We cannot attain the presence of God because we’re already totally in the presence of God. What’s absent is awareness. – Richard Rohr
Special Thought – Every day is a new beginning. Take a deep breath, smile and start again.
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. (Psalm 139:7-8)
Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! The presence of God is all around us. Can you feel God’s presence right now in this very moment? God inhabits every part of our lives except for the parts that we refuse to share with Him. Would you agree? When we don’t sense God’s presence in our daily routines, it’s not because God leaves us, but it’s because we have not developed a deep awareness of God’s presence in our lives. This process takes not only practice, but it also takes commitment and the willingness to surrender to God’s will throughout our lives.
Here’s some steps to recognize the presence of God:
• Step 1: Do everything in your life for the love of God. It is important to give God your happiness and praises as well as your pain and suffering. God is always listening because He is your protector.
• Step 2: Look for God’s goodness in all things. Remember, it is important to notice God’s presence in both simple and great things. Acknowledge this fact often throughout your life.
• Step 3: Create stopping points in which to rest in God. Spend quality time throughout your day to pray, meditate and communicate with God.
Now, place yourself in the presence of God, breathe deeply and be aware of his loving kindness. Always remember to put God first in everything you do. Don’t forget to acknowledge God’s presence in the simple and more complicated things in life. Spending quality time in God’s presence has to be a priority in life. I want to leave you with this scripture, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you”. (Hebrews 10:22)
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Time for Reflection – Indications of God’s Presence in our Lives
Here’s some important qualities that are indications of God’s presence in our lives:
• Peace (Romans 15:33; Philippians 4:9) – When you know God’s presence, you can have inward calm despite chaos around you because He is the God of peace.
• Rest, Refreshment (Matthew 11:28; Acts 3:19) – When you acknowledge God’s presence within, you will always have rest and feel refreshed.
• Encouragement (Psalm 16:11; 21:6) – When you are aware of God’s presence, you can’t help but be full of joy and gladness because with Him come eternal blessings.
• Shelter (Psalm 16:8-11; 31:20) – When you acknowledge God’s presence, you can feel secure and protected at all times.
• Enlightenment (Psalm 89:15; 90:8) – When you get in touch with God’s presence, you will allow God to order your steps, then you will follow.
• Nearness (Psalm 145:18; James 4:8) – When you bask in God’s presence, you can feel a sense of comfort knowing that God accepts you right where you are and you feel Him close to you.
• Contentment (Hebrews 13:5) – When you experience God’s presence, you can be satisfied because you know you have all you need.
• Endurance (Psalm 46:1; Isaiah 41:10) – When you spend quality time in God’s presence, you can feel renewed as you find His strength to help move you forward.
Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!
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Be not afraid of slow going, be afraid of standing still. – Chinese Proverb
Special Thought – Not all storms come to disrupt your life, some come to clear your path.
Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Since we last spoke, have you taken time to renew your inspiration? Are you inspired to become better than you were yesterday? What drives you to push forward when obstacles arise in life? Who inspires you to reach for your dreams throughout this journey?
As you’re thinking about the previous questions, I have another one for you to think about. Have you ever felt like you keep moving and moving through life, but you are standing still? Yes, you are busy with life, spending time with your spouse, family and friends, caring for your children, working, shopping, cleaning, enjoying your favorite hobby, etc. But when you really think about your internal happiness, health and spiritual well-being, you have to be honest with yourself. Your life is really not changing in a positive way. There is no personal growth. You’re scared to be spontaneous and have fun. You never want to leave your comfort zone. There is very little sparkle within your circle of friends.
Now, if this sounds familiar have no fear. Just keep reading and I promise you will receive an inspirational word that will not only help you overcome this moving, but standing still season in your life, but you will be able to make a mental connection with your body and spirit as well.
To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders. – Lao Tzu
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10 Steps to Stop Moving, but Standing Still
Step 1. Make sure to be realistic while putting your thoughts into perspective honoring your personal beliefs.
Step 2. Don’t be afraid to prioritize things that matter most to you in your life right now.
Step 3. Remove all negativity, both people and things.
