Tag Archive | stress

Tip The Scale

Aug3

dont-quitHave you found yourself up against insurmountable odds? Do you look back and find yourself wondering if the good fight of faith is really worth it? Have you found yourself wondering if things will ever get better?

Well friends, I think we could all answer with a resounding “YES”! We all have had times in our lives that make us wonder what the heck is going on. We have all faced difficulties that seemed so overwhelming that the stress of it all weighs so heavily that we really think about quitting. Today, there are so many believers facing their toughest challenges. However, the biggest challenge of it all is how will you respond to it?

When we face trials, it is so easy for us to throw up our hands and say “I quit”. It’s those times where you don’t feel like praying, don’t feel like getting out of bed, don’t feel like dealing with anything and just allow yourself to fall into a pity party. But the problem with quitting is that it allows depression to set in. It gives your enemies and situations total control over you.  You ultimately give them the power to determine your outcome. If they are doing terrible things or saying hurtful things about you, why would you want to allow them to control your path and outcome?

There are numerous instances in the Bible about opposition, impossible situations and feelings of hopelessness. Just read about Jonah, Job and David to name a few. They all found themselves in impossible situations where it didn’t look like things were ever going to change. You read about them going through stress, worry, hopelessness, sadness, anger and grief. Jonah even ran away from God completely. Atleast he tried to. How many of us are in these type of situations right now?

In times like these, you really need to dig in and “Tip The Scale”.

See, God works in steps. Most of us have no clue what God’s ultimate plan is for our lives. God usually gives us one step at a time and at each step, we find ourselves in some sort of a battle. But what God really wants to see is if we will continue through the trial and trust Him to work it out for our good. God told us that we would face many trials in this world but He also promises to restore and establish us through His grace.

1 Peter 5:10 ESV “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”

So what do we need to do in order to “Tip The Scale”?

James 1:12 ESV “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”

God promises to work it all out for our good. You don’t have to understand the circumstances. You don’t have to ask the “why me” questions. You don’t have to wonder how in the world you are going to get out of your situation. God will make a way when there aren’t any. God will turn things around and restore your life far greater than you could ever imagine. So be of good cheer when you are facing a trial because God must be closer than you think to “Tipping the Scales” in your favor. Pray, rejoice and sing to the Lord for impossible odds set the stage for God’s amazing miracles to happen!

Blessing

NOTE: Please disregard any advertisement you may encounter under this posting as the author does not endorse them. Thank you.

The Balancing Act

Jul19

StressedOutFaceYou’re running here, running there, got to do this, got to do that…ever feel like you’re getting no where fast? Have you ever gotten to the end of the day saying “where the heck did that day go”? Ever just want to throw your hands up and say I quit? Ever feel like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders that just seems to keep growing bigger? Ever try harder only to find yourself getting less accomplished? I know I sure have.

Well, today I’m here to tell you…there is amazing news to help you get back on track. God created the earth, the seasons, harvests, festivals, the sun, moon, and time. More importantly, God created you and your purpose in life. There is absolutely nothing that goes by without God knowing it first, since He knows the end from the beginning.

“And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years.” ~ Genesis 1:14

It is so easy to get discouraged. The harder and quicker you work, it seems like the “To Do List” never gets smaller. What we really need to realize is that God is in charge. We can be so busy that we actually never get anything done. What we really need to ask ourselves is…is it just busy work or is it really important in the big scheme of things? When we have such heavy loads every day, we are going to find ourselves worn out, stressed out, and just plain ol’ tired. Then we’ll find ourselves moving towards frustration and sickness because we just don’t have anything left to ward off the negative feelings and the sickness.

Sometimes I wonder to myself, if I really got everything done on my “To Do List” today, would it really matter. And guess what…the answer is usually “NO”. We love to make lists and feel the sense of accomplishment and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. However, does it really matter if the laundry doesn’t get done today? Does it really matter if you didn’t bake that cake or a homemade meal today? Does it really matter if you rescheduled your appointment? Does it really matter if you didn’t respond to all those incoming emails and phone calls till tomorrow? We tend to make everything a priority that simply may not be a priority at all.

Time2

“Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit” – yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” ~ James 4:13-15

When you find yourself with a crazy scheduling day ahead of you, take a moment and ask yourself, does it really matter. Would my world as I know it really come to an end if I didn’t get all these things done today? We all need balance in our lives and we can trust God to help us balance it out. When you make Him your top priority, each and every day, He will help you get things done quicker, easier and less stressful.

God cares about you and can stop time for you. All you have to do is ask! Ask for the wisdom to determine what is truly important. Ask Him to help you get everything done today. Ask Him for a good night’s sleep. Ask Him to help balance your life out. For when you do, you will have enough time for all the things in your life. God can take 3 hours of sleep and wake you up feeling more refreshed than if you had 8 hours of sleep. God can stop or reverse time if He wants to.

So just remember…when you put first things first, everything else will fall into place.

You will be happier, healthier, and less stressful every step of the way.

Have a wonderful and relaxing day today! God, time and balance is truly on your side!

Note: Please disregard any advertisements you may encounter under this posting as the author does not endorse them. Thank you.

Clear The Clutter

Jul5

stressed_outOver the past decade relationships and families have really suffered. Technology has become such a huge part of our daily lives and we simply think we can’t live without it. Televisions, DVR’s, Facebook, Twitter, email, selfies, chat rooms and cell phones have all become second nature. You hear stories about people breaking up through instant messaging, you see commercials with families texting each other at the kitchen table; the madness of it all is quite overwhelming. So how in the world are you to keep first things first and determine what truly is a priority and what is just cluttering your life?

