Mistakes, do you know anyone who hasn't made mistakes? I don't. Some people seem like they naturally have a sixth sense about decision making and things seem to work out just fine for them. But on the other hand some people have a tendency to end up making wrong choices and suffer many consequences because of them. As I think back about some of the worst decisions I made that blew-up in my face I recall having a gut feeling at that particular time that told me "Don't Do It!" My selfish side overrode and I did it anyway. Now, as I look back if I had used that gut feeling and resisted my selfish impulses I would have come through life so much smoother. As a christian that gut feeling is the Holy Spirit helping my direction and if I had only been smart enough to heed the warning I could have eliminated so many wrong choices.
It's time to change the poor decisions that many of us women make, but we don't have to be haunted by our past mistakes we can use them to grow into a woman with confidence. Using that gut feeling overriding our own self-destruction and lack of confidence and pursuing common sense will help us as women to grow spiritually and confidently.
Women lacking confidence have a tendency to go along with others not expressing their own wants and desires, they tend to be people-pleasers. They live in the past spending quality time with unproductive thinking and self-sabotaging. They deprive themselves of having a happy quality and fulfilling life that they want and deserve. If you lack confidence you may very well be involved in a relationship that is toxic to your well-being. Low confidence causes women to choose men who are not right for them usually someone with problems of their own that pour over into her quality of life. Sometimes a man who is verbally, physically or mentally abusive. Someone who reminds her that she is nothing, of no value, convincing her that no one else would want her and because her confidence is so low, she believes everything he has to say. He sometimes will isolate her from friends and family making her feel guilty if he is not her only interest. There are many other scenerios but you get the gist of what I'm talking about.
What I'm saying is you are worth it! You are wonderful, special and you deserve to have happiness in your life and even if you feel you are at your lowest point, you can get your strength and confidence back. The first thing you need to do is make some decisions about your current circumstances. Pray for God's guidance. He will rescue you if you want Him to. But be patient, things don't always work out right away.
If your lack of confidence is rooted from something else, then you need to face up to it. A woman building her confidence has to realize that she is loved by God and many others in her life. Just because you don't feel loved doesn't mean that you're not. Think about the ones who really care and are concerned for you. They are the ones who love you. A woman with confidence needs to quit thinking negatively and have a positive attitude. Don't play pitty party, think about all the good in your life and all the positive things that have happened to you. Growing confidence in yourself won't allow you to beat yourself up emotionally either. When negativity comes your way, just refuse to fall into the trap. Mentally say, "I'm not falling for it." A confident woman smiles and shows she is very approachable. She considers the feelings of others and does nice things for them without demeaning herself. This woman stands up for herself and others, she not only doesn't allow bulling towards herself but she protects her children and others who are weak. A woman with confidence does not feel intimidated by others. She knows who she is and what she wants to do. She doesn't need to compare herself to others she appreciates her own talents and gifts. Her age, weight, looks doesn't matter. She can stand on her own two feet and does not have the fear of being alone. Her confidence is not defined by the man she is with. She can be a great mate and mother without losing herself.
Remember that we do teach people how to treat us. Even though we subconciously don't realize that we are saying "go ahead and mistreat me I deserve it, I'm nothing." Unless we become confident through God and his love for us we will continually create environments that are hostile to our well-being.
Use the Word of God as your text book in becoming confident. When you read about how much He loves you and wants you to be happy you won't want to put your bible down. You'll see that women are very special and God used them to fulfill his purpose. He wants you to be respected and you should never look down on yourself. Confidence doesn't get built overnight but if you're patient and work with Him little by little you will see positive results. Grow each day nurturing yourself in His Word you will be amazed at where your life will go if you seek God's will. His will is for you to be confident and loved. Your confidence will flow into the lives of others as your love will also. Use your confidence to serve God and He will use your life in wonderful ways.
Ephesians 3: 11, 12 . . .11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. NKJV
He gives us access to Him because we are important in His eyes. And access to Him shows us His love.
Put your faith in the Lord, He has confidence in you. Create the life you want by believing that it is possible. Prepare yourself for your new thinking and new way of life and enjoy the real you! Confidently!!!!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
Morning Walk
Tic toc, tic toc, tic toc goes the clock on the wall. I hear the coos of the morning doves just outside my window, a gentle breeze gives me a peaceful feeling as the bamboo windchimes lightly clank outside on my porch, then the other chimes join in. My cats are content happily watching the birds outside the window. As I sit on the couch while slipping on my walking shoes I take a moment to thank God for where He has brought me in my life. Feeling peace and contentment that I have not felt in the past.