Step 4. Don’t be afraid to say NO to others and think positive thoughts throughout your day.
Step 5. Start using a calendar or planner to organize your appointments and errands.
Step 6. Create a separate To-Do List daily to stay organized and stress free.
Step 7. Treat your body well and with respect.
Step 8. Exercise daily and eat a well-balanced diet to include plenty of fruits and vegetables.
Step 9. Set realistic goals, create a plan to reach your goals and track your progress.
Step 10. Spend time in prayer, meditation and reading God’s Word to receive the proper guidance in your life.
The fact that I’m still standing on my own two feet, in a world that has tried its best to knock me down over and over again, proves only one truth; I am unbreakable. – Stephanie Bennett-Henry
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Still Standing – Written by Latisha Porter
Note – This poem was written based on Psalm 46:10 – Be still and know that I am God.
Despite what my life may look like from your perspective, I am still standing.
I have endured heartache and pain, but yet I am still standing.
I have been broken time and time again, but yet I am still standing.
I have known hardship and I have lost myself time and time again, but yet I am still standing.
I have experienced hurt like no other from a defiant child that I chose to adopt, but yet I am still standing.
I have suffered the loss of my parents which put a huge hole in my heart, but yet I am still standing.
I have struggled through the grieving process, anxiety and depression, but yet I am still standing.
I am standing on God’s Word which gives me inner strength to move forward in life and my faith which gives me these inspiring words to encourage you as well.
Remember my friend, God will make a way for you and me, we need only to be patient and be still.
Time for Reflection – Journal Prompts
• What do you think about you?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• What are you feeling right now in this very moment?
• What makes you happy inside?
• What makes you smile?
• What brings you joy?
• What are your values?
• What do you believe in?
• What are you grateful for? List at 5 things and tell why.
• What are you having a hard time accepting? Why is it hard to let go?
• Write yourself a love letter. Make sure you talk yourself through a struggle.
• How can you create space for self-love in your life right now and in the future?
My dear readers, I sure hope you have read something today that has given you a boost of positive energy and some ideas to help you stop moving, but standing still throughout your personal journey. Please be so kind to share this blog with others who may need an encouraging word. Peace and blessings to you! Time for Action
Please leave a comment and share what you have chosen to do differently in order to better organize your mind, body and spirt. Remember we learn from one another, so don’t be shy. I look forward to reading your comments.
Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!
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God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:24)
Special Thought – Worry traps our hearts. Worship sets them free.
Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Let’s welcome FALL today with an inspiring word: WORSHIP. I still cannot believe that it has been a whole week since I have published a blog post. Believe it or not, I have been working on this piece since last weekend. I don’t know about you, but time seems to get away from me with appointments for the boys and unexpected school meetings that are never positive. Nevertheless, here is a spiritual blog post that will enrich your life in more ways than one if you allow the process to take place.
Despite everything that LIFE throws at you, we have to spend time in pure worship. Would you agree? Well before you can partake in pure worship, it is important to know what it is, right? So, how do you define pure worship? Well, pure worship can be defined differently for each person. I honestly believe when you experience God on a personal level while praying, talking to God, meditating, singing spiritual songs, praising God for all He has done, dancing, or reading God’s Word, you are practicing pure worship. This is your personal time with God where you pour out your heart, clear your mind, and strengthen your soul.
Worship is simply giving God his breath back. – Lou Giglio
To take it a step further, do you realize how important corporate worship is as it relates to our spiritual growth? Corporate worship can be defined as time designated to assemble with fellow worshippers to praise God, encounter Jesus, fulfill God’s purposes in us as His Church and participate in our eternal spiritual experiences using our gifts to help glorify God. Do not forsake meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another and all the more as you see the day approaching. (Hebrews 10:25 NIV)
Here’s some examples of corporate worship:
• Praise Team & Choir
• Praise Dancers
• Praise & Worship Music
• Reading God’s Word
• Corporate Prayer
• Tithes & Offering
Think of it this way. Corporate worship allows God to give His graces and blessings to church congregations across the world. In addition, there is a benefit for worshipping together with other believers as well.
