WHAT IS YOUR REASON FOR LIVING??

During one of my counseling sessions, I was asked the question, "What is your reason for living?" I didn't have an instant answer for that question. You would think that a question like that would be easy to answer, right? One would think that's a weird question to ask someone. If you've been open about suicidal thoughts, it's not that weird of a question. Why do I keep going? 

Recently my family suffered a lost and I made a trip down state. Which had my anxiety at a high. I really don't like driving long distances, and the last time I went to make a drive that was at least an hour, I got arrested for reckless driving. Those charges got expunged and dismissed, but that's for a different blog. So with all that in mind, I made the trip and got to my Grandma's house safe with the thought that I was going home right after the memorial service. I didn't bring any medicine or extra clothes because again, I was in the mindset that I was going back home to isolation. After the repass, I ended up staying the night after it was decided that I would. 

All that to say I almost went home to isolation, rather than spend more time with family. What is that? Did it feel good being around others and around family? Yes it did. I guess I got used to being alone that it feels weird that people actually want to spend time with me. I don't like being a bother to anyone. I never want to overstay my welcome which is why I'm always ready to go home.

I'm reminded of the old hymn "Because He Lives." The chorus goes like, "Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Because he lives all fear is gone. Because I know He holds the future, and life is worth the living just because He lives." The Bible mentions fear not or do not be afraid hundreds of times. It is written in Philippians 4:6-7 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Does that mean anxiety isn't there? So why am I so anxious all the time? Why am I suffering like this day after day? What is my reason for living? Seems like every other article I see online people are dying. Celebrities and regular people a like. What is my reason for living? My main reason for living, is my mom. My family. I don't want to disappoint them. I don't want to let anybody down.

I have my issues. I'm in therapy. I take medicine. I'm still here that's all I can say.

Sorry that it took so long for another post. If this is your first blog post you've read of mine or if you're a long time reader, I appreciate you for stopping by.

Stay saved.

~Daniel Richerson

For Maurice Patterson. Miss you cuz.

STAY THE COURSE

Sometimes when I'm driving by myself, I talk to myself. I give myself a "motivation talk" if you will. 1 Samuel 30:6 "...David encouraged himself in the LORD his God." So on this one trip I was telling myself that I have to stop certain things. Telling myself that I know better.

James 4:17 "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." I've heard it said once or twice that if you know better you do better. I was reminding myself that if I can do good on Sundays and Wednesdays, I can do good on the 5 other days of the week.

Proverbs 18:16 "A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men." Had to tell myself to keep blogging. Keep writing. Keep going. Don't give up. Your time is here. God is not through with you yet. You're not second fiddle. You're not a second class citizen. You matter. Your gift will make room for you. Song writer said, "God has not forgot. If He said that He would do it. It will come to pass. God has not forgot." That song applies to everyone. It is written that God's word will not return unto Him void. Which means God's word is valid. Galatians 6:9, "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

Old hymn comes to mind that says,

"Because He lives I can face tomorrow

Because He lives all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living just because He lives."

Now all this may seem simple to some, but sometimes it's the most simple things that we forget about this walk as a Christian. A lot of people say they're a Christian now. But being saved is more than a talk. It's the walk. Not just publicly or in the right surroundings, but as one artist put it, "After the show, after the set. After the music stops, what's next?" Anybody can act the part when the camera's on, but when the camera's off do you change character or do you continue to live it out loud. You got to live the life, even when no one is watching. Even when you're home alone and the temptations are at a all time high, what do you do then? Do you stay the course or do you get a little fix in thinking God understands, and I got time.

If you can't tell that in this year alone that life is not promised to any of us, I don't know what to tell you. I haven't seen so much death back to back like this. It's not even just famous people dying, It's family members, friends, enemies, etc getting out of here. It's time to make a decision.

Joshua 24:15 "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

I know this entry was kinda all over place, but I hope some kind of message got through. I hope you were blessed and encouraged. Feel free to share your thoughts and such in the comment section. Feel free to share the post, also. 

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson