After a while you learn The subtle difference Between holding a hand And chaining a soul And you begin to learn That kisses aren’t contracts And presents aren’t promises And you begin to accept your defeats With your head up And your eyes open With the grace of a woman Not the grief of a child And you learn to build All your roads on today Because tomorrow’s ground Is too uncertain And futures have a way Of falling down in mid- flight After a while you learn That even sunshine burns If you get too much So you plant your own garden And decorate your own soul Instead of waiting For someone to bring you flowers And you learn That you really can endure That you really are strong That you really do have worth And you learn and learn With every goodbye you learn.
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No life isn't perfect, as a matter of fact we all make poor decisions. If you think your decisions and actions don't impact the lives of others around you then you are fooling yourself and allowing yourself to remain blind. We all have hurts and have experienced moments when our peace is attempted to be shaken and at times the attempt was successful. We all value our privacy but forget to respect another's privacy. What happens too frequently is most make judgements based on what little they think is known by things heard, seen or according to the degree of sin we see in another. Fact of life is there is probably a thing or two we all wouldn't like others to know about our life. If you don't want to be placed under a microscope don't place others under one. Love one another and accept that we all have weakness, we stumble and at times fall. If you can't help, encourage or be happy for someone then at the least don't contribute to their undoing.
Mark 4:37-40 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? Just like the disciples we can be moving forward in our journey through life serving Christ and feeling everything is going well but without warning the storm suddenly appears. Everyone experiences a storm sometime within their lifetime and for each person it’s different. Our storm may be a health problem, financial difficulty, personal loss, death of a family member or turmoil within a relationship. We may have experienced a difficult trial or test and in the pain we didn’t look at the purpose God had for it in our life instead we attempt to avoid experiencing pain again. We may be looking around at others for too long and we cannot see their storm so we may feel we aren’t as valued or good as them and falsely believe we can’t be of service to God. We may temporarily feel defeated and believe lies the devil tells us or we allow our own thoughts to become exaggerated in focusing on the worst. In these times we begin to become unsettled and begin to fear much like the disciples on the ship during the storm. When this occurs we can respond in two ways: 1. Choose Fear: Become afraid and give in to the feeling of fear or anxiety that someone or something is dangerous and is likely to cause us pain; then we’ll begin to worry that something undesirable will occur. 2. Choose Faith: Have faith in God and put our complete trust in Him and maintain our hope with complete confidence in God’s plans for us. How do we combat this fear and choose faith? 1. Seek God - Psalm 34:4 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. 2. Rest assured God is listening - Jeremiah 29:11-13 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. 3. Stop and listen for God - Proverbs 1:33 But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil. 4. Believe in God’s word (God is faithful) a. When He is calling you - 1Thessalonians 5:24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. b. When you face difficulties - 2Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. 5. Ask for God’s help and practice self-control with your thoughts - 2Corinthians10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; - Philippians 4:8 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. 6. Evaluate where it’s coming from and reject untruths - 2Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 7. God sees our value, look at yourself through His eyes - Matthew 10:31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. 8. Remember you are God’s child - Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 9. Know God is with you and He is helping you - Hebrews 13:5-6 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. 10. God will protect you from destruction - 2Samuel 22:31 As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him. 11. Through God you can overcome - 1John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 12. Be still and trust God - Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. - Isaiah 26:3-4 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength: 13. Rely on God’s strength - Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. 14. Let it go and follow God commands - Joshua 1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. 15. In all times praise God - Psalm 56:3-4 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me. “God is always good. God is always present. God is always faithful. God is always greater than whatever we face. Therefore, we can always rejoice in Him.” –Paul Chappell It’s our decision we accept fear or faith. Which do you choose? FEAR: False Evidence/Emotions Appearing Real OR FAITH: Full Assurance In Trusting Him One of Satan’s tricks to promote disunity is to provoke feelings of envy or jealousy either separately or at the same time. His goal is to keep souls from heaven and you aren’t off the hook if you are already saved. He will do his best to tear down your testimony and weaken you spiritually so you cannot reach others for Christ. Envy and jealousy are two different things although both result in building resentment toward others leading to destruction and separation in all types of relationships. Envy is a feeling of grudging admiration and desire to have something that is possessed by another, either their possessions or qualities, resulting in spite and resentment at seeing the success of another which causes feelings of discontent. Jealousy is an emotion typically referring to the negative thoughts and feelings of insecurity, fear, and anxiety over an anticipated loss of something that the person values, particularly in reference to a human connection. Jealousy often consists of a combination of presenting emotions such as anger, resentment, inadequacy, helplessness and disgust. Psychologists claim the jealous person "perceives that he or she possesses a valued relationship, but is in danger of losing it or at least of having it altered in an undesirable manner," whereas the envious person "does not possess a valued commodity, but wishes to possess it."
