Is Life a Roller Coaster or Merry-go-round?

Is life a roller coaster or merry-go-round? 

That may be easy for some to answer and for some of us, it's hard to choose.  There are so many different areas of life in which we juggle or struggle with each day; relationships, taking care of family and the home, working hard at our jobs, making good choices for nutrition, exercising to keep our bodies healthy, and the list could go on.

I began to run again last week, which let me tell you I have a love-hate relationship with running, but it is the one exercise I do that not only clears my mind, but helps me think clearly.  Did I just confuse you?  Sorry.  Let me try to explain.  When I strength train, I am counting reps so that is my focus; put an exercise video in the DVD player, I am focusing on what the instructor is saying and what move comes next. The days I run, I just run (well sometimes throw in walking intervals if I need to be truthful), but, nevertheless, it clears my mind.  There is something about being out on the road or trail where all you hear are birds singing, and the breeze rustling the leaves of the trees, that it puts me at peace with myself, and I can think clearly with no distractions.  It allows me to play in my mind all the things that are bothering me and I begin to pray and release.  There are burdens that we are carrying around that we are not meant to carry, and it becomes a heavy weight!  I Peter 5:7 (AMP) mentions to start "casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully]."  So, I pray and release it all to Him, which clears my mind, and then I am able to think more clearly and see things more clearly since I got rid of all that was cluttering my mind.  Hope that helped to explain what I meant.

So, roller coaster or merry-go-round; which do I choose?  Roller coaster.  Life for me, is up and down, hills and valleys, and I am supposed to enjoy the ride, but I have to admit that I do not.  There are some days, or let's shorten it to moments, where I do not like the ride, but it is part of the journey or experience we call life. On top of the roller coaster you can see what's ahead of you and are able to prepare and brace yourself so we feel a little more in control.  When you reach the dip, you can only see the uphill track in front of you.  It's the mountaintop experiences and the valleys of life that mold us and make us into who we are.  If we lived continually at the top, what could we learn or how could we grow?  Just as the top of the mountain shows less signs of life and can be a cold and brutal place; I believe it is how we can become if we have nothing that challenges us or to help grow our faith and realize that we cannot do life alone.  It is in the valley where the grass is greener, the trees are fuller, the flowers are blooming.  It is where we grow and come to life. 

If I really want to be truthful, there are times when my roller coaster just seems to be riding backwards, which can make me feel sick.  I think "why am I here again" facing the same battles, backtracking, if you will, to the same bump that I thought was conquered? I don't want to go over that same hill again and face the same pain or the same fears, AGAIN!  But, you know what?  I find it gets a little easier to deal with or I discover that there is something that I missed the first time around.  Like taking a test over to get a better score because we learned something new.

Whichever ride you are on in life, focus on what's ahead of you and ask yourself "what am I about to learn" and remember that you are not the only one on the ride.

Who Have You Left Behind?

This morning I was doing a devotion in Jesus Calling by Sarah Young and something hit me between the eyes.  This is what I read. "I am with you and for you, your constant Companion and Provider.  The question is whether you are with Me and for Me.  Though I never leave you, you can essentially 'leave' Me by ignoring Me: thinking or acting as if I am not with you.  When you feel distant in our relationship, you know where the problem lies.  My Love for you is constant: I am the same yesterday, today and forever.  It is you who change like shifting sand, letting circumstances toss you this way and that."

Don't know if that impacted you like it did me, but I had to repent.  There have been situations in my life lately where I have cried day and night (literal tears), first over the situation, then with self-pity, to where I have walked around tired and beaten.  Have to admit a little "snappy", as well.   After that, then I have gone to God and said "where are you?"  He hasn't gone anywhere, I moved my situation away from Him by trying to deal with it myself.  

How did I do this?  By rushing through my life and not taking the time to spend in reading His Word and praying, except little prayers I promised people I would pray.  To have any relationship, you need to make effort and time to invest in getting to know them.  God is no different.  

What relationship have you been leaving behind?  Spending quality time with kids or spouses due to busy schedules?  Never having time to get together with friends?  What about time for yourself?  

