Live the life you were created a live - a repost

I'm always thinking about thinking ... mainly because I understand that my thinking controls every area of my life. I know from past experiences that trying to change areas of my life without changing my thinking only produces a temporary change. Before long I revert back to my previous behavior. Why is this? Because for the most part our thinking is set on auto pilot. We just cruise along at the same altitude until we hit a little turbulence that causes us to adjust, but just like the auto pilot, once we have navigated the storm we return to our programed altitude. Often our desire to change comes from a crisis. For example, we when we get our paycheck and it's not enough to pay our bills, we talk about getting another job and promise to do something different, but once we pass through the storm we settle back into auto pilot. We do the same with our health, our relationships and dreams.

We know we want more, we know God has created us for more, but yet we stay in the comfort of auto pilot. Why? Because even though we want change, we haven't done the work to produce change where it matters most...in our thinking. As a result, we continue to repeat the same cycle expecting a different outcome, even though we know it's insanity. We offer up so many excuses as to why we don't change, but in reality all those excuses cover up the real thing holding us back ... fear!

"Our worst fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'who am I to be so brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?' Actually, who are we not to be? You are a child of God: Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There is nothing enlightening about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us. It is not just in some of us, it is in everyone and as we let our own light shine we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." (Nelson Mandela receives the credit for saying this, but he was actually quoting Mariam Williamson. In the end it doesn't really matter who said it first, it's true.)

Fear causes us to accept just existing rather than living which is so far beneath the abundant life God created for us. Fear causes us to refuse to allow the God given dreams in us to become the reality we live! Fear causes us to be more comfortable with things that we should never tolerate. Fear controls our thinkink causing us to place and accept limitations as normal living. We get so focused on how hard it is to return to school that we can't even envision oursleves with the degree in hand. Our fear keeps us from seeing that millions of others have overcome the same issue...not because they are favored or more blessed, but because they eradicated the fear by dealing with their thinking. They disproved the lies established by fear by taking consistent counter actions to their fears.

If others have overcome fear to achieve their goals, then I can...you can. But the first step is deal with our thinking. Here are four things we must do to change our thinking so that we can live abundantly

1) Locate ourselves - How do we think? Spend time thinking about our thinking. Why did I respond that way? Am I limiting myself? Why do I procastinate?

2) Make a Commit to Change - We must make a quality decision that enough is enough and that we are willing to do the work necessary to produce the change we desire.

3) Surround ourselves with successful others - Our environment is always working on us so the best thing we can do is surround ourselves with others who are also committed to living abundantly

4) Develop successful systems - We need plans to make our dreams come true. Nothing just happens. If the goal is weight loss, then let's plan our meals and schedule our workout time...it won't happen if we don't. If we're going to start a business, carve out time to work on the business plan and teach others in your life to respect that time. If the goal is to grow spiritually, then make bible reading and church attendance a priority and don't read your bible when you're sleepy...you know you are going to fall asleep.

5) Do all you can and trust God to do what you can't. God wants you to succeed way more than you do. He's given you everything you need to be successful, however, He needs you to do your part. When you have done the natural...you can expect the supernatural.

Each of us is here on purpose for a purpose. Our lives are more than being consumed with uninspiring activities and reality tv. Let's be the best we can be, make a difference in our lives, those we love and the world!

The Conflict of Warfare

I wonder why it’s so hard to understand

The most serious spiritual battles

Take place in the inner man

For the lover of God

There is no greater stress

Than the battles that transpire between Spirit & flesh

Resist the devil and he will flee

How exactly do I resist when he’s part of me?

If loving that man is wrong I don’t wanna be right

But I long to be pleasing in God’s sight

I’m struggling and it seems no one can see

I guess it’s because the conflict takes place inside of me

I go to church, read the Word and I pray

But when he calls me late at night I don’t always say

NO

But I want to oh so bad

Am I really saved or do I need to rededicate again?

Is there any escape from this life of sin?