Here’s some of the benefits of corporate worship:
• Awakening – A fire is kindled in our hearts which helps us through our difficult times.
• Assurance – A sense of community which helps our desires for belonging to a group.
• Advance – Spiritual growth within is being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.
• Accepting Another’s Leading – Embrace being led by someone else during worship.
• Accentuated Joy – Our own adoration and joy increased during worship services.
Finally, corporate worship plays a huge role in rekindling our spiritual fire and keeping it burning within. In addition, corporate worship brings together God’s Word, prayer and fellowship among fellow worshippers. Corporate worship, in most cases, will strengthen your own pure worship experiences as well as you become one with God.
Worship is an act of war against the enemy of our hearts. – Holley Gerth
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Time for Reflection – Journal Prompts
• Define your own pure worship experience(s).
• How often do you experience pure worship and/or corporate worship?
• How important is worshipping God in your life?
• Where can you improve with your pure worship experience(s)?
• What is your favorite way to worship God?
Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!
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The harder you work for something, the greater you’ll feel when you achieve it. – Unknown
Thought for today – Don’t expect to see change if you don’t make one.
Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Some people are inspired to dance, to sing, to draw, to become a doctor, an engineer, a teacher, an entrepreneur, to do mission work, to lose weight, to be great parents, and even to be the President of the United States. In order to stay inspired to do great things in life, you have to give and receive remarkable influence throughout your journey. You have to work hard and show your passion for whatever you set your heart out to do. You have to surround yourself with like-minded people, so you will feel the positive synergy around you.
Well, as many of you already know, I have decided to become an inspirational blogger. I have a passion to write and to express my thoughts on paper. In addition, I love to encourage and inspire others to reach his or her full potential. As I help others, I become a stronger person throughout my personal journey. Always remember, no matter what your goals are, there has to be a fire within you in order for you to strive to reach your goals. You have to think positive and plan for success.
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Well, how do you start? First, you should set some personal goals for yourself. However, not just any kind of goals, make sure you set S.M.A.R.T. goals as well as H.E.A.R.T. goals.
S – Specific – Well defined so that anyone can understand the goal
M – Measurable – Needs to have parameters in order to know if the goal was achieved
A – Attainable – Must be a realistic goal that challenges you
R – Relevant – Make sure the goal is consistent with your other goals and will aid you in achieving your long-term goal
T – Time Oriented – Create a time frame for when you want to accomplish your goal
Here’s an example of my S.M.A.R.T. goal:
Simple Goal – I want to improve my health.
Smart Goal – I will improve my health by eating 100 grams of protein, drinking 64oz of water and exercising every day.
Next, you need to write down your goals to clarify and strengthen your daily intentions. Break down your goals into small and manageable steps to overcome any anxiety you may have. Hold yourself accountable by maintaining focus and discipline throughout the process. Rewarding yourself will help reinforce the positive actions you’ve taken so you can continue doing it every day. Effective systems and habits make it easier for you to accomplish your goals on a regular basis. Simply put, your success is found in your daily routine.
S.M.A.R.T goals are good, but H.E.A.R.T. goals will help balance your life. Make sure your goals don’t make your to-do list unachievable, then you will be off track.
H – Help yourself. You have to take care of you. You cannot pour from an empty cup.
E – Everyone else. People matter so share love with others around you. Be kind to strangers.
A – Attitude and academics. Have a positive attitude. Never stop learning.
R – Resources. Steward time, money and energy well.
T – Trade and Business. Find your passion. Enjoy a fun hobby. Then, start a business.
Here’s an example of my H.E.A.R.T. goals:
• Read God’s Word, pray and meditate daily.
• Exercise for at least 60 minutes per day.
• Daily Steps at least 12,000 steps per day.
• Sleep for at least 7 hours per day.
• Research, write and publish at least 5 articles per week.
• Research, write and publish at least 3 inspirational blogs per week.
• Read an inspirational book or positive affirmations daily.
• Write in my mood journal daily.
