In America we have a culture which celebrates individuality but also puts a lot of pressure on us to do what everyone else is doing by making us feel like we're missing out if we don't. But I'm here to tell you that you don't have to do what everyone else is doing. You can be free to live as God created you to live, and that may be different than anyone else around you. One of the most freeing things I ever read in the Bible is Galatians 5:1 which states, "It is for freedom that Christ has set you free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." God has freed us to live completely unhindered as we are in Him, but when we allow what other people expect of us or the social norms to control us, we bind ourselves again and we lose that freedom we were given.
So what is it that is enslaving you today? Do you feel pressured to follow in your families history of alcoholism? Maybe everyone expects you to go to college, but you know that's not for you. Social expectations can be positive or negative, but if you know in your heart of hearts that you are not meant for that thing, then don't give in to the pressure to become a part of it. Maybe you thought you needed to be a "good" parent and join the PTA, but once you did you felt burdened by the pressure to always be at events and help with projects, and instead of being a blessing, you found yourself weighted down by the responsibility you chained yourself too. This is what the verse means by not allowing yourself to be enslaved again. Be proud of who you are. For myself, I know that I cannot commit to things that require my physical presence on a weekly basis, simply because with my work schedule, my travel schedule, and my child's behavioral health concerns, I know there will be many times when I will be unable to fulfill that commitment and it will become a burden. So when I seek to minister to other people, I often do it through gifts, or spending a little one on one time and taking them out to dinner. I find it is far easier for me to give of my income and my things than it is for me to make time commitments. So when everyone else is getting on board with being the "homeroom mom" or soccer coach, I know that's not for me, and I don't feel bad about it. I will volunteer to bring snacks, buy extra school supplies, or pay for another child's books at the book fair. I know what works for me, and I find ways to live within my strengths.
I want to encourage you to live in freedom today. Do not feel you have to follow the crowd. Listen to that still, small voice which is telling what to do, and you can let go of the needless burdens we all place on ourselves by trying to be something we're not. Find what works best for you, and leave the rest behind. I can't wait to see you succeed!
~K.W.
Saturday, June 30, 2018
Friday, June 29, 2018
Attitude is Everything
I often get asked the question, "Why are you so happy?" And it always baffles me when people say this, because most of the time when people ask me this, they aren't asking because they want the secret to happiness, they are asking in an almost annoyed manner, as if it offends them that someone is happy and cheerful. And I think to myself during those moments, "Doesn't everyone want to be happy?" Yet, so many people live their lives in a complete state of misery, dragging themselves from one task to the next as though they gain satisfaction from being dejected and angry. Personally, I don't want to be associated with that kind of attitude, and that's exactly what it is, an attitude.
We can choose each day whether we will be positive and uplifting or whether we will be negative and deflating. And believe it or not, your attitude is not determined by your circumstances. You control your attitude, and you can make it as positive or negative as you choose. There is nothing forcing you to be miserable, ornery, and discouraged. Only you have the power to allow yourself to be that way. And you have the power to choose happiness and positivity too.
And if you aren't a super positive person now, it's ok. You can change. Start right now to pay attention to the thoughts in your head and the words that come out of your mouth, and begin replacing them with more productive thoughts. For example, there are many days when I think to myself, "I'm tired." But I try to not allow those words to come out of my mouth. Instead I try to find other things to talk about or focus on. You get what you magnify in life, so if you are always declaring, "I'm broke," you probably are broke and will stay broke if you don't change this negative attitude.
Start today to begin replacing your negative attitudes and little by little you will become more positive, and as a result you will have a more positive life. Your attitude is linked to everything from your health to your income, so make an effort to keep a good attitude. It will be well worth your while. Let's tackle this life together! I can't wait to see you succeed!
~K.W.
We can choose each day whether we will be positive and uplifting or whether we will be negative and deflating. And believe it or not, your attitude is not determined by your circumstances. You control your attitude, and you can make it as positive or negative as you choose. There is nothing forcing you to be miserable, ornery, and discouraged. Only you have the power to allow yourself to be that way. And you have the power to choose happiness and positivity too.
And if you aren't a super positive person now, it's ok. You can change. Start right now to pay attention to the thoughts in your head and the words that come out of your mouth, and begin replacing them with more productive thoughts. For example, there are many days when I think to myself, "I'm tired." But I try to not allow those words to come out of my mouth. Instead I try to find other things to talk about or focus on. You get what you magnify in life, so if you are always declaring, "I'm broke," you probably are broke and will stay broke if you don't change this negative attitude.