Like Paul the very thing I hate to do

Is the very thing I do again

Dag! Somebody help me

Can anybody see

How in the world do I crucify

This part of me that’s fighting not to die

 They say “She really doesn’t love God”

But that’s not my reality

The truth is, it’s my love for Him

Keeping me from completely giving in

Hold on before you make a judgment

About my spirituality

I’d prefer you offer up some prayer

And some accountability

It may not be the lure of sex

That pulls you off your path

Could it be guilt from your abortion

That makes you over eat

Maybe you just talk too much

Do you ever lie or cheat

Whatever your secret battle

There’s only one way victory is won

Is life hidden in God’s only Son

Let His love constrain you

Let His Word re-train you

Don’t run from Him

Run to Him

It’s His power that sets you free from sin

Your own striving and struggling leads to failure again

Remember He is greater than any trap of sin

I may not be perfect but I’m better than before

The more I look at Jesus, the more I win the war

I don’t answer the late night calls

Near as often as I use to

I’m learning that if I resist him

He will flee

As long as I remember

That sin isn’t the real Me!

Love your job? You should!

One of the biggest issues with creating a job we love is our belief system. We are conditioned to think work/career has to be a certain way and we follow that path even when it leaves us unfulfilled in some area. Most people have jobs to meet their needs alone. A job should fulfill your passion and pay your bills. In order to create a job that does both you must deal with your thinking. My strategy is actually get go clear about that God wants more for me and then work with Him to create it. 

This could mean starting a business or simply redefining how you view and value your skills, talents and strengths. I personally believe that God cares about where we work, how much we make and whether we enjoy our work because it affects every other area of our lives. If you hate your job, your family certainly suffers from that and it makes sharing God's love in action at work extremely difficult. Anyway, below are some steps that I've put together. Tell me what you think. Do you see how they can assist you is your quest for a new job?



1. Decide that working a job that you allows you to be your best you AND pays you handsomely IS THE WILL OF GOD! Apply John 10:10 to your career. God wants you to have job that pays abundantly and allows you to fulfill your dreams. The enemy wants to steal that from you by keeping you tied to a job simply because it pays the bills. Spend time in God’s word and with



2. Imagine what that job would look like. Many people say they want a better job and more money, but what does that really look like for you? Do you want to make $50.00 more annually or $50,000? What time do want to work? Do you want to work from home? Too many people underestimate the value of their imagination, but until you can see it internally you’ll never live it externally. Even God created the world based on an inner vision. You’re created to do the same! So get clear about what it looks like.

3. Write it down – The Bible tells us to write the vision and make it plain so where’s your vision concerning your job? Don’t just write it, read it continually and make a confession that you say over it. For example, “Father I thank you that you have given me the gift working with numbers and I use that gift to build wealth for my family and advance the kingdom.” I thank you that my gifts allow me to make at least 100,000 annually. I work with people that I like and like me. It is a pleasant, relaxed and productive environment. I am an asset to my company because I am constantly added value by solving problems and making the company more profitable. As a result, I continuously experience increase on my job.” I could go on and on, but you get the picture.



4. Research – What industries or jobs best fit your personality? There are lots of free personality and job assessment tools online, take advantage of them.



5. Find Mentors – Who has done what you want to do? Who has a job that seems cool to you? Invite them out for lunch or coffee (you pay) and pick their brains. Come prepared with questions to ask…don’t waste their time. If you don’t have anyone close, read and read and read! Someone has done something similar to what you desire; you just have to search them out.



6. Create it – If the job you want doesn’t exist; create it. You can do that by using your faith to call it into existence or by literally starting a company that does what you need. Even the job you work today was created by someone…why not you?



7. Be committed to your goal, but flexible in your approach – Whether the goal is to be a VP or small business owner there are so many different paths! If something doesn’t work out, keep moving forward! Too many people get stuck because they are more focused on the mistake than what they learned from it. Mistakes are a part of life. If you decide something is right for you, change directions…it’s okay to do that!



8. Invest in yourself – You may have to go to job that you really don’t like right now, but what are you doing in your free time? What are you reading on your lunch break? What are you learning while you sit in the car while the kids are at soccer practice? If you want something different, you have to learn something different.



Let me leave you with this: I’ve watched my husband create his dream job several times by doing what I shared above. Once a company set up an office in Arkansas to do a new program and he got the job…it paid what he wanted and let him work from home a lot. Another time, a company restructured so he could work from home just to have him on their team. It can be done, if you will believe.

I’m personally creating a company that allows me to do what I love “Helping people win in Life” and still be present and active for my and pastor. In order to do it, I gave up my t.v. time but I gain additional income doing what I love. If we can do it, you can do too! Let me know your progress!