The experience of jealousy for many people may involve: · Fear of loss · Suspicion of or anger about a perceived betrayal · Low self-esteem and sadness over perceived loss · Uncertainty and loneliness · Fear of losing an important person to another · Distrust The experience of envy may involve: · Feelings of inferiority · Longing · Resentment of circumstances · Ill will towards envied person often accompanied by guilt about these feelings · Motivation to improve · Desire to possess the attractive rival's qualities · Disapproval of feelings We have to combat these feelings by changing the way we think about things. “Philippians 4:8 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.” We can’t accept every thought that may come along because our thoughts are often incorrect when our thought life is not in submission to God. Feelings may be triggered from past experiences, our flesh gets in the way and we may be allowing the devil to whisper untruths into our ears. “James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Our peace will grow when we learn to be content with what we have and with the circumstances of our life. “Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” The Apostle Paul could have given into envy or jealousy but instead he tells us, “Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” We are taught to give and one of the benefits we have is receiving.“Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” We have to focus on ourselves and be happy with what we have and not judge the worthiness of another’s blessings or begrudge another of what they have received. The other person may be giving in secret just as we give in secret and it’s not up to us to determine how they deserve to receive; we are to trust God’s judgment. “2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” So the next time one of those feelings sneak up on us we need to stop, step back and determine if we are viewing it correctly. Bring it to God in prayer and trust Him because His plan is far greater than we could ever imagine. “Romans 8:27-28 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Where I have been has brought me to where I am today, good and bad. Though I’ve made some bad choices along the way and surely life would have been easier if I hadn’t made those choices, I’m not who I once was. I can’t even begin to count how many times I have gotten upset when someone brings up something I’ve done wrong in the past. The irritation of knowing that there are times I’m not given a chance because of something I’ve done before. The anger and hurt that sets in because I feel not good enough, condemned and rejected. If I’m not careful the flesh takes over and I start to go over all their imperfections and mistakes in my mind and think “who do they think they are fooling themselves thinking they are without fault”. It’s then that I have to remind myself that I’m doing the exact same thing the other person was doing. I also have to wonder how many times I’ve not given someone a chance because I’ve held their past wrongs against them and I have to remind myself that maybe they aren’t the person they once were either. I have to remember that people can change as I myself changed. How do people change? Don’t we often hear the saying “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks”? In reality people can change. The Bible teaches us that once you become saved you are a new man because you are born again of the spirit, “2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” As long as we are in Christ we are a new man and old things are passed away. Sometimes when we can slip away and become distant from God we can find ourselves going back to the way we were before because we are no longer in Christ. The remedy of that problem is easy, go back to God and be renewed. “Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” We can decide daily to resist going back to the way we were and determine to not make the same mistakes. What we do today and this day forward is what rebuilds our past. We are not without flaws and neither were the people in the Bible. Many of those named in the Bible committed some devastating sins yet they went on to be used in great ways by God. We shouldn’t get discouraged by our past, instead we need to determine to keep moving forward through the power God provides us. “2 Corinthians 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.” Are you a new man and is your inward man renewed day by day or are you stuck in your past? I’m not who I once was.
I was a shell of a person I was struggling to cope
But as I grew closer Lord, you showed me there’s hope I tried so long to do it on my own, I struggled to be strong The fumbling and stumbling was allowed to show me I was doing it all wrong All I had to do was turn it all over to you and let it all go Now I have more peace than I ever thought I’d know Drawing closer to you brought me such joy I will remain alert and not fall for Satan’s ploy Satan promises so many things that will never be true It robs us of all hope and joy in all that we do But Jesus you are a faithful, loving and kind friend You will forever be with us with a love that does not end Help me to help others so through you I can show them the way That through your salvation and closeness to you we are conquerors every day 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
We must be vigilant because Satan is trying to destroy us. In order for us to be able to recognize his plans we must remain alert. In Satan’s Plan he will use at least one or all of the 5 D’s of Deceit
1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. Don’t let the devil fool you, we can obtain victory through Christ! How do we obtain victory over our setbacks?
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
2 Corinthians 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
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Authentic Helena
I'm a wife of 20 years to a husband that consistently chooses to love me despite my flaws and a mother of 3 wonderful, loving and giving children. I have 6 babies waiting for me up in Heaven. I'm imperfect, often broken and learning; you will see many aspects of what makes me the person I am throughout this blog. You will find no condemnation from me. I have my fair share of problems and battles, I win some and lose some but by God's grace I'm continuing in the good fight. I'm attempting to live life authentically and I enjoy the many blessings God has given both in happiness and pain. I don't have any formal education in Biblical Studies and I don't claim to be an expert. I'm just sharing experiences and lessons I am learning or trying to learn as I go through life. Archives
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