..of my heart!
I'm sorry I've been away from this space for so long. I feel awful about not being able to post here everyday. I've received some great passages that I will share tomorrow. It is unbelievable how the Lord's word is always what I need to get through a complex situation. I make it a point to read the Bible every day. I say a little personal prayer before I get started. I open randomly and often right before my eyes is the very thing I needed to know.
I've had a a couple of difficult days last week. But today was a trial of sorts. I encoutered a situation that usually causes me intense fear and panic. But today I breezed through, not just like that, but with a big smile in my face, and happiness in my heart!!!!!!!!! For a while now I have been doing something many of you do, and something I often forget in a difficult moment- ask the Lord to walk with you. He is only too happy to oblige!!!!! I have also been visiting the Blessed Sacrament Chapel at our church as often as I can. I do this not with the sole purpose of asking, but to thank God for all the opportunities that are coming to us, for the thousands of blessings we receive from Him each day! The last part of my prayer includes placing all my decisions/ choices/ concerns in His most Sacred Heart. Needless to say, Im filled with much peace and able to carry on doing my work without 'worrying' about anything.
We will soon be travelling abroad to a country we are keen to settle down in. We are making this choice for two reasons- most importantly to create a better quality of life for us and our kids (when we have them) and secondly, to seek work opportunities that allow us to explore and use the talents He has given us without resorting to making choices based solely on monetary considerations.
Speaking of which, with His blessing I now have two new work projects on hand!!!! As I went through my client meetings yesterday I asked the Holy Spirit to bless me with His presence and to help me get through the task with enthusiasm and focus. I came away excited at how much my attitude and feelings towards work have changed for the better! God is good all the time!!!!!
Please dont be under the impression that once you start praying or making a comeback to the Lord that life will be all rosy. No. That's not how it works. What works is when you sincerely tell God- I cant do this by myself, but You O mighty God, You will make all things new, You will make a way for me!!!!!! When I trust God implicitly without worrying about controlling everything, I find Im able to make smarter, appropriate decisions.
Look to Him for everything, He will be there for you!
29.2.08
Trust and Commitment
I found this great verse in my inbox this morning...
Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Psalm 37:5-6
It has been the best of my experience that when I ask our awesome Lord to guide my footsteps, my choices, my life, I am ALWAYS led to a path that is good for me. A path that not only is good for my life but importantly- it brings out the best in me. And when He lives in me, I certainly want the best to be manifest in me!
We all have a fair idea of who we are (when we're not beating ourselves up unnecessarily) and where we want to be, what our lives should be like. Some years back I found myself in a situation where I didnt have the financial means to get out. I felt frustrated, I felt broken. But somewhere in all that turmoil, I knew that something great was waiting for me on the other side. That there was another side! That is faith. It took many years of hoping and praying and working to move out and beyond this situation.
Trust in Him. Dont each of us have someone in our lives we trust no end- sometimes this person may not have our best interests at heart. Have you ever had the experience of trusting someone so much that you ended up betrayed and hurt? Why? "...greater is He that is in me, than He that is in the world" 1 John 4:4. We're willing to walk in someone else's way rather than to turn to the Lord who lives in us- the LIVING God. We're willing to pick up the phone and call someone else before we can even think of calling on God. Why? Is it 'cos we want to 'hear' someone else's voice telling us what to do? Don't we believe that He hears us? Dont we believe that He will help us? Try this for a week- everytime you're faced with a choice/ difficult situation/ person- for a few seconds close your eyes, turn your attention to the Lord, ask Him to take care of the situation- you will find your way ahead. And dont just keep asking for favours- PRAISE AND THANK THE LORD WHO LOVES YOU!!!
Our God is an awesome God. Wherever you may be today, at this moment, believe that God loves you, and he knows what you're going through. If you're stuck it's not b'cos He likes watching you suffer- He simply cant move you if you dont want to be moved -by HIM!!!!
Trust in Him. Commit to Him. And watch your life transforming. Just reach out and have a great weekend ahead!
27.2.08
Much needed!
We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.1 John 4:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
For as long as I can remember, whenever I need guidance, comfort, direction, focus, a situation or decision Im facing, my mum always tells me to pray to the Holy Spirit. There are special prayers to the Holy Spirit, but I always find it easier to 'speak' to the Holy Spirit.
These last few months have been quite something. Decisions had to be made, change was on the horizon, new plans, new focus, uncertainty all around- and I did little to pay heed to my mother's advice. Sure I was praying but I wasnt 'letting go, and I sure wasnt letting God.
Ever since we attended the Lenten Missions a couple of weeks ago, my attention has been drawn to the Holy Spirit and His working in my life, in our lives. Since, every morning as I wake up I find myself humming a hymn to the Holy Spirit. If Im not humming, I find myself automatically addressing the Holy Spirit to guide me through my day, to guide my thoughts and to help me with all the choices I have to make every day. I ask the Lord Jesus to be with me and to bless all the activities that will fill my day. Needless to say, I have been experincing tremendous peace to the point of being manic! I am feeling positive, I am feeling light- like a huge weight has lifted off me, and most importantly everything I set out to do, is working well.
Everyday I remember that "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:19-21"
I received the two passages in my inbox in the last couple of days & I knew it was no coincidence. I know that the Holy Spirit is working to bring me up to what God has planned for me. And I know that I am in good hands- GOD'S HANDS!!!!
