our Soul Shepherding readers who are being helped to follow Jesus more closely. And thank you for your prayers and donations that make it possible for us to minister to pastors and leaders and also to offer the free resources and tools on our website.

Bill Gaultiere, Ph.D. & Kristi Gaultiere, Psy.D. ~ http://www.soulshepherding.org

]]> http://www.soulshepherding.org/2010/08/hurry-to-spill-mercy/feed/ 0 http://www.soulshepherding.org/2010/07/fear-not-365-days-a-year/ http://www.soulshepherding.org/2010/07/fear-not-365-days-a-year/#comments Fri, 30 Jul 2010 02:21:31 +0000 Bill Gaultiere http://www.soulshepherding.org/?p=2206 By Bill Gaultiere © 2010

Most every day I talk to someone who is afraid or anxious (which is generalized fear). Maybe you fear what people think of you… Not having enough money… Public speaking, flying, being far from home, or spiders… Failure or rejection… Losing a loved one… Disease or pain… Death…

We all long for more of God’s peace in the midst of the stresses of our lives!

It’s been said that there are 365 “Fear nots” in the Bible, one “Fear not” for every day of the year—actually there are more than 365 “Fear nots” in the [...]

Continue reading “Fear Not!” 365 days a year

By Bill Gaultiere © 2010

Most every day I talk to someone who is afraid or anxious (which is generalized fear). Maybe you fear what people think of you… Not having enough money… Public speaking, flying, being far from home, or spiders… Failure or rejection… Losing a loved one… Disease or pain… Death…

We all long for more of God’s peace in the midst of the stresses of our lives!

How Many “Fear Nots” are There in the Bible?

It’s been said that there are 365 “Fear nots” in the Bible, one “Fear not” for every day of the year—actually there are more than 365 “Fear nots” in the Bible! Thank God because we need to be reminded to “Fear not” and trust God everyday.

Many people say, “It’s a nice thought to say that there are 365 ‘Fear nots’ in the Bible, but it’s not true.” Indeed, there is not a version of the Bible that 365 times says, quote unquote, ”Fear not.” For instance, the King James Version says “Fear not” or “Be not afraid” 103 times, but not 365 times.

So why do I say that there are more than 365 “Fear nots” in the Bible?

“Fear” is spoken of over 500 times in the KJV. Furthermore, in addition to the “Fear nots” many times it’s saying “Fear God,” which really means reverence God alone and do not fear anyone or anything else. Expanding the search to look at verses encouraging us not to worry or not to be anxious would add many, many more “Fear not” Scriptures. This is why I say that there are more than 365 “Fear nots” in the Bible.

A Fear Not Prayer

The Psalmist often leads us in a “Fear not” prayer. The Psalms are the Bible’s great soul book, meant to train us to respond to all life situations and difficulties through prayer and trust in the Lord.

One example is Psalm 56. David has been seized by the Philistines and he starts to become afraid, but instead he sets his vision on his Lord and Savior in his midst. He praises God and his word to him: “Fear not!” He puts his trust in the Lord…

When I am afraid,

I will trust in you.

In God, whose word I praise,

In God I trust; I will not be afriad.

What can mortal man do to me?

(Psalm 56:3-4, repeated in similar words in verses 10-11.)

What are you Afraid Of?

What fear is trying to take a hold of you right now? What threat or trouble are you facing?

Pray with David, “When I am afraid of _________, I will trust in you, O Lord.”

And if you’re not afraid now pray it anyway! A time of strength is the best time to pray because then you can “watch and pray” with Jesus, preparing your heart now to take refuge in the Lord when temptation comes.

More Soul Shepherding

In “31 Days to Freedom from Fear” I share 31 of my favorite “Fear nots” from the Bible and introduce an approach for living by God’s “Fear not!” 365 days a year!

Everyday over 600 Soul Shepherding articles like this are used for devotions and prayers. Pastors use them in sermons. Bible study teachers and small group leaders share them. Your donation to Soul Shepherding is tax-deductible and enables us to continue to shine the light of Christ on the Internet. Thank you!

Bill Gaultiere, Ph.D. & Kristi Gaultiere, Psy.D. ~ http://www.soulshepherding.org

]]>

Are you free – really free? Are you at peace being the person God created you to be and enjoying your life with him?