Start today to begin replacing your negative attitudes and little by little you will become more positive, and as a result you will have a more positive life. Your attitude is linked to everything from your health to your income, so make an effort to keep a good attitude. It will be well worth your while. Let's tackle this life together! I can't wait to see you succeed!
~K.W.
Thursday, June 28, 2018
People Matter
Ever have one of those days where things just don't go according to plan? Sometimes, no matter how well laid our schemes for the day are, things just don't cooperate the way we would like them to. But ultimately, we have to realize that there is something more important than plans, and that something is people. People and the relationships we build with them are why we are here on earth. People are who we are sent to love, nurture, help, and care for. Sometimes we get so caught up in all the "things" that we forget about the real one thing that matters most.
I want to encourage you to put your relationships at the forefront of what matters. Value people over material items or agendas, and your life will get to where it needs to go. Now, I'm not saying you can neglect the things that need done in your life every day, but I am saying that you should take time to speak kindly to the cashier at Wal-mart, put aside your plans to take that phone call from a friend in need, spend your weekend helping your elderly neighbor with yard work. There are so many meaningful opportunities in life to love on other people. Do not let them pass you by. Success is not measured by the number in your bank account, but by the invisible unseen thread that ties you to other lives. How many people can genuinely say they have been impacted by you? How many people have been encouraged by your words and actions? How many lives have you changed with yours?
At a time when the media seems to be alienating and distancing and dividing us from one another more and more, be that person who reaches out and makes a connection. Be the hand that guides another to safety. Be the voice that lifts up, not tears down. We need to love each other, and we need to help each other, whether or not we have the same religion, political view, gender, race, or status. We all need relationships. Let's build the world through real friendships and real experiences. Don't forget the reasons behind your desire for success...to make the world a better place, to help your family, to make life better for others. All these things happen through relationships. Don't let the moments pass you by. Love those you come in contact with, whether it fits in your schedule or not. I love you, and I can't wait to see you succeed.
~K.W.
I want to encourage you to put your relationships at the forefront of what matters. Value people over material items or agendas, and your life will get to where it needs to go. Now, I'm not saying you can neglect the things that need done in your life every day, but I am saying that you should take time to speak kindly to the cashier at Wal-mart, put aside your plans to take that phone call from a friend in need, spend your weekend helping your elderly neighbor with yard work. There are so many meaningful opportunities in life to love on other people. Do not let them pass you by. Success is not measured by the number in your bank account, but by the invisible unseen thread that ties you to other lives. How many people can genuinely say they have been impacted by you? How many people have been encouraged by your words and actions? How many lives have you changed with yours?
At a time when the media seems to be alienating and distancing and dividing us from one another more and more, be that person who reaches out and makes a connection. Be the hand that guides another to safety. Be the voice that lifts up, not tears down. We need to love each other, and we need to help each other, whether or not we have the same religion, political view, gender, race, or status. We all need relationships. Let's build the world through real friendships and real experiences. Don't forget the reasons behind your desire for success...to make the world a better place, to help your family, to make life better for others. All these things happen through relationships. Don't let the moments pass you by. Love those you come in contact with, whether it fits in your schedule or not. I love you, and I can't wait to see you succeed.
~K.W.
Wednesday, June 27, 2018
Being the Best
Ok, I'll admit it... my husband is better at video games than me. And this makes me mad. Why? Because I like to be the best... at everything. And there happens to be a certain level of Crash Bandicoot that my 8 year old and I have been trying to beat for about a month, and tonight my husband said, "Can I have a try?" And after two attempts he made it to the end of the level, at which point I demanded that he quit the game, because I will absolutely, under no circumstances allow him to have the glory for something that I have worked this long and this hard to try to conquer. (And in case your wondering, no, I still haven't beat it.)
Ok, so all joking aside, it's one thing to be this silly over a video game, but many times we have this same mindset in our lives. We feel frustrated and angry when someone else is good at something we struggle with, and sometimes we don't want to let them get any credit for being good at it, even if that means none of us win. If we truly want to succeed though, we have to guard ourselves against this mindset. We are all equipped with different strengths on purpose. If someone else is really good at something you need, learn to become allies with that person, rather than alienating them. You may find that if you enlist their help, they have a weakness that you can assist with too. Successful leaders know that they must build a team of people around them who have strengths they do not have, and who can do things better than them in many areas. You may have some level of success alone, but to truly make it to the top genuinely requires a village of people.
