For what is designed to make us strong and mentally tough can also cause our blood pressure to reach astounding levels. Sometimes, it is the simplest and smallest problem or challenge that can push you over the edge. Because adversities are not predictable, there is no way of knowing when they are going to show up and interrupt your life.
With less or no confidence in God the smallest negative feedback will knock you sideways. You could be having the greatest day ever then, out of nowhere a hurdle appears in the middle of the track, without warning, and you find yourself tripping and falling. So, rather than letting that stop your forward progress, decide to make it a defining moment to keep moving forward. I decree and declare that all the unexpected situations and circumstances will not affect your mood and all that comes before you. Let not your hearts be troubled... (John 14:1)
Sometimes, there is no need to analyse every tiny thing. Even though some things are meant to be understood, others are meant to simply be experienced and appreciated and; then move forward. Do not spend one more day held hostage by sad feelings, emotions, and circumstances. Feelings do not run the show. There is a reality deeper than our feelings. So, do not let your feelings lead your life because many times, they choose the moment, not the truth. If you stop over- thinking everything, worrying and stressing today, your day will be so much better. Instead, tell someone they are appreciated today. It is one of the simplest, yet most incredible thing that someone can hear. Even if they are not having a bad day. You can make a good day even better. Just a little compliment can make someones entire day.
In fact, things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter the least. Your mood should not dictate your manners. It makes people see what you are not, not as what you are. I believe that when we work on being compassionate and accommodating others without judging them, we will find that those around us respond the same. One word or one action, whether positive or negative can affect so many others.
So, be careful what you use in the formula. For every once in a while life will give you a dose of your own medicine. You must recognise that people are not required to think the same way you do on every issue under the sun. Just because it does not make sense to you, does not mean it does not make sense at all. Sometime you have to shut up, listen and accept that you are wrong. It is not giving up but, growing up.
However, there is a difference between giving up and knowing when you have had enough. People usually give up because it is easier than working things out, just as they lie, because sometimes it is easier than being honest. Besides, An honest answer is like a kiss of friendship. (Proverbs 24:26)
Learn to speak politely in the language that can be understood by others. Thus, language affects attitude and attitudes impact action. If you do, its done. If you dont, it will weigh on your mind - like driving a car with the handbrake on.
Now, you may choose to look the other way but you can never say again you did not know. Hence, to know better and not do better is worse than not knowing at all. As the Bible say, If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and does not do it, it is sin for them. (James 4:17)
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Let me pray:
I pray that whatever part of the world you are located, may you see the daylight. May light of righteousness shine unto you. Amen!
When people ask how you are, do you tell them what they want to hear, or how you really feel? I used to think there is bravery in hiding your emotions and courage in pretending as if everything is fine. Problems take root and grow, when you close your eyes and pretend. Open up! It allows your thoughts and feelings to be as they are, making room for them and letting them come and go as they naturally do. Nature cannot be fooled. It is not about feeling good, it is about feeling alive. You deserve to have a full life.
Sometimes it is harder to not say something, than saying it. Never be afraid to speak your mind, you have one for a reason. Saying what you feel it is not being rude, it is being real. However, certain things are better left unsaid. Just because you do not say certain things, does not mean you do not feel them. You can hurt yourself more than anyone can hurt you just by keeping all your feelings hidden. When you hide your hurt it may manifest in other areas and you become a prisoner of that hidden hurt.
Perhaps, you find it is so easy to open up all your problems to strangers because they wont judge you and, when its people you know, you really do not want to tell them instead, you prefer to tell the whole world about how you feel towards something. Tell it to one who really cares to listen. Cast all your cares on Him for He cares for you, He is near to the broken and confused. I guess by now you know Who I am talking about!!! He said whoever comes to Me I will never cast out. (John 6:37)
So, do not be discouraged and throw in the towel. Just give up the fantasy of how you think your life should have been and be at peace. It is time to let go of those feelings of guilt, hurt, shame and defeat; and put God first, knowing that with Him you have all the victory. In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight(Proverbs 3:6)
And, if you ever feel useless, down and out, just remember you are still alive and you will get over what you think is a disadvantage in your life. May God take what looks like a liability for you and turn it into an asset and; have you first in your season as you acknowledge Him. So, rejoice, this could be your cloud like a mans hand (1 Kings 18:44), a sign that your season is changing for the better. The LORD will send rain at the proper time from his rich treasury in the heavens and will bless all the work you do (Deuteronomy 28:12)
Thus, no matter how useless you feel, you are someones reason to smile. Do not ever think you are nothing. Somewhere along the line, there is someone who truly thinks you are everything. However, you cannot expect someone to value you if you do not value yourself. When you stop judging, criticising your body and feeling sorry for yourself and begin to accept yourself, people will also love and appreciate you. Keep the smile, leave the tension, feel the joy, forget the worry, hold the peace, leave the pain, and always be happy. This will bring healing to your body, and refreshment to your inner self. (Proverbs 3:8)
You may be tired of going to bed at night with a vague underlying feeling that there is more to life than you are experiencing now. But, allow me to tell you that nobody has a perfect life. Everybody has their own problems. It is just that some people know how to deal with it in a better way. So, making bad decisions and being ashamed of the outcomes is part of life. Just forgive yourself. You are not defined by a moment. You are no worse off than anybody else. Stop believing the worst about yourself. When you feel the need to be resentful, or angry, or to feel sorry for yourself, remind yourself to be thankful instead. Because someone somewhere may be wishing and praying to have the same life as yours. Thus, the first and the best victory is to conquer self.