We need to cling tight to those relationships that are so important to us.  If you feel like God is distant, check where you have moved; He is still there!  Are you feeling distant in your relationship with your spouse?  When was the last time you had a date?  Feel like you don't have any friends?  Reach out: call, send text, FaceTime, send a note.  Little things make the difference. What about time for yourself?  When is the last time you did something you enjoy or made you feel better about yourself?  

Some of the clients I train will promise me that they will take walks, go for a run, or commit to exercising between their sessions, as well as eat, at least, better.  You can probably imagine the looks l get when I ask them at next session how did they do?  Trust me, their facial expression will tell it all. 

What steps will you take today to, first of all, build your relationship with God, secondly commit to yourself, and then to others?  If you are feeling alone, don't think about who is not there for you, but maybe who you have removed yourself from.  I have talked myself out of all these relationships.  I have jumped out of bed with a "thank you God', rushed out of the house with giving my husband a "brush-by" kiss and "call ya later", all because I have overflowed my schedule.  I have thought about talking to a friend and talked myself right out of it by convincing myself "they are too busy" when really it's about rejection if they are.

Trust me, I could go on and on, but I hope you get what I have tried to say here.  Even this blog, I was committing to writing once a week, and my last one was on February 7 (2 months ago).  Change your path today if you have been walking away from any relationships in your life - don't leave them behind; turn back around and run towards the love of the people that God has placed in your life. 

We are in this life together, so let's do life together!  

Can You Move a Mountain?

 I am sure you are familiar with the saying "faith can move mountains".  The basis for this thought comes from Matthew 17:20.

What is the mountain you are facing today?  Whether it is depression, anxiety, busyness, addiction, struggles with weight, financial hardship, career changes, marriage problems, health issues, unforgiveness, worrying about your children, and/or ______________ (you fill in the blank), we all have something we are dealing with in life.  We try to climb the mountain, go around the mountain, dig a tunnel through it, and we become tired and weary.  All of our energy is consumed by it and, at times, we feel like we cannot conquer it.  But, we can.

The passage I eluded to in the beginning, Matthew 17:20 states, "...Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move.  Nothing will be impossible for you."

A mustard seed is the tiniest of seeds, so that is very, very small faith.  But, what does He say?  With that smallest amount of faith, you can move that mountain (problem).  The thing that looks so big in your life and that situation that seems so impossible to get over, can be conquered just by believing.  Believe you can; believe you will; believe you are; and that situation will change.  

So don't feel defeated for one more moment. By faith, speak to the mountain and tell it to move out of your way.  

There are steps that I have taken, and some of them may help you, as well.

1.  Pray

2.  Speak faith - speak positive words into the situation.

3.  Read the Bible - don't know where to start then start with the passage above or get a daily devotional.

4.  Read books that encourage or can educate you on what you may be facing.

5.  Think about a change you can make in your life, and move in it one step at a time. 

6.  Maybe confide in someone you trust, someone who can encourage you, or keep you accountable in a situation.

7.  Listen to music that is positive, encouraging and/or worshipful.

8.  Look at things that are consuming your thoughts, time or energy and really examine what needs to stay, and what can be removed.

9.  Exercise, eat well, and get proper rest.

10.Pray, pray again, and then pray some more. :)

As I stated, these are some of the things that have helped me, even within this past week.  Those mountains can pop up in a moments notice, but they can be removed just as fast.  

Walk in freedom; walk in victory; walk in peace; walk in joy; walk in forgiveness; and walk in love. 

Small Steps Can Make a Big Difference.

Small steps can make a big difference.  

If you have the over-achiever gene like I do, taking small steps can be challenging.  I wanted to dive in to any goal and do the best, be the best, accomplish the goal ahead of schedule, and show that I can conquer the quest.

Then what?  Well, then I would start looking for the next thing to fulfill my time, and get the pats on the back, the high-fives, and way-to-goes.  

What I have learned, is that while going for the gold, I didn't enjoy the journey.  Taking small steps can help us to look around and enjoy the view, the people, the details.  While when we leap over the tall buildings in a single bound, we miss the beauty of the designs, the people walking and talking around us; everything is a blur. Sometimes, when we dive in too fast, we crash and burn, which is why a lot of resolutions stay unresolved. We take on challenges that are too big to keep up with and we get discouraged, feel like we failed, then we give up and surrender only to settle back into what we were trying to get away from in the first place.