Many people we talk to are wearing a heavy yoke. They’re working all the time. Or they’re worried about money or their health or their kids. Or they’re tired of trying to please an impossible to please spouse. Or they’re depending on alcohol to relax.

How Did Jesus Stay Relaxed Under Pressure?

Jesus shows us a life of freedom. No one has had more pressure than Jesus. No one has had more responsibility, expectations, temptations, stress, or pain than Jesus. And no one lived life more relaxed than Jesus.

What was Jesus’ secret to peace? He lived in submission to the Father in all that he did. He saw the unseen kingdom of God and lived in terms of it, not the stresses of the visible world.

New Wording for Jesus’ Easy Yoke

Jesus lived in the easy yoke of the Father in all that he did. And he offers that same yoke to you and to you. Jesus says to us:

Jesus burst forth in prayer: “O how I praise you, Abba Father and Lord of heaven and earth. You’ve hidden your ways from those who rely on their own intelligence and strength and made them known to those who come to you like a child. Yes, Father, working with ordinary, humble people gives you great joy!”

Jesus turned to the people with tenderness. “I say and do only what the Father tells me. I am united with the Father and the Father is united with me. All that I do comes out of my intimacy with the Father and it is this intimacy that I am inviting you to participate in. Listen. Let me show you how it works…

“Are you tired from carrying a heavy burden?  Are you worn out from pulling a heavy load all by yourself?

“Come to me. Look – right now – my arms are open wide to you. See my smile. My heart is for you, to give you my rest, my peace, my life.

“Come to me. Don’t try so hard to make that situation work out like you want. Slow down and take a deep breath. Open your heart to me – submit to me as I submit to the Father and you’ll enjoy his love with me, you’ll experience my rest of soul.

“Come to me. I want to help you to carry your burdens. Don’t pull that heavy load in your own strength – enter into the harness with me. Let me show you how to pull the plow across the field and get the work done in a good and relaxed way. Walk with me and work with me. Look straight ahead and keep in cadence with me. We’ll step together easily and lightly. We’ll smile in the Father’s love as we bless people in need.”

(Matthew 11:25-30, my paraphrase).

More Help for you to Live in Jesus’ Easy Yoke

Check out, You Can Live in Jesus’ Easy Yoke, my new book to help you practice Jesus’ rhythms of grace in the midst of your daily challenges and stresses.

Soul Shepherding helps pastors, missionaries, leaders, and all kinds of caregivers to live in Jesus’ easy yoke. This enables these ministry leaders to help dozens, hundreds, thousands of other people to live in the peace of Christ.

Bill Gaultiere, Ph.D. & Kristi Gaultiere, Psy.D. ~ http://www.soulshepherding.org

Your identity, worth, meaning, and joy are in Christ alone – not in your performance or what people think of you. This is why the Apostle Paul urges us to place ourselves “in Christ” 110 times in his New Testament letters.

In Christ. What does it mean to be in Christ? Simply put, it is to enter the sabbath rest of the Lord Jesus’ Christ’s embrace.

Jesus’ arms are open to you – now and always! Perhaps the best way to appreciate this to take a “Selah.” (“Selah” is used 71 times by the Psalmist to invite us to pause and reflect as part of our prayers.)

I’d like to share with you one of a favorite little prayer that can help you to experience the blessing of knowing that your identity is in Christ alone: “In Christ alone my soul finds rest… Selah” (inspired by Psalm 62:1,5).

I invite you to pause and take a breather now. Refresh your soul in Christ. Form your heart around the desire to seek Christ alone as your source in all that you do by praying slowly, over and over:

“In Christ Alone my soul finds rest… Selah.”

A Breath Prayer

Try this as a Breath Prayer. Do you know what a Breath Prayer is? It’s an ancient way to pray a phrase (or paraphrase) of Scripture. It’s a simple way of using your body in prayer to help you engage your mind and heart with God’s Word, the risen Christ of Scripture who is in your midst.

It’s also refreshing!

Breathe in slow and deep as you whisper or think: “In Christ Alone my soul finds rest…” Then breathe out: “Selah.”