So when that person at your job gets top salesman again this month, don't hate on them, instead, seek out their advice. Most people are willing to share what they know with you. Or if your friend made another awesome connection that opened a great door for her, instead of being angry and grumbling that things never go that well for you, ask her how she does it. Go with her to an event and learn some of her strategies. It's time we stopped all the jealousy and competing and truly helped one another succeed. Be humble; seek out those who have more strengths than you, and never stop learning. I can't wait to see you succeed!
~K.W.
Ok, so all joking aside, it's one thing to be this silly over a video game, but many times we have this same mindset in our lives. We feel frustrated and angry when someone else is good at something we struggle with, and sometimes we don't want to let them get any credit for being good at it, even if that means none of us win. If we truly want to succeed though, we have to guard ourselves against this mindset. We are all equipped with different strengths on purpose. If someone else is really good at something you need, learn to become allies with that person, rather than alienating them. You may find that if you enlist their help, they have a weakness that you can assist with too. Successful leaders know that they must build a team of people around them who have strengths they do not have, and who can do things better than them in many areas. You may have some level of success alone, but to truly make it to the top genuinely requires a village of people.
So when that person at your job gets top salesman again this month, don't hate on them, instead, seek out their advice. Most people are willing to share what they know with you. Or if your friend made another awesome connection that opened a great door for her, instead of being angry and grumbling that things never go that well for you, ask her how she does it. Go with her to an event and learn some of her strategies. It's time we stopped all the jealousy and competing and truly helped one another succeed. Be humble; seek out those who have more strengths than you, and never stop learning. I can't wait to see you succeed!
~K.W.
Tuesday, June 26, 2018
Home Makeover
If you own a home or rent an apartment, you are probably familiar with the seemingly never-ending list of projects and to-do's which need done. I know that when I look around my home I see all the potential of what I could do. I see walls that could be painted and flooring to replace, window sills to stain and landscaping to mulch. I know the potential in my residence, and I'm sure you feel similarly about your home. However, even though we know all that our homes could be, most of us don't go about completing all these projects at once. It's usually a process, a step by step rendering of the imagine in our minds onto the physical reality of our home. It might be a weekend project, or winter project or vacation project. And with each new accomplishment, we celebrate how much better and brighter our home looks. We invite friends and family and point out the new paint job or countertops.
In the same way as we can see the potential in our homes and we go about gradually changing them from what they are to what they could be, God sees the potential in each of us, and He does not do His work overnight, but rather over a lifetime. Project by project He changes and completes us, and He celebrates each new victory in our lives. 2 Corinthians 3:18 tells us that God continually changes us "from glory to glory.'' Each new phase is considered beautiful, and even if we can't see all that we are destined to become, He can, and He is continually bringing us closer to the very best version of ourselves.
Don't get discouraged with where you are or how far you have to go. Know that you are a lifetime project, and God will keep working with you and in you until the day you leave this earth. Houses don't get renovated overnight, and neither do we. Day by day we are becoming better versions of ourselves, and this should bring us courage and joy. Know that your tomorrows can be better than your yesterdays if you will allow God to continue His work in you. He sees the finished picture, and He is changing you more and more into the best version of you. Keep your chin up and keep moving forward. I can't wait to see you reach your potential and succeed!
~K.W.
In the same way as we can see the potential in our homes and we go about gradually changing them from what they are to what they could be, God sees the potential in each of us, and He does not do His work overnight, but rather over a lifetime. Project by project He changes and completes us, and He celebrates each new victory in our lives. 2 Corinthians 3:18 tells us that God continually changes us "from glory to glory.'' Each new phase is considered beautiful, and even if we can't see all that we are destined to become, He can, and He is continually bringing us closer to the very best version of ourselves.
Don't get discouraged with where you are or how far you have to go. Know that you are a lifetime project, and God will keep working with you and in you until the day you leave this earth. Houses don't get renovated overnight, and neither do we. Day by day we are becoming better versions of ourselves, and this should bring us courage and joy. Know that your tomorrows can be better than your yesterdays if you will allow God to continue His work in you. He sees the finished picture, and He is changing you more and more into the best version of you. Keep your chin up and keep moving forward. I can't wait to see you reach your potential and succeed!
~K.W.
Monday, June 25, 2018
Fighting Your Battles
Do you ever feel like you fight the same battle over and over again? Maybe you struggle with gossiping or anger; maybe it's a particular thought pattern or bad habit; maybe it's laziness or procrastination. I read a thought provoking quote by Margaret Thatcher today. It said, "You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it." (As taken from Girls With Swords by Lisa Bevere)
How true this statement is, and yet so often we get frustrated with ourselves and beat ourselves up when we are challenged time and again.
