We evolve and we grow. The changes are slow and sometimes subtle, but every one of us can truthfully say we are different from ten years ago.
Growth requires change, good change. We see things through different lenses as life goes on. This should cause us to question our old beliefs and convictions, and eliminate the old ways that don’t serve us well.
The better version of you awaits in your future. Embrace the changes. And remember, if you aren’t growing, you are going backwards…
Weather is unpredictable. Life is a lot like the weather when you stop and consider it. Hot one day, cold the next. Always unpredictable. Always fascinating.
We don’t try to control the weather. We can’t. But we try like hell to control our lives. We really aren’t able to control our lives, either. We can only control our attitudes.
Keep your attitude focused on a bright future. Believe it, and you will see it…
All of us face challenges in life. We have an invisible enemy that wants to subvert us, and even destroy us. Don’t give in.
When we have an opposing force trying to stop us, the reason is because we are doing what we are supposed to be doing. Every time we say “YES” to God, we are giving ourselves an opportunity to be more like Jesus. This will bring you closer to God, and our enemy doesn’t like that. Therefore, the attack. He wants you to quit.
Just because we can’t see our adversary doesn’t mean he doesn’t exist. Remember who is behind the next problem you incur. And remember why he’s moving against you. Keep going…
There’s more going on than what we can see. Much more. There isn’t a lot in the Bible about spiritual warfare, but there is enough to know it’s real and not the stuff fairy tales are made from.
To help you keep perspective, every time you are given a challenge please remember there is a spiritual reason as well as a purpose behind it. God alone allows pain and struggles for them to happen. Otherwise He wouldn’t be in control and all of this would be random.
We have a choice: we can blame God or we can rely on God in those moments. There is a tremendous amount of Biblical evidence which shows, undeniably, that relying on God to show us the way is the only answer. Yet, you must make your own decision about what you will do.
Even though we can’t see the spiritual realm, that doesn’t make it less real…
All of us have stories. Some of them aren’t pretty, but those ugly parts are just a piece of the bigger picture. The dark parts of our lives don’t define us unless we allow them to.
Our stories connect us. They let us know we aren’t alone in the pain and struggle of life. We help others by willingly sharing our stories. Who can better understand what it’s like to lose a child than someone who had the same experience.
Why are we reticent to talk about our lives? This might be where shame enters the picture. I know someone who was sexually abused at 14 by a trusted family friend. She still feels shame but it wasn’t her fault. She was taken advantage of by a creep.
Shame can have power over us. If you are struggling with shame from your past, I encourage you to find a psychotherapist and work through it. You can and will heal, but it takes time. Please try, and don’t give up…
Since the internet became a common tool, our world is more closely connected than ever. Yet, people feel more alone now than ever before, too.
The isolation of the pandemic was never a good idea. We need to be in community with other people. Zoom and FaceTime don’t suffice.
If you haven’t heard from friends in a while, take a moment to reach out to them. Yes, they could call you, but they might not be in the right mental state to do it.
Be the bigger person. Make the call…
What scares you? I’m not talking about physical dangers like air turbulence or being stranded. I’m asking what scares you emotionally.
A majority of people fear change. Yet, change is inevitable, so embrace it, don’t fear it. Loss of loved ones is another thing people fear. Whenever a young person’s life ends suddenly, all of us who are parents are reminded that it could happen to us. But the probability is extremely low. Don’t focus on it.
Face your fears, otherwise they will control you. We fear what we can’t control, but the only thing we have control over is our attitude. Look to the future with unbridled optimism and hope. That attitude will keep you free from anxiety about life. You will see the future through a different lens. Stay hopeful…
To win is to be victorious. And everyone loves a winner, right?
Yet, if you are reading this in a safe, comfortable environment, you have food to eat, you are healthy and you have people who care about you, you have won. So many people live in poverty, they may not know when they will eat their next meal and they might be alone.
Keep your perspective clear. What you already have is what some people are hoping and praying for…
To be intentional means to be purposeful. You do what you do on purpose.
All of us are intentional in some ways. I’m intentional about going to work today, getting some exercise and doing some writing. God willing, those things will happen. If my plans go awry, I won’t panic. I will adapt.
The most intentional person who ever lived was Jesus Christ. He knew who he was, and he knew why he was here. Jesus had things to distract him. He had people trying to kill him. He never wavered. Jesus just kept going until his purpose was fulfilled.
Be intentional with your time. Otherwise you’ll simply drift through life, accepting whatever comes your way. Get laser-focused and stay that way…
Every day is National “Something” Day, and January 2nd in National Buffet Day. Seriously. On the very first day most people have vowed to regain their health by beginning an exercise program, we have a day honoring food gluttony.
Personally I’m not a big fan of buffets. I’m not sure why. Las Vegas Casinos advertise them as a means to get people into their casino rather than another. The casinos aren’t doing the consumers any favors. They understand that the gamblers will lose way more money than it costs to practically give away food.
On the other hand, I do believe in exercise. Anything we can do to improve our health and our lives gets a big yes from me. Don’t get me wrong, I love to eat. I’m a believer in eating real food to feed your body. You need to eat when exercising or you won’t get the results you want.
My encouragement to you is to put the fork away and take care of yourself instead. Your future self will thank you for it…
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