Tag: blessings

Miserable by Choice

Published on by amylinnea2 Comments

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

There once was a miserable lady, who lived in a cottage near the edge of the forest.

She lived by herself and had grown to an old age.

Her many belongings gave her comfort since her relationships were complicated.

Her loneliness was compounded by her attitude as she continued to blame everyone and everything for her misery.

Everyone except herself.

Looking back, she had lived a good life.

She was accomplished, pretty, and comfortable.

On the outside she was the picture of health.

But she was deathly afraid.

Afraid of what, you may ask?

Letting go. Forgiveness. Not being in control.

Surrendering and accepting life.

And change.

To protect herself, she lashed out and declared herself “Mrs. Always Right.”

Her loved ones and friends never spent much time with her, because her bitterness was easily spread.

Her cottage was nestled on the edge of the great forest.

It was so beautiful – once.

Her memory smiled as she recalled all the beautiful years spent in the forest.

Simply lovely.

But her frown would always return and stay firmly planted on her face when she recalled the devastating fire that had swept through her precious forest.

Everything had burned down.

All the trees, flowers, and life.

The forest was like that for years.

Too long, actually.

And when things look bad for years, it’s easy to forget the beauty.

One day, the forest began to regrow.

New life had sprung all over the place.

Months went by and suddenly the forest was beautiful again.

Stunning, actually.

Radiant.

But she could not see it.

When the lady looked at her beloved forest, all she could see was destruction.

She could not see all the beauty.

Her bitterness had changed her forever.

Her eyesight would not allow her to see the goodness.

She refused to acknowledge her new beautiful surroundings, choosing instead to remember the fire and how her forest once had been.

Are you blind, too? Miserable by choice?

Do you only see what once was, refusing to recognize God’s new blessings in your life?

Allow God to enter, letting His new blessings flood your heart with promise and thankfulness.

There is no need to be miserable by choice.

Choose instead to be thankful as God will never leave your side.

His new plans will be great. God says so.

Photos by Chastagner Thierry, Gustav Gullstrand,  kazuend, & Bruce Hong on Unsplash

Stealing Your Joy

Published on by amylinnea4 Comments

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Philippians 4:4

Why is it that blessings are often overshadowed by disappointment?

You can look at a field full of flowers but instead feel sour thinking of what didn’t transpire.

Of who disappointed you.

Why do we react like that?

Why does our flesh tend to focus on the bad while in the midst of the good?

It can even be rightly justified disappointment. Like the real deal.

I can give you an example.

Recently celebrated my birthday. It was a big one.

Some of the kids celebrated, some did not.

My husband celebrated me.

My mother and in-laws celebrated me.

My friends and even my school children celebrated me, belting out an impromptu happy birthday song first thing when they arrived at school.

So why did my focus choose the disappointments?

I really don’t know. But I do know this. No more.

Let’s concentrate on those who love us.

Let’s focus on the blessings we enjoy instead of the disappointments we mourn.

We cannot change others, so let’s not let the limitations of others steal your joy.

As my grandmother used to say, from the balcony of heaven, will it matter?

I choose to rejoice in the Lord, always. Even if.

Join me?

Photos by Adi Goldstein, Deva Williamson, Jess Bailey, & Lan Gao on Unsplash

I Refuse

Published on by amylinnea1 Comment

..to allow my child’s negative attitude bring mine down to their level.

..to participate with fear when it whispers into my ear.

..to give worry any seat at my party when I know God holds my future in His capable hands.

..to withhold forgiveness from those who don’t deserve it.

..to filter life through a negative lens.

..to dwell on justified wrongs from others instead of living within my blessings from God.

..to participate with negative attitudes from those around me.

..to focus on what I don’t have, switching to all the blessings I do have from God.

..to agree with the lies from the pit of hell, instead purposing to agree with who God says that I am.

..to find my worth in ungrateful children who have not matured to what God has given them.

..to rely on the world to give me my worth in their terms.

