Rainbows, Potholes & Nuggets of Gold
|
Rainbows, Potholes & Nuggets of Gold
|
Hebrews 11:11 tells us that “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” So many times we wonder what that means and to be honest, depending on how you look at it, and where you put a comma, it could mean different things. For me, this verse alludes to so much more than the typical platitudes given in explanation from many. As you may know, I’ve been on a spiritual journey most of my adult life and read voraciously books written by today’s spiritual leaders and this particular verse magnifies what many of them say regarding spiritual principles, living in the present moment, and the law of attraction. Now some ridicule and judge me for doing so, stating that the ONLY books we should read are the Bible and those written by Pastors and Ministers. Seriously? Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE God’s word and do my best to glean meaning and depth from every book I read, especially the Bible. In fact, I have several translations I value. But, think about it! Even Bible-toting, Scripture-quoting Christians spend more time looking back on the past with shame, guilt or regret and/or worrying about the future with fear and trembling. But this is not what spiritual leaders nor God teach us. We are taught that yesterday is gone and tomorrow isn’t here, so we should appreciate the gift of today. The Bible says we should “forget those things which are behind and reach forward to those things which are ahead” (Philippians 3:12). Spiritual leaders teach us to live in the present (now) and to visualize (see) the future as we would like (hope) to create it. The Law of Attraction states that what you focus on, you attract into your life. Read the Scripture again….Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. How much more convincing do we need to consider the Law of Attraction might actually be another term for Faith in Action? I’m not here to convince you that my way is the only way or that I’m right and you’re wrong in your way of thinking. I only hope these words will encourage you to open your mind and heart to what deeper meanings lie in the Scriptures we love so much. Something to think about…. “Inspirational with an Edge!” ™
0 Comments
The question has been posed, integrity examined …. “Do you REALLY believe all this positivity stuff? Do you REALLY believe it can change a life?” In John, Jesus said “This is the work of God, that you believe…” Now I know the Scripture goes on to say that we believe “on him whom He hath sent” meaning we are to believe in HIM. But think about it…. He also said, “Whatever you say when you pray, believe you have received, and it shall be given unto you.” God told us in Deuteronomy that the power of life and death are in our tongue. So to answer the question, Yes, I believe…. I believe Jesus is my Lord and Savior but He is also my brother, friend and teacher. I believe God is the Almighty creator of the universe as well as my loving father who wants to bless me with the wildest dreams in my heart. I believe God is much bigger than the boxes we put Him in, especially those outlined in the Bible. I believe the Bible is the inspired word of God but it has been written by man, filtered through human consciousness and subject to the circumstances and culture of the time. I believe there are depths and levels of faith and spirituality we may never understand but I also believe it pleases God when we try, ask questions, seek after answers, and knock on doors of knowledge. I believe, next to love, gratitude is the greatest asset we can ever aspire to have. I believe fear is our biggest obstacle and judgment and guilt are useless wastes of energy. I believe we can rise above our circumstances and “call those things that be not as though they are” (actually the word here is were…. past tense as in been there, done that…so why is it those things we desire are not showing up in our life?) I believe you can not have a positive life with a negative attitude. I believe, with the help of God, you can create a better life for yourself than anyone in your family has ever experienced. I believe selfishness is the root of all evil and that money is simply a means through which God blesses you so that you may be a blessing to others and thereby build His kingdom. I believe love is the most powerful emotion and we are at our highest level of spirituality and closest to God when we give it freely, without expectation of reward. I believe some people love their misery. They are comfortable in it and although they say differently, they really don’t want to change, but want others to change for them. This is the highest level of selfishness. I believe you can’t change the past but you can change the future by your thoughts, words, emotions and actions of today. I believe the past is over, the future isn’t here yet and today is a gift, that’s why it’s called the ‘present’ and we would do well to live fully in the moment. I believe our past may be a contributing factor in our lives today but with love, gratitude, and forgiveness, we can rise above the pain of that time and life a blessed and happy life. I believe heaven is nearer than we think and our loved ones who’ve crossed over as near as our next thought and if we listen close enough, they will continue to speak to us and if we let go of our preconceived notions of heaven being “out there somewhere”, we will experience it here on earth. I believe life is 100% perception…how you perceive things is how they’ll be for you. I believe with God all things are possible and nothing is impossible to them that believe…. Believe in God, believe in yourself, believe in your dreams, believe in your goodness, believe in your beauty, believe in the power of love, peace, joy, happiness, bliss. Believe God is on your side and wants to bless you and quit speaking the opposite! I believe we “eat the fruit” of our words. Speak negative (poverty, lack, sickness, disease) and you’ll attract those things into your circumstances. Speak positive and you’ll create a better life for yourself and those around you. I believe we give too much of our power to others by allowing them to control our thoughts, feelings and emotions. I believe forgiveness unlocks the door to happiness and opens channels of blessing because when we forgive we become more like Jesus. I believe when you heal your own life, you do your part in healing others. I believe there is no time in eternity, so the reason creating a new life takes ‘time’ is because we let doubt and fear block our good and I believe we talk ourselves out of miracles every day. Now I’m not going to sit here and tell you that I never have a bad day despite all I believe. But I will tell you this much, as I continue to walk by faith (not by sight) and speak words of life and love, gratitude and peace, those bad days or incidents are less traumatic and easier to get through than they were before I understood the power of my own thoughts and words. Something to think about…. “Inspirational with an Edge!” ™ "Coaching in PJs" ™ Dealing with multiple family issues in varying depths of negative physical & emotional drama, I keep hearing the message…. “When you starve your spirit, the body compensates.” Or in most instances, over compensates. Illness, weight issues, depression, addictions; many times these are all physical and emotional symptoms of a starving spirit. The Bible teaches us that “a merry heart does good like medicine” (Prov. 17:22). Proverbs 15:13 tells us, “A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.” Bible believing Christian or not, there are medical studies that substantiate this idea. But forget medical proof for a moment and think about the people in your life who are ill. What does their countenance (face, attitude, actions) reveal to you? Are they upbeat and positive or “down in the mouth”? Are they the picture of health (acceptable weight, tolerable or manageable level of physical ailments, sensible/rational attitudes, realistic/practical actions) or just the opposite? Now I’m not going to try and convince you that every person who has been a victim of physical or mental abuse or who has contracted an illness of some sort is merely suffering because they neglect nurturing their spiritual life. I know many devout spiritual beings who suffer diseases. Nor am I making light of either. I merely want to point out that feeding and nurturing your spirit is one way to get your physical and emotional well-being on the mend. When the spirit is healthy, many times the body follows. So how do we get from starving to nurturing our spirit? Often a simple shift in perception from “woes me” to gratitude can start you on your way to spiritual health. Forgiveness also plays a huge part in this. “I’ve forgiven but I can’t forget” is a cop out. I know that sounds harsh but Scripture tells us to speak the truth in love and sometimes love has to be gentle but firm and sometimes the truth hurts; hence the term ‘tough love’. The Bible tells us that God remembers not our sins, yet we tend to wallow in those perpetrated against us and/or cling to guilt and self-condemnation for those we committed against others. If God, who is holy and just forgets our sins, who are we, to hold onto those memories and rehash our pain and anger, or disappointment and self pity? Here’s the rub: As long as you feel and act the victim, you can not live a victorious life! To put it another way: You can’t have a positive, healthy life (spiritual or otherwise) if you have a negative outlook. Oh and if you think you are “only being realistic,” think again. You are hurting no one but YOURSELF when you drag the past into the present and project it into your future. “But it hurts so much…the pain is so deep….” Then STOP focusing on it! Focus on today and the good present in your life right now. Now that I’ve given you something to ponder, here are some ideas and resources….
These are just a few examples but I promise, as you get started feeding your spirit, you’ll see and feel a difference in your overall condition and discover more ways to enforce the new, happier, healthier you. Something to think about... *Image by Gizelle from Pixabay* *Originally published as Pamela's Ponderings ©Oct. 2013
I’ve had this conversation with others many times and it’s frustrating when some just don’t get it! What you don’t control, controls you… Don’t control your flesh, you are constantly at its beck and call to do things you know you shouldn’t do… Over indulge on food, alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, sex, shopping, or other unhealthy habits. Or on the flip side of the coin—starve yourself, binge and purge, exercise excessively, pinch pennies so tight you have no enjoyment in the fruits of your labor. Don’t control your thoughts; you are planting a harvest of similar circumstances you will reap in the future. You can’t have a positive life with a negative attitude. Don’t control your mouth; you’re sowing seeds of discord and destruction (see statement above about attitude). Don’t control your emotions; you will constantly be on a rollercoaster ride of ups and downs based on your circumstances. Happy when everything is going your way, moody and irritable when they are not. Allowing others’ emotional drama affect you and jerk you around. Don’t control your money, you’ll constantly be chasing a dollar, always be a day late and a dollar short or never have two nickels to rub together. Any of this sound familiar? The Bible teaches us in Galatians 5:22-24 (NKJV)… “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” 2 Peter 1:5-7 (NKJV) exhorts… “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.” And, Titus 1:7-9 (NKJV) insists that, “For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.” The footnote for this scripture says that “bishop” literally means overseer, but aren’t we all kings and priests? (Rev. 1:6 & 5:10). Now that I’ve gotten your attention, or stuck my nose right in the middle of your mess, please allow me to share some insight with you on how you can change all of those “out of control” things in your life. #1: Get clear about what you want (or don’t want)! Sit down with a pen and paper and make a list. Ask yourself, ask your SOUL… “What is wrong in my life?” Or, better yet… “Why am I not happy?” Then write down the answers. Don’t just put ‘everything’, get downright honest with yourself and be specific. Many folks don’t realize the absolute power in writing things down. When you ponder your life, your mind will keep going in circles…. Criticizing and explaining (or making excuses) until you are mentally, physically and emotionally exhausted with no answers. #2: Ask yourself… “What would make me happy?” Again, get clear and be specific. Don’t discount anything that comes to your mind. Don’t decipher the answers. Don’t scratch anything off that list. Now is the time to get completely, even brutally honest with yourself and remember, this is between your soul and God so don’t feel any answer to either question is stupid or insignificant! Give yourself as long as you need to answer these two questions….a few days, a week maybe, then put them away for a day or two and look at them again. Add anything else that comes to mind. Again do not decipher or delete. Now that you are clear, ask God to show you how to make the necessary changes in your life. Write down what He shows or tells you. As with the answers to the first two questions, don’t discount anything. I know sometimes those answers may appear crazy or impossible, but remember, nothing is impossible to him that believes… AND… with God all things are possible. #3: Take action. Start with one area/answer at a time (more than 1 is ok as long as you don’t get overwhelmed). Read books, listen to CD’s, write affirmations, make (and follow) a budget or financial plan, exercise and eat right, keep a journal (or several), create a vision board (or several), pray and meditate. All of these activities are proven methods of taking control, taking back your power, and healing your life. Some people won’t do this because it appears too easy (or too hard), but trust me, if you take the time to get clear about your life then follow through and stick with the plan(s) God gives to you, your heart, mind, soul, and spirit, and, