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Finding Perspective in Times of Testing

Woman with son on beach

Is your life a mess? Are you going through a rough patch? Do you wish things were different? Do you wish YOU were different? Do you want to be a better person? In this post, we’re going to cover finding perspective in times of testing.

I have to remind myself daily that my basic calling and focus is to pursue an authentic relationship with Jesus. Key word: Pursue! Yup! Deliberately pursuing Him! Not to be better, but to choose to be with Him!

We all have difficult seasons of our lives

Times of testing. Sometimes our perspective gets a bit skewed. Maybe you have questioned if God even exists. Maybe thinking: If God is good, why do bad things happen to good people?

All that sounds so reasonable in our humanness. However, God is the only One who is truly “good”. And He calls us to a higher ground. He says, “Trust Me.” We don’t have to feel it, especially at first. But it has to be a conscious choice. We can’t wait for the feeling to come. It has to be a moment by moment and daily choice to trust Him no matter what! Why? Because He is good. All the time. In good times and bad, God is ALWAYS good! Do we understand why things happen? Not usually, but we can trust that He has purpose in all that happens. Beyond anything earthly.

Jesus came to restore us to relationship with God.

He experienced all the emotions we experience. AND…He feels your hurt. He is not a distant deity. He is a very personal God. When you hurt, He hurts. He chases after you until you find Him. And then He draws you into relationship with Him. It is your choice how deep you want that to be.

Finding perspective

When someone hurts you, betrays you, or speaks lies against you, what do you do? I remember when I first found out my husband had been unfaithful through our entire 20-plus years of marriage. We were on the mission field when I found out. Talk about feeling “lower than a snake’s belly” as my dad would say. We were in California. I ran outside alone, walking and walking, and crying out to God. The mountains loomed in the distance and a verse I didn’t even realize I knew, came to my mind: “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people, now and forevermore.” (Psalm 125:2) I just kept saying that verse over and over until I believed it. I didn’t understand, but God was assuring me that He was with me and He would help me through the, “Now what?”

Related Post: Not for One Second

That was a tough one to work through.

Everyone has to seek God’s wisdom and direction after a betrayal like that. It is not easy. It hurts to the very core of your being. But God walked that lonely painful road with me. Our Savior went through some rough relational problems while here on planet earth, so I knew He understood. And I knew He was good. The situation was bad, but God was/is good.

What about you?

Do you remember a book about: Are you a FAN or a FOLLOWER? Isn’t that a powerful question? We all know what fans are. They get together with other fans and scream and yell and love it when their team wins. But God expects MORE than that. He wants us to follow after Him, even whether we are winning or losing! God’s not about winning. He is about BEING! He expects us to be fully committed to Him no matter what happens. Let’s commit to being a FULLY DEVOTED FOLLOWER of JESUS. Putting our hand to plow and not looking back. (When you look back, you plow a crooked row.)

“Come and see what God has done, His awesome deeds for mankind…”

Psalm 66:5

“To everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven…a time to weep and a time to laugh.”

Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4

The Song Trust and Obey

Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies, but His smile quickly drives it away. Not a doubt or a fear, not a sign or a tear, can abide while we trust and obey. Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share. But our toil He doth richly repay. Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross but is blessed if we trust and obey.

The book of Psalms

It is comforting to know throughout the Psalms, that others have walked in shoes similar to whatever we ourselves experience. Pain and joy, doubt and confidence, defeat and victory, hatred and love, confusion and clarity. No matter what you are feeling, you will find comfort in the Psalms. Praise will always lift you out of hum drum and into a joy-filled relationship with the Lord of Lords. Time spent in the Psalms daily will not disappoint.

Here’s a few suggestions to get you started:

“My heart has heard you say, ‘Come and talk with me”. And my heart responds, ‘LORD, I am coming.’”
…Even if my father and mother abandon me the LORD will hold me close”

Psalm 27:8, 10

“The LORD gives his people strength. The LORD blesses…with peace.”

Psalm 29:11

“I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all your marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.”

Psalm 9:1-2

Notice the CHOICE. The “I WILL”. The CHOICE to praise. The CHOICE to walk in relationship. The CHOICE to take the time away from the world, and into the Presence of the very One Who created you. Father knows best. He adores. Be sure to give Him lots of opportunity for you to experientially know that.
David Jeremiah: By the Word of God, we are taught, challenged, corrected, and trained, so that we “may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (I Timothy 3:16-17)

My friend, Dawn used to say, “I know it in my KNOW-ER.” Perfect!

Until next time…

Do you need encouragement in your walk with God?

I offer one-on-one coaching and would love to come alongside you to help you become the woman God created you to be.

Let's Connect!
Awaiting His shout,
pam_signature-c49a6c

Christian Life Coach
Leading from Your Strengths Mentor
www.loavesandfishescoaching.com

Filed under: Christian Life Coaching,Freedom,Spiritual Life — Tags: , , , , , , , , — Pam Taylor @ 7:00 am

Neglecting these 12 Things Will Steal Your Joy

Joyful woman - don't let these things steal your joy

Will Power is Not Enough.

Everyone can benefit from having an experienced coach to help you see things a bit more clearly. To cheer you on, through the rough days and the dull, ordinary, lackluster days. Today, I want to shine the light on somethings that can steal your joy.

Years ago, I began compiling a list of these dozen suggestions to explore when sheer will power was not enough. Practical ways. For many, It has been a great way to get unstuck. To re-discover their joy. My clients have found these things useful when they can’t seem to rise above their feelings. And become the woman God always intended.

Pick and choose from these dozen suggestions for ways to get practical. Or do them all…YOU choose what works best for you…They are not in any particular order of importance. Just a random list of things that actually work…

Neglecting these 12 Things Will Steal Your Joy

  1. Have you had protein? Enough water?
  2. Have you had enough sleep? (6-8 hours/night)
  3. Are you listening to Christian praise and worship music?
  4. When was the last time you did something just for fun?
  5. Smile. Even if you don’t feel like it. 😃 Than, do it again and again!
  6. Get in the Bible! Stay there awhile. (None of this 5 minute stuff if you really want to soar!)
  7. Embrace the emotion you are feeling. Try this: Set the timer. Feel the emotion. Pray. Then move on. Repeat if needed.
  8. Journal for clarity (Brain Dump). No one else has to ever see it. Just getting it out on paper often is helpful for clarity.
  9. Get outside and walk.
  10. LOOK for evidence of God. He is EVERYWHERE!
  11. CHOOSE to tithe.
  12. Jesus says…”WHEN you fast…”

BONUS: Choose to be around people that make you laugh and draw closer to God. They are soul-filling.

Discover Living From Your Strengths (LFYS) Life Changing Mentor Coaching.

Do you have questions? Through the Ministry Insights assessment, you will Discover your strengths. And then, through mentor coaching, you will learn how to daily Embrace and Live out your strengths. You can contact me by clicking on the blue button beside the signature line. Or leave me a private message on Facebook.

Leading from Your Strengths

Let's Connect!
Awaiting His shout,
pam_signature-c49a6c

Christian Life Coach
Leading from Your Strengths Mentor
www.loavesandfishescoaching.com

Filed under: Christian Life Coaching — Tags: , , , , , — Pam Taylor @ 7:00 am

How Is Your Inner Peace Doing?

Loaves & Fishes Coaching

Peace, no matter what

Peace, peace, perfect peace. Is it possible? How do we get it? Since it’s a part of the Fruit of the Spirit, is it automatic when you become a Christ-follower? Sounds like a tall order. AND it WOULD be if we were dependent on ourselves to make it happen. God has a plan…

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Don’t be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus

Philippians 4:5-7 NIV

So, we have choices to make

God has already done HIS part. But…OUR part is to choose to delight in God, to choose joy, to choose gentleness in our relationships. OUR part is to choose to NOT worry about ANYTHING, and to talk to God about everything. OUR part is to choose thankfulness. And then, we receive that settled peace…that peace in our inner selves that is actually difficult to explain to anyone who hasn’t experienced it. Because it is unexplainable. It seems impossible. But…God has a plan…

So, when we choose God’s plan…

Inner peace guards our hearts and minds so that we can feel at rest in the knowledge that our Father has our best interest at heart and will be with us through it all, no matter what.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go

Joshua 1:9

Walking in that peace…

Walking courageously, leaving discouragement behind, we can be assured God is with us. OUR part is to choose to check ourselves to see if we are walking in an attitude of pride, because God says that He shows favor to those who leave pride behind and walk in the humility of knowing that NOTHING is possible without God’s intervention. NOTHING! We are not able to even take a single breath without God’s causing it to happen.

But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

James 4:6-7 NIV

THEN, we are in a position to resist the devil’s schemes. AND THEN the devil will flee.

Jesus is our example. He was tempted by satan in the desert after his baptism. Jesus used Scripture to resist the devil’s schemes. And after satan ran out of ideas, he left Jesus (temporarily). satan fled from Jesus. Only to return with a more sinister plot another day.

And that’s also how it is with us. We must never let our guard down. The temptations will come, God has a plan.

A time of rejoicing

Each victory over our prideful self, each resistance of the devil’s schemes, brings us delight and joy. We are overcomers. In the strength of the Holy Spirit. By the power of God. In the Name of Jesus. He has a plan.

Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

Psalm 119:165 (KJV)

Delight yourselves in God, yes, find your joy in him at all times. Have a reputation for gentleness, and never forget the nearness of your Lord. Don’t worry over anything whatever; tell God every detail of your needs in earnest and thankful prayer, and the peace of God which transcends human understanding, will keep constant guard over your hearts and minds as they rest in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:5-7 (J.B. Phillips)

Discover Living From Your Strengths (LFYS) Life Changing Mentor Coaching.

Do you have questions? Through the Ministry Insights assessment, you will Discover your strengths. And then, through mentor coaching, you will learn how to daily Embrace and Live out your strengths. You can contact me by clicking on the blue button beside the signature line. Or leave me a private message on Facebook.

Leading from Your Strengths

Let's Connect!
Awaiting His shout,
pam_signature-c49a6c

Christian Life Coach
Leading from Your Strengths Mentor
www.loavesandfishescoaching.com


Learning to Lean

Boy leaning head and looking out window

I was grumpy yesterday.

My plans went south. And I had to WAIT for someone before I could move on with my day. I was frustrated. I like routine and dependable people. So I was grumpy and feeling miserable because I could not have MY WAY! I was at the mercy of another. I went to bed late and had troubled sleep.

So, when I woke up this morning, I realized I did not want to be grumpy anymore. I DECIDED to be content. I CHOSE joy as I awakened and a song popped in my head. Not sure I have the words exactly correct, but here is the gist of it: “To God be the Glory. To God be the Glory. To God be the Glory for the things He has done. By His blood He has saved me, by His power, He has raised me…And if I gain any praise, let it go to Calvary. To God be the Glory…”

I’m sure I left something out, but it got me back into right perspective. Truly, God had ministered to me and my spirits lifted.

Then, I asked God, “Why is it that I don’t “wait” well, God? I get grumpy. I feel like so much time is wasted waiting. HOW can I have a better response as I am going through the “waiting”???” (That is kind of a risky prayer, because God gives us opportunities to see if we really want an answer to that kind of prayer. 😉

How do we do that?

How do we learn what is right in the sight of the Lord? We learn by reading the Word and then applying those Biblical standards to our personal lives. Our faith is nurtured through extended and deliberate time spent in the Word of God and in prayer. Spiritual wisdom comes little by little throughout our earthbound days, maturing and growing us daily.

We learn to trust

Trust develops over time, and we learn to experience and believe that all that happens—the blessings AND the sufferings—are God’s ways of teaching us reliance on Him. He never ever leaves us alone. He walks through ALL of life WITH us. The good, the bad and the ugly.

An attitude

Learning to lean is an attitude toward God—a mindset—an awareness—of what He wants, and then desiring to do it. And then following through on that desire. He renews our mind, resulting in Godly living. Leaning guarantees the Lord’s guidance in all things so that we may live rooted and grounded in Him. He is the vine and we are the branches. We stay connected. This is where that peace that passes understanding comes in. Even in the midst of storms of life, we can be peaceful on the inside. Blessing upon blessing.

Solomon teaches in Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own understanding…Acknowledge Him in all your ways, and He will make your paths straight.” Again…This is a choice.

Living under the influence of just our own understanding…

  • can lead to MISunderstandings
  • can lead to fear
  • can lead to poor responses
  • can lead to assumptions based on past experiences

However…

To trust in the Lord and acknowledge His authority and leading in all our ways…

  • dispels fear
  • brings inner rest and peace
  • leads to trust that today is a “new day”
  • daily new beginnings

And these Godly responses lead to peace, joy, rest and confidence moving forward.  Learning to lean!

Until next time…

Personality and Jesus

Do you know who God created you to be? Have you ever stopped to think about how your personality affects the way you interact with others? Find out more in this new book by Pamela A. Taylor.

Personality and Jesus

Let's Connect!Until next time,
Awaiting His shout,
pam_signature-c49a6c

Christian Life Coach
Leading from Your Strengths Mentor
www.loavesandfishescoaching.com


Begin Today!

Woman standing with arms apart

“The tragedy of life is not that it ends too soon, but that we wait so long to BEGIN!”–W. M. Lewis

Can there really be a way that God has already created to avoid the tragedy of coming to the end of your life one day…never having begun to live your life? I believe there is!

I used to always be looking forward to the next stage of life. Not content with my current circumstances. You know: The old “grass is always greener…” syndrome.

Then…one day, I realized how much I was missing with that attitude.

What are you waiting for? Don’t be like I was. Don’t let circumstances or people dictate your mood. Choose to live your life with arms wide open. Begin anew! Embrace today as a gift! Follow my lead and choose joy! You can choose to live moment by moment with delighted expectation!

Can this be God’s way to avoid the tragedy of never having begun to live your life? From my own personal experience…Yes, I believe it is.

What about you? Are you living “grass is greener” or “embracing life as it comes”?

Personality and Jesus

Do you know who God created you to be? Have you ever stopped to think about how your personality affects the way you interact with others? Find out more in this new book by Pamela A. Taylor.

Personality and Jesus

Let's Connect!Until next time,
Awaiting His shout,
pam_signature-c49a6c

Christian Life Coach
Leading from Your Strengths Mentor
www.loavesandfishescoaching.com