Set some goals, then demolish them. – Unknown
Make a Plan
After you establish your goals, now it is time to create and follow a plan to make your goals a reality. Here’s some important tips to keep in mind during the planning process:
• Make clear deadlines for achieving your goals.
• Set personal milestones to stay motivated.
• Decide what actions are required to reach your goals.
• Put your actions into a schedule that is easy to follow.
• Readjust your goals or plan as you see fit throughout your journey.
Setting Goals – Quotes to Live By
• You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. – C.S. Lewis
• Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible to the visible. – Tony Robbins
• Life takes on meaning when you become motivated, set goals and charge after them in an unstoppable manner. – Les Brown
• Your ability to discipline yourself to set clear goals, and then to work toward them every day, will do more to guarantee your success than any other single factor. – Brian Tracy
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Time for Reflection – Journal Prompts
Here’s some journal prompts that will help you push harder on those challenging days. Go to your quiet place, pull out your journal and start answering some of these questions. Make sure to reflect on your answers throughout your journey.
• How often do you set goals for yourself?
• How do you determine if something is important enough to set a goal for it?
• How successful have you been at achieving the goals you have set for yourself? Discuss some successes and failures of previous goals.
• What are your biggest personal milestones?
• How well are you currently balancing life?
• How confident do you feel about who you are?
Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!
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Worrying is a waste of time. It doesn’t change anything, it just clouds your mind and steals your happiness. – Unknown
Thought for today – Not once does the Bible say, “Worry about it” or “Stress over it” or “Figure it out.” But over and over the Bible clearly says, “TRUST GOD.”
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)
Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Lately, I have found it very difficult to shake off worry and anxiety. I have promised myself, that I would write about topics that I personally experience so I can help others who may be going through similar life changing situations. If you live your life constantly worrying about things that are out of your control or have anxiety that cause you to stray away from things you love to do, then it’s time to SHAKE OFF worry and anxiety for good. Are you with me?
What’s my story related to worry and anxiety? I’m going to be honest, I never really worried a lot or felt anxiety to the point where I would not do certain things until my mother passed away in 2015. It was at this point that I felt like a total failure because I could not help my mother fight her Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). It was so difficult just watching her breathing get worse and worse. My mother was a small woman with strength of a lion, but COPD broke her body down quickly right before my eyes.
Even writing these words stirred up emotions inside of me, but I continued so I can help someone else who may be experiencing the same thing. The grieving process has been very difficult for me, but I turned to writing as a way to release my pain and emptiness inside. In addition, I found a great therapist as well to help me cope with my emotions, thoughts and feelings. I am glad to say that I no longer blame myself for my mother’s death. I realize I had no control of her chronic illness and God’s timing. This process has shown me that you can learn different ways to handle worry and anxiety, but it’s fair to say that it may never leave your body for good, it’s just resting inside waiting for an opportunity to arise.
Anxiety comes from trying too hard to control the future. – Unknown
Did you know that worry and anxiety often times goes hand in hand? Let’s define both.
Anxiety can be defined as a feeling that lives inside us and blocks us from fully living the life we want to live. Anxiety has various symptoms that can be felt anywhere in the body. Anxiety can happen at any time and it can influence our thoughts, emotions, actions and physical health.
On the other hand, worry can give way to anxiety or unease. Worry allow one’s mind to dwell on difficulty or troubles surrounding one’s life. Worries are a chain of thoughts based in words. For example, “What will happen if” … “It will be terrible when” … “What if I can’t”.
Experiencing worry and anxiety in our lives are natural, but when they become chronic and trapping your mind in vicious cycles with no resolutions, is when they become a problem.
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Worry Triggers
Let’s face it, we all have issues that we worry about, right? Sometimes we’re not even aware of why we’re worrying, when we’re doing it or what we tend to worry about the most. We just know that we often feel anxious and we find ourselves stuck in a vicious cycle of worry. One of the ways to break this vicious cycle is to be aware of which things trigger our anxiety.
• Is it when we’re in certain places?
• Particular times of the day?
• When we’re around certain people?
