Remember How Far You've Come

Don't obsess about how far you have to go.

Baby steps have always gotten you there. Minute by minute. Hour by hour. Day by day. Praise God that He has given you a hope and a future. Glory in the Lord that you trust in Him with all of your heart and you choose not to rely on your own understanding, that you acknowledge him in all that you do and that He is directing your paths.  

Jeremiah 29:11

Proverbs 3:5-6

Recount how far you've come.

Don't forget how your faith has grown and how God has done remarkable things in your life. Remember how your prayers have improved and how they change things. Recall that you are much closer to God through Jesus Christ than you've ever been. Reminisce about your journey with God and that you have a history of miracles in Him. 

James 5:16

Psalm 145:18

Rejoice in it everyday.

Thank God for the peace that surpasses all understanding. Revel in the fact that God has given you good talents and skills. Be overjoyed that all things are possible to him who believes. Celebrate your uniqueness in Christ Jesus, that He is The Author and the Finisher of your faith, that you can do nothing without him and that He is able to bring to perfection all that concerns you. 

Philippians 4:7

Mark 9:23

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Smiling Through Difficult Times

Remembering our knowledge of God and His Word will help us to smile in the most distressing of circumstances. Why? We know that there is nothing that can separate us from God's love. (Romans 8:38) He has given us major promises and he will fulfill them. 

We are able to smile when we are distressed, sorrowful, depressed or discouraged. If not smile, at least feel hopeful. (Romans 15:13) We can proclaim, Thank you Lord for joy unspeakable and the peace that surpasses all understanding. We know that the joy of the Lord is our strength, and He keeps us in perfect peace because we choose to keep our minds on Him. 

I feel better immediately when I remember what I already know about the goodness of God. What about the times when I just don't feel like remembering and quoting those truths? That's another story but one that is also filled with Kingdom of God success. Christian hope is based on the spiritual facts that we know. No matter what it feels like, looks like, tastes like, sounds like or smells like, nothing is too hard for God. (Jeremiah 32:17) 

In other words, when we choose to walk in our reborn spirits instead of in the flesh, we can experience hope again. This is the choice that we make over and over, until Jesus comes back. We can break out into a smile and have hope in difficult times, despite challenges.

Thus Says The Lord

Thus says the Lord, 

Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glories glory in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, judgement, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight,

says the Lord.

Jeremiah 9:23-24

Daily Living God's Way Everyday

I pray every morning that as I go about my affairs, I will see myself and my life as God sees them. The way that God sees me is with understanding, love, compassion and hope. For God knows the thoughts that he thinks towards me, thoughts of peace and not evil, to give me a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)

I also pray for the strength to allow the love that God has shed abroad in my heart to flow out to my enemies, to pray always for those who use me and plan spitefully against me. (Matthew 5:44)

I pray daily to be committed to never repaying evil for evil in any way, form or fashion; not through thoughts, words or deeds. I pray to always be of a mind to overcome evil with good, to trust my Dear Father and to walk in his light. (I John 1:7)