Beauty in your life- change your thoughts for a positive outlook
What are you doing this evening?
As the dips low, painting the sky, there’s a soft breeze stirring the trees and fall begins its season. I spent my evening reading “The Awe of God by John Bevere with my household goblin (aka my kitten) lying on my lap while I’m enjoying a cup of cinnamon tea.
God is not interested in busy bees but He is looking for people who are kingdom-minded.
In Matthew 16:23 Jesus told Peter, “Get behind Me, satan! You are a stumbling block to Me, for you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of men.”
Jesus rebuked Peter and told him not to set his mind on the things of man, but to upgrade his thinking on God’s interests. It’s no surprise that worldly people are unable to understand the things of God, so, Jesus had to rebuke Peter.
God said in His Word, worldly people would like to play leapfrog (skipping the difficult things) and be successful without actually following or obeying God, they fail to understand that blessings come through obedience to God and not through having a “smart” life (relying on their own mind). It’s like someone saying they have no time to read the “Old Testament” because of their busy work schedule. If we don’t have time to sow into God and His Kingdom, we will not receive the blessings that come from it.
Paul tells us in Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Many don’t realize that it’s possible to set their minds on the things of God, by simply filling their mind with the Word of God. God tells us in Hebrews 8:10, “I will put My laws into their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall by My people.”
The best way I can explain it, is when I was diagnosed with cancer. Before I was going through the world. I was what I call a “Sunday Christian” As soon as church was over I began living in the world. When I was diagnosed, something happened to me. I began drinking in the Word of God and became fully sold out to Him. Maybe it was the thought I wasn’t going to make it. But, no matter what it was, I changed my thinking. Sadly, it took a potentially fatal disease to get me where I needed to be with God.
His Word shaped me into what I am today. God had a plan for my life, more than I ever thought possible, before the cancer. They say “seek and you will find.”
Colossians 3:2 tells us to, “set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on the earth.”
At the same time, it’s important not to be “worry-minded like Martha in Luke 10:41. We will have no time to sit at the feet of Jesus and get saturated in His glory. We need to be like Mary who was not taken away from Jesus, because of worldly things.
I think there should be no time for satan to take to have a foothold of us to capture us.
“Finally, brothers (sisters) whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about those things” Philippians 4:8
Do these things and the peace of God will be with you.
What personality trait in people raises a red flag with you?
The red flags I stay away from are people with exaggerated emotions or unnecessary theatrics.
Someone who reacts to minor events as if they were catastrophic. They cry, shout, or express intense joy or anger over trivial things.
They always seek attention, they have to be the center of attention, so much that they may stir up conflict or drama to stay in the spotlight.
They are easily offended or hurt, take things personally when they’re not meant that way.
Someone who uses tears, guilt, and outbursts to control others. They twist facts to suit their narrative to gain sympathy.
These red flags show me they are a “drams queen or king.” And that I need to stay away from them.
In a world that thrives on comparison and competition, the ability to remain unbothered by jealousy or intimidation is a huge gift. It is a mindset that’s rooted in self-assurance, contentment, and the belief that one’s path is uniquely their own.
We can choose to never be jealous, never be intimidated, and never compete with anyone. If you can do it, it is a philosophy that rejects someone’s power over you. It fosters a deep sense of peace and fulfillment and allows you to love through life with confidence and grace.
Jealousy at its core, comes from a feeling of lack. Whether it’s the belief that others have something you don’t or that you are somehow inferior in comparison. It’s an emotion that often stems from society’s conditioning that measures success by external markers: wealth, fame, and appearance. It creates an environment where we must constantly “win” or outperform others to feel validated.
Yet, the truth is these emotions of jealousy can be harmful. They erode self-esteem. And competition can create unnecessary stress. When we measure our worth against others, we forget that we are unique because of our individual strengths, experiences, and blessings. True success is not defined by comparison but by our ability to be content with who we are and to celebrate our own achievements without external validation.
I think the key to living a life free from jealousy and competition is cultivating self-assurance. But not by being arrogant or dismissing other people’s accomplishments, but by recognizing that each of our worth is inherent, not dependent on the approval or achievements of others. When we are secure with ourselves, we no longer feel threatened by someone else’s successes. And we don’t need to prove our worth by competing with others.
