Get Over Yourself

It’s easy to work yourself into an insane frenzy of paranoia and depression about the current state of affairs. You have a lot of debt, jobs are hard to find, you’re not getting paid enough, you feel lied to by every authority figure to ever come into your life from the age of five. Guess what so does everyone else. Friends, cousins even put together looking strangers you pass on the street is facing the same realities. Few people manage to find an amazing job after graduation and live in great houses that are well decorated and go out to nice restaurants for dinner every night. But those are few and far between. And I know they won’t stop rubbing in our faces on Facebook. It’s unfortunate. But just ignore those people, because stressing about how inferior you are isn’t going to suddenly make their lives any less awesome. For 99 percent of the rest of us we’re all struggling to figure this out, and you’re slogging it out doing data entry or working waiting tables for 5 kids that don’t even leave a tip. Don’t let yourself think that your the only one having trouble making ends meet, living pay check. Realizing your dream of being a ballerina, astronaut, mermaid, and you feel the rest society is laughing a you. We all have trouble in this world even the ones who have amazing jobs.

Understand that people like.y aren’t talking about you, their probably not even thinking about you.

We have this strange tendency to believe that those around us think about us/ what we’re doing/ who your sleeping with or what you are for dinner. It’s so narcissistic even if coated in a thin layer of insecurity and self-deprecation. If we let ourselves, we’ll construct entire alternate realities in which our friends are talking behind our back, that girl we work with has it out for us, and the guy at the coffee shop hates us. Honestly, we probably don’t cross their minds and when we do it’s likely in passing. We are so quick to blame malicious things that are often done out on inattention or thoughtlessness, and though it’s nice to be occasionally, forgotten about, it’s certainly preferable to being acutely detested by the universe at large. At the end of the day, no one thinks about us more than we do, and it’s better to accept that reality that we’re all too consumed with ourselves to think that much about anyone else.

Don’t Ever Trade Respect For Attention.

Don’t ever do anything just because it will give you attention because it won’t.

People might walk all over you, use you and make you look like a fool. Don’t let people manipulate you and make them look stupid. It shows how you feel about yourself.

If we don’t respect ourselves, how can we expect anyone else respect us. If we value attention we tend to do things we don’t want to do.

To many people want attention and not enough people want the respect they should by demanding because earning respect takes longer than attention does.

I made a vow to myself to seem respect, not attention because it lasts longer a d make me feel better about myself.

Attention is nice, but respect is more important are if they respect you they will give you the attention you want. They will admire you deeply, way past what you will take pride in who you are as a person. They will stand by your side a d they won’t ever intentionally make you look like a fool. They will like you because of who you are because you respect your, and therefore they will give you the right respect and attention you deserve.

Don’t compromise who you are because you want their attention more than your respect.

Common Sense Thinking

We have minds that are ready to notice cause and effect. There are examples all around us: if we let go of an object it will fall to the floor; if we press a switch the lights come on; if we pour water on something then it becomes wet. If you watch young children exploring their world you can see them learning about the effects of their actions. By the time we’re a bit older the rules of cause and effect has become so natural to us that it just seems like it’s common sense.

The rules of cause and effect describe the world around us very well.

The problem is though: this simple cause-and-effect of thinking doesn’t work so well when we apply it to our feelings. Our common-sense way of thinking about the world tells us that it is situations that make a feel a certain way. For example, if a friend walks past you on the street without saying hello, we become worried and upset that we have done something wrong.

That example might seem okay on the surface, but it can’t be how the world really works. If events always led directly to feeling then everyone would be affected in the same way by an event – we would all like the same movies and dislike the same foods. This is obviously not the case. When one football teams wins a game only one set of fans are happy, and if your asked a group of people to sing in front of an audience some would feel excited whereas others would be horrified. Clearly things are not as straightforward as the seem.

In today’s world some people that hate what’s going on and others who love it. There will be cause and effect. Most people don’t think about the consequences any more they just act. It makes the world a very dangerous place. And with neither one see the circumstances clearly. It only seems that God is the only way out of the situation we are in.

It how we interpret events- the meaning that we give to them- that gives rise to our feelings. This explains why two people experiencing the same event can react in completely different ways.

The idea of how we interpret events matters is not new. Nearly 2000 years ago the Greek philosopher Epictetus said:

Men are disturbed, not by things, but by principles and notions which they form concerning g things.

Shakespeare said something similar in 1602:

There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so.

It may not be a new idea, but it is a powerful one. It explains why some people are pleased when given an opportunity to sing in front of a crowd when other people would be terrified at the prospect. It can explain why some people often feel very anxious ( perhaps they have a habit of interpreting situations as threatening) or very sad (perhaps they have a habit of interpreting situations very negatively.

