“But I will show you a still more excellent way.”
1 Corinthians 12.  
Oh yes, I’m starting off with the Bible! 

For years and years my favorite Bible verse has been—and continues to be—John 16:33:

“I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”

I have drawn upon my strength and perseverance, my peace and confidence from this verse.  When I was in spiritual turmoil, years ago, I stumbled across this verse while trying to read the Book of John in my dormitory at college.  It had a powerful impact upon me.  Whatever my troubles, my stresses and frustrations might currently be, Jesus has conquered them.  He has conquered the world.  And I should have peace in my heart, in my being because of it.  And because of these words, I do.  I have peace, courage, strength, perseverance and confidence in myself and what I believe.  It’s an amazing, AMAZING empowerment to carry.  And I thank God for this gift.  And I know I must use it. Somehow.  For years I have been praying and patiently waiting for the venue to present itself, and in the meantime, I’m studying.  I’m suiting-up in my armor of knowledge.  

Just so you know. 

This verse, 1 Corinthians 12 has also impacted me greatly.   It ties directly to John 16:33.  ”In the world you will have trouble…” “But I will show you a still more excellent way.”

This is where, for the faithful, it’s so important to be at peace and listen for God’s whisper, to be still and feel God’s hand guide us in our life.

Instead of saying “Oh no, what am I going to do!?  I just can’t go on like this anymore!! I am lost! I have no other choice! I’ve got to do SOMETHING! If I don’t take action, it’s not going to fix itself! I, I, I, me, me, me, you, you, YOU! woe, woe, woe! MISERY!!!”

Be at peace. 

In this world of fast food and instant gratification (iPhone, anyone?) it becomes EXTREMELY difficult to be at peace when something as stressful as a crisis pregnancy comes along, or a job is lost, or a car is crashed, or you get sick, or your family member tells lies about you.  We are made to feel like we must be in complete control of our situation because no one else is going to care, no one else is going to help.  

I’ve been right there with you.  I hate not being in control… right down to how my sons’ diapers are put on them.  (I’m serious.) 

That is where faith comes in.  Faith in something greater than yourself.  We are not a God, after all.  God is God.   We can only do so much.  We can only control so much.

My mom constantly reminds me that the only person I can change is myself.  ”You change yourself and you’ll start seeing things differently, a world will open up to you that you couldn’t see before.”   

So, that is why I am using 1 Cor 12 as my sub-header.  No matter what choice I don’t think I have anymore, there is ALWAYS a still more excellent way.  

Abortion, birth control, Planned Parenthood.  
There is a more excellent way. 
 And it begins and ends in Peace.  If we can only have the faith, there are others who would educate us about that more excellent way; the way that teaches women are better than what PP says we are, the way that says “Women deserve better”