"To reach up for the new, you must let go of the old. What is behind you is not nearly as important as what lies in front of you. Everything you've been through was preparation for where you are right now. Disappointments, challenges, and failures were not meant to destroy you. They were meant to strengthen you, to build your character, to give you the fortitude to accomplish your God-given destiny" - Joel Osteen - From His Book "It's Your Time"
The above statement by Pastor Joel is so true and needed to be realized and taken root in everyone's heart. I also like the phrase "You may not be able to help what circumstances come your way, but you can help how you respond to them." Too many people become bitter and angry at or go as far as to bad mouth their circumstances or the people that have wronged them. (we are all guilty of that sadly). We too quickly jump to the wrong conclusion about our circumstances and begin thinking the worst...taking it to a level of self pity and even depression. It's easy for us to automatically take on a negative thinking attitude when trials come our way. If only we could truly see things from God's perspective. You see, God sees the big picture while our view is extremely limited. I realize it isn't the easiest thing to look to all things with a positive attitude, but if we can take it one day at a time and look to God for our strength, we can renew our mind and transform our thinking. We can take on the day with a "I'm not going to let anything ruin me or my day" attitude and leave everything in God's hands. We need to trust God and know there is a reason for all we go through and it is to be used for our good! Not to destroy us!
Consider and meditate on the following scripture ...
James 1:2-4 AMP
2. Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.
3. Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.
4. But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.
The Lord does know what He is doing :) ♥ God bless you all!
Whatever you may be feeling or going through...DON'T give up on God...because He never gives up on you! Wait on the Lord because His timing is perfect. His ways our perfect. Set your sight on God and watch Him come through for you in ways you could never imagine. But be patient and in faith! TRUST God that He knows what He is doing, that He knows what's best for you. Praise God for taking care of us and loving us so! Submit fully and whole heartedly to God's will (His plan for your life) and enjoy your showering of blessings! Thank you Jesus!
"And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint." - Galatians 6:9 [AMP]
"No matter what you do you can't pay yourself back for what someone else did to you, only God can pay you back. So I'm asking you to let Him do that!" - Joyce Meyer
A few weeks ago I was watching Joyce Meyer's program and this statement stuck out at me on the importance of forgiveness. I know far too many of us hold on to unforgiveness and miss out on so much of God's greatness. It is my prayer that those of you who haven't forgiven someone even if that someone is yourself, that you let go and let God! Sadly, so many of us are holding onto unforgiveness without even realizing it. Please take a long hard look at yourself and ask yourself if you have any ill feelings or resentment toward someone. Jesus set the ultimate example when He forgave us of our sins.
"Have any of us really done anything as bad as what we have done to God? If He can forgive, so can we!" - Joyce Meyer
God Bless!
And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another [readily and freely], as God in Christ forgave you. - Ephesians 4:32 [AMP]