We can be self-assured when we understand that we each have our own journey to walk. Comparing ourselves to others is not only unfair to ourselves, but it also ignores the unique circumstances and opportunities that shape lives. The moment we let go of the constant need to measure up, we open ourselves up to a deeper sense of peace and self-contentment.
There’s a reason I chose not to be jealous, or compete with anyone. The reason was that it exhausted me. I was tearing myself down constantly. And the intimidation was kind of a given. I had been intimidated my entire childhood, and I got to where I stopped caring.
Gratitude as a foundation.
A powerful antidote for jealousy is gratitude. When we focus on what we have -our health, our relationships, or opportunities, our blessings, we shift from, scarcity to abundance. Gratitude creates a mindset of sufficiency, where there is no need to desire what others have. Instead, we learn to appreciate the richness of our own lives.
Gratitude fosters a mindset that sees life as a series of opportunities rather than challenges to overcome. It teaches us to value the present and recognize the blessings that we have around us, no matter how small they may seem. It’s an attitude of thankfulness that allows us to embrace personal growth without the need to compete with others for recognition.
When we are no longer driven by jealousy or competition, we can focus on living with purpose. Our goals can become aligned with our values, and our actions can be driven by the desire to grow and become a contributor rather than to surpass others. This creates a sense of fulfillment that cannot be found in external recognition or material success.
The true measure of success isn’t what we achieve by comparing ourselves to others but how deeply we connect with our inner selves and live authentically.
Instead of seeing others as obstacles, we can recognize them as fellow travelers on their own paths. We can shift our perspective to a more compassionate, supportive world where success is not a zero-sum game, but a shared journey of growth.
Counting our blessings is a powerful affirmation of self-worth, contentment, and peace that comes from, knowing that one person’s value is not determined by external values.
Describe your ideal week.
My ideal week is pretty laid-back.
Sunday – attend church early talk with the pastor. I prepare the communion tray for the church. Listening to the worship team warm up, gets me closer to God. After church have a light lunch. Then 1 usually read or take after noon nap.
Monday – Go to a prayer meeting, usually come home and clean my kitchen and get ready to cook.
Tuesday -Tuesday is laundry day this usually takes most of the day. While that’s going I sit down and do an overview of the scriptures we are going oven in a Bible study I attend on Wednesday.
Wednesday – Bible study, after wards I will usually go to lunch with a friend or stop and get my weekly ice coffee. Then I usually come home straighten up house, maybe go from a walk and pray what’s on my mind.
Thursday – read my Bible, go grocery shopping. In the afternoon I catch up on books I’ve been reading and start dinner.
Friday is about reading, and worshipping God and do a litter meditation. Have coffee with a friend and visit a few friends
Saturday -is a ride in nature, preferably in the mountains. Spend time with my husband and sometimes my children.
Every week I try to keep daily silence. Spending at least 10-15 minutes for God.
Life around can have so much chaos . I think if we live our lives based on our faith we can and based our life on God has done for us. of we are able to see the blessings we’ve had usually leaves peace and hope.
Anytime we can spend daily time with God, it is a plus in my day.
To encounter God in the midst of our circumstances. To look for signs of His presence as we walk along the path of life. It might be what we strive for. But, sometimes we miss the warnings God gives us and we walk right into disaster.
Having a “gratitude attitude” can open both our hearts and our eyes. It enables us to see God in the tiny details as well as in the big picture of our lives. We only need to slow down and take time to notice all of our blessings. Thanking God for them and enjoying His many gifts.
How many times do we miss God’s warnings? We miss them because we want to do what we want to do and no one can tell us any different. “I want to go to this party tonight” but there are warnings. We know people will be doing drugs and drinking, but we think we will be okay then we get in a vehicle accident on the way home that destroys our life.” Was God warning us? Did we miss it?
I think sometimes we miss the warnings because we don’t think to ask God before we do something. We don’t spend enough time hearing God speak to us. We don’t have an attitude toward prayer. We turn left when we should have turned right, and we go straight off the cliff. It can be something like thinking to take the fast trip home, but not feeling at peace about it, and going anyway, and getting in an accident.
The most important thing is to be close enough to God to recognize that still small voice as a warning. For me, it’s in the pit of my stomach. It’s my conscious. If I feel uneasy doing something, it’s an opportunity to back out, turn away, and ask God what He wants me to do.