Try surrendering your life to the Holy Spirit and He will bring you all the graces you need!
21.2.08
Keeping Busy
One of my biggest struggles with anxiety/ fear/ distress, especially the irrational kinds- you know where you keep worrying endlessly about everything, even though it might not be a 'real' problem- is that I dont have enough on my hands. Time is a very precious commodity. Many of us live with the delusion that we will live a long life/ nothing unfortunate will befall us etc etc. I too have wasted endless weeks/ months/ years being happily delusional.
A few months back I was involved with a minor incident. It could have been quickly forgotten but it wasnt. It spiralled into months of having panic attacks and other unpleasant physiological symptoms. Sure I was praying. I was praying with all my might. But I forgot that I have just one life to live. Every passing day is just another memory. It wont come back. I dont get to re-live it. And I was wasting every day worrying, living in fear. The other persons also in this incident had moved on, continued to live their lives, and there was I suffering in silence from slef-defeat.
Not anymore, though. Over the last few weeks, I have taken my blogging more seriously. I am a freelance writer by profession. At the moment I do not have many projects to occupy me and so I have poured myself into this extremely satisfying (for me that is) outlet. I can keep at my writing. I can explore my writing style, trying new words and ideas. But most importantly, I have discovered many other blogs from women my age, living and doing what I'm planning on doing. And it's been so encouraging to me!!!! Im sure this is the Lord's way of guiding me and saying to me that I dont have to 'wait' for something to happen to me. I can always learn from those around me, even if they are strangers. Do you know what's the best thing that I've experienced? I've regained all my energy & drive to push for my dreams. They may seem lofty, but they are not impossible! Nothing is impossible with our God. Dreaming and praying have so much energy! But what has even more energy is action! Action. Acting on those dreams and prayers, taking the risks. Life may be full of disappointments, but again I say, nothing is impossible!!! This is my testimony, from one who longed to die, to now one who cant help but be grateful for being alive!
If you're having trouble with your mental health/ emotional well-being, I urge you to seek help. There is nothing wrong in getting help. Find a doctor/ psychiatrist/ pastor/ counsellor/ friend/ parent/ anyone. Last week at the Lentent Missions, the priest made a very significant point- God has created us in His image and likeness. So when we are like Him, can we not try for Him who died for us? This Lent, I urge you to try. Try something. Anything. Give it whatever energy you can. Do it for you, not b'cos you need someone else's approval. And I can assure you, He will meet you all the way!!!!
A few months back I was involved with a minor incident. It could have been quickly forgotten but it wasnt. It spiralled into months of having panic attacks and other unpleasant physiological symptoms. Sure I was praying. I was praying with all my might. But I forgot that I have just one life to live. Every passing day is just another memory. It wont come back. I dont get to re-live it. And I was wasting every day worrying, living in fear. The other persons also in this incident had moved on, continued to live their lives, and there was I suffering in silence from slef-defeat.
Not anymore, though. Over the last few weeks, I have taken my blogging more seriously. I am a freelance writer by profession. At the moment I do not have many projects to occupy me and so I have poured myself into this extremely satisfying (for me that is) outlet. I can keep at my writing. I can explore my writing style, trying new words and ideas. But most importantly, I have discovered many other blogs from women my age, living and doing what I'm planning on doing. And it's been so encouraging to me!!!! Im sure this is the Lord's way of guiding me and saying to me that I dont have to 'wait' for something to happen to me. I can always learn from those around me, even if they are strangers. Do you know what's the best thing that I've experienced? I've regained all my energy & drive to push for my dreams. They may seem lofty, but they are not impossible! Nothing is impossible with our God. Dreaming and praying have so much energy! But what has even more energy is action! Action. Acting on those dreams and prayers, taking the risks. Life may be full of disappointments, but again I say, nothing is impossible!!! This is my testimony, from one who longed to die, to now one who cant help but be grateful for being alive!
If you're having trouble with your mental health/ emotional well-being, I urge you to seek help. There is nothing wrong in getting help. Find a doctor/ psychiatrist/ pastor/ counsellor/ friend/ parent/ anyone. Last week at the Lentent Missions, the priest made a very significant point- God has created us in His image and likeness. So when we are like Him, can we not try for Him who died for us? This Lent, I urge you to try. Try something. Anything. Give it whatever energy you can. Do it for you, not b'cos you need someone else's approval. And I can assure you, He will meet you all the way!!!!
20.2.08
Quick tidbit
Was just reading through some other great blogs and discovered this great quote below at Small Business Diva! Right on, right on!!!!!!!!!! Have posted it on my other blog too!
“When you’re happy for no reason, you’re unconditionally happy. It’s not that your life always looks perfect - it’s just that however it looks, you’ll still be happy.”
Marci Shimoff, Author of Happy for No Reason: 7 Steps to Being Happy from the Inside Out
18.2.08
I don't know where I first came across this....but i remember scribbling it down.I like it cos it's practical....hope it helps....
Teach Me Lord
To think of the happiness of others
To hide my little pains and heartaches
To profit by the suffering that comes across my path
That it may mellow me - not harden, nor embitter me;
And make me - not mean, nor haughty, nor irritable nor overbearing, but patient and broad
In my forgiveness.
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