Rooted with Rachel

Have you ever had one of those Mondays where you just wanted a do-over before you even get out of the house? We often walk into Monday and come face to face with this mindset that we don’t have enough. We don’t have enough energy. We don’t have enough time. We don’t have enough money and the list goes on and on. It’s easy to have that scarcity mentality as we enter a Monday morning, especially when it’s already been one of those days before we even hit the door.

Not too long ago I was reading through Deuteronomy 26 and saw all the ways God provided for the people of Israel until they reached their destination in the Promised Land, I was reminded that it had nothing to do with them having “enough”. It had everything to do with God being enough for them. As God gave the instructions of how they were to be set apart from the other nations as his chosen people, he commands them to rejoice in him. Not in their gifts, talents, or energy levels, but in all the goodness he has shown them.

And you shall rejoice in all the good that the LORD your God has given to you and to your house, you, and the Levite, and the sojourner who is among you. Deuteronomy 26:11

As I read those words, I was drawn to the word: rejoice.

How can we rejoice when we feel like time is against us? How can we rejoice when our plans are shattered? How can we rejoice when our week has a rough start? The truth God spoke to my spirit that day was simply this: We don’t rejoice in these things. We don’t rejoice that we have enough energy, time, money or whatever you feel like you are lacking. We rejoice in all the good that the Lord has done for us. This trains our hearts to rely on him and not on our own strength.

So as you walk into this day, no matter how hard it’s already been, I want you to think about these questions. And as the sun sets tonight, I want you to spend some time thinking back through your day and revisiting these questions:

* Where was I aware of God’s presence throughout my day? Where did I miss him?

* In what ways was he “enough” for me today when I was lacking?

* How was he good to me today?

* What ways can I become more aware of his presence and goodness in my life tomorrow?

Father, would you give us an awareness today of your presence and goodness in our lives as we drive to work, chauffeur our children, interact with people, use social media, serve our families, and go about our day. Give us ears to hear, eyes to see, and spirits in tune with your presence and goodness in our lives. We confess that we are not enough, but you are. Amen.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rootedwithrachel.substack.com

You know when your mind gets stuck in unhealthy loops and you just can’t seem to break out of the cycle of unwanted thoughts? Today, I wanted to share three things you can do to care for your soul by renewing your mind…

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Have you ever had the thought, “Not this again!”? And you wonder why God is allowing you to experience the same heartache, the same trial, the same hurt all over again. You think things like, “God, did I not learn this the first time?” Why would I have to go through this AGAIN?! We tend to think in those moments that we are going backwards, or that we haven’t gotten anywhere in our walk with God, but the reality is, he is just taking us deeper.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rootedwithrachel.substack.com

How are you feeling deep down in your soul this morning as you head into a new week? Do you feel like your soul has been eroded by all the tough things you’ve faced in your life? Our souls were created for union with God and our souls are most happy and most satisfied when we are in union with God. Does this whole idea of “union with God” feel unattainable and just plain out there? What does it even mean? Or better yet, what would it look like this morning if you walked into your day experiencing union with God?

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rootedwithrachel.substack.com

Have you ever felt like you are being taunted by the enemy and you’re in this situation or circumstance where it’s coming from people and you have this desire to want to defend yourself and defend your honor, but then you’re also struggling with trusting God with all of it? I want to encourage you today with something that has helped me. A physical act that you can do in prayer that will help you lay it down to rest and grow your faith that God will take care of this situation.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rootedwithrachel.substack.com

There’s a story I heard years ago that impacted me and I share it on today’s podcast. Last week, I spent the entire week just meditating on two verses from the beginning of the sermon on the mount in Matthew 5 and I cannot begin to tell you all God taught me through the Holy Spirit. And I’m not done!! There’s still so much more to learn. I mean, I could spend a long while on just these three words from Matthew 5:1: Seeing the crowds.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rootedwithrachel.substack.com

We all feel the brokenness of this world and we all feel the brokenness of our own lives. Does the thought of all the sadness, pain and hurt you’ve experienced and have yet to experience rob you of the joy of this moment? How do we go on in a world that is so fragmented and splintered? What gives you hope to move forward in this moment?

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rootedwithrachel.substack.com

Have you ever found yourself caught up in a task that you know isn’t necessary but you are tackling it with the energy as if it was the most important thing on your list? Then, because you are so adamant about finishing, you lash out at everyone in your path who stands in the way of you finishing that task. It is in those moments, when our hearts are misplaced, that Jesus so gently reaches out to us if we will only stop long enough to listen.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rootedwithrachel.substack.com

Isn’t it interesting how when you are focusing on something in your mind, you begin to see that thing pop up everywhere? Whether it be a word, object, or Bible verse, you’ve probably experienced this phenomenon. For example, we are currently looking for a car for our daughter, we’ve looked at different models and when we are focusing in on one particular model, even if it’s one we normally do not see on the road, it’s amazing how many of those models we suddenly see driving down the road. There is actually a name for this…

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rootedwithrachel.substack.com

Do you ever feel like you just can’t get on top of your mental health? It’s as if anxiety and fear have taken over and are driving you to places you do not want to go. Today, I want to give you a tip for filling up your mind with truth so that it is too full for fear and anxiety to find a home there.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rootedwithrachel.substack.com