Many different things can trigger worry and understanding your particular triggers can help you process and establish ways to respond to your anxious feelings. Keep in mind that anxiety can trick you into believing your thoughts are reality. When you’re feeling anxious, you struggle to distinguish what you’re actually experiencing and what your thoughts are projecting. Begin to divert your attention from the thoughts inside your head to what is real around you. Pay attention to what you’re doing right now in this very moment, not on your worries or anxiety.
Feeling Overwhelmed
• Take slow, deep breaths, as many as you need to in order to feel calm.
• While breathing slowly and deeply, visualize a peaceful, soothing place. Examples may include walking on the beach, taking a hike in the woods, reading a good book, sitting in a meditation pose, doing yoga, etc.
• You can pair deep breathing exercises with aromatherapy using a candle or essential oil diffuser to infuse the air with a calming, relaxing scent such as lavender, rose, bergamot or chamomile.
• Drink a soothing, noncaffeinated tea. Great herbs for reducing anxiety include lavender, chamomile, passionflower, hawthorn, kava, ginseng and lemon balm.
• Ground yourself physically in a way that feels comfortable. For example, you may sit in a chair with your feet firmly planted on the floor or you can stand with your feet planted on the floor and your back pressed against a wall.
• Notice negative thoughts and replace them with simple positive ones. For example, I can’t handle this becomes I am handling this right now and I know this anxiety will soon pass.
Finding What Works for You
It’s impossible for you to completely eliminate anxiety from your life, but you can significantly lessen its hold over your life. Part of this process is learning when it might show up (triggers) and coming up with a plan to deal with it when it does (solutions).
• Understand your specific symptoms. What are your thoughts when your anxiety escalates? In what situations do your symptoms intensify? Lessen?
• Know what works for you. Which strategies are helpful in moments of high anxiety? Examples could be deep breathing exercises, mindfulness exercises, meditation, journaling or talking with a support person.
• Schedule therapy sessions with a mental health professional. Be open and honest.
• Find a support group in your area or online to help you gain another perspective on your anxiety. Don’t be afraid to share your experiences, listen to others and give/receive feedback.
• Visit your local library and check out some books on worry and anxiety.
• Spend some time regularly doing meditation, mindfulness exercises or yoga along with deep breathing exercises.
• Write down your thoughts and feelings in your journal or notebook. Then, reflect on them throughout your journey.
Positive affirmations help to change your current mindset and boost your self-confidence.
• May I live peacefully alongside all of my emotions and worry.
• May I accept what is happening in my life, moment by moment.
• May my acceptance give me courage to face situations and people.
• May I live my life fully and freely, enjoying my life even when I feel anxious.
• May my loved ones enjoy this acceptance and freedom, too.
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Time for Reflection – Journal Prompts
Find time for reflection and write answers to the journal prompts in your journal or notebook.
• What positive things will begin to take the place of worry and anxiety?
• What are your biggest challenges that prevent you from overcoming worry and anxiety?
• What are some of your worry triggers?
• When do you find yourself worrying about these triggers?
• Where are you when this worry is at its peak?
• What makes your worry or anxiety worse? What makes it better?
Prayer for Worry and Anxiety
Heavenly Father, I am feeling worried, anxious, and stressed on today. Too many things occupy my mind. Won’t you help me feel calm? Show me Lord, your order and your plans for my life. Teach me to trust in your will alone. Your Word tells me where there is love, there is no fear. Your perfect love drives out all fear from my mind and my life. Let me be filled with your love. The perfect love that tells me I am not condemned, but I am saved through your amazing grace. I can do all things, through you who strengthens me. In Jesus Mighty Name, Amen.
Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!
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As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. – Nelson Mandela, 1994 Inaugural Speech
Thought for today – I admire people who choose to shine even after all the storms they have been through.
Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! I choose to shine bright on today. How about you? Now, it’s important to note that the ways I choose to shine may be different than yours on any given day, but the end result should be the same, we’re shining! Our lives should be an example and reflect positive vibes through the eyes of others. For example, it seems like random people always offer positive compliments regarding my smile or grateful compliments for the kind gestures that I showed them (holding the door open or just saying hello or good morning. Even when I am not feeling well or just simply having a bad day, I try hard not to reflect my negative vibes and feelings toward others. As we travel along this journey called life, we will experience some ups and downs. However, the way we respond to life’s challenges is the key to overcoming the obstacles that occur in our lives.
