In a moment in which I was responding emotionally (and badly, I might add!), a friend said to me, "Hey, you're stronger than that!" I've written before about struggles and strength, but for some reason that statement smacked into me and stuck. I have a cancer survivor shirt that says, "I'm stronger than you think I am", but it should probably say, "I'm stronger than I think I am"! I don't see myself as strong...physically, spiritually, emotionally, or intellectually. I often see myself as struggling to overcome, but never quite succeeding. It's time for my self image to change!
At this moment in time, I feel weak, but if I look back in time just a few months, I am quickly reminded that I am much stronger now than I was then. Stronger is a process that requires struggle. Life, it seems, is a series of uphill struggles. Some are ginormous and seem unconquerable, but some are small, and yet I look at them as mountains. I forget that "all things are possible with God"! (Mark 10:27) And then, I forget to stop and enjoy the view and celebrate the breakthrough when I reach the top before I head down to the next valley.
We all have struggles and we all have weaknesses. When we acknowledge our weaknesses, God can be strong! The Apostle Paul said, "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength!" (Philippians 4:13) We will always need God, but we are getting stronger every day, one step at a time, one battle at a time, one victory at a time. Our bodies, our faith, our emotions, and our minds can get stronger with exercise, but exercise is of little value without challenge and struggle. In the struggle, muscle, faith, gratitude, and the ability to take our thoughts captive become stronger. I am grateful for the struggles and grateful for the breakthroughs! I am stronger than that!
Saturday, January 17, 2015
Saturday, January 10, 2015
effective communication
Communication is my passion! Webster's Dictionary defines communicate in these ways: to give information about something to someone by speaking, writing, moving your hands, etc.; to get someone to understand your thoughts or feelings. Every cell in me was made to do this. Maybe that's one of the reasons I became a teacher. I have lots of opportunities during a day to communicate, but I fear that I often end up sounding like the teacher on the Charlie Brown cartoons...blah blah blah blah blah...to my students and to the people around me. I've been thinking endlessly this week...mostly out of my own frustration...about how to communicate effectively. Here are some of my thoughts and some things I want demonstrate in my own communication.
Be a good listener. Communication is a two-way street. There is no point in communication if no one is listening, reading, etc. I could go in my back yard and talk, but it wouldn't be communication in my mind since no one would be taking it in. Sometimes I feel that way about my blog and the things that I put on Facebook...is anyone out there reading this??? I can't do anything about anyone else, but I can work on being a good listener myself!
Be considerate. Every time I read Philippians 2:3-4 (Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.), I am convicted. There are so many times that I want what I want...especially in communication. Trying to talk to someone when they have things to get done is not usually effective. Nor is talking to someone whose mind is occupied elsewhere. I try to be considerate, but there is always room for improvement.
Words matter, choose wisely. Yesterday, I heard myself say, "I wish I could just say what pops into my head and not worry about it!" I do wish that, but that isn't who I am! Words are so important to me! I often have conversations in my head before they come out of my mouth. Whenever I speak out of hurt and frustration without thinking, the words are filled with snark and animosity and I ALWAYS regret it. In a situation of conflict, my words can help or they can wound. Words spoken from my negative feelings always wound. I am learning to step back and wait for my crazy emotions to wane and for the right time to speak words of life into a situation. I also have a terrible habit of saying the same thing over and over...great for teaching but horrendous for communicating one on one! I've been trying to be more concise and more intentional with my communication. I'm working on this one!
Choose the audience and the time wisely. Not everyone in my life wants to hear everything that I am going through all the time. I process things verbally, but I leave a conversation feeling discouraged if I choose the wrong person and/or the wrong time to share. This one is a challenge for me because I strive to be considerate. Timing can be everything...and usually mine is off! I try not to communicate anything of importance when I am tired (or when the other person is tired) because I'm a selfish communicator and not a good listener and my feelings are easily hurt.
I encouraged myself and processed a brain full of thoughts with this one! I hope you might be challenged and encouraged by something you read!