Facing the same struggle does not mean you are a failure. It just means your journey isn't over yet. Are you growing and progressing? Maybe you chose not to gossip 8 out of 20 times this week. You can look at it as failing 12 times or succeeding 8 times. If you choose to focus on the battles you've won, then you can keep moving forward. Don't keep score of your failures and shortcomings. Just work at being better each day. If you have a habit of complaining, try setting a timer on your phone for one hour and committing to not complaining during that time. When the hour is up, set it again. Does this mean you will never complain again in your life? I doubt it. I don't think even the most spiritual person can go his or her whole life without complaining. That is a battle you may fight daily, or hourly, or by the second. Just know that each battle is a chance to win a victory and move farther along on your path to spiritual and personal maturity. The great thing about life and about our God is that "His mercies […] are new every morning." (Lamentations 2:22-23) God will never give up on you, and He will keep working on you everyday of your life to bring you closer to who you were made to be. (Philippians 1:6)
Whatever struggle you are facing right now, know that it is a new day and a new week, and there are new opportunities for you to win the battle you are fighting. Keep pressing forward and take new ground this week. Make it an awesome Monday! I can't wait to see you succeed!
~K.W.
How true this statement is, and yet so often we get frustrated with ourselves and beat ourselves up when we are challenged time and again.
Facing the same struggle does not mean you are a failure. It just means your journey isn't over yet. Are you growing and progressing? Maybe you chose not to gossip 8 out of 20 times this week. You can look at it as failing 12 times or succeeding 8 times. If you choose to focus on the battles you've won, then you can keep moving forward. Don't keep score of your failures and shortcomings. Just work at being better each day. If you have a habit of complaining, try setting a timer on your phone for one hour and committing to not complaining during that time. When the hour is up, set it again. Does this mean you will never complain again in your life? I doubt it. I don't think even the most spiritual person can go his or her whole life without complaining. That is a battle you may fight daily, or hourly, or by the second. Just know that each battle is a chance to win a victory and move farther along on your path to spiritual and personal maturity. The great thing about life and about our God is that "His mercies […] are new every morning." (Lamentations 2:22-23) God will never give up on you, and He will keep working on you everyday of your life to bring you closer to who you were made to be. (Philippians 1:6)
Whatever struggle you are facing right now, know that it is a new day and a new week, and there are new opportunities for you to win the battle you are fighting. Keep pressing forward and take new ground this week. Make it an awesome Monday! I can't wait to see you succeed!
~K.W.
Sunday, June 24, 2018
Give a Little Grace
Most of us are familiar with the concept of grace. But my question for you today is, are you giving grace? Now believe me, I know it's easy to judge or get uptight about someone else's behavior, but if you try to live with the assumption that people have good intentions at heart, you will be filled with much more peace, and you can learn to just let things roll off your back. Maybe that comment from your co-worker was meant to hurt your feelings, or maybe it was just a statement that you took the wrong way. Does it really matter? Nope. And if you choose to just give grace and move on you will learn that you will get along with others so much better.
But I also want to talk to you today about giving grace to yourself. Most of us know we should give grace to others, and I think deep down many of us want to do that, but a lot of us balk at the idea of being gracious with ourselves. We tend to be our own worst critics, because after all, who knows us better than we know ourselves, right? But putting so much pressure on ourselves to always be perfect is very detrimental to our health and well-being. If every time you mess up or fall short of a goal you put yourself down, you start to gain a fear of failure, and it makes moving forward that much harder. If, on the other hand when you mess up, you pick yourself up, say, "Oops" and move on, you can continue pushing forward towards success without fear or frustration. I'm not saying you shouldn't try to do the right thing. I'm just saying that when you make mistakes, as all of us do, that you don't need beat yourself up over them. Think of it this way, if a completely perfect God knows everything you have ever done wrong or ever will do wrong and still loves you, then you can absolutely love you and learn to let your failures go. And keeping this perspective of knowing how much we have been forgiven makes it easier to forgive others when they hurt us or disappoint us as well.
A third area I think needs mentioning because it is so prevalent in American culture is to be gracious with your body. We are taught that we need to always push ourselves to the limit, to do more, be more and have more, but sometimes the best thing for our bodies is just to rest. If you are battling physical illness, mental illness, life changes, or just having a difficult season of life, you may need to give yourself some grace. It's ok to rest. It's ok to take a month for your mental health. It's ok to put your needs on the priority list. Give yourself grace. I'm not saying to let yourself get out of doing what you need to all the time, but there are times in life when you need a little extra rest or TLC., and that's perfectly ok. Give yourself permission to take a break.
