Need more patience?

James 1:3-4 “knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” (New King James Version)

It’s hard to think that patience comes from experience because it’s experience that made you impatient in the first place.  However everyone knows that the more weights you lift the stronger you get.  Has there ever been a tough time in your life that you can look back on and say “that was really good for me” ? The old adage says when the going gets tough, the tough get going.  I believe that the tough only got that way because of the experiences they had to face.

I have to remind myself that there is good in every hardship.  I’m dealing with a couple hardships right now but I trust that God has a plan to complete his work in my life. I want to encourage you that every test of your faith is meant to bring you closer to God.  It’s up to YOU to decide how you will respond to the challenge.

How strong are you

Deuteronomy 31:6 “So be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither leave you nor forsake you.”

Angst, self-doubt, worry are ingrained in our minds from past experience.  Confidence and courage don’t come naturally.  If there is a task you have never done before or person you have never met before are you likely to be apprehensive initially?  God wants to remove these tendencies that is why he give us His promise to never leave or forsake us. 

It is a tough road to retrain your mind to be strong and courageous.  It all comes down to how badly do you want a change?  But once you commit to turning your life around and being the strong person God wants you to be God will be with you every step of the way.

I have struggled with anxiety, low self esteem, hesitation, despair.  In fact I still battle it every morning, noon and night. I want to encourage you that you WILL get through it if you call on God and work hard.

Why are you sleeping?

” ‘Why are you sleeping’ He asked them. ‘Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.’ ” Luke 22:46

Temptation is everywhere.  In the media, in relationships, and built into our minds.  We are programmed with a desire to lust after attractive people, do things that bring instant gratification, and lash out when something bothers us.  If we want to be spiritually alive we must be aware that these temptations are not what God has planned for us.  What temptations have you had trouble fighting over the years?  How freeing would it be for you to break through and beat the temptation once and for all?

Praying to God is the only way we will ever be able to rise above our earthly desires.  I have tried everything from breathing techniques to memorizing mantras like “anything worth having is worth working for”.  If you do not rely on God to fight your temptations you will not succeed. Have you ever been let down when you prayed to God to help you fight temptation?

The only reason I write this is because I know God has a higher plan for you than you can see.  When I finally woke up from my spiritual sleeping I realized that God had a way of life for me that was better than I could have never dreamed.  I encourage you to pray and ask God to help you fight the temptation you are dealing with.

 

Be blessed today

“But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him” Jeremiah 17:7

Trusting in the Lord takes a lot of courage.  We put our trust in our vehicles, our personal relationships and even our computers.  Why is it so hard for us to put an equal faith in God?  

Your vehicle will break down.  Relationships will disappoint you at some point.  Your computer will one day become useless.  But God will never break down on you, disappoint you, or become useless to you.  Do you fully understand what it means to trust in the Lord?

Can you imagine a life without worry?  That is what God wants for us.  He wants us to know that He has our back no matter what.  No matter the financial struggles we have.  No matter the relationship problems we face.  No matter the work/life demands we have to go through.  God wants you to trust in him and know that he is in control.  Trust in the lord today and you will be a blessed individual.