Change

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

 

3 things about change:

1. Change brings stress

2. We seem to focus on what was lost and not gained

3. Blame stress on whoever is "in charge" of the change

 

When we are put in situations that require us to step out of our comfort zone we are stressed due to change in our situation. Focus on what you can gain from the situation not loose. The unknown can overwhelm you, but God is omniscient, which means he knows all things, including the future. He can prepare you for the future in ways you can't prepare yourself, God is the guide who is never surprised.

Grow

"For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father" Colossians 1:9-12

 

Paul, the author of Colossians, was writing the church to give them inspiration to help them grow in their faith. God made you into the person you are today, but doesn't want you to stop there. He continues to work on us through struggles, celebrations, and our friends and family.

 

Remember: He loves you so much just the way you are... BUT he refuses to leave you that way, He wants you to continue to grow!

The mayo jar

          A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes". The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, " I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life:

• The golf balls are the important things in life. Your family, your children, your health, your beliefs, your friends, and your favorite passions - things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.
• The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car.
• The sand is everything else, the small stuff.

"If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.  Take care of the golf balls first; the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."

        One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."

Beautiful

He makes everything beautiful in it's own time- Ecc 3:11

God always has a purpose! He promises to bring you through them to fulfill His purpose He has placed on your life. Just remember just because WE don't understand His timing, doesn't mean that He does not have your best interest in mind. 

Smudge

When you only follow directions "sorta" if begins a wave of consequences.
Like baking a cake, if you smudge a little on one ingredient and a little on
another, and so on, in the end you will have smudged a lot and the so called
cake will not be edible. God has given us instructions to live by, just as
there are directions for baking a cake, don't "smudge" your life. Follow
God's directions and he will lead you to happiness.

Rooted

Therefore as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving- Col 2:6

Are your roots deep enough in Jesus that when the world starts digging you can withstand and stand strong?  God did not promise a calm passage, just a safe landing... Be rooted in thanks to God.

Look...

Let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. Hebrews 12:1-2

 

Look inside, and you may have self pity,

Look down, and you might want to give up,

Look around, and you might grow discouraged

Look up, and you will see the reason to be strong!