If people would do this more often I think they would save themselves a lot of heartache. Do I get it right every time -No. An example of this is. I have a doctor’s appointment in the “big city. 120 miles away. I decided to go alone. I stopped and got gas and a drink and got an uneasy feeling about going. That I should call and cancel. Then I second-guessed it and drove the 120-mile journey. It’s a stressful drive, and I was tensed up most of the way. After the 2-hour drive, I pulled into the parking lot and my phone began ringing. I picked it up. It was the doctor’s office saying they had to cancel my appointment due to an emergency surgery the doctor had to go to. I had driven 120 miles for nothing. I hadn’t just missed the warning I ignored it.
An intimate and disciplined relationship with God can develop our spiritual senses to discern His guidance and recognize His warnings. It requires attentiveness and practice, not a mystical ability reserved for a few. While this is an ideal mindset, we do have human fallibility,
God’s warnings can come in many forms, from inner promptings to external circumstances. So, it’s important to be able to pray, trust, and obey. This requires us to cultivate a heart of humility.
We must remember that the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry. No matter how careful our plans it can fail unexpectedly. Be sure you’re doing your best to hear God’s warnings.
Name the professional athletes you respect the most and why.
In general I am not familiar with any professional athletes. I think they get paid way too much money to entertain people. And most of them get big heads.
That being there is something to be said for those who give God glory for their gifts. Those like Tim Tebow, Russel Wilson. Demario Davis, Nick Foles.
How do you relax?
I usually relax by getting into nature.
Looking at a scenario outlook, or watching the clouds and breathing in the crisp cool air. Especially this time of year.
It helps my brain and body respond to positively.
Our brains are wired for nature. We have an innate connection to nature. Nature offers a soft fascination, engaging our attention in a gentle way, and allows stressful brains to rest and recover when we feel stressed.
Sometimes I take my Bible to read, or pray in nature it brings me peace and helps me relax.
It offers simpler surroundings, and fewer demands.
Have you ever thought about courage being a choice?
The Bible we can see many times when the Lord commanded certain people to be strong and not to be afraid because He would be with them.
Joshua 1:9 tells us, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you, He will never leave you.”
To be strong, courageous, and not fearful is a commandment that implies that we can be courageous if we choose to be.
Fear and courage are an inner disposition. Since we feel fear or otcourage, we could say it’s a feeling. Our feelings directly depend on our thoughts and our way of thinking.
We have a choice. We can be fearful when we don’t and anxious when we don’t have the assurance of security, safety, or certainty. Fear is the unknown that comes from thoughts of danger.
But, can we have courage when the future is unknown?
We are fearless when we have assurance of security, safety, and certainty. And having courage that stems from faith that we will be safe and certain that we will be well.
I understand that there are unknowns ahead of us, as well as challenges and problems that might arise, which can threaten us. There will be dangers and failures. But if we “fix our eyes on Jesus,” (Hebrews 12:22) certainty will come because God is with us. If we trust in God and our confidence is in Him, and not in our circumstances all will be well.
“Looking to Yeshua, the author and perfector of faith, who for the joy that as set before Him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” -Hebrews 12:2
It is easy to go quickly from faith to fear because we can allow thoughts that cause concern and anxiety to dominate and ultimately overpower us. That is why watching what we think and say to ourselves about challenging situations in the future is critical.
As we navigate life’s uncertainties, it’s vital to remember that our thoughts hold the power to impact our choices in life, which shape our future. Choosing faith over fear empowers us to confront the unknown with confidence, assurance, and peace.
Courage is a choice we can make each day. We choose courage based on our faith. Trust in God, who is all-powerful and faithful.
With each challenge, we have the opportunity to listen to the voice of anxiety and suffer, or listen to faith, trusting that God will guide us through every storm.
By choosing faith, we can transform our fears into expectancy of blessing and our uncertainties into opportunities for growth.
By choosing faith, we choose God’s plan for our lives and walk in His ways, which can make our life experiences incredible.
‘Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” – Isaiah 42:10
This promise reminds us that we are never alone in our struggles. This is the word that the Lord spoke to me when, I felt alone in the world. So, I choose to stand on this promise every time a challenge arises.