Wherever you're at in your journey today, know that I love you and I can't wait to see you succeed. Be gracious with yourself and others, and let's keep moving forward.
~K.W.
But I also want to talk to you today about giving grace to yourself. Most of us know we should give grace to others, and I think deep down many of us want to do that, but a lot of us balk at the idea of being gracious with ourselves. We tend to be our own worst critics, because after all, who knows us better than we know ourselves, right? But putting so much pressure on ourselves to always be perfect is very detrimental to our health and well-being. If every time you mess up or fall short of a goal you put yourself down, you start to gain a fear of failure, and it makes moving forward that much harder. If, on the other hand when you mess up, you pick yourself up, say, "Oops" and move on, you can continue pushing forward towards success without fear or frustration. I'm not saying you shouldn't try to do the right thing. I'm just saying that when you make mistakes, as all of us do, that you don't need beat yourself up over them. Think of it this way, if a completely perfect God knows everything you have ever done wrong or ever will do wrong and still loves you, then you can absolutely love you and learn to let your failures go. And keeping this perspective of knowing how much we have been forgiven makes it easier to forgive others when they hurt us or disappoint us as well.
A third area I think needs mentioning because it is so prevalent in American culture is to be gracious with your body. We are taught that we need to always push ourselves to the limit, to do more, be more and have more, but sometimes the best thing for our bodies is just to rest. If you are battling physical illness, mental illness, life changes, or just having a difficult season of life, you may need to give yourself some grace. It's ok to rest. It's ok to take a month for your mental health. It's ok to put your needs on the priority list. Give yourself grace. I'm not saying to let yourself get out of doing what you need to all the time, but there are times in life when you need a little extra rest or TLC., and that's perfectly ok. Give yourself permission to take a break.
Wherever you're at in your journey today, know that I love you and I can't wait to see you succeed. Be gracious with yourself and others, and let's keep moving forward.
~K.W.
Saturday, June 23, 2018
Go With the Flow
Do you ever just want things to happen Right Now, like that job or promotion, your kids to grow up, vacation, or paying off your debt? Sometimes we have a tendency to want to speed things up, to have all that we want immediately, but what we need to realize is that there is a natural ebb and flow to life, a perfect rhythm of ups and downs, and if we can learn to live in the Spirit and keep in step with God's timing, we will live at peace through each and every season of life.
Did you know that life's circumstances don't have to be good for you to be at peace? You can experience peace in the midst of loss, pain, sickness, and disappointment. You see, peace isn't based on our outward experiences, but on a calm assurance that our God is in control and that He is working things together for our good. (Romans 8:28)
When you learn to live with this surety, you will not be swayed by every frustration that comes your way, but instead you can cast your cares and live in freedom and joy. (1 Peter 5:7) You will find that when you learn to live this way, your days will be filled with more joy and peace than you could have imagined.
So how do you learn to live in this rhythm? Well, like most things in life, it's a process which takes time. It doesn't happen over night, but if you are diligent about pursuing God, you will find that little by little you will get in step with Him and learn to live in His Spirit. The Bible says that there will come a time when people will worship God in Spirit and in Truth. (John 4:24) I believe this means that God's people will be deeply connected to Him through the Holy Spirit, and that they will worship God by living out their days in the power and peace of His Spirit, and that time is now.
If you aren't sure where to begin, start by spending daily time reading the Bible and praying. I suggest journaling your prayers and conversations with God. During your prayer time, take time to pause and listen for anything God lays on your heart. This is the Holy Spirit speaking to you. At first this might seem strange, but the more you practice, the more you will begin to recognize God's leading in your life, and you will begin to live within God's rhythms. Just as in any marriage, to create a deeper bond and live more closely with your spouse you must get to know one another by spending time together and talking with them and listening to them, our relationship with God must be nurtured in the same way if we expect to live in step with Him.
Secondly, begin learning from others who may be farther along in there spiritual walk. Some of my favorite authors which have helped develop my walk with God in significant ways are, Terri Savelle Foy, Joseph Prince, Joel Osteen, and Joyce Meyer. I encourage you to seek out ways to learn and grow yourself. The more spiritually mature you become, the more the workings of God's Spirit will make sense to you and help you to live as He desires.
Lastly, don't get overwhelmed or frustrated with where you are at. God loves you right now, right here in the midst of whatever struggle you are facing. You do not have to be good enough for God. He already took care of that. Your only job is to grow closer to Him each day and learn to live as His Spirit calls you. Start to walk in peace and ease today. I can't wait to see you succeed!