We may not be able to change the situations we find ourselves in or the people we meet, we are in charge of how we interpret events. The attitude we bring to the situation and the perspective we choose to take, determines how we feel. Victor Frankl, a survivor of the Nazi death camps, said this most powerfully:

Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms- to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.

The Tongue Has The Power Of Life and Death.

My Father gave me a piece of advice when I was a young teenager. He said, “Never say mean words out of anger because you can say your sorry, but you can’t take it back.

Satan can use your tongue to cause division putting others down, bragging, false teaching, exaggeration, complaining, of just flat out lying. It only takes a few words to hurt someone.

I’m sure we all know what it feels like to hurt, why would you want to hurt anyone like that?

Your words can speak life, or your words can speak death. Our tongues can build others up, or tear them down.

Words kill, words give life that are either poison or fruit you choose.

The church that James was writing to win James 3: 1-12 was full of people who gossiped about each other and tore one another apart with their tongues. Were quick to avoid the sins of murder, and stealing, but we often assassinate people and leave a trail of destruction by what we say.

Husbands have stabbed their wives with words as sharp as daggers.

Wives have lashed out at their husbands that slice and dice.

Parents have devastated their children with repeated venom.

And children have exploded at their parents with words that have leveled the entire family like a bomb.

Sadly all of the above sentences a d what we do, has led to a cursed world. Spewing hate and death from their mouths. They aren’t just words they a weapons.

In James: 1-19 it says ”You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen and slow to speak, and slow to anger. Verse 1-26 in James says if anyone of you are religious, and do not bridle your tongues but deceive their hearts, the religion is worthless.” If you , launch verbal, destruction, those words have devastating consequences on others.

Proverbs 21:23 says He who guards their mouths and keeps His tongue keeps himself from calamity. (disaster).

Soul Searching

Soul searching is the idea of taking a step back examining you life and yourself with the aim of replenished the soul. Most people will soul search when they’re going through a trial, or experiencing negative emotions that are difficult to deal with . But really soul searching should be done regularly.

We all want more connection in our life. Be often look outwards instead of inwards.

Most people only soul search during difficult moments in life. Just like prayer we only pray when we are dealing with a serious problem. But if we would soul search and pray during the good times in our lives we would be able to get through trials and negative emotions easier.

With a little focus and determination to get to know yourself better, you will get to know your heart better and live a life of being fulfilled and meaningful.

When we examine our immediate situation. We need to have more heart in our lives. Be more connected with yourself. You need to view your life though I different lens than you are currently using.

Examining your immediate situation helps you discover what’s going well and where there may be room of improvement.

The point to having a better connection with yourself is not to strive to make you life better but, to accept and appreciate the you have right now.

Practice being thankful for the things you have and you will be able to see how much you’ve already done and accomplished and find peace in what you have been able to create in your life this far.

I was horrible at feeling shame and where my life was. I thought I was a failure. Because I wanted to be a detective and help at crime scenes, I wanted to be successful in my life. I wanted a better husband that was loving and kind. I thought my life and everything I tried to do failed. But I wasn’t looking at my accomplishments.

I came from a horrible childhood that was deemed for failure. It took me leave my husband for awhile to realize how strong and blessed I really was. I had to do soul searching.

I have a loving husband, but he wasn’t a romantic, but I have a husband that loved me and would do anything for me. I had 2 beautiful successful children. I roof over my head, food on my table, a car to drive. I had everything I needed. So I am not a failure. I am blessed daily.

Often, soul searching for a deeper meaning is found outside ourselves, but it lacls luster and doesn’t last long.

Begin by giving yourself thirty-minutes to think back to the last couple of years of your life and remember 10-20 things you are thankful for.

When you look at yourself deeply you will find plenty of things to appreciate. Like good health or having access to a doctor. Money in the bank, friends, having access to the internet, a family member that listens and many other things.

Remember to do this weekly.

In the month of November I’m going to do A practice on thankfulness. Something to look forward to.

Love everyone, I Bless all who reads my posts. Thank you.

Growing Truth

Modern Society tells us that there is no absolute truth. People say truth is relevant to or dependent upon circumstances. In other words, the believe truth can change at any time but that kind of philosophy is foolish. Truth can only be one thing, and it cannot keep changing.

Jesus says that He is truth today and forever. He does not change. We can always depend on Him, and what He says to come to pass.

How can anything be true if there is one truth for me and another truth for someone else? This type if thinking shows us why the world today is a confusing place and In turmoil. Truth is simple. It is what it is and needs no deep introspection to be understood.

Jesus says that if we continue in His word, we will know the truth and that truth applied to our lives will set us free (John8:32-32, free from any and all of the things that keep us from enjoying the life Jesus died to give us.

