Happy September

 Happy September people.  I know that this has been a challenging year, but God is sovereign.  I believe good things are coming and just keep the faith and don't give us.  The worse is behind us.  

Overcoming Disillusionment in God

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Disillusionment- a feeling of disappointment resulting from the discovery that something is not as good as one believed it to be

I started my Christian journey at the age of 10 when I accepted Jesus into my heart.  At that age I had a very strong Faith in God.  I lacked the life experiences that often leave some Believers jaded. I could wholeheartedly believe God for any and everything.  Everything was fresh and pure to me.   However, as time past and "life happened" I experienced disappointments.  These disappointments led me to go through a season of my adult life where I started having issues with my faith.  

As a result, lack of understanding caused me to become complacent and even cynical in some areas.  Instead of being the happy go lucky teenager that was full of faith, I became a woman in her 30's with bouts of doubt and unbelief.  

However, this pandemic has forced me to look over my life and experience God in a brand new way.  I saw that some "disappointments" came from my lack of understanding of how God operates.  God is not a genie in a bottle that will grant us three wishes.  He is a spiritual being that has a plan for us much higher than our own.  

One thing that caused great disappointment was praying outside the Will of God.  There we some areas of my life that I had been praying contrary to the Word of God but I somehow justified my prayers. It was because my emotions felt so strong about what I was praying I thought God was making an exception for me.  However, Jeremiah 17:9 states "the heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure?  Who can understand it?"  We have to make sure we are praying from a spiritual place and not an emotional one.

In closing it is important to study God's Word to know His ways.  We also have to guard our emotions because they can lead us down a path that will cause disillusionment.  

Rehearse your victories to help build your Faith

       One way I keep the faith is through keeping a "Victory" journal. That is where I write down the answers to God's prayers. Prayers I pray I write them down and then I write how the answer came about once I receive the answers. For example, I have an online business . This business has been one of the most intense faith walks. However, I write down every milestone I accomplish. I wrote when I made my first sale, then my first $1,000, and so forth and so on. I write down very significant goals that I accomplish on a day to day basis.

      Every now and then I like to look at that journal and awe in the Faithfulness of God. I see how He has been leading and guiding and blessing me. It is a very big Faith boost.

Staying positive during the pandemic

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come,” 2 Corinthians 5:17.

I am staying positive during the pandemic by limiting my exposure to the media.  Some News Stations even have a running death counter on the screen 24-7.  This will leave you feeling defeated, fearful, causing your immune system to be weakened.  

You will even become so fearful that you cannot hear God.  Take this time of physical inwardness and use it productively.  Write that book, start that business, learn stock trading, etc.  People were using the slogan "2020 Vision" to describe this year, well maybe this is the opportune time to start and complete projects that have been on the back burner for decades. 

Be careful with watching media during this pandemic

Be careful of watching too much media during this pandemic.  It seems as if the media love reporting bad news in a sick and sadistic way.   As if they derive some sort of pleasure from being the first to report a region being overtaken by the spread of the virus, and endless articles about death.  

I believe the media needs to shift their focus.  Try to focus more on what is working, who is recovering, cities that have the virus under control, medical breakthroughs that are on the brink of discovery, home education tips, fun recipes, fun things to do while you "shelter in place".  

Focus on reporting news of people who are doing good deeds, those who are using this time to rediscover their passion, accomplish long awaited goals, etc.  Talk about businesses and new opportunities for employment.  Stop focusing on the negative.   

Overcome Worry for 2020

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"Who of you by worrying add a single hour to your life"  Matthew 6:27

One of my New Year's resolutions is to overcome worry in 2020.  As the Word of God states, worry can not add even a single hour to our life.  

One way to overcome worry is to put total trust in God.  One of my weaknesses is I try to figure things out using my intellect.  If it does not make sense to my mind, it will cause me to lack proper faith.  So this year I will make an earnest effort to stop trying to figure God out.  Even if I do not understand how God will work a situation out, I must total surrender to His Will knowing that He will work it out.  

Cultivating a Healthy Thought Life

"as a man thinks in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7) 

     Our present quality of life is a result of the thoughts that we have been thinking up until this point.  This is why it is very important that we learn how to cultivate a healthy thought life.  Our thoughts are very powerful, "Change your thoughts and you change your world" Norman Vincent Peele.  

     Buried deep inside of our subconscious mind are thoughts that currently influences our behavior.  The Word states, "as a man thinks in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7).  If you notice that your quality of life is less than stellar, than know that you have the power to change that.  
    