I am sure you heard that slow and steady wins the race. This can be so true. Now that I am running, I understand it even more. Some may disagree and that is fine; this is from my perspective. When I want to finish a run fast and I start off fast, not only do I lose energy, but I barely make it to finish. However, when I slow my pace for the first half of my run, I am able to finish the second half stronger and in faster time.  

What is it that you are looking to change? The top 10 resolutions are get organized; help others; learn something new; get out of debt; more time with family; exercise; lose weight; quit smoking; quit drinking; enjoy life more. Whichever you choose, start small and take it one day at a time. Be sure not to lose the focus. Press on toward the goal.  We want the goal to be accomplished within the first month, when it is a new YEAR resolution. You have 365 days to work on it, not 30. Break your goals down into something that you can do within the next year. How do you do that? It can be easy.  

Let's take dieting or healthy eating as an example. I know it didn't seem to make the top 10, but let's face it, we've thought about it. As we were chomping on the cookies, chocolates, and egg nog, and feeling the effects of sleepiness and clothes getting tighter, the thought went to after the first of the year, I am going to eat better. We want to dump the carbs, dump the sugar, buy a juicer, and vow never to eat anything bad again. I counsel people when I am training them on nutrition and would never tell someone to dump it all on the first day. Small changes, one day at a time, will make big changes for them. Yes, I give them a shopping list of items and examples of meal plans, but I don't expect them to follow it to the letter their first week.  (Unless they are an over-achiever, of course). I ask them to journal so that we can see where their habits are and praise them on the small changes and conscious choices they may have made through the week. Even if it is something as simple as changing to alternate water after every other soda - it is better than drinking nothing but soda. They will continually cut back the soda until all they want is the water.  

Whatever your resolution, goal or vision is for this year, don't lose sight of it. Write it down, focus, and press on step by step. Believe you can and you will be able to accomplish anything!

        

'Tis the Season to Be...?

'Tis the season to be...?   How would you finish that thought?  I bet 95% of people said "jolly" and then it was followed by "fa la la la la".  Others may have said things like cheerful, giving, happy, excited, generous, etc. Something about this time of year brings out the best in most people and we want to participate in things that give us warm, fuzzy feelings.

Then there is the flip side.  For others this is the season to feel sad, lonely, stressed, frustrated, depressed, annoyed, etc.  

While Christmas is a time to reflect on the greatest gift ever given - Jesus - He is not always our total focus, but He plays a major part in how we can deal with all of those feelings listed above.

He understands all that we go through and He is with us in every situation.  Yet, it is at our lowest times when we seem to question where He is, and I promise you He is near to you.  Psalm 34:18 (NKJV) states that "The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit."  Also, in Matthew 1:23 (NKJV), Jesus is called "Immanuel", which translates "God with us."  Ups and downs, highs and lows, happy or sad, He is with us.  

Even now, I know people who are happy and excited over the birth of a new child, new house, engagements, promotions, and upcoming vacations.  And then, others who have requested prayer for someone dying from cancer and other diseases, people undergoing health tests, about to lose their homes, lost their jobs, family members suffering from addictions, those who are feeling sadness from losing loved ones and not being able to celebrate with them anymore, and the list goes on.  

Let us be mindful of what someone may be facing.  Let's live out Romans 12:15 (NIV), "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn".   

This is also the season of resolutions as we are saying goodbye to one year and preparing for the next.  What do you resolve to do right now - lose weight, get fit (I can help you with that), stop smoking or drinking, be more generous, be more organized, have more patience (tough one, just saying, and speaking from experience), or maybe get out of debt?  Make it your resolution to not only put into practice these things during this "season", but every season throughout the year.  

I pray that whether you are on the mountaintop or in a valley, that you will never lose focus of the one who is with us in every season.  Keep your eyes, heart and thoughts focused on Him as everything for your life has its time.  Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NKJV), "To everything there is a season.  A time for every purpose under heaven."

