FACING CHALLENGES

When we find ourselves going through any kind of change in our lives, our natural response may be to tense up. We may not even notice that we have braced ourselves against a shift. There are positive ways to move through change without pushing it away or attempting to deny that it is happening. Since change will occur in almost every aspect of our lives, we can learn to make our response to it an affirmative one of anticipation, welcoming the new while releasing the past with grace.

 One thing we can do is change our perspective by changing the labels we use to identify our feelings. We can reinterpret feelings of anxiety as the anxious butterflies that come with eager expectation. With this shift, we begin to look for the good that is on its way to us. When we acknowledge that good is there for us to find, we focus our energy on joyful anticipation, allowing the feelings to carry us forward.

 We also can choose to do a ceremony to allow our emotions to process. Every culture has created ceremonies to help people make the transition from one phase of life to the next. We can create a ceremony too, perhaps by burning written thoughts and watching the smoke carry them away. Or we can welcome new endeavors by planting flowers or trees. Some ceremonial activities, such as a farewell send-off or housewarming party, we may do automatically. Society also has built-in ceremonies, like graduation and weddings. Sometimes the shift from denial to acceptance is all that is needed to ease our anxiety, allowing us to bring our memories with us as we move through nervousness to joyful excitement about the good to come.

MAINTAIN a RELATIONSHIP 

It is necessary that we maintain a relationship with the Holy Spirit. It must be at the center of our lives. Furthermore, it is essential for a Christian life.  Despite our best efforts, we have no ability to produce Christlike character on our own. Although we’ve been declared righteous through faith in Jesus, we still fall prey to sin, the pressures of the world, and the deceptions and temptations of the devil.

Thankfully, we have a resource that is greater than any hindrance—God’s omnipotent, indwelling Spirit. He continually works to transform us into Christ’s image by giving us holy desires and ambitions, making us sensitive to His leading, and empowering our obedience and service. When we’re submissive to the Spirit, we grow in our faith and resemble Jesus more and more.

However, this does not mean we play no part in the process. The practical truth is that we must exercise obedient attitudes even if we’re feeling otherwise. These include loving the unlovable, choosing joy instead of grumbling, being kind when we’d rather respond with harshness, and practicing patience despite frustration or anger. And the great mystery is that when we rely on the Spirit, our heart changes—love takes root, joy fills our heart, kindness feels right, and patience produces a peaceful spirit.

Do we have compassion, sympathy, or consideration for other life? 

When you get down to it, most of us think of life as being good or bad- but if we create our lives through our thoughts_ we can make things as good as we want.  Positive thinking helps us to enjoy a good life as we work through challenges. When your attitude is positive, you see adversities as simple lessons. Knowing they are a necessary part of living, you live in the spirit of Thanksgiving and open your life to new and better blessings.

 CALAMITY to CALM

How do you go from calamity to calm_ and function at a high level?

Calamity and chaos are always lurking somewhere close; the goal is to make you uncomfortable and lower your level of performance. You may have such a person in your family, or you may work with them_, but they operate off schedule, without a plan, indecisive, and without respect for others. It gives them great pleasure to know that they can push your buttons.

We know others who view it as power when they can disrupt a harmonious situation. Recently, our country hosted a group of Africans. The meeting was pointless, but it was cordial. One person requested a video be played of accused genocide in their country, and hell broke loose. We knew it was coming, we just watched and waited.  And sure enough, #47 began creating the chaos. If you have watched him operate_ he brings chaos where ever he goes.

That behavior is not of God’s Law, or of universal law that support Humanity.

For our nation, the world, and humankind to move forward_ all people need to experience a perspective purification process.

 Talk to God_ when my footing begins to slip, let me cling to you, Dear God. Instill your direction in my cluttered mind. When I am weak, lend me your strength, give me patience _ and if I fail_ guide me to place it in your hands.