Move Forward in Faith

My heart bled for a friend last night, after she shared another piece of her trying journey. Her patience and her sanity is being stretched to the limit - so much so that in order to cope, she has to convince herself that something is wrong with her, despite the obvious signs that nothing is wrong with her.

To her I say, you are perfection. You were made in the likeness and image of God - physically, spiritually and emotionally. And though you may not realise it, you are perfect in every way and your way will be made clear as you move forward in faith.

You re not being punished my love. Contrary to popular belief, our God is not a vengeful God towards his children. He is a God of love, compassion and understanding. This is not punishment. It may just be a test of your faith in Him.

At certain points in your life you will feel alone and lost. At times you may even question your purpose. Find peace in remembering that your way will be made clear. You may not know what will happen in a week, a month or even a year but know that you are being guided step by step and you are never alone. Open your heart and mind to clarity and confidence and thank God for the inner wisdom that moves your life forward in divine order, divine purpose and divine timing.

Letting Go Of Unhealthy Friendships

Strong, healthy friendship enriches your life. It doesn't make you suffer or overburden you. While it's important to treasure your good friends - to make time for them, listen, laugh and cry together - it's just as important to know when it's time to let certain friendships go.

Sometimes, we stay in friendships long past their expiration dates. Today, I was faced with the question of whether a ‘friend’ was really worth my time or investment. To get to the answer, I had to ask myself, “Does this person…:-

· Consistently hurt my feelings?
· Waste my time by not calling when they said they would?
· Offer friendship only at their convenience?
· Express little interest in what’s going on in my life?

After answering these and a host of other questions, I realised it is time to end the relationship. I listened and paid attention to all the things this person didn’t say. This person’s behaviour tells me that the relationship is unsalvageable and it is time to leave the friendship behind.

It isn’t an easy decision to make. In fact, one of the toughest things to do is to close the door on a friendship. But everyone has value and everyone who gives their gift of friendship to another individual deserves to get the same respect in return. If one person is doing all of the giving and the other doing all of the taking, there is no friendship.

Closing the door means no more contact, no more phone calls, and no more thinking about the person. I no longer care about their welfare. I know that I will never see or speak to this person again and whatever friendship I once had will remain only in the past. As time goes by it will become a distant memory until it ceases altogether. It’s like a funeral – I am saying goodbye forever to someone I once cared for. It's really tough. But as much as we hate to bury our loved ones, we know that the funeral is necessary. It is essential for us to say goodbye and begin our own healing process. Most people cry at funerals and for good reasons. They are saying goodbye to a part of their past. They do not grieve for the one who is dead, but for themselves. For all the things left unsaid. For all the promises not kept. And because they will miss them so very much. Hanging on to a friendship that is one sided and hurtful is like hanging onto a corpse. At the very least, it's unhealthy. At a certain point, you have to be able to let go and realize that the friendship is over for good and the door must be shut.

It takes courage to shut the door on a friendship, but it is also a liberating experience. I no longer have the burden of dealing with a friendship that is not there and I no longer have to worry about getting my hopes dashed. It hurts, but it’ll hurt only for a while. Only for a while.

All Is Going According To Plan

"All is going according to plan. Trust that there is a bigger picture. Trust that life is unfolding as it should."

This message which I received today is very powerful. It takes me back to centre. It reconnects me with myself. It reconnects me with God.

Over the past few months, my life has been uprooted by emotional and physical turmoil. It was very difficult living in that ‘present’, but I did it. I had to. I had no choice but to acknowledge the changes that God felt was right for me, accept them, and believe that my life was unfolding as it should.

Today, a new challenge was thrown my way – hit me from left field – out of the blue. As I consider the situation, not making any plans for my ‘next move’, I trust that again, all is unfolding as it should. It gets difficult as you deal with everything life has to offer – relationships, events, everything. But the way I see it, all is going according to plan. There is a bigger picture. Life is unfolding as it should.

For My Sisters

Three friends of mine are going through difficult periods in their lives. Each situation defers from the other, but the one constant throughout, is a sense of near defeat. Near surrender. I hear the sighs of frustration and the tone of worry. Over the past few days have been consumed with praying for each one and praying for the right outcome in their situations Today I send them positive energy and say to them:-

Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petition and praises shape your worries, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good will come and settle you down.

It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the centre of your life. I know. I am living testament.

Tomorrow

Tomorrow will be a beautiful new day filled with amazing opportunities. When I go to sleep tonight my body, my mind, and my soul will be rejuvenated so when I awake tomorrow, I will be refreshed and open to enjoying all of the amazing adventures that await me.

This is my nightly affirmation.

Today was a rough day, but I look forward to tomorrow. I look forward to all the wonderful conversations, all the enlightening interactions, all the amazing experiences.

Today's conversations and experiences happened for a purpose. But as I head home I will be free from it.

I am at peace with this day.

I choose to release this day. And do nothing but eagerly look forward to the joys that tomorrow will bring.

Fake It 'Til You Make It

Sometimes your mind can be a hard thing to change once it’s already been set on one particular scenario. But there is a trick that has been utilized (with success) for quite some time called ‘fake it ’til you make it’.

In order to ‘fake it’, you need to continue reminding yourself that something other than what your mind believes will happen can happen.

For instance, if you believe that you are destined to live a life of misery and pain, you are destined to live a life of misery and pain. However, each time your mind wants to tell you that you’re destined to live a life of misery and pain, tell yourself that you are destined for greatness. You are destined to live a fulfilling and complete life. You are destined to experience joy in every facet of your life.

Tell yourself that happiness is your birthright.

Fake it, 'til you make it!

All Is Well. Always.

Over the past few weeks, a new perspective has been revealed.

At some point, worry had ensued, and at times, panic. But after taking a few deep breaths and a gentle reminder that all is well, the problems are resolving themselves.

So, when you’re faced with something that seems troubling or as if a problem doesn’t have a solution, gently remind yourself that all is well. Always.

So affirm today, and whilst you are in the midst of a storm that in very situation, all is well. Always.