Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff…

Today I learned of a family that I’ve known for the past 7 years, who have lost two loved ones in the span of about 6 months.  My heart aches for them because I understand all too well that form of pain.  The thought came to my mind is that we must learn to not sweat the small stuff.  I think that too many times we get weighted down with situations and circumstances of little merit.  Yes – we have our respective struggles and strains, but sometimes it helps to put things into perspective.

Matthew 6:34 (NLT)… So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

Proverbs 27:1 (NLT)… Don’t brag about tomorrow, since you don’t know what the day will bring.

James 4:14 (NLT)… How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.

We must learn to be grateful for the day at hand and for the time that God has given to each of us.  We may not have all the things that we desire, but we have LIFE! 

Psalms 118:24 (NLT)… This is the day the Lord  has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Your Decision to Make...

"Be comfortable with the decisions you make when they come from a good place."
- SoSerene


Let's just face the facts - everyone will not always agree with every decision you make - that's just life. You will eventually have to come to grips with it and  be comfortable with not sacrificing your happiness for others. Yes, there are times when we put ourselves on the back burner for others, but at what point do you stop and say, "I matter."  We all have an assignment and purpose in this life and in order to accomplish it successfully, some people may not be able to take the journey with you.  As hurtful as that may be, it's the truth. 

Join Me...

“You are by far the most positive and happy person I have ever met!!” This was from an e-mail that I received the other day at work and I replied, “That is the best compliment that I’ve received all day.”

I’m in a new environment in my workplace and more often than not, I hear people telling me how positive I am.  I’ve stressed over and over and over again that Happiness is a Choice!  It’s not something that is forced upon us.  

I have the same feelings that everyone else feels, I have some of the same thoughts that others have; I have my good and bad days, ups and downs.  However, I choose not to stay there.  I force myself to THINK UP; I force myself to FEEL UP; I force myself to CHEER UP! 

You and I may not be able to control the thoughts that come to our minds, but we can CHOOSE whether we dwell on them.  I don’t like how it feels when I’m sad; I don’t like how I feel when I’m mad; I don’t like how I feel when I’m depressed and distraught, so I don’t allow myself to remain in that state. 

Participate!  Join me in this awesome feeling.  The choice is really yours!  When I find myself getting down, I take a walk and pray or meditate on a scripture.  Look for the good in every situation.  Assume the best until proven otherwise. I refuse to be a person walking around expecting the worst in the situation. 

I thank God for giving me the ability to choose between death and life. I choose life by choosing to be happy because I’m letting go of the stress, strain and anxiety which can lead to an early death, brought on by sickness and disease.  Happiness is a choice and I invite you to join me!

“The demands of everyday life can be wearing for a person. We need a shot in the arm--an injection of JOY! Joy that refuses to stay quarantined. Joy that runs rampant through the daily-ness of existence. Like engaging smiles and hearty laughter, joy is contagious. We catch it from one another.”

-Unknown

Any Excuse...

Any excuse is a good excuse when you don’t want to do better.

I don’t have enough money; I don’t have enough education; I don’t have enough time; I’m too fat; I’m too skinny; I’m too dark; I’m too light; I’m not gifted, etc.  The list goes on and on and I’m sure you can add more reasons to the list that you’ve heard.  I read a quote by Anno Sensei that said, “Everyone on this planet is given the same 24 hours in the day. The question is: what do you choose to do with yours?”

We all can make excuses for why we aren’t taking action, but no one wants to hear them.  The thing is this, sometimes you’ve got to look beyond the now to see the future and make the necessary steps to get there.   That might mean making sacrifices, it could mean working a job that you are too fond of until the one you want comes open.  That can be argued many ways…  Yes, the Lord will give you the desires of your heart, but the Bible also says that faith without works is dead and that a man who doesn’t work, doesn’t eat.  Enough with the excuses – get up and take control of your situation.  I honestly believe that if you get busy and show God that you mean business, that He will open the right doors.  Crying, whining and complaining about the situation does not make God move any faster.

Now please exercise wisdom when it comes to this.  Rick Warren said, “You don’t have time for everything. No one does. You have to make time for what really counts. It’s not a matter of time; it’s a matter of priorities and values.”  My husband and I went into a business the other day and everyone that worked there were of the same culture and nationality.  This spurred conversation as to how there are some ethnic groups that have no problems coming together to achieve success and to help each other make it in life.  These ethnic groups have been oppressed, criticized and rejected like many others; however, they understand the power or togetherness and not making excuses.

The next time you open your mouth to make an excuse for why something is the way it is, challenge yourself to not say it and force yourself to say something positive instead.  Change your perspective of the situation and instead of playing the victim, be the victor!  Stop looking at your life through the same lenses and put on some new shades.  Stop making life harder than it has to be.

No excuses – just results!