Be a good listener. Communication is a two-way street. There is no point in communication if no one is listening, reading, etc. I could go in my back yard and talk, but it wouldn't be communication in my mind since no one would be taking it in. Sometimes I feel that way about my blog and the things that I put on Facebook...is anyone out there reading this??? I can't do anything about anyone else, but I can work on being a good listener myself!
Be considerate. Every time I read Philippians 2:3-4 (Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.), I am convicted. There are so many times that I want what I want...especially in communication. Trying to talk to someone when they have things to get done is not usually effective. Nor is talking to someone whose mind is occupied elsewhere. I try to be considerate, but there is always room for improvement.
Words matter, choose wisely. Yesterday, I heard myself say, "I wish I could just say what pops into my head and not worry about it!" I do wish that, but that isn't who I am! Words are so important to me! I often have conversations in my head before they come out of my mouth. Whenever I speak out of hurt and frustration without thinking, the words are filled with snark and animosity and I ALWAYS regret it. In a situation of conflict, my words can help or they can wound. Words spoken from my negative feelings always wound. I am learning to step back and wait for my crazy emotions to wane and for the right time to speak words of life into a situation. I also have a terrible habit of saying the same thing over and over...great for teaching but horrendous for communicating one on one! I've been trying to be more concise and more intentional with my communication. I'm working on this one!
Choose the audience and the time wisely. Not everyone in my life wants to hear everything that I am going through all the time. I process things verbally, but I leave a conversation feeling discouraged if I choose the wrong person and/or the wrong time to share. This one is a challenge for me because I strive to be considerate. Timing can be everything...and usually mine is off! I try not to communicate anything of importance when I am tired (or when the other person is tired) because I'm a selfish communicator and not a good listener and my feelings are easily hurt.
I encouraged myself and processed a brain full of thoughts with this one! I hope you might be challenged and encouraged by something you read!
Saturday, January 3, 2015
in ALL things
And we know that in ALL things God works for the good of those who have been called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
I have loved this verse for a long time, but it was only 4 months ago that it started to become real to me. I found myself in situations that seemed hopeless, painful, and fearful. In the midst of one of these situations, God spoke. He said, "I will work in ALL things for your good! This situation is included in ALL things. I will work for your good because YOU are called according to my purpose!"
Wow! ALL things leaves nothing out. God can work in darkness and hopelessness and use it for my good. God can work when I am paralyzed by fear and use it for my good. God can work when my heart is broken and use it for my good. God can even work when all seems right with my world and use it for my good. ALL THINGS...everything that comes my way in life...the good, the bad, and the ugly...God will use it for my good. I am overwhelmed, amazed, and grateful!
God will do the same for you! This promise is for anyone who has answered God's call to his or her heart! Grab onto it! Believe it! God will work for your good in EVERY situation...in ALL things! Nothing is too big...no heartache, no fear, no regret, no darkness, no stress...God can work in ALL things for your good if you will let Him. Just ask Him. He promised He would work in ALL things!
I have loved this verse for a long time, but it was only 4 months ago that it started to become real to me. I found myself in situations that seemed hopeless, painful, and fearful. In the midst of one of these situations, God spoke. He said, "I will work in ALL things for your good! This situation is included in ALL things. I will work for your good because YOU are called according to my purpose!"
Wow! ALL things leaves nothing out. God can work in darkness and hopelessness and use it for my good. God can work when I am paralyzed by fear and use it for my good. God can work when my heart is broken and use it for my good. God can even work when all seems right with my world and use it for my good. ALL THINGS...everything that comes my way in life...the good, the bad, and the ugly...God will use it for my good. I am overwhelmed, amazed, and grateful!
God will do the same for you! This promise is for anyone who has answered God's call to his or her heart! Grab onto it! Believe it! God will work for your good in EVERY situation...in ALL things! Nothing is too big...no heartache, no fear, no regret, no darkness, no stress...God can work in ALL things for your good if you will let Him. Just ask Him. He promised He would work in ALL things!
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