Don't Give In

It's so tempting...

...to give into the lies when you're hurting, angry, afraid, depressed, or all of these at once.

Don't do it!! I understand, the heartache, feeling like...you're lost. Feeling useless.

These are lies, and you know it! If you have a hard time recognizing the lies, you need to spend more time with The Lord. Dig into the Bible, you will find that the King of kings says you are precious to Him, and He loves you oh so much, more than any mortal man can ever comprehend!

Here is truth: you are beautiful and kind, you are strong. You are important, you are loved. You will get through this. 

After you've spent some time with Him, go do things that you enjoy! Hang out with friends and family! Laugh again, laughter is the best medicine!

Alright, now that you've got a few ideas to get you out of your slump, here are a few verses to lift you up before I go:

"Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious."

~ 1 Peter 2:4

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid!"

~ John 14:27

"Let not your hands be weak. The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."

~ Zephaniah 3:17

Go in peace and love, knowing you are important, and you make an impact on the people around you! 

XOXOXO,

Random fact #15- In 1567, the man said to have the longest beard in the world, died after he tripped over his beard, running away from a fire!

Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment box below! :)

Pressure. Pressure. Pressure.

Life is full of pressure and stress. That's just life, and you can't get around it.

But why do people feel the need to put unnecessary pressure on you about the stupidest things!!!

I mean...they pressure you about this event, that event, going to the latest movie, going out to eat constantly, having to ALWAYS be available through text or calling, or continually asking why you can't do this or that.

Sometimes, you need to stay home and relax.

Ever heard of such a thing? Believe it or not, it used to be a normal part of life.

Let's get back to that. 

Next time you ask a friend or family member to do something, if they say they can't, say "ok, next time!" No pressure. No guilt. Believe me, if you do this, the friends you have now, will stay your friends! 

Ok, end of rant! 

XOXOXO,

Random fact #14- Winston Churchill was born in a ladies' room during a dance!

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Count it All Joy

We are either waiting for the Lord to bless us in some way, or we are waiting for the other shoe to drop.

He gives, and takes away (Deut. 32:39, Job 1:21). Learn to Enjoy the blessings (James 1:17), and praise God through every trial (1 Peter 1:6-7).

"For I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:11-13

Are you going through trials right now? Take heart; "Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." Matthew 10:29-31

Read also Matthew 6:25-34 for further encouragement! God provides for our every need!

Are you feeling blessed at this time of your life? Don't wait for the other shoe to drop. Do you think God is some kind of bully that when He sees you enjoying life, He wants to ruin it? He's not! He enjoys giving good gifts to His children (Matthew 7:11)! Make sure you give God the credit.

Blessings and trials are not always what you expect them to be. 

Do not look at your neighbor and think "oh he/she has it so much better than I do!" They may be prospering financially, but is their family walking with the Lord? Maybe they have lost a loved one, or have dealt with sickness and disease.

So many look at finances and think God is not blessing them, that He doesn't love them dearly. That is not so! Look at your life, look for the blessings! Do you have a family that loves you? Do you have friends that build you up? Does your church feel like home? If so, consider yourself rich indeed!

Can financial success be a blessing from the Lord? Yes. Is it the only or the best blessing from Him? No. In fact, it is the least.

It is so easy in the midst of hardship to forget the countless blessings God has already given us. I've started a "blessings jar" to remind myself. I keep a notepad beside it, and every time God blesses me I write it down (the date as well!) and place it in the jar. I encourage you to give it a try!

Be content in trials and blessings, but look extra hard for those blessings!!!

XOXOXO,

Random fact #12- Dr. Seuss coined (created) the word nerd in his 1950 book "If I Ran the Zoo." 

Comment below, or Tweet me @elisewiddis