Repeat this a few times, letting your rhythm of breathing become a prayer:

Breathe in and focus on trusting Christ: “In Christ alone my soul finds rest…”

Hold your breath and focus on keeping Christ in your heart…

Exhale and focus on letting go everything but Jesus: “Selah…”

A Simplifying Breath Prayer

You can also try this as a Simplifying Breath Prayer, doing one line per breath, to help you simply to pray Christ:

In Christ alone my soul finds rest…  Selah

In Christ alone my soul…  Selah

In Christ alone…  Selah

In Christ…  Selah

Se…  lah

Christ…

Virtue and Emotions

To go farther with the prayer, try replacing the word “rest” with each of the five fruitful, virtuous states of being: “faith”, “hope”, “love”, “joy”, “peace.” Go through the whole prayer for each virtue.

This will help you to cultivate a healthy emotional make up, which is an essential part of spiritual transformation in Christ.  These five godly states of being have positive, pleasant, and energizing emotions associated with them!

Soul Training

Another way to use a Scripture prayer like this is to ask God to help you “grow in grace” (2 Peter 3:8) as it relates to particular difficulties or challenges in your life. For instance:

• Criticism. “Dear God, it’s hard for me to be criticized. When people say hurtful things about me help me not to feel bad but to rest in your embrace. Yes, “In Christ alone my soul finds love… Selah.”

• Temptation. “Father, as I face the temptation to ______ may I instead live in the sufficiency of your kingdom, praying: “In Christ alone my soul finds joy… Selah.”

• Conflict. “Lord, as I have this difficult conversation with my friend help me to remember: “In Christ alone my soul finds peace… Selah.”

Practice God’s Presence

It’s easy to memorize: “In Christ alone my soul finds rest… Selah.” Then you can offer a quick Breath Prayer throughout the day to help you to practice God’s presence. What peace will be yours! What a blessing you’ll be able to be to the people you encounter.

More Soul Shepherding

If you search the Internet on “Breath Prayers” or “Breath Prayers from the Bible“ Soul Shepherding has been listed at or near the top.

Learn more about “Abiding in Prayer.”

Appreciate what the Bible says about your “Identity in Christ.”

As part of the ministry of Soul Shepherding we’ve enjoyed teaching many pastors and other Christ-followers how to use beloved phrases of the Bible as prayers of their heart that help them to grow in the grace of Christ and be empowered to bear fruit for God’s kingdom.

Bill Gaultiere, Ph.D. & Kristi Gaultiere, Psy.D. ~ http://www.soulshepherding.org

As a young man and a new psychologist I spent years in my own psychotherapy, getting help with anxiety and depression.

Being in therapy was the best training I could’ve received to be a therapist for others — but that’s not why I did it.

I went in therapy because I was overwhelmed with pressures to achieve, be ideal, and make other people happy. I was afraid of failure because my self-esteem was always on the line. I felt guilty if I said no to people and opportunities so I kept trying to do more and more.

I Needed a Christ’s Ambassador

Through my Christian therapist God provided me the soul care that I needed. I learned how to express my feelings and work through conflicts, attach more deeply in relationships, and set boundaries.

Through the therapy process over time I got free of my false self and came alive as my true self — my God created and Christ-redeemed self — and in the process I discovered the joy of helping others not by trying hard, but “out of the overflow.”

My therapist was “Christ’s Ambassador” to me (2 Corinthians 5:20).

I was at the Bottom of an Old Well

What’s it like for me to be in psychotherapy?

In 1992 I wrote about my personal struggle of going through therapy in my prayer poem: “Becoming ‘I’.” It tells the story of how through my relationship with my therapist God found me at the bottom of an old well and set me free to be me!

My experience in therapy was very much like David’s in Psalm 40:1-5:

I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.

Blessed is the [person] who makes the LORD his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done.

Becoming “I”

I looked up and into the whites of your eyes

And I saw myself deep inside the bottom of an old well –

Dark

Damp

Dreary

Dirty -

All alone except for your eyes peering from the skies;

Lost until now but still trapped in this living hell.

~

I didn’t even know I was down inside there;

I thought it was me who was up on the ground outside -

Successful

Supportive

Spirited

Spotless -

But it couldn’t be me who has looked so good everywhere;

It must be the roles I played so my pain I could hide.

~

This is the real me who is down this old well then.

Those who’ve walked by me just didn’t see or hear -

Tears

Tenderness

Trembling

Turmoil -

I reached out to them until I couldn’t reach out again;

I remained alone and unknown until you came and waited near.

~

Now your hand reaches way down and I want to reach way high;

I’m trying to trust again because I need what you offer -

Light

Love

Life

Laughter -

Please keep looking and waiting and reaching for my reply;

Our hands – are just – about – to come – to – ge – ther.