Do not feel resentful because life has not given you what you want yet, your time will come, just have a little faith and be true to yourself. However, you cannot always wait for the perfect time. Sometimes you must dare to jump..! But, start somewhere. The only job where you start at the top is digging a hole, hence you ought to start somewhere. The day you get comfortable is the day your real opportunity passes you by. Every day you wait is another day you would not get back. The discipline of writing something down is the first step toward making it happen.
You may have great intentions but, unless you let your actions speak louder than your words, nothing will ever unfold. A real decision is measured by the fact that you have taken a new action. If there is no action, you have not truly decided. ...The people who know their God will display strength and take action. (Daniel 11:32)
In the meantime, I would like to encourage you to enjoy life by limiting your emotional baggage to a small carry-on. Sometimes you just got to leave people to do the things they do, trying to hurt you. But, you know you are matured when you realize that every situation does not need a reaction. There is a huge amount of freedom that comes to you when you take all to God in prayer. Just like Jesus, He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. (1 Peter 2:23)
Perhaps, some have not apologised to you because they are ashamed of their actions. Forgive them anyway, be okay with a sorry you never got because forgiveness un-blocks your blessing. Do it, you are worth it. May Gods favour find you, causes you to be at the right place, at the right time, giving you good success.
May Gods glorious name forever receive honour. Amen. (Galatians 1:5)
Three
POSITIVE EMOTIONS: LOVE, JOY, PEACE AND HAPPINESS
(a). Love (The love of God)
Love is a feeling, a deep feeling that bring lots of emotions. It involves feelings of exhilaration, intense passion, and ecstasy. When you are in love with someone, it touches our body, soul and spirit. You are there to care, support and work together to solve problems. Youre willing to stand by this person in good times and bad. As there are different types of love but, there is only one love, same feeling deep in our heart and mind.
Thus, love is not only between man and woman or children and parents but between family and friends. For love takes its origin from God. It is by love which God is known. When He puts two persons together, He also put love so that they can love and support each other in marriage.
Today, many people has made this pure word become dirty, love is not sex and sex is not love. God in his infinite wisdom designed our bodies to give and receive pleasure in the confines of marriage. Gods will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honourable.(1 Thessalonians 4:4)
But, Gods love is different from people. For it is divine and perfect. It converts the soul. It is better than all rubies, diamonds, and riches untold. To know him is to love him, obey and follow his commandments. However, obedience is not the evidence that you love God. Love is the enablement to obey Him. If you love Him it is easy to keep His commandments. For there is nothing you can do to make your Heavenly Dad love you any less or any more except by following His statutes. Just as He said in His words: If you love me, obey my commandments. (John 14:15)
It can be way too easy to forget the love God has for you, when we live in such a dark and broken world. But, today be assured that He loves you. The mistakes you did yesterday do not dictate the love that God has for you today. For God sees us as we can be and loves us as we are. Likewise, do not look at people through eyes of judgment; look at them through eyes of mercy. For you do not know what they have been through. Be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. (Luke 6:36)
Unfortunately, people who are supposed to love us are not always able to give us the kind of love we need. Whether they are friends, mothers, fathers, grandparents, significant others, siblings, family, no matter how good their intentions are, sometimes they leave us still feeling empty, invalidated, un-cared for, and alone.
And on the days when that pain becomes too much to bear, our work is just to recognise that those people whose love we so desperately want are never going to be able to meet our needs. Not because they do not care but, because they cannot change who they are. They are human beings, only God can fulfil our every need. Because His love is unfailing. It is never changing. It is a greater love than anyone else in the world. Therefore nothing in all creation can ever separate us from Gods love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:39)
No matter who you are, if you allow God to shape your life, you can be used by Him for great things. There are times when God will use you in someone elses life; though it may not be pretty or comfortable but, they also need to see Jesus through you. Those who walk in Gods new kind of love never injure anyone so, never take advantage of anyone. Simply walk and live in Gods love. Because people do not always need advice. Sometimes all they need is a hand to hold, ear to listen and a heart to understand. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58)
This is a time to love and appreciate those around you - near and far. To prioritise and to start over. Start loving yourself for everything you already are. Stop hating yourself for everything you are not. For every part of you was lovingly planned. Every detail was master- fully crafted. You are loved by the Lord unconditionally. He even said in His words I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.(Jeremiah 31:3). So, let your Fathers affection gives you security and courage to face the future. Do not fear.
Life has done nothing to you that God cannot make it work out for you, because with God every mistake is correctable and every sin can be forgiven, if only you will put it in His hands. Hence, you cannot comprehend how much God loves you until you mess up and see how He responds. When you have prayed and done all you can, leave it up to God. It is time to let God do what you cannot do. For God uses everything, nothing is wasted. What you went through yesterday, God may use it to help someone today.
The hardships you endured, God will allow them to speak into other people who are following the same path. So, do not be ashamed of your past. Your scars are proof that God heals. Your story is not over, God is not done with you yet. He who began a good work in you will continue to perform it until it is complete. (Philippians 1:6)