A friend of mine always encourages us not to do life alone.  What season are you in?  If it's a good season for you, pay it forward; if it's not, surround yourself with loved ones who can help you through the bad times.  

Now, how would you finish the statement...

'Tis the season to be...?

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Exercise Your Faith

What are some things you hope for?  Could it be financial stability; promotion on the job; more time to relax; a dream vacation; peace on earth; a loved one to be delivered from an addiction; a prodigal child to make their way back home and to find the right path; do you want to be more healthy; more fit, etc? You get the idea;.Fill in the blank with whatever you desire.  There are so many things that you may be hoping for and only one way to get it - prayer.  Exercise your faith today.  Pray.

I don't know about you, but there are multiple things listed above that I hope for, but don't always pray about them.  If you want things in your life to change, give God the reins, or in the words of a popular song, let "Jesus take the wheel."  There are so many times we try to do things on our own, only to find out that it would've been much easier and a road less traveled if we had just sought the one who has every thing in our life already planned out.  However, He has given us a free will and He lets us make the choice.

Ask Him to help you make the right choices - choose the right job or position; choose to make time for yourself; choose to make every day into a life that you don't need to take a vacation from; choose to be at peace with everyone; choose to let God intervene in your loved one's life; choose to let God guide your child; choose to eat the right foods; choose to exercise, etc.

Whatever it is you are hoping for, believe that God is in control and He is working it out.  Not only will you have peace, but you will be at peace with yourself and others.  You will not be anxious or fearful.  The storms you face will not phase you. Jesus showed us how it was done.  Read Mark 4:37-40.  There was a great windstorm and the waves were crashing into the boat and filling it with water, and Jesus stays asleep.  He had to be awakened!  I don't know about you, but I would've woken up a little panicked.  The guys on the boat were not only fearful, but a little annoyed.  They questioned him about whether or not he even cared about the fact that they may die.  What does he do?  He rebukes the wind and commands the sea to "peace, be still."  Then he looks at those who were afraid and said to them in verse 40, "Why are you so fearful?  How is it that you have no faith?" Say what?
I admit, I would've probably had an attitude and been like "wait a minute, don't tell me I don't have any faith just because I was a little fearful I might be thrown off this ship into the raging sea."

Well, faith is hope, not fear.  Have confidence in the fact that even though we don't see it or feel it, God is working it out.

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1

Spirit with a Soul Living in a Body

I heard a long time ago while sitting in a church service that we were a spirit with a soul living in a body.  Then read it in 1 Thessalonians 5:23 (NKJV) "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; any may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."

I knew that to speak with the Lord (prayer) was spiritual, but guess I never thought of it as being "spirit".  We communicate with God through our spirit; and by doing this daily, without ceasing, will keep us blameless.  Seek Him in ALL things.  There is nothing that happens to us that takes Him by surprise.  He knows what we will say before we say it.  He knows our situation before we are faced with it.

Our soul is our mind.  We need to renew our mind on a daily basis, sometimes hourly, sometimes moment by moment.  Depends on the day. Read His Word daily so that we can keep our thoughts on Him.  As we face things in our every day activities, our mind will be able to remember the promises given to us through His written word. Also, our mind can help us control our emotions, our choices, our reactions and not allow us to give into temptations or the lusts of the flesh.

Ah, our flesh, which is our body.  It is a fickle structure. It operates on the senses. Taste - we want to eat things that taste good, not necessarily what is good and beneficial to the rest of the body.  Touch - we will choose soft things over itchy, rough-feeling items.  Hearing - we only want to listen to things we choose to hear, whether that be music, positive vs negative comments, the people around us.  You can tell when someone only half listens to what you are saying because they answer you in the wrong way or interrupt without realizing you were still speaking.  Smell - we prefer pleasant odors, and even this is not the same for everyone.  Just ask any lady who bought a candle and one of the males in your household wants to know what "stinks".  Sight - we have an opinion on what we see as beauty, works of art, etc.

FitFaith came out of realizing that we need to be fit in all areas - spirit, soul, and body. Future blogs may not be so long as they may deal with only one of these areas. It could be through devotion, motivation, nutrition, exercise, a thought of the day, etc.

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