As I walk around the small riverside town of Stockport, Ohio my mind wonders back to a time in my life that wasn't so peaceful. Just a few years ago there seemed to be no hope in sight for peace in my life. I remember wondering if this was the life I was supposed to lead. I think about my past and the poor decisions I made because of how I felt about myself. Having that all too often feeling that I am not complete unless I have a man in my life. Not knowing who I was as a woman, feeling scared to figure that all out. When I was accepted and approved by others I was happy and content, but when something was said negatively about me, I fell apart feeling like a failure. And don't get me wrong, I'm not cured of this yet, but I am making huge improvements towards decision making and my thinking. Feeling ok as a woman with or without a man in my life. In my daily life I now insist on respect from people or they can move right along because I don't need or want negativity in my life anymore!
I am a person who can have fun with just about anyone in almost any circumstance and I truly enjoy people! I like to do things for people and help them without them being suspicious of my motives. Because I don't expect anything in return. I can be friends with almost anyone man or woman and it makes me very sad that (the person's sex) has to get in the way of friendship. I do understand though, our society has created this so therefore we must be very cautious. I believe this is why we will be neither male nor female in heaven so we can all equally share in the fellowship and friendship that we all so desire here on earth.
With all that said, the journey of my life though a few rocky places in my path has brought me to this place of contentment. Because of my tramatic past and a job dealing with people I have been able to use my abilities to reach out and be very approachable. Able to listen, understand and have compassion for women with similar stories. My illness, yet very humbling has slowed me down more than I wish, but the time is spent studying the bible, reading quality christian material and learning more about who I am and focus on what I want to do with the rest of my life. God is truly humbling me slowly and I'm not always happy about it, but after the fact, I am thankful for the journey and my thinking is different. Humbling experiences can and will make us stronger if we will allow it.
There is nothing special about me, nothing wonderful, but evidently unique. We are all unique and we all have different gifts and paths to take.
One thing that I have truly learned is that if I want things to work for the good in my life I need to quit making hasty decisions on my own! I need to pray and let the Holy Spirit guide my paths and decisions. If I make a mistake and I honor God he will make something good come from it. If you will use this awesome resource you will get your answers on your journey. Always know that God has your best interest at heart. He never wants us to fail, but He won't force us to use Him as our own personal confidant. But if you ask, He'll be thrilled to help you on your way.
As I finish up my morning walk and stand at the Stockport Mill overlooking the river I feel the mighty strength of God's power and I realize if He has the power to bring forth the mighty waters, the beauty of the landscape and the balance of the climate, He can surely love me enough to give me the ability to conquer the difficulties in my life.
Our journey in life is our resume'. Our life experiences though sometimes very difficult can be a blessing. If we learn from our mistakes and move on to a better place something good will always come from it. Examine your own life and don't make hasty decisions. If you're married but not very happy, think about what you could do to make your spouse happy, come together and discuss what you want to accomplish as a couple and spend prayer time together you WILL draw closer to each other and God. If you're not currently going to church, start going your local churches have many resources to help you get on your new journey together. Life is not ever going to be perfect but if you have christian direction then you will always have the resources needed to get you throught any difficulty in your life.
As I close today I want to share a quote with you that I have taped by my bathroom mirror to remind me of who I am.
BEING ROOTED IN OUR IDENTITY IN HIM WILL KEEP US FROM THE FEAR OF FAILURE, FROM EXCESSIVESY TRYING TO PLEASE OTHERS, AND FROM BEING CAUGHT IN THE CYCLE OF TRYING TO PERFORM SO OTHERS WILL ACCEPT US. I forget who wrote this but it was a quote from a book I read a while back.
This quote makes me examine myself everytime I look in the mirror and that is a good thing. We should all examine ourselves everyday and try to change those bad habits into good ones. Try to put on love and concern for others it will change your life.
As I head back home from my prayer walk I can start my day with the right thoughts and more closeness with God. I can return with peace and contentment in my heart from a very long difficult journey.