I am totally safe and surrounded by love, light, peace and joy. – Unknown
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Choose to Shine
• Read God’s Word, pray and meditate.
• Smile and believe in yourself. Yes, believe in the awesome person you’re becoming.
• Show kindness everywhere you go. Especially, to unkind people.
• Forgive people who don’t deserve it. Then, let it go.
• Acknowledge your patterns of stress and release them into the atmosphere.
• Move out of your comfort zone throughout your journey so you can grow.
• Allow yourself time to heal from life’s challenging moments.
• Be gentle and patient with yourself. Practice self-care routines.
• Love unconditionally. Find time for self-reflection and to write in your journal.
• Start where you are, use what you have and do what you can.
• Become more aware of what’s really worth your energy.
• If you want to know where your heart is, look where your mind goes when it wanders.
• Being happy doesn’t mean everything’s perfect. It means you’ve decided to look beyond the imperfections.
• Knowledge is learning something every day. Wisdom is letting go of something every day.
• The only keeper of your happiness is you. Stop giving people the power to control your smile, your worth and your attitude. – Mandy Hale, SimpleReminders.com
Every situation in life is meant to be temporary. When life is going as planned, make sure to enjoy every moment. And when life is not going as planned, know that it will not last forever and better days are sure to follow. Remember, your actions will always reflect who you are so the closer you get to being who you are meant to be…the brighter you shine! Now, here’s an opportunity for me to hear from you. Please leave a comment and share your feedback. How do you choose to shine during life’s most difficult times?
Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!
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He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. (Psalm 23:3)
Thought for today – God is fixing the broken pieces of your life. Get ready for restoration. God is preparing you for everything you prayed for.
Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! As I sit here thinking about how great God is in our lives, I cannot help but wonder why we will not just be still, get out of God’s way and allow Him to restore our souls. Now, let’s think about that for a moment. We read God’s Word, pray, meditate, and attend church services week after week, right? So, why do we forget to let God order our daily steps and thoughts? We have to remember that we cannot restore ourselves, but we must be restored by God.
• Rest – Enjoy a time of relaxation in God’s presence. Examples: Read God’s Word, pray and meditate
• Reflection – As we look back over our lives, we should feel protected, safe and secure under the leadership of God.
• Replenishment – Now that we are living a renewed life for God, we cannot help but anticipate being with God forever in the future.
You will never change your life, until you change something you do daily. – Unknown
Ways to Restore Yourself
It’s important to realize that you have the power to cultivate positive energy within your body in any given moment. Yes, even when you are exhausted, burned out and feel like you’ve got nothing left to give, your body can guide you to a peaceful place of greater vitality, inner strength and well-being.
• Rest when your body says rest. When you listen to your body and give yourself the rest you need, you’ll rebuild your energy over the long-term.
• Cultivate stillness within you. Allow yourself to feel the stillness around you, letting it soak into your body.
• Practice whole-body breathing. Feel your breath inside your body and notice how far it reaches within you.
• Nourish your body wholeheartedly. Be conscious and heartfelt in how you nourish your body by choosing healthy foods that feel inherently good for you.
• Explore gentle and restorative movement. Light walking, stretching, yoga can help you regain energy in your body and life.
• Have compassion for yourself. Be gentle with yourself when you’re exhausted and treat yourself kindly. Be kind in your thoughts and feelings towards yourself.
• Nurture what inspires you. Feed and nurture what truly inspire you through your thoughts, energy and actions.
• Be vigilant with your time. Learn to guard your time like the precious gift that it is. Choose how you spend time, ensuring that you schedule plenty of quality time and space to care for yourself.
Positive Affirmations
• I choose to feel good about myself each day.
• My body is healthy, strong and beautiful.
• I can quiet my mind and my thoughts whenever I want.