   The first step of change is by knowing what God has to say about you in the Bible.   For example, if you feel defeated, remember that God calls us "more than conquerors" (Romans 8:37).  Repeat this scripture to yourself when you wake up in the morning and throughout the day.  Even look in the mirror and call yourself more than a conqueror.  Keep rehearsing it throughout the day until it is a part of you.  Also search the Bible for other scriptures to use as an affirmation.  Even write them down if you need to.  

  Once you do this you will notice your life start to change.  New doors of opportunity will open up for you.  God's Spirit will begin drawing people into your life to help you along the way.  You will feel better and your mood will be lighter.  Once you have mastered a healthy thought life you can teach others.  Let us get started today!   

   

How to Release Negative Emotions

In my last post, I talked about the importance of not holding on to offense. Along those same lines, I want to talk about releasing negative emotions.

It is important that we learn how to process and release negative emotions in a healthy way. Negative emotions can weigh heavily on the mind, but they can also affect the body, relationships, and spiritual life. When we carry anger, sadness, fear, resentment, or frustration without addressing them, those emotions can begin to shape how we think, speak, and respond to others.

Releasing Negative Emotions

The first step is to acknowledge the emotion. Many times, we think that if we ignore what we are feeling, it will simply go away. However, unaddressed emotions can remain beneath the surface and influence our actions, attitudes, and behavior without us even realizing it.

Journaling is one way I have personally learned to acknowledge and process negative emotions. When I journal, I write down the experience, how it made me feel, and what thoughts came up as a result. This helps me bring the situation into perspective and see it more clearly. Sometimes, once I put my feelings on paper, I can better understand what is really bothering me.

Another way I release negative emotions is through exercise, especially dance. Movement helps me de-stress and gives my body a healthy outlet for tension. Exercise can also support the release of endorphins, which are chemicals in the brain that help improve mood and ease daily stress.

Exercise can also help calm anxiety, support emotional balance, and improve sleep. Sleep is very important because it allows the body to rest, heal, and repair. When we care for our emotional health, we are also caring for our physical and spiritual well-being.

Releasing negative emotions does not mean pretending we are never hurt or upset. It means being honest about what we feel, bringing those emotions before God, and choosing healthy ways to process them instead of allowing them to control us.

Three problems with the Law of Attraction teachings

 

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Be very careful with teachings surrounding the “Law of Attraction.” These ideas have become extremely popular in recent years, but many of them are spiritually dangerous. I once believed that these teachings were compatible with biblical faith, but I later realized that they are not.

Many Law of Attraction teachings borrow language that sounds similar to faith while using it as a tool to obtain personal desires rather than to surrender to God’s will. Instead of teaching people to seek what God desires for their lives, they often encourage people to focus entirely on creating the life they want for themselves.

In this article, I will discuss three major problems I have observed concerning the Law of Attraction.

First, these teachings often replace God with “the universe.” As believers, we know that God is the source of all things. He is our Creator and the only Creator. The universe does not possess power that is independent of God, nor can it grant wishes like a genie in a bottle.

We must also remember that supernatural manifestations are not automatically proof that something comes from God. When Moses performed miracles through the power of God, Pharaoh’s magicians were able to imitate some of those signs through occult practices.

“So the magicians of Egypt did the same with their secret arts.”
— Exodus 7:22

This teaches us that we must test spiritual experiences rather than assuming that every manifestation, answered desire, or supernatural occurrence is from God.

Second, the Law of Attraction teaches people to use spiritual principles as a means of fulfilling every personal wish and desire. This is contrary to the Word of God. Our desires are not automatically right simply because we feel them strongly. They must be submitted to God and aligned with His will.

Biblical faith is not about manipulating spiritual laws to receive whatever we want. It is about trusting God, seeking His wisdom, and allowing Him to shape our desires according to His purpose. The Law of Attraction often removes God’s will from the equation and places human desire at the center.

Third, the Law of Attraction teaches dependence on self rather than dependence on God. It places great emphasis on personal thoughts, personal energy, personal declarations, and the individual’s ability to create a desired reality.

This is contrary to Scripture, which teaches us:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.”
— Proverbs 3:5

Biblical faith requires trust, humility, obedience, and surrender. It does not teach us that we are the ultimate source of our blessings or that our thoughts alone control the future. Our confidence must remain in God, not in ourselves, the universe, or a spiritual formula.

Overcoming Worry

"Which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? If you cannot do even that little thing, why do you worry about other matters?"  Matthew 6:27

       Jesus implores us in "Matthew 6:27" to not worry.  He goes on further by saying that we can not even add one single hour to our life by worrying, so why do it.  Not only can you not add an hour to your life by worrying, you can reduce your lifespan by entertaining chronic worry.  Chronically worrying will lead to stress, which may lead to heart attacks and strokes.  