As I walk around the small riverside town of Stockport, Ohio my mind wonders back to a time in my life that wasn't so peaceful. Just a few years ago there seemed to be no hope in sight for peace in my life. I remember wondering if this was the life I was supposed to lead. I think about my past and the poor decisions I made because of how I felt about myself. Having that all too often feeling that I am not complete unless I have a man in my life. Not knowing who I was as a woman, feeling scared to figure that all out. When I was accepted and approved by others I was happy and content, but when something was said negatively about me, I fell apart feeling like a failure. And don't get me wrong, I'm not cured of this yet, but I am making huge improvements towards decision making and my thinking. Feeling ok as a woman with or without a man in my life. In my daily life I now insist on respect from people or they can move right along because I don't need or want negativity in my life anymore!
I am a person who can have fun with just about anyone in almost any circumstance and I truly enjoy people! I like to do things for people and help them without them being suspicious of my motives. Because I don't expect anything in return. I can be friends with almost anyone man or woman and it makes me very sad that (the person's sex) has to get in the way of friendship. I do understand though, our society has created this so therefore we must be very cautious. I believe this is why we will be neither male nor female in heaven so we can all equally share in the fellowship and friendship that we all so desire here on earth.
With all that said, the journey of my life though a few rocky places in my path has brought me to this place of contentment. Because of my tramatic past and a job dealing with people I have been able to use my abilities to reach out and be very approachable. Able to listen, understand and have compassion for women with similar stories. My illness, yet very humbling has slowed me down more than I wish, but the time is spent studying the bible, reading quality christian material and learning more about who I am and focus on what I want to do with the rest of my life. God is truly humbling me slowly and I'm not always happy about it, but after the fact, I am thankful for the journey and my thinking is different. Humbling experiences can and will make us stronger if we will allow it.
There is nothing special about me, nothing wonderful, but evidently unique. We are all unique and we all have different gifts and paths to take.
One thing that I have truly learned is that if I want things to work for the good in my life I need to quit making hasty decisions on my own! I need to pray and let the Holy Spirit guide my paths and decisions. If I make a mistake and I honor God he will make something good come from it. If you will use this awesome resource you will get your answers on your journey. Always know that God has your best interest at heart. He never wants us to fail, but He won't force us to use Him as our own personal confidant. But if you ask, He'll be thrilled to help you on your way.
As I finish up my morning walk and stand at the Stockport Mill overlooking the river I feel the mighty strength of God's power and I realize if He has the power to bring forth the mighty waters, the beauty of the landscape and the balance of the climate, He can surely love me enough to give me the ability to conquer the difficulties in my life.
Our journey in life is our resume'. Our life experiences though sometimes very difficult can be a blessing. If we learn from our mistakes and move on to a better place something good will always come from it. Examine your own life and don't make hasty decisions. If you're married but not very happy, think about what you could do to make your spouse happy, come together and discuss what you want to accomplish as a couple and spend prayer time together you WILL draw closer to each other and God. If you're not currently going to church, start going your local churches have many resources to help you get on your new journey together. Life is not ever going to be perfect but if you have christian direction then you will always have the resources needed to get you throught any difficulty in your life.
As I close today I want to share a quote with you that I have taped by my bathroom mirror to remind me of who I am.
BEING ROOTED IN OUR IDENTITY IN HIM WILL KEEP US FROM THE FEAR OF FAILURE, FROM EXCESSIVESY TRYING TO PLEASE OTHERS, AND FROM BEING CAUGHT IN THE CYCLE OF TRYING TO PERFORM SO OTHERS WILL ACCEPT US. I forget who wrote this but it was a quote from a book I read a while back.
This quote makes me examine myself everytime I look in the mirror and that is a good thing. We should all examine ourselves everyday and try to change those bad habits into good ones. Try to put on love and concern for others it will change your life.
As I head back home from my prayer walk I can start my day with the right thoughts and more closeness with God. I can return with peace and contentment in my heart from a very long difficult journey.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
How Is Your Self-esteem?
