Tag: joy

Power of Gratitude

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Have you ever felt the uplifting force of gratitude? Sincere appreciation for little, everyday experiences positively transform your mood and demeanor.  It dismantles toxic emotions.  It overpowers feelings of doubt and despair.  Gratitude can shift the energy to enhance your life.

Let the peace of Christ
[the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him]
be the controlling factor in your hearts
[deciding and settling questions that arise].
To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers].
And be thankful [to God always]. 
– Colossians 3:15 (Amplified Bible Version)

According to MindValley Academy, “Every study done on the subject of gratitude research has indisputable evidence that gratitude benefits our bodies, minds and souls.”  You may have experienced a feeling of joy or peace while reflecting on the simple things for which you are grateful.  Regardless of your circumstance, gratitude ushers in a positive power to change your life. 

Of the many benefits, I would like to share a few that are personal to me.  

Gratitude…

gives you mental strength to overcome obstacles

guards against depression

squashes fear and anxiety

improves sleep and overall well-being

enhances your recovery time after physical and emotional trauma

guides your focus on a positive future and ushers in hope

completely changes your perspective on a situation

connects you to your Heavenly Father more intimately

reminds you of how much you are loved

is the prelude to peace and joy

Today is the perfect day to practice gratitude and experience its transformative power in your life!

You Are Not Alone

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You Are Not Alone

What do you do when you feel broken and hopeless?

Any situation that has caused (or is causing) you deep misery and anguish can be difficult to overcome alone.  You may respond like I once did… holding your head in your hands while crying excessively.  Or maybe you ball your hands in a tight fist ranting cuss words and lashing out venom on innocent bystanders.  Maybe you seclude yourself and gradually descend into self-pity.  Whatever the response, they are all ineffective in gaining true victory over your situation.

If you are tired of hurting, I have good news to share.  God loves you and is ready to bring you into a place of peace, restoration and joy!  God can and will bring you out of anything you encounter – your darkest valley, your unspeakable shame, your unbearable grief, your misfortunes, your depression, your failures, your fears and your seemingly incurable pain.

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God:
I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee;
yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. – Isaiah 41:10

All you have to do is seek Him.   

Now is the best time to go towards God.  It does not matter if you have never had a relationship with God before or you cannot remember the last time you spoke to Him.  Today is your day.  Seek Him through prayer, praise and meditation of His Word.  He desires for you to know Him more intimately.  God is ready to show you His power and His response to your situation!

If you want to learn more on how God delivers you from any situation go to Week 45: Free from Bondage in the Power Over All book.

Power of Love

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Have you ever thought that love makes you weak or vulnerable?  Maybe you have regarded love as an erratic emotion instead of a spiritual force.   For too long, my life consisted of exchanging “conditional” love.  I had a fear and mistrust of love so the conditions were my way of preserving my heart.   However, this type of love put me and others into bondage – always working to qualify for it.  I realized that loving this way was unstable and selfish.   This “conditional” love was hardening my heart with unforgiveness and negatively impacting my quality of life.  As a result, I was not able to give love freely or access its power.

God’s love is often unappreciated, misunderstood and underestimated.  God wants us to love Him, each other and ourselves with a pure love.  When we love the way God loves us, we experience the greatest power in the universe.   This pure love creates, protects and overcomes any circumstance.  Even when we are told to love our enemies and those that despitefully use us, God’s love does not require us to be subject to any abuse or wickedness.  We can love our adversaries through prayer and He will take care of the rest.

The Lord preserveth all them that love him:
but all the wicked will he destroy. – Psalm 145:20

It is very important to know and experience God’s everlasting love for ourselves.  Our relationships, marriages and self-esteem will abound in the joy, peace and power that God’s love provides.  I am still learning to love like God and often renew my mind to the biblical definition of love…

Love is patient and kind.

Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude.

It does not demand its own way.

It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.

It does not rejoice about injustice, but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.

Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful,
and endures through every circumstance.

– 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (New Living Translation)

 I encourage you to draw closer to Him and experience the power of love.  To read more about God’s love, go to Week 3: Love in the Power Over All book.