• Everything always works out for me.
• Everything I need is within me. I welcome miracles into my life.
Time for Reflection
Here’s some questions to help you reflect on God and how He restores your soul. Be open and honest with yourself as you answer the questions in your journal. Make sure to reflect on these thoughts throughout your journey.
• How has God restored your soul?
• Every day is a new opportunity to learn something new, whether you planned to or not. What was today’s lesson for you?
• What made you smile today? Make a list of all the things that brought you happiness.
• Every day is an opportunity to become better than you were yesterday. Set at least 3 short-term goals for yourself. On your mark, get set, write.
• What are some of your proudest moments, and why?
• Life is all about balance. Some days you’ll be happy and others, not so much. Write down a brief description of one of the saddest moments you’ve ever experienced. How did you cope with your sadness?
Remember, it’s important not to forget where God has taken us from but knowing that God still has plans for our lives. To be totally restored takes time as well as our precious minds focused on God and His greatness. Then, and only then will God renew us with hope and joy leaving us with much needed anticipation for eternity.
Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!
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With all your heart you must trust the Lord and not your own judgment. Always let Him lead you, and He will clear the road for you to follow. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Thought for today – When we have nothing left but God, we discover that God is enough.
Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Do you trust and believe in God’s timing? As I thought about writing this blog, I could not help but think about how God can take our sadness and turn it into a joyful experience or vice versa. Only God can do that, right? For example, as I sat and watched the Aretha Franklin’s Celebration of Life, I started thinking to myself about the timing of her death. Even though Aretha touched so many lives with her music and left a legacy that no one could ever replace, why did she have to die when she did? Well, I guess I asked the same question when my dad passed away in 2003 and when my mom passed away in 2015. I am sure that you have probably asked the same question too when you have lost a loved one. Aretha, my dad and my mom had something in common. Their lives were interrupted with a terrible illness that kept them in pain constantly. No one wants to live in pain and suffering. I do realize that we all have to leave this earthly body at some point, but I don’t think we can ever prepare ourselves for death. What are your thoughts? Well, I honestly believe that God’s timing is accurate, so it is important for us to believe it, trust it and allow it to work in our lives. Remember, God will always answer our prayers when you least expect it.
It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are. – E. E. Cummings
So, what does courage have to do with trusting and believing? Well, courage is doing things even when you’re scared, right? It is possible for you to be scared to trust and believe in various situations as well. Remember to be brave isn’t something that happens when you’re not scared anymore. Believe it or not, brave people don’t stop hearing the whispers of fear. They hear the whispers in their head and choose to take action anyway. For example, being brave is hearing that voice of fear in your head, but saying, “Okay, but the truth is, God made me on purpose and for a purpose.” I can tell you that the moments of my greatest fears have also been the open doors to the greatest changes in my life. So, I step out, full of fear, but trusting that God is on the other side in new and wonderful ways. And so far, God always is, and will be for you too!
For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you. (Isaiah 41:13 NIV)
Keep honoring God with your life, stay in peace, trust his timing and God will open doors that no man can shut.
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Journal Prompts – Time for Reflection
I release all fear; I trust my mind, body and spirit; I trust God’s process from beginning to end.
Mind
If our minds are ruled by the spirit, we will have life and peace. (Romans 8:6)
• What are your biggest personal milestones?
• What is your greatest passion and how do you nurture it?
• What are some of your peaceful thoughts?
Body
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is our true and proper worship. (Romans 12:1)
• What does self-image mean to you?
• What 10 words best describe how you see yourself and why?
• What do you think it means to be true to yourself?
Spirit
The spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. (I John 4:4)
• When was the last time you allowed the Holy Spirit to guide you?
• Are you willing to empty yourself and allow the Holy Spirit to enter in?
• How well are you currently balancing your spiritual life?
Steady my heart. Quiet my mind. I need to hear your voice.
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I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
Do you trust and believe in God? What are your fears? How do you plan to overcome your fears? Do you have courage to step out on faith today? If not, what’s holding you back? Do you trust yourself? Do you trust God to guide and protect you?
Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!
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