Many times, it seemed that there was no way to make a situation better, there were too many barriers and unbreakable obstacles. But through praying and submitting to God, He found a way where there seemed to be no way.
When God is on our side, we can step forward boldly, trusting that He will guide us through every challenge.
“For God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control” -2 Timothy 1:7
If you had to give up one word that you use regularly, what would it be?
If I had to give up one word. I would try to not use filler words like, “um,” “like,” or “you know.”
Filler words affect us in a few subtle ways. It disrupts our train of thought.
If you have ever seen someone on television being questioned and noticed someone using filler words to them it can be very telling. People use different fillers, depending on stress levels, intent, and role. Interrogations are high stress, high stake situations. The brain is working hard, recalling details, filtering information, and managing anxiety. But if they’re using too many filler words, it can be a sign of deception.
Filler words are normal parts of spoken language, everyone uses them. They usually happen when we’re thinking on our feet, unsure of what to say next, nervous or self-conscious, or trying to hold a place in a conversation. By the overuse of filler words can lead others to perceive you in ways that don’t reflect your actual abilities.
Using them too much and hurt how we’re perceived, especially when you’re trying to appear confident, credible, and persuasive.
My goal is to always be conscious of my use of filler words. I think also a telltale sign, that shows people we aren’t prepared for something.
The Bible gives us examples that we can follow to live in inner peace. I like Joe Luke 5:26 shows that just like you and me, Jesus needed a break from the demands of His busy life to recharge His batteries and spend time with His Heavenly Father.
Jesus didn’t draw on His superpowers as the Son of God when it came to facing life’s challenges. Instead, when He was exhausted or burdened or in need of Spiritual refreshment. He would “slip away” to spend time praying -plugging into the power, perception, and purpose they could only be found in God’s presence.
Praying to God is one of the most powerful weapons we have. Maybe you know the repeated prayers like “Our Father, who is in heaven” in Luke 11:2 and Matthew 6:9. These prayers should be hidden in our hearts. But I don’t think Jesus intended it to become a ritualistic prayer. He intended to have a relationship with Him. Talk to Him as you would an old friend.
There are a few keys that have helped me develop a more powerful prayer life.
Prayer is meant to be a conversation with God, and conversations begin by addressing the person you are speaking to. When Jesus prays He would always begin by addressing His Father in heaven.
We share the same right to call God “Father” because of what Jesus did at the cross and His resurrection. We are God’s children.
A heartfelt thank you is always a great conversation starter. Like any parent, God loves to see when we have grateful hearts. But more importantly, as we take the time to praise God for all He has done in the past -the answered prayers, the impossible situations overcome, the healing and grace. Our faith you believe or even greater answers to prayer grow stronger and more confident. Praise open the gates of heaven and should always be a part of our alone time with God.
Jesus role model a heart of obedience and submission to the wheel of God over His own desires and needs. In the garden of Gethsemane, only hours before Jesus’s crucifixion, He would once again pray, “not my will, but yours be done.” in a world were right and wrong are frequently confused and the future is so uncertain, it can be hard to know how to know what to ask when difficult circumstances arise. But one thing we can be absolutely sure of is that God‘s plan for those who love Him is good, and the safest way we can be is in the center of His divine will.
In Jesus‘s time, bread was a staple, one of the most basic needs of life. He did not hesitate to ask God to provide it. By today’s standards, we often hesitate to bother God with the little things we need, thinking He shouldn’t be bothered. And when big problems come, we try everything we can do to solve the problem before we think to pray. The Bible says, “ you do not have because you do not ask God.” never hesitate to ask God for what you need. Your Father in heaven delights to give you good gifts.
James 5:16 remind us that if we want our prayers to be heard, our hearts need to be right with God and with one another. If you feel your prayers are bouncing off the ceiling, take some time to check your heart.
The Word of God has power it is our greatest weapon. Jesus prayed the word when he was tempted by Satan in the wilderness (Luke 4:1-12). He is the Son of God, but He did not use his divine authority when He as on earth. Instead, he used the authority of the scriptures.
I think the most important key to vibrant for life is to understand our spiritual authority in Jesus as he explained in the Scriptures. The only way to do that is to become intimately familiar with the Bible. Even a few minutes a day in the Word of God will add strength and authority to our prayers.
From Pity to Praise