..to define my value in the world’s unreachable standards.

..to stoop to the devil’s level as he tries to fill my head with destructive thoughts.

..to rely on myself, instead relying on God and His Holy Spirit to fill me with His power and all truth.

..to be a door mat, ignoring my God-given desires, quietly asserting my value within my home.

..to be ungrateful, instead smiling as I remember all the good things God has given to little ole’ me.

..to forget what my salvation has cost my dear Savior who sacrificed everything.

..to define parenthood on the ungrateful whims of children no matter their age.

..to seek my selfish desires above what plans God has for me.

..to expect more of others than they are capable; God is everything, filling in holes created by others’ lack of compassion or thought.

..to keep pursuing my own selfish ambitions, instead asking God what He has for me and my future.

..to listen to the devil as his only purpose is to steal, kill, and destroy all that I hold dear.

May God give us His strength to purpose our thoughts only on Him.

He is all that we need.

May God fill us up with His strength, power, peace, and love as we go forth spreading His purpose to others.

Listen, my friends, to our Lord, ignoring your flesh and the devil’s deception which foil God’s plans for you.

Photos Priscilla Du Preez, Drew Beamer, Miguel Bruna, Clay Banks, Heather Ford on Unsplash

Ugly Poster

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6

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What does it look like?

The big ugly poster you see when you begin to think poorly?

When you start dwelling on the nasty?

What does it look like?

Your big ugly poster.

Because you tend to hold it up too much.

You’ve seen it enough times to know what it looks like.

Mine really doesn’t have any pictures on it.

It’s mostly black.

Dull.

Frankly, all it does is obscure my view.

My view of all my blessings.

You?

Guessing yours is similar.

Sometimes the big ugly poster can change, adding hurt from the past.

Or dreams that were crushed.

Or people who have broken you.

Or situations you wish were different.

Guess what happens when you only see the big ugly poster?

Your mood becomes absolutely horrid.

Your fears begin to hold center stage in your vulnerable brain.

Hopelessness and despair become your companions.

Time to put it down.

With God’s help, put it down.

Tear it to pieces.

Train your arms to never scoop it up again.

And if you forget, throw it down instantly, as if it were poison.

Because it is.

Your big ugly poster is poison.

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The antidote to fear is security.

Look around and see how God has provided for you.

The antidote to hopelessness is hope.

Open your eyes and see all the blessings God has poured out on you.

Remember.

That’s the answer.

Remember God is in control and remember all He has done for you.

And will do.

Stand up straight.

Straighten your crown.

And smile.

And while you’re at it, step on that poster.

Photos by Kelly Sikkema, Corinne Kutz, Brandi Redd, JESHOOTS.COM, & Fiona Smallwood on Unsplash

What Then

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

Consequently, He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25

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What if I told you there is a Friend who knows your name?

Not only your name, but every thought you’ve had, every tear you’ve shed, every smile you’ve given?

Who longs to be your first confidant and constant lifelong companion?

What if I told you there is a Provider who will meet your every need?

Who longs to shower you with blessings if you let Him?

Who will not only give you food to eat, but food for your parched and weary soul?

What if I told you there is a Comforter who hears every cry?

Whose heart breaks with yours, yearning to remove every one of your burdens, big or small?

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What if I told you there is a Protector who carries all authority in heaven and on earth?

Who longs to stand not only at your physical door, but your mind as well, slaying giants seen and unseen?

What if I told you there is a Shepherd who wants to guide your every step, keeping it from slipping?

Who longs to gently steer your words, thoughts, and deeds towards life and not death?

What if I told you there is a Father who wants to give you everything you could ever possibly need?

Who longs to not only protect you, but love you unconditionally, providing you with wisdom, truth, and every good thing?

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What if I told you His name is Jesus and all of it is real.

True.

Available.

Today.

What then?

Remember Who He is.

Remember Whose you are.

And trust.

Always.

Begin again, today.

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