More Soul Shepherding

For more help with your self-esteem read my article, “A New Name from God will Free you of Shame.”

Kristi and I offer psychotherapy in our office in Irvine, CA. We also offer soul care and spiritual mentoring by phone or e-mail. We help pastors, pastor’s wives, and missionaries for whatever they can afford to pay.

Bill Gaultiere, Ph.D. & Kristi Gaultiere, Psy.D. ~ http://www.soulshepherding.org

I’ve heard it said: “I pray when I’m in trouble. I pray all the time!”

I relate! I’m in trouble all the time! Realizing this is the secret to a great prayer life.

When our circumstances are pleasant it’s easy to forget that we’re in trouble: the world is vain, demons are near, temptations abound, trials are coming, people are starving, we will die.

We have to remind ourselves: “I am in trouble!” Then we will pray!

“I am in Trouble”, inspired by Psalm 34:15-22, is just the prayer prompt that we need. Pray it for yourself. Pray it for the people the Lord puts on your heart.

Try praying it as a Breath Prayer with three parts:

1. Wait to breathe (as you wait for God) /
2. Breathe in slowly and deeply the sacred name of Jesus… (breathe in your appreciation of the Spirit of Christ) /
3. Exhale and whisper God’s promise (as you smile!)

I am in Trouble

I am in trouble; /

Lord Jesus Christ… /

You see me, you hear my cry. /

~

My heart is broken; /

Lord Jesus Christ… /

You embrace me, you lift me up. /

Many people fear trouble. Have you ever heard that there are 365 “fear nots” in the Bible, one for every day of the year? Actually there are more than that many fear not promises in the Bible! Here are one month’s worth of fear nots in 31 Days to Freedom from Fear.

Pastors, pastors’ wives, and other ministry leaders have troubles like anyone else. That’s why Kristi and I have a nonprofit ministry to shepherd the souls of those who lead and care for others. Read Pastors Under Stress and Pastors’ Wives Under Stress and you’ll understand better why Soul Shepherding is needed. Please pray about the possibility that you might partner with us in this ministry.

Blessings,

Bill & Kristi

William Gaultiere, Ph.D. & Kristi Gaultiere, Psy.D. ~ http://www.soulshepherding.org

I was thinking of Jesus’ words: “Don’t worry.  Look at the birds… Your Heavenly Father cares for them.  Aren’t you much more valuable than them?” (Matthew 6:25-26, PAR).  (The Psalmist had a similar meditation that Jesus may have drawn from, Psalm 104:12, 17, 27-30).

And they inspired me to sit down and do some bird watching while I prayed today as I was alone with Jesus in the quiet for a few hours.  As I watched and listened to what was going on above my head Jesus spoke to my heart.

Don’t misunderstand me.  The Lord’s voice didn’t come to me like lightening filling the sky.  And I didn’t see an angel.  At first many things distracted me: lawnmowers and grass blowers, a cold wind blowing, my own concerns and worries.  But I kept looking at the birds in the heavens (the lowest level of the kingdom of the heavens is the air right around us) and I kept listening.

I discovered that indeed I was alive in the Kingdom of God with the Trinity, the angels, Christ followers – ancient and present – and all of God’s creation, including the birds who were God’s messengers to me on this day.

Here’s what I heard Jesus whisper to me:

Don’t Worry: Listen to the Birds

Don’t worry: Look at the birds;

Trust my Father as they do,

Feeding each day from his hand.

~

Don’t worry: Listen to the birds;

Rest in my Word as they do,

Sitting quietly and alone on the Branch.

~

Don’t worry: Learn from the birds;

Sing with my angels as they do,

Harmonizing with the choruses of heaven.

~

Don’t worry: Live like the birds;

Fly with my Spirit as they do,

Responding to the currents of my Breath.

~

Don’t worry: Love like the birds;

Gather with my friends as they do,

Traveling in formation as my flock.

By donating to Soul Shepherding you not only support this website you partner with Kristi and I to help pastors and ministry leaders live in God’s peace. When one pastor overflows with the peace of Christ hundreds, even thousands, of other people are helped.

For more help overcoming worry read: Why the Birds Don’t Worry.

Thank you!

Bill and Kristi

William Gaultiere, Ph.D. & Kristi Gaultiere, Psy.D. ~ http://www.soulshepherding.org