Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
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I used to pray in a way that I thought accomplished something.
Until I discovered that most of the time it didn’t. At least not in this present life.
Now I know that the best prayer to pray is not my will be yours be done.
For some, that is not a very bold prayer. But it’s how Jesus prayed.
I used to think to pray like that was settling.
I now know it’s trusting.
When you trust, you accept unanswered prayers.
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For those who died for freedom.
For those who loved them.
For those who remember.
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photo credit: Kathleen Moulton
For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Phillipians 4:13
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You had dreams. But something happened to ruin things. And now you are discouraged.
Sometimes, it’s the choices of other people who ruin those dreams. We can’t control those choices. Some people just aren’t willing to think about others first. You may have tried to communicate your feelings to no avail.
It hurts.
Meanwhile, you have choices, too. You can choose to let those broken dreams make life bitter or you can choose to enjoy life. It’s up to you. Because there’s plenty in life to enjoy if you’re looking. And one thing I have learned about God is this: he always has another path for us when the one we were on has a dead end.
And those dreams? You might be able to tuck them away and not give up on them just yet. The last chapter of your life has yet to be written.
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Sometimes, we can be so buried in our troubles, we think we’re on a path to nowhere.
Not true. You’re going somewhere. If it feels like nowhere, it’s only because you are looking down.
If you don’t see your life as a journey, you will miss the scenery – the small, seemingly insignificant treasures that aren’t always noticed when we’re discouraged. But those things are there to capture our attention and make us realize life is worth living.
No one is denying the way you feel right at this moment. But on the horizon, beyond the struggle, is scenery waiting for you to explore.
It’s not an illusion. You have to believe it’s there.
And why wouldn’t you? Have you disqualified yourself?
Decide today to reject that mindset and inspire yourself with what might be. Because even though it can get really bad .. it can get really good, too.
Maneuver around the obstacles, learn about yourself, and look forward with expectation. Your significance is not based on your circumstances. Let the rain fall where it may and make you sparkle.
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Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28
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Some of us want everything to go right. Especially when we’ve worked very hard at something.
About 3 years ago, I ordered 25 daffodil bulbs from a reputable company. I measured the depth with a ruler and followed the instructions carefully.
First spring: they all came up but only 6 flowered.
Second spring: same thing.
This spring: same thing.
I was tired of being disappointed. I worked hard. I researched. I fed them fertilizer. I was patient. But my hope was dashed once again, seeing dark, green leaves but no stem and no cheery flower.
So, I dug up the bulbs of the non-flowering daffodils and tossed them.
There’s something to be said for staying the course. But there’s also something to be said for changing course when something isn’t working.
Only you can determine how this will work for you. But if you find yourself doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results, you’re setting yourself up.
Throwing those bulbs out was a huge step for me. I felt a tinge of guilt but I wouldn’t let it last. I had made up my mind and that was that.
How about you? Do you find yourself hanging onto something that you can really let go of?
I decided to enjoy the 6 flowering daffodils I had instead of exerting time and energy on something that clearly wasn’t going to work.
Let go and live with an uncluttered life!
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lapidim / Foter.com / CC BY-NC
National Library of Ireland on The Commons / Foter.com
Creativity+ Timothy K Hamilton / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND
I, even I, am he who comforts you.
Isaiah 51:12
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when it hurts 