"One day she realized that she was not born to hide away, but to SHINE brightly! So she decided to stop listening to her fears and finally focus on what made her feel truly ALIVE! -Anna Taylor
I saw this quote on Facebook one day and it stuck with me. I started thinking about what makes me feel alive. I'm still thinking about it. I asked my family and close friends, "What makes you feel alive?" And now, if you are reading this, I am asking you. And I would love to hear your answer!
We live in a world that feeds our fears, doubts, and insecurities. If we listen to those lies, we shut down, hide, and stop shining. We are paralyzed by fear and we stop pursuing the things that make us feel alive. It's a vicious cycle that perpetuates itself and continues to grow unless we shut it down.
As for me, it is time for me to shine! I'm done listening to the fears and doubts and insecurities! I will follow after Jesus! I will make time to do the things that make me feel ALIVE!
Saturday, November 29, 2014
Imperfect
I was looking at my reflection in the mirror the other day and making note of all the things I didn't like. I'm short. I'm overweight. My nose...so many things to say about my nose, and none of them are good. Fortunately, the Holy Spirit stopped me and asked, "What about the things you do like?" I like my hair...even with the gray. I like my eyes. I like the way my smile takes over my face. Pretty soon I was feeling better about myself. The truth of the matter is that no one who's opinion matters to me is looking at me and thinking "She needs to lose some weight. And, oh my gosh, what is with that nose?!" Why do I waste time thinking those things?
I am imperfect outside and inside. I am human and I will never reach perfection until I get to heaven, but I will continue to learn and change in this life. The truth is that I am fearfully and wonderfully made, but I am not perfectly made. In that same moment, I was reminded that where I am weak, Jesus is made strong. My flaws remind me of my desperate need for Him. My weaknesses draw me nearer to Jesus. I will not dwell on my imperfections, but I will embrace Jesus and allow Him to complete His good work in me!
I am imperfect outside and inside. I am human and I will never reach perfection until I get to heaven, but I will continue to learn and change in this life. The truth is that I am fearfully and wonderfully made, but I am not perfectly made. In that same moment, I was reminded that where I am weak, Jesus is made strong. My flaws remind me of my desperate need for Him. My weaknesses draw me nearer to Jesus. I will not dwell on my imperfections, but I will embrace Jesus and allow Him to complete His good work in me!
Saturday, November 1, 2014
Attitude of Gratitude
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, WITH THANKSGIVING, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. Philippians 4:6-8
It's November...my month to intentionally practice an attitude of gratitude. Over and over in his letters to the early church, the Apostle Paul exhorts the Christians to "give thanks in all circumstances" (1Thessalonians 5:18). This is practical advice for living a life filled with joy and peace. What we think about tends to fill our minds and our hearts, and we believe it whether it is God's truth or not. Our human minds tend to think about what is wrong or might go wrong, how we've been hurt, what we fear, and the lies that the devil tells us about ourselves and others. My problem-solving brain loves to dwell on these things and think about how to fix them, but I never get to a solution. I just get buried under worry, doubt, fear, discouragement, and shame, and eventually depression sets in as I realize that I can't fix anything!
My favorite verses from Philippians remind me not to be anxious about ANYTHING...big or small, real or imagined. I am supposed to take EVERYTHING to Jesus. He can and will take care of all of it! That in itself should bring me to an attitude of gratitude! My prayers should be filled with thanksgiving and praise to the God who takes care of all of my needs and more! Leaving my worries and cares with Jesus and knowing that He will take care of them in ways that are better than mine brings incredible, divine peace into my spirit. And then, I must discipline my mind to think about things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy rather than continuing to think about the things I left with Him. Why would I go back to thinking about fears, lies, worries, and hurts when there are so many blessings to dwell on? It's a bad habit that God is breaking in me.
For the next thirty days, I am going to be intentional with my thoughts. I choose to focus on the truth and the things that are noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. My words will be filled with thankfulness. I'm not expecting it to be easy and I know there will be times that I will fall into old habits, but God's grace is bigger than my failures. There will be a battle with my spiritual enemy. But, I will stand my ground and fight with an attitude of gratitude!
It's November...my month to intentionally practice an attitude of gratitude. Over and over in his letters to the early church, the Apostle Paul exhorts the Christians to "give thanks in all circumstances" (1Thessalonians 5:18). This is practical advice for living a life filled with joy and peace. What we think about tends to fill our minds and our hearts, and we believe it whether it is God's truth or not. Our human minds tend to think about what is wrong or might go wrong, how we've been hurt, what we fear, and the lies that the devil tells us about ourselves and others. My problem-solving brain loves to dwell on these things and think about how to fix them, but I never get to a solution. I just get buried under worry, doubt, fear, discouragement, and shame, and eventually depression sets in as I realize that I can't fix anything!
My favorite verses from Philippians remind me not to be anxious about ANYTHING...big or small, real or imagined. I am supposed to take EVERYTHING to Jesus. He can and will take care of all of it! That in itself should bring me to an attitude of gratitude! My prayers should be filled with thanksgiving and praise to the God who takes care of all of my needs and more! Leaving my worries and cares with Jesus and knowing that He will take care of them in ways that are better than mine brings incredible, divine peace into my spirit. And then, I must discipline my mind to think about things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy rather than continuing to think about the things I left with Him. Why would I go back to thinking about fears, lies, worries, and hurts when there are so many blessings to dwell on? It's a bad habit that God is breaking in me.
For the next thirty days, I am going to be intentional with my thoughts. I choose to focus on the truth and the things that are noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. My words will be filled with thankfulness. I'm not expecting it to be easy and I know there will be times that I will fall into old habits, but God's grace is bigger than my failures. There will be a battle with my spiritual enemy. But, I will stand my ground and fight with an attitude of gratitude!
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