~K.W.
Did you know that life's circumstances don't have to be good for you to be at peace? You can experience peace in the midst of loss, pain, sickness, and disappointment. You see, peace isn't based on our outward experiences, but on a calm assurance that our God is in control and that He is working things together for our good. (Romans 8:28)
When you learn to live with this surety, you will not be swayed by every frustration that comes your way, but instead you can cast your cares and live in freedom and joy. (1 Peter 5:7) You will find that when you learn to live this way, your days will be filled with more joy and peace than you could have imagined.
So how do you learn to live in this rhythm? Well, like most things in life, it's a process which takes time. It doesn't happen over night, but if you are diligent about pursuing God, you will find that little by little you will get in step with Him and learn to live in His Spirit. The Bible says that there will come a time when people will worship God in Spirit and in Truth. (John 4:24) I believe this means that God's people will be deeply connected to Him through the Holy Spirit, and that they will worship God by living out their days in the power and peace of His Spirit, and that time is now.
If you aren't sure where to begin, start by spending daily time reading the Bible and praying. I suggest journaling your prayers and conversations with God. During your prayer time, take time to pause and listen for anything God lays on your heart. This is the Holy Spirit speaking to you. At first this might seem strange, but the more you practice, the more you will begin to recognize God's leading in your life, and you will begin to live within God's rhythms. Just as in any marriage, to create a deeper bond and live more closely with your spouse you must get to know one another by spending time together and talking with them and listening to them, our relationship with God must be nurtured in the same way if we expect to live in step with Him.
Secondly, begin learning from others who may be farther along in there spiritual walk. Some of my favorite authors which have helped develop my walk with God in significant ways are, Terri Savelle Foy, Joseph Prince, Joel Osteen, and Joyce Meyer. I encourage you to seek out ways to learn and grow yourself. The more spiritually mature you become, the more the workings of God's Spirit will make sense to you and help you to live as He desires.
Lastly, don't get overwhelmed or frustrated with where you are at. God loves you right now, right here in the midst of whatever struggle you are facing. You do not have to be good enough for God. He already took care of that. Your only job is to grow closer to Him each day and learn to live as His Spirit calls you. Start to walk in peace and ease today. I can't wait to see you succeed!
~K.W.
Friday, June 22, 2018
Decisions, Decisions
Are you a person who makes decisions quickly and easily, or are you a person who deliberates and agonizes for hours or even days over each choice? When it comes to making choices, I happen to be a person who likes to be in charge of making the decisions, and I usually think I do a pretty good job of it... not that anyone's asking or anything. But even for those of us who feel confident being in charge and calling the shots, sometimes there are those major life choices that make us wish someone else could just tell us what to do or how to handle it. If you're facing a big decision right now, maybe a move, job change, marriage, adoption, or any number of other life decisions, know that even though we don't have a crystal ball to tell us what to choose, there is a way of making a decision with clarity and confidence. Let me share with you my advice for tackling those once in a lifetime type choices, and hopefully you can put your mind to rest a bit.
There are always those split second decisions where you don't have time to think and you must just choose, but in cases where you need to make decision and you have a little bit of time, here's what I always tell those who come to me for help.
1. Set aside ten minutes daily for one week to pray over your decision.
Taking those ten minutes a day to pray and actively seek wisdom about what you should do will help you to really clarify in your mind what your choices are, and if you are taking the time daily to pray about it, this can be a very focused time for you to really get the ideas and answers into your mind.
2. Listen to what gives you peace.
When you set aside those ten minutes each day, take part of that time to really just listen for what the Holy Spirit places on your heart or what you feel gives you the most peace. Most of the time we know what choice we should make, but sometimes we talk ourselves out of it because of fear or other people's opinions. If you really sit down and think about the options though, which one gives you peace in your heart. Most likely, that is the one you should pursue.
3. Choose not to worry about the decision.
Aside from the ten minutes you are setting aside to focus on the decision making process, do not worry about, mull over, or deliberate your choices. You will only create confusion and stress in your mind by constantly thinking about what to do, and the Bible clearly tells us that confusion is not of God. (2 Timothy 1:7) (1 Corinthians 14:33)
4. Be firm about your choice.
At the end of the time period that you have set to pray, whether it is a week, three days, or a month if you have the time, make your decision, and then stick with it and let it all the doubts or questions go. Once you have made your decision, act as though it is your only option. Do not continue to deliberate. Move forward and do what you know needs to be done.
For many of us, we think that if we avoid a hard decision long enough it will eventually get made for us, and this may be the case in some instances, but God gave us the ability to choose, and I believe that we honor Him by seeking His will and actively making choices for our lives. Do not get caught in indecision and deliberation. The devil would love to keep you useless and ineffective trapped in a web of confusion and choices. Do not get weighed down by your options. Make a decision and stand by it. Whatever you need to decide about, use the steps above, and make your choice. I'm waiting to see you succeed!
~K.W.
There are always those split second decisions where you don't have time to think and you must just choose, but in cases where you need to make decision and you have a little bit of time, here's what I always tell those who come to me for help.
1. Set aside ten minutes daily for one week to pray over your decision.
Taking those ten minutes a day to pray and actively seek wisdom about what you should do will help you to really clarify in your mind what your choices are, and if you are taking the time daily to pray about it, this can be a very focused time for you to really get the ideas and answers into your mind.
2. Listen to what gives you peace.
When you set aside those ten minutes each day, take part of that time to really just listen for what the Holy Spirit places on your heart or what you feel gives you the most peace. Most of the time we know what choice we should make, but sometimes we talk ourselves out of it because of fear or other people's opinions. If you really sit down and think about the options though, which one gives you peace in your heart. Most likely, that is the one you should pursue.
3. Choose not to worry about the decision.
Aside from the ten minutes you are setting aside to focus on the decision making process, do not worry about, mull over, or deliberate your choices. You will only create confusion and stress in your mind by constantly thinking about what to do, and the Bible clearly tells us that confusion is not of God. (2 Timothy 1:7) (1 Corinthians 14:33)
4. Be firm about your choice.
At the end of the time period that you have set to pray, whether it is a week, three days, or a month if you have the time, make your decision, and then stick with it and let it all the doubts or questions go. Once you have made your decision, act as though it is your only option. Do not continue to deliberate. Move forward and do what you know needs to be done.
For many of us, we think that if we avoid a hard decision long enough it will eventually get made for us, and this may be the case in some instances, but God gave us the ability to choose, and I believe that we honor Him by seeking His will and actively making choices for our lives. Do not get caught in indecision and deliberation. The devil would love to keep you useless and ineffective trapped in a web of confusion and choices. Do not get weighed down by your options. Make a decision and stand by it. Whatever you need to decide about, use the steps above, and make your choice. I'm waiting to see you succeed!
~K.W.
Thursday, June 21, 2018
You Get What You Give
My heart is so full tonight. I am so blessed to know so many amazing givers. We are showered with love so often; it's just astounding, and I am so thankful. In fact, it is some of these people in my life who really taught me to become a giver and to make it a priority to give above and beyond as often as possible.
Quite frankly, the secret to abundance is becoming a person who always gives more than you get. And if this sounds counterproductive to you, stick with me. It would seem like, according to our earthly economy that if you are always giving more than you get that you will very quickly be out of business. But that's not how our God's economy works. You see, in God's economy, He can take a small lunch of five loaves of bread and two fishes and use it to feed 5,000 people. (Luke 9) The cool part about this story is not that God created enough food to feed 5,000 people from a meager lunch serving. After all, He's God... He could have created food out of nothing. But the neat part about this all is that God allows us to be part of the blessing, and He blesses us in return for giving of what we have. God, being that He's God and all, could theoretically just solve every problem in the world by Himself. But He has graciously allowed us to become a part of solving some of the problems so that we can share in the blessings and benefits of doing so. Pretty cool huh? And I'm not saying you should give to get stuff in return. I'm talking about genuine, deep down, from the heart giving. Giving must become a way of life for you before you can enjoy the blessings of abundance you were made to have.
The Bible instructs us to "Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days." (Ecclesiastes 11:1) What this is really saying is that if we are willing to throw what we have out there for those in need, we will find that what we need will always find its way to us as well. And the Bible also promises us that if we are faithful in taking care of a little bit that we have, then we will be entrusted with more. (Luke 16:10)
Maybe you're going through a tough time financially, and giving seems really impossible right now. I want to encourage you to find some way that you can. Whether that be a few dollars to buy a homeless person lunch, or just picking up a card and taking the time to send some words of encouragement. There are always ways you can give if you look for them, and if you become a giver, you will be rewarded in more ways than you can imagine.
Make giving a way of life and I promise you, you will not be disappointed when you develop a truly generous heart. I pray that you learn to be an extravagant giver and that you reap the blessings of doing so. I can't wait to see you succeed!
~K.W.
Quite frankly, the secret to abundance is becoming a person who always gives more than you get. And if this sounds counterproductive to you, stick with me. It would seem like, according to our earthly economy that if you are always giving more than you get that you will very quickly be out of business. But that's not how our God's economy works. You see, in God's economy, He can take a small lunch of five loaves of bread and two fishes and use it to feed 5,000 people. (Luke 9) The cool part about this story is not that God created enough food to feed 5,000 people from a meager lunch serving. After all, He's God... He could have created food out of nothing. But the neat part about this all is that God allows us to be part of the blessing, and He blesses us in return for giving of what we have. God, being that He's God and all, could theoretically just solve every problem in the world by Himself. But He has graciously allowed us to become a part of solving some of the problems so that we can share in the blessings and benefits of doing so. Pretty cool huh? And I'm not saying you should give to get stuff in return. I'm talking about genuine, deep down, from the heart giving. Giving must become a way of life for you before you can enjoy the blessings of abundance you were made to have.
The Bible instructs us to "Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days." (Ecclesiastes 11:1) What this is really saying is that if we are willing to throw what we have out there for those in need, we will find that what we need will always find its way to us as well. And the Bible also promises us that if we are faithful in taking care of a little bit that we have, then we will be entrusted with more. (Luke 16:10)
Maybe you're going through a tough time financially, and giving seems really impossible right now. I want to encourage you to find some way that you can. Whether that be a few dollars to buy a homeless person lunch, or just picking up a card and taking the time to send some words of encouragement. There are always ways you can give if you look for them, and if you become a giver, you will be rewarded in more ways than you can imagine.
Make giving a way of life and I promise you, you will not be disappointed when you develop a truly generous heart. I pray that you learn to be an extravagant giver and that you reap the blessings of doing so. I can't wait to see you succeed!
~K.W.
Wednesday, June 20, 2018
Creating Lifestyle
Ok, so here's the thing friends...in order to build the lifestyle you want, you have to create habits which form your lifestyle. In order to create habits you have to take consistent action. And that's what makes creating lifestyle so difficult. You see, it's not that everyone can't have the lifestyle they want... because they can. But the truth is that most of us have not gotten consistent enough with our habits to produce the results we want. And if that statement ticks you off a little bit, it's ok, because it ticks me off too. It's hard to take a look at ourselves and admit that we are the reason we aren't getting what we want in life. But if you are willing to accept the truth of where you stand, then you can also take responsibility for fixing it. And that's where things get exciting. Well, sorta.
Honestly, consistency isn't necessarily fun. The day in, day out habits which create lifestyle are usually not anything spectacular, and that's why it's easy to get distracted or quit doing what you know you should be doing. Truthfully, consistency means continuing in your habit when you don't feel like it, and when you really, really don't feel like it, and when you just plain don't want to. But it's this willingness to press on despite our feelings that separates the winners from the losers, and I know you guys are destined to be winners. You wouldn't be reading this if you weren't.
If you're feeling a bit frustrated or irritated with where you are in life right now, it's time to evaluate your habits. Do you have consistent habits? And if you don't, it's time to start forming them. Is it easy to form new habits? Not always. But will building and keeping new, positive habits begin changing your life little by little? You bet!
You were destined to have lifestyle and to live victoriously. Begin taking the steps you need to today, and then stick with them, tomorrow, and next week, and next year, and you will look back one day and your life will be completely different. I'm so excited to see where you are after taking consistent action towards your dreams and goals. Let's walk it out together! I can't wait to see you succeed!
~K.W.
Honestly, consistency isn't necessarily fun. The day in, day out habits which create lifestyle are usually not anything spectacular, and that's why it's easy to get distracted or quit doing what you know you should be doing. Truthfully, consistency means continuing in your habit when you don't feel like it, and when you really, really don't feel like it, and when you just plain don't want to. But it's this willingness to press on despite our feelings that separates the winners from the losers, and I know you guys are destined to be winners. You wouldn't be reading this if you weren't.
If you're feeling a bit frustrated or irritated with where you are in life right now, it's time to evaluate your habits. Do you have consistent habits? And if you don't, it's time to start forming them. Is it easy to form new habits? Not always. But will building and keeping new, positive habits begin changing your life little by little? You bet!
You were destined to have lifestyle and to live victoriously. Begin taking the steps you need to today, and then stick with them, tomorrow, and next week, and next year, and you will look back one day and your life will be completely different. I'm so excited to see where you are after taking consistent action towards your dreams and goals. Let's walk it out together! I can't wait to see you succeed!
~K.W.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Thoughts for Today
Perfection
It's Sunday night. You've finally done it. You've created the perfect plan. You've meal prepped and time blocked; you'...