Hey, I’ll be the first one to say…technology can be fantastic. I use it everyday myself. But, the world we are living in is draining us dry. People are so eager to post a selfie or tell us everything going on in their lives via Facebook or Twitter; you have to stop and wonder how in the world does anybody get anything accomplished anymore?

Heck, there was a time in my life where I wore two cell phones, a pager and a laptop everywhere I went. I was always on call. The stress and pressure of it completely drained me. Even with all the technology, I always felt like I got nothing accomplished. I couldn’t even go to the bathroom without carrying one of my phones with me. I honestly felt like I was going to miss something. Does that sound like you?

What I did next might not be for you but I had a choice to make. It wasn’t easy. It wasn’t worldly. It wasn’t popular. But I knew that I had to do something drastic to break the cycle and clear the clutter in my life. I dumped my cell phone. I stopped carrying my laptop. I stopped checking Facebook, Twitter, and emails every day. I decided to take my life back.

The most important thing we can do is clear the clutter from our daily lives and determine what is important. For me…I wanted closer relationships where I could actually have real conversations not just an LOL tweet. I wanted people to know that I really cared about them and what was going on in their lives; but in a real, meaningful way…spending quality time with them. I wanted to hear God’s voice clearer and know His direction for my life, so I started devoting my first few minutes to Him every single morning.

Was it easy to make the change? Absolutely not. Was it worth it? Absolutely, 100% Yes!

Taking Charde - stressed-out

It wasn’t until I made these drastic changes that God started using me. It wasn’t until I made a choice to spend the first few minutes of every morning with Him that He decided to take me on an amazing journey.

Technology is great but I had to make a conscience decision and effort not to allow it to be first in my life. Once I did that, things started changing. I noticed that I was sleeping better. Waking up with energy to burn. I wasn’t so stressed. I could remain calm under pressure. And I was able to get much more accomplished in 24 hours than ever possible.

I’ve never been happier and God has used me in ways I’ve never dreamed of. His dreams for me are so incredible that I don’t want to miss a single moment. But not only that, I have true relationships with people I love. I can honestly say that God has made a major impact in my life. Not just with Him but in everything that is truly important to me.

So why don’t you clear the clutter and start putting Him first in your life. You don’t have to do anything drastic like I did. Every morning when you wake up take a moment to say Thank you Lord, I’m in your hands and this day is going to be awesome. Start giving yourself a nightly break. Set a time where all the electronics are shut down and spend that time with people you love or reading your Bible or taking a walk around the block or volunteering as a family.

Just by taking these small measures could begin your amazing journey too. What comes next is worth much more and the rewards are far greater than you could ever imagine. Peace, joy, happiness and contentment are within your grasp! Don’t miss your moment…take that first step today!

Referenced Scriptures

Matthew 6:31-33: “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Matthew 6:19-21: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Proverbs 16:3: “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”

Matthew 6:24: “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (Note: you can replace the word “money” and enter “technology”, “addictions” or anything else that has a hold on you.)

John 3:30: “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

Note: Please disregard any advertisements that you may encounter under this posting as the author does not endorse them. Thank you.

 

Be A Comeback Kid

Jun21

DefeatEver see the movie Rocky? Rocky Balboa was a kid from the wrong side of the tracks who didn’t have much. All he knew was that he was to be a fighter. Throughout the movie, Rocky would get knocked down, bruised and busted…only to keep getting up to win the fight. He found the love of his life, Adrian. They went through so many disappointments, heartaches, pain and suffering; you wondered how in the world they kept going. Their determination, strength, and love always shined through their difficulties.

Does that sound like your life? Can you relate to that movie? I sure can. My life has been so full of disappointments, heartache, pain and suffering that I look back and wonder…how in the world did I ever keep going.

Today is the day for a declaration! Today is the day that it’s time to stop looking back and to begin looking forward!

It doesn’t matter what has happened to us in the past nor does it matter what we are going through today. What truly matters is that we FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH! (2 Timothy 4:7) Every single time you get knocked down, use it to your advantage. While you’re knocked down, get on your knees and pray. Every single time you feel lost and the pain is so intense, get on your knees and pray.

We have an incredible God who loves us. He never wanted us to go through the difficulties we’ve endured. He never wanted to see us in pain. He never wanted to see us experience heartaches. No…we have an enemy who rules this world right now and wants to kick us down so much that we simply don’t get up. Satan wants to sway you away from God. He wants you to make mistakes that have terrible consequences. He wants you to fail. He wants to keep you knocked out.

Well today we are taking a stand! NO MORE! Jesus came to give us life and life more abundantly. (John 10:10) He is our source. He is all powerful. He is all love. He is our provider. He is our healer. He is more than enough to handle any battle that rages against us.

Blessed

So let’s shout out together…

GET BEHIND ME SATAN BECAUSE I WON’T TAKE ANYMORE! I CHOOSE JESUS AND ALL THAT HE STANDS FOR! He is my answer! He is my strength! And my best days are ahead of me. For God so loved the world, He gave us His only son! Jesus is my brother and I need no other!

So stand up and be counted as a COMEBACK KID!

For there is nothing, and I do mean nothing, that God won’t do for His children!

 

Note: Please disregard any advertisements you might encounter under this posting as the author does not endorse them. Thank you.