Walking in truth will set us free from fear, worry, anxiety, regretting the past, dread, sin, unforgiveness, bitterness, resentment, and many other things.

I don’t know about anyone else but I need this constant in my life. Other wise I would in world of craziness. Even my family changes from day to day. I’m at peace knowing I can always turn to God, knowing that He will never change.

Walking In The Spirit

My Pastor taught on this this morning. I hit me like a ton of brinks. How easy we forget.

Walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. The are in conflict of each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, fractions and envy, drunkenness, orgies, and the like.

I warn you, as I did before, that those to live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Just imagine if everyone lived by this, the world would be a beautiful place.

Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with it’s passions and desire.

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

All of what I have written it in Galatian 5:16-26.

Walking by the Spirit is living a life in the Spirit. It’s living your life in the continual presence of the Spirit of God.

Jesus put it like this in John 15, that we need to abide in him, the Spirit is working within us. So as we abide in Jesus, as we abide in that vine, as a branch abides in the vine. I learned it this way. The vine is God, but we are His branches. The Holy Spirit is pulsating the into your body. And He is producing then fruit in our lives. But, Jesus said, “ When I’m separated from that vine, I shrivel up and die.”

So walking in the Spirit of God is consciousness. It’s having Jesus foremost in all you affections, it’s pursuing God with all of your heart as we are commanded to. As the Great Commandment. it’s to have no other idols before you and have no other God’s before you, but to serve God along with all of your heart.

I think it’s important to understand too when we talk about abiding in a Jesus is that the way we abide in Jesus is to practice what we being a spiritual disciplines. I cannot abide in Jesus just by doing what I want. I can’t steal from someone and then say I’m abiding in Jesus. Abiding Jesus is giving us the means he has given that uses to bring grace into our lives.

Things that Bible reading, memorization, prayer, fellowship, church attendance, serving other people. And serving other people is not waiting on them constantly, it means help others if they need it, be kind. If you see someone on the side of the road stop and ask them if you can help them. You do not have to do everything little thing they ask.

These are ways that we abide in Jesus.

Redeemed

Seems like all I see was the struggle. Haunted by ghosts that lived in my past Bound up in shackles of all my failures. Wondering how long is this gonna last.

Then You look at this prisoner and say to me son- stop fighting a fight that’s already been won.

I am redeemed, you set me free. So, I’ll shake off these heavy chains and wipe away every stain now I’m not who I used to be-I am redeemed.

All my life I have been called unworthy. Named by the voice of my shame and regret. But when I here Youwhisper, “Child lift up your head” I remember oh God, You’re not done with me yet.

I am redeemed, You set me free, So I’ll take off these chains and wipe away ever stain now I’m not who I used to be. Because I don’t have to be the old man inside of me cause his day is long dead and gone.

Because I’ve got a new name, a life I’m not the same and a hope that will carry me home.

Oh God I’m not who I used to be.

Jesus I’m not who I used to be.

Cause I’ve been redeemed. Thank God redeemed.

By Big Daddy Weave.

Dare To Be Forgiven

Do you struggle, even after years of being a believer of God, to feel forgiven by God.

The most most vital reality, of course, isn’t to feel forgiven, but to be forgiven

Most of us if we are honest have trouble feeling forgiven. We can be sincere hearted believers. We can follow Christ. Many of us have enjoyed profound experiences of God. But we can continue we still find ourselves faltering in our life- dismayed at the frequency of our boredom with God, resentment toward others, critical spirit at church or seasons of despair emptiness. Or perhaps we simply find an undefinable cloud of non-specific guilt hanging over us.

As we try to preface to ourselves, the gospel doctrines we rightly cherished do not melt and warm our hearts. And so we go through life finding our sense of forgiveness fluctuating.

We I started to believe in God, I still was a mess, feeling like there was no way He would ever forgive me for every horrible sin I committed. I would around thinking I had to ask forgiveness for everything I did wrong even asking forgiveness for parking in a parking spot crooked. Some might think that’s insane. Keep in mind I was told every day I was worthless and a piece of crap, I felt God thought that to. So I was attempting to be sorry for everything hoping to change God’s mind and cause him to Love me. The trouble is I didn’t realize he already did. He’d already forgiven. But I couldn’t forgive myself.

One day while shopping I was putting the shopping cart up. Thinking Father Forgive me if I did anything not to please Him. When I got to the car and I instantly felt at peace, my body was warm all over but it was a different kind of warm like I never felt before or since. I got in my car and I heard God say You are forgiven. Since that day I have changed dramatically for the better. God is amazing, you are forgiven even if you don’t feel forgiven. Speak to God ask him to forgive leave the past behind and move forward with your life. While you will not forget your past. Use your past to help others from the lessons you have learned others can learn.