     One of the interesting definitions of "worry" that I found was a verb that means "to tear at, gnaw on, or drag around with the teeth" in reference to how wild animals will attack their prey.  That is exactly what worry does to us, it tears at our hearts, gnaws on our emotions, and drag our thoughts around with the teeth.  We have to give worry no place in our life.  

 Overcoming Worry 

     One of the ways to overcome worry is to not dwell on difficulty or troubles.  I used to allow stress to torment me.  One of the things I had to stop doing was recalling negative events of the day over and over and over again in my mind.  Instead of recalling the negative events of the day, I learned to dwell on the positive.  Do not allow the negative to overshadow all the positive that is going on in your life.  Let the positive overshadow the negative.  

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:8)

Overcoming Guilt

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus." — Romans 8:1 KJV

1. Healthy Guilt

Guilt is a feeling many of us experience from time to time. It’s a natural response to sin, and even a healthy one, when it leads us to reflect, repent, and grow. When we’ve done something wrong, it's appropriate to feel remorse and conviction. These feelings can help guide us toward making things right and aligning our behavior with God’s Word.

2. Unhealthy Guilt

But what about the guilt that lingers after we’ve already repented? Have you ever been haunted by shame even after asking God for forgiveness? Maybe you had an abortion years ago and still feel a pang of guilt whenever you see a baby. Or perhaps you stood up for yourself in a difficult situation and now feel guilty for not compromising. 

Unresolved guilt can make us question our choices, even the ones led by God. It can cause us to feel unworthy of love, grace, and peace. Worse still, some people use guilt as a tool to control or manipulate others, dragging us into toxic relationships and burdensome obligations. This kind of guilt is not from God; it is a tactic of the enemy to keep you trapped in shame and self-doubt.

3. The Truth of Forgiveness

Here is the truth: When God forgives you, it is final. You do not have to beg for forgiveness repeatedly. You do not have to walk around with your head down or feel like you are beneath others. Jesus paid it all, and that includes your guilt.

If you have confessed and turned away from your sin, you are free. God's forgiveness is not temporary. It is not based on your feelings. It is based on His unchanging grace.

4. A Call to Action: Release Guilt, Speak Truth

Today, make a decision to let go of the guilt that is weighing you down. Speak life over yourself. Say it out loud:

I am forgiven. I am loved. I am worthy. I am free.

Train your mind to meditate on truth. God wants you to think on things that are edifying and pure, not condemning and shame filled.

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." — Philippians 4:8 KJV

Let today be the day you stop rehearsing your past and start walking in the freedom Christ already secured for you.

Rejecting The Seed of Doubt

I was recently at a training and I was excited about the new things we were learning.  A lady beside me struck up a conversation with me and her "small talk" begin casting a seed of doubt.  I didn't even respond to what she was saying, I just smiled and said I had to go since it was the end of the day.  She had an irritated expression and started talking to another woman. 

I learned a powerful lesson that day "shut negativity down quickly".  

1.  Do not engage in negative discussions:  When a negative discussion come up, either bring out a positive spin if you can, or excuse yourself from the conversation.  Do not worry about appearing rude.

2.  If the negative statement is directed toward you personally, kick it out of your mind quickly.  Do not entertain the negative thought because it will only create more negative thoughts.  

3. Do not repeat it.  Do not repeat the negative words or ask others for their opinion.  I was tempted to discuss what the lady had said, but I knew it would open the door to confusion and frustration.    Reject the negativity from the start and do not give it any of your time and attention.  

How to get rid of negative thoughts

“As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” — Proverbs 23:7

As believers, we must be especially careful concerning our thought life. Our thoughts influence our actions, and our actions can shape our behavior, habits, and direction in life. In many ways, the person we become is connected to the thoughts we continue to believe about ourselves deep within our hearts and minds.

This can be a wonderful thing when our thoughts are rooted in truth, faith, and the Word of God. However, if we constantly meditate on negative thoughts, those thoughts can begin to affect how we see ourselves, how we respond to others, and how we move through life.

When the main thoughts we believe about ourselves are negative, our outlook can become negative as well. We may begin to expect failure, rehearse fear, speak harshly to ourselves, or make decisions from insecurity instead of faith. Toxic thoughts can influence our behavior and cause us to respond to life from a place of discouragement, fear, bitterness, or defeat.

One way to overcome negative thinking is to train ourselves daily to meditate on what is true and life-giving. Philippians 4:8 tells us to think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report. This means we must be intentional about what we allow to stay in our minds.

Purpose to think thoughts that agree with God’s Word. Speak truth over yourself. Write encouraging scriptures, prayers, or affirmations in a journal if needed. Over time, as we renew our minds with God’s truth, our thoughts can become healthier, our hearts can become stronger, and our lives can begin to reflect the peace and wisdom of God.