Help me please

Today the book talked about your support group (or lack thereof) and the kind of support you want them from and the kind of support you don't. For example, some people want someone to snatch a cookie out of their hand and say "that's not apart of your plan!" I, for the record, do not. If someone did that to me I would probably feel the desire to punch them in the face then snatch the cookie back and crumble it in their hair. Ha.

So the book says to define what you do and don't want said basically. Here are my thoughts:

I like when people acknowledge my work. I'm a words of affirmation girl. So when someone truly sees that I've been losing weight, looking better, eating healthier, I would love it if they commented on it. I understand that some people don't notice so of course with people I know well and love, I say "I've lost 8 lbs!!!" but if I lose 30 lbs and you're close to me and don't say anything, then I'll probably be little hurt...wondering if you even care. On that note, I don't expect people who are acquaintances to say anything cause, well, they probably feel awkward.

I guess in my way of thinking, if you can't say anything positive or encouraging, I'd rather not hear it. If you want to make fun of, disparage, or put down my decisions and something that I'm REALLY working hard at, please don't talk to me. If I'm about to eat something, don't make a snide remark about the food I'm eating or point out the calories. I know. I've tracked it and considered it. On the other hand, if you feel like I'm being unsafe in my endeavors, please talk with me in a loving way, because I'll most likely be defensive (I apologize in advance for that).

So those are basically my guidelines. I know what I'm supposed to do, if I ask for help, please help me. If I don't, please just support me in whatever positive way you can.

James will be my next book of choice since when I briefly looked at Hebrews it seemed too much to digest this morning.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kind, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." James 1:2-3

Whenever I read this verse I get a bit twitchy. It always makes me wonder if some kind of huge trial is awaiting me, because I honestly have had a very blessed life. My life has of course, not been trial free, but when I consider things other people have had to go through, my trials seem small and unsubstantial. Is there a huge trial lurking around the corner of my life threatening to teach me perseverance? Or should I stop living in fear (or at least fearing trials in general), stop comparing my trials to others, and simply live the life that God has given me and learn from what he is teaching me IN MY LIFE?

I know the right answer. It's hard with my pessimistic nature to think that something bad is indeed going to happen to me because life has been so good lately. Jesus, cure me of that foreboding and angsty kind of thinking. The root of it is fear, and as I think about it more, it's fear that you don't love, care about, or have the best for me. Help me not to fear the future or the plans that you have for me, whether they be "easy" or "hard," but help me to know that they are mine, and you allow them to happen because you are by my side and can help me with all things.

This is what to think on during those times of forboding:

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." v. 17

Wow I didn't think that this was exactly what I was going to focus on today, but it seems like God is still working through fear and trust issues with me. Gotta love that even when we think we know, we sometimes have no idea. I'm excited for the day--it's small group day :)