Fulfillment or Resentment ...

"When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and I could say, "I used everything that you gave me."

- Erma Bombeck

Are you living a life full of fulfillment or a life full of resentment?  Before you answer that question, STOP and really think about it.

Life isn't perfect and we all have growing pains, but through all of that, you can still live a life of fulfillment.  Life alone brings many challenges without us willingly adding drama and frustration to it. Whether those impositions be internal or external is for you to decide, but please deal with them before you end up with a life full of resentment.

I asked once before why we find it so convenient to allow others to make us uncomfortable. What in us says, "don't confront it - just accept it?"  The other day as I drove to work, I turned on the radio to find a Pastor saying that many times in the church we hide behind sanctification and holiness, versus confronting issues and finding effective methods of dealing with them.

Every time we sweep an issue under the rug, resentment is growing.  On the other hand when we refuse to accept anything other than the life God intended for us to have, we find a life full of fulfillment.  "God I want to use everything that you gave me!!!"  Don't you too?  Don't you wanna have more days when you find yourself smiling for no particular reason than you do frowning because the sky is falling?

Don't become stagnant, don't ever stop learning and growing.  Be that free spirit that refuses to live with false limitations. Get off the fence, make some decisions that are your own and commit to them. If you fall down, well then get up and try it again.  

"Don't change who you are because someone else doesn't know who they are..."

- SoSerene

Don't So Readily Accept Defeat....

Defeat -  to win a victory over (someone or something) in a war, contest, game, etc.; to cause (someone or something) to fail; to frustrate

Readily -  quickly and easily; in a way that shows you are willing to do something; without hesitation or complaint

Deborah was a prophet, the wife of Lappidoth. She was judge over Israel at that time. She held court under Deborah’s Palm between Ramah and Bethel in the hills of Ephraim. The People of Israel went to her in matters of justice.
She sent for Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali and said to him, “It has become clear that GOD, the God of Israel, commands you: Go to Mount Tabor and prepare for battle. Take ten companies of soldiers from Naphtali and Zebulun. I’ll take care of getting Sisera, the leader of Jabin’s army, to the Kishon River with all his chariots and troops. And I’ll make sure you win the battle.”
Barak said, “If you go with me, I’ll go. But if you don’t go with me, I won’t go.” She said, “Of course I’ll go with you. But understand that with an attitude like that, there’ll be no glory in it for you. GOD will use a woman’s hand to take care of Sisera.” Deborah got ready and went with Barak to Kedesh. Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali together at Kedesh. Ten companies of men followed him. And Deborah was with him. Deborah said to Barak, “Charge! This very day GOD has given you victory over Sisera. Isn’t GOD marching before you?”  (‭Judges‬ ‭4‬:‭4-10, 14‬ MSG)

From this snippet, you see that Deborah didn't back down, when given the opportunity.  Sometimes achieving victory in your life will come when you refuse to readily accept defeat.  Stand firm in the power of our risen Savior and "Charge!"  In this story, you see that Barak didn't have much confidence that he could go at it alone; he showed reluctance, and there will be many times in life where it's just you and Jesus.  You won't have anyone there to lay hands on you or to speak a word over you or like Deborah did for Barak - to inspire you - it'll be just you and your faith.  Will you take charge and forge on?!

Don't so readily accept frustrations in life.  Combat these things with the word and the power of prayer. Take action in your situation. Take on the attitude that if God be for me, then who can be against me!  Like Deborah said to Barak, "isn't GOD marching before you?"  

Ladies, have we forgotten who we serve?  Stop taking a backseat and accepting whatever life throws your way.  

Deborah was known as being wise and courageous.  She didn't get that reputation from giving in and giving up.  God has not given us a Spirit of fear.  Sometimes we don't take action out of fear, but do you believe God would lead you wrong?

There's Been A Delay...

If you're anything like me, you've sat back quite often and wondered why so many things have taken so long to manifest.  Then today as I took my time to get a few things done around the house a song came on called "I'm Gonna Be Ready" by Yolanda Adams.   I've listened to this song many times over, but today it struck a different chord in me.  

One verse says: 

Sight beyond what I see you know what's best for me
Prepare my mind,  prepare my heart 
For whatever comes, I'm gonna be ready
Strength to pass any test, I feel like I'm so blessed 
With you in control, I can't go wrong 
Cause I know I'm gonna be ready

Therefore, could the delay be due to me not being ready?!  

Personally, I'm sure there have been many delays in my life and I've flat out missed some things that were to come my way because I was not ready.  I was not in place.  I was doing it on my own because God was taking too long.  I was too busy crying about my situation.  I didn't know how to silence all the noise around me, so I didn't hear His voice; it just blended in.  

Accountability!!!  

Be ready so that there are no more delays and so that you can get ALL that God has in store for you.