Self-esteem is a term that defines who we think we are. High self-esteem means your are confident in who you are and you probably don't allow people to run over you with disrespect. You probably feel secure and don't care about what people think of you as a person. High or good self-esteem probably shouts that you had a good childhood and you have probably not had too many bumps in your road. If you fit into this category, "hats off to you", life is probably pretty good. If, on the other hand, you happen to be on the complete opposite spectrum, you may have low self-esteem which could mean you allow people to run over you because you internally feel like you are not worthy to expect respect from others. Sometimes circumstances in your life cause this low self-esteem. It's a very sad thing that causes this but things can change. Low self-esteem could come from a disturbing childhood, bulleying, living in a bad environment or having a mate or boyfriend who does not treat you with respect. I know many women who take the cheating, verbal abuse, control and physical abuse from a spouse or significant other and people say "Why does she stay with him?" The reason is she doesn't feel that she deserves anything better. She feels she made a committment with this man and there may be children involved and she doesn't want her family broke up so she "hopes" things will get better.
It's a sad state but don't judge this woman. She undoubtedly has low self-esteem and her mate thrives off of that. His own low self-esteem causes him to be abusive to put her lower than him so he has her right where he wants her "feeling like a nothing" he has created a web of destruction for the both of them. The best thing you can do for this woman is support her with love and consideration. Show her that she is important. She probably doesn't know what to do, maybe you could help her find a good christian counselor to talk to. Keep the both of them in your prayers, and most of all, be her friend. She needs someone to lean on and your friendship will be very important to her. Listen to her troubles confidentally that alone can be a wonderful gift to her. Sometimes when you speak it, you see your issues from a different perspective. Let her know that God loves her and he only wants the best for her.
Statement: When we have our identity in Him, we will feel secure. We will no longer have the fear of failure. We will stop trying to always please others at our expense, and we will stop excessively trying to perform so others will accept us!
I want to quote Galatians 5:10 (This is Paul speaking to the Galatians, but it can relate to self-esteem). . .I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is. NKJV
This week I have been studying deeply the books of Galatians, Ephesians, and Phillipians. These books were written by Paul (inspired by God) to the early churches of the Christian Age. I have read each book three to four times and each time I see something new to add to my knowledge of the scriptures. I didn't realize how much confidence I can have in my own christian life that I have the confidence of Jesus' love. It makes me realize that to have relationship with Him on a daily basis I must quit living carnally (in the flesh) but spiritually. I am realizing more and more that the THINGS of this world are not that important but people definitely are and my spiritual walk with God is of utmost importance. His confidence in me is most important! What others think really doesn't matter!
Everyone ever born is seeking the confidence in God, but most people don't realize it. God put in each and every one of us the desire to seek and serve Him. Most people (maybe you) have an emptiness that can't be filled in their life. They seek new jobs, new mates, money, adventures, importance and still don't have the completion in their life that they desire. I can tell you with complete confidence of the scriptures that you are internally seeking Jesus. You can deny it because you were love so much that God gave you free will to choose, but nevertheless, until you accept Him, you WILL NEVER find complete happiness and peace in your life (and I mean in your heart, life struggles will still be there). Jesus wants you to have high self-esteem in Him and He will never disappoint you. I personally look back over my own life and remember the unhappiness I lived when I wasn't right with God. Yes, I still sin and make plenty of mistakes, but Jesus is always there to pick me back up and dust me off and encourage me to press on towards my goal. He reminds me as a christian in 1 John:1,2. . .My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, And He Himself is the propitiation (He became our sin) for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. Does that `give you confidence or high self-esteem in yourself through Him? It does me. He wants us to have confidence in Him and with that confidence He wants us to love Him with all our hearts and to love others even more than ourselves, because our confidence is in Him. God's inspired word is the best therapy session anyone could ask for and it is free for the taking. I wish I could climb the highest mountaintop and shout it around the world how wonderful God is and His Great Love for everyone is. God's mysteries are revealed to us through His word for everyone to read. Who does not love a good mystery?
If you're new at this, start reading Matthew, Mark, Luke and John you can read about the life of Christ. Acts will show you the beginning of the Original Church and will prove by all the conversions in Acts that baptism is essential. Romans through Jude are mostly letters to some of the early churches and they are a pattern for our lives. Also remember when you read in these books and it talks about faith and you think it doesn't say anything about baptism, remember these are already established churches who have already obeyed through baptism. Revelation is our promise, our prize, it is very deep and hard to understand and there are many views on how it is interpreted, but just remember that it is going to be wonderful and all the hard interpretations aren't that big a deal. Let God speak to you through His Word. You do not have to wait for a preacher or interpreter to reveal God's Word. God revealed it through Paul so we could know what we need to do. We have all been called to receive eternal life, it's your choice whether you accept it or not. When you have confidence in Him and know who you are in Him you will be able to start your journey knowing that He always has your back.
