Anchor of My Heart

By Mary "Taffy" Reed

Release the pain and find a life of pure joy. Discover why you are struggling and finding it difficult to connect. Do you feel you're just surviving? The Bible refers to joy and a peace beyond our circumstances. I wanted joy and contentment in my life. This set me on a quest to find pure joy. God led me on a path to relinquish the pain of the past. He had me revisit the events of my birth. He had a plan of action to quench my negative internal thinking. He showed me how to release discouragement with hope and get past fear with a renewed mind. This biblical teaching identifies the lies and disbeliefs and replaces them with the truth. Each session begins with an action verb to help release the pain and uplift the burdens. In this book, you will learn how to: - asses your current mental status; - learn to listen for God's wisdom; - receive comfort like a mother's; - identify the source of your internal pain. This process exposes our feelings to reveal the source of our discontent. This text encourages us to listen to God for wisdom to overcome. The Word makes known God's comfort like our mother's. This truth reveals and identifies the origin of our distress. God transforms our thoughts and eradicates the pain, disappointment, and fear from the past. The results are remarkable. To release defeating thoughts, get past the misery and live a life of pure joy. God uplifts us and anchors our heart to his truth.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Nov 5, 2018
• ISBN: 9781642993431

Book preview

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Anchor of My Heart

Mary Taffy Reed

ISBN 978-1-64299-342-4 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-64299-344-8 (Hardcover)

ISBN 978-1-64299-343-1 (Digital)

Copyright © 2018 by Mary Taffy Reed

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Acknowledgments

First, I would like to thank an awesome God who saved and rescued me. He changed my life and led me to share my story.

I am grateful for my friends and volunteer editing team, Nancy Abrahamson, Deann Milner, Carol Moore, and my sister Fran. Thank you for being invested in this project and supporting me with words of encouragement. This is the group I called when I was discouraged or had doubts.

I want to thank my family for them believing in me.

My brother Tom Glaeser and his children for willingly watching Kitty when I am on an adventure. My sister Barb Athey for assisting me any way she can. A special thanks to my sister Fran Glaeser who is always there. She was my friend when I could not find one. My son Bill Creadon and his wife Donna who demonstrate committed love daily. My son Jared Reed for his passion to write and our bonds that go beyond our history. And my Grandson, Dylan Spangler who is my biggest fan and of course I am his. Thanks for your love and special moments we shared all these years.

Special acknowledgment goes to my church family. I want to thank you for the acceptance, love, and support I have received from many of you. Pastor Geoff Schultz for being a Godly example to me. Every week he preaches a sermon that teaches, inspires, and confronts me. Pastor Rich Bennett who likes to challenge and candidly review my writing. Tim Labrado for his willingness to help with graphic design and communications. My legal advisor Matt Nee of Nee Law Firm who generously gave his time. And last but not least I want to thank Lakeside; a special place where I could get refreshed and renewed in my spirit.

Chapter 1

Seek Pure Joy

My journey started when I became a born-again Christian in 1980. The Lord gave me a heart full of passion for his word. I loved the Lord and served him, but I had no joy. Philippians 4:4 says, Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice! This is amazing. I can have continuous joy in the midst of turmoil and confusion. I can have a solid state of happiness. How can I obtain this joy?

Some days I had fleeting moments where I was happy. But overall, I was not. I could look my best with attractive clothes and stylish hair. I could put on a good face for the public. On the outside I looked good, but on the inside, I felt terrible. My smile was as fake as my blonde hair color. It was this verse in Philippians that set me on my own quest to find pure joy. My quest was to be satisfied regardless of my situation, like what is mentioned in Psalm 28:7:

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.

I am not talking about putting on a mask with a fake smile. I can look my best by cleaning up, fixing my hair, and putting on makeup. But my looks can deceive other people, when in reality, I am crying on the inside. I can pretend I am fine. But I need to be honest about my condition. Stuffing my feelings and ignoring my emotions bury the bad feelings. These feelings surface later with greater intensity.

Without joy in our life, our mood is based on the events of the day. If our day is going well, then we are happy, but on a bad day, we experience dread, fear, worry, and stress. On these days, our mood goes from bad to worse. And we tend to live our lives reacting to our circumstances. Real joy is the anchor in a stormy sea. Read what the Bible says about joy in these verses.

Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy. (Psalm 33:3)

You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy. (Psalm 30:11)

Those the Lord has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. (Isaiah 51:11)

If I had a way to describe joy, I would use the day I took my grandson, Dylan, to Lakeside, a Christian resort. We would spend the whole week biking, swimming, and playing shuffle board and mini golf. On the way there, he double checked our finances. I assured him I had plenty of money for ice cream. When we arrived at Lakeside, it was a beautiful sunny day. I surprised him with a scooter. He was pleased with his new ride. He immediately hopped on the scooter and started singing. While I was putting things away in the camper, I could hear his voice fade in and out as he went around and around the campgrounds. He was so delighted that he burst into a song. This moment touched my heart. This is an example of real joy.

We long for joy that will fill our heart with song. We are so blessed by the goodness of God that we burst forth rejoicing. When we become grateful, it touches God.

What is the definition of joy? Joy is an emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying. Joy comes from within our good self. Let’s look at