Confidence is a choice. Don't allow anyone to steal your confidence. You are loved and will always be loved. God never fails!
It's a sad state but don't judge this woman. She undoubtedly has low self-esteem and her mate thrives off of that. His own low self-esteem causes him to be abusive to put her lower than him so he has her right where he wants her "feeling like a nothing" he has created a web of destruction for the both of them. The best thing you can do for this woman is support her with love and consideration. Show her that she is important. She probably doesn't know what to do, maybe you could help her find a good christian counselor to talk to. Keep the both of them in your prayers, and most of all, be her friend. She needs someone to lean on and your friendship will be very important to her. Listen to her troubles confidentally that alone can be a wonderful gift to her. Sometimes when you speak it, you see your issues from a different perspective. Let her know that God loves her and he only wants the best for her.
Statement: When we have our identity in Him, we will feel secure. We will no longer have the fear of failure. We will stop trying to always please others at our expense, and we will stop excessively trying to perform so others will accept us!
I want to quote Galatians 5:10 (This is Paul speaking to the Galatians, but it can relate to self-esteem). . .I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is. NKJV
This week I have been studying deeply the books of Galatians, Ephesians, and Phillipians. These books were written by Paul (inspired by God) to the early churches of the Christian Age. I have read each book three to four times and each time I see something new to add to my knowledge of the scriptures. I didn't realize how much confidence I can have in my own christian life that I have the confidence of Jesus' love. It makes me realize that to have relationship with Him on a daily basis I must quit living carnally (in the flesh) but spiritually. I am realizing more and more that the THINGS of this world are not that important but people definitely are and my spiritual walk with God is of utmost importance. His confidence in me is most important! What others think really doesn't matter!
Everyone ever born is seeking the confidence in God, but most people don't realize it. God put in each and every one of us the desire to seek and serve Him. Most people (maybe you) have an emptiness that can't be filled in their life. They seek new jobs, new mates, money, adventures, importance and still don't have the completion in their life that they desire. I can tell you with complete confidence of the scriptures that you are internally seeking Jesus. You can deny it because you were love so much that God gave you free will to choose, but nevertheless, until you accept Him, you WILL NEVER find complete happiness and peace in your life (and I mean in your heart, life struggles will still be there). Jesus wants you to have high self-esteem in Him and He will never disappoint you. I personally look back over my own life and remember the unhappiness I lived when I wasn't right with God. Yes, I still sin and make plenty of mistakes, but Jesus is always there to pick me back up and dust me off and encourage me to press on towards my goal. He reminds me as a christian in 1 John:1,2. . .My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, And He Himself is the propitiation (He became our sin) for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. Does that `give you confidence or high self-esteem in yourself through Him? It does me. He wants us to have confidence in Him and with that confidence He wants us to love Him with all our hearts and to love others even more than ourselves, because our confidence is in Him. God's inspired word is the best therapy session anyone could ask for and it is free for the taking. I wish I could climb the highest mountaintop and shout it around the world how wonderful God is and His Great Love for everyone is. God's mysteries are revealed to us through His word for everyone to read. Who does not love a good mystery?
If you're new at this, start reading Matthew, Mark, Luke and John you can read about the life of Christ. Acts will show you the beginning of the Original Church and will prove by all the conversions in Acts that baptism is essential. Romans through Jude are mostly letters to some of the early churches and they are a pattern for our lives. Also remember when you read in these books and it talks about faith and you think it doesn't say anything about baptism, remember these are already established churches who have already obeyed through baptism. Revelation is our promise, our prize, it is very deep and hard to understand and there are many views on how it is interpreted, but just remember that it is going to be wonderful and all the hard interpretations aren't that big a deal. Let God speak to you through His Word. You do not have to wait for a preacher or interpreter to reveal God's Word. God revealed it through Paul so we could know what we need to do. We have all been called to receive eternal life, it's your choice whether you accept it or not. When you have confidence in Him and know who you are in Him you will be able to start your journey knowing that He always has your back.
Confidence is a choice. Don't allow anyone to steal your confidence. You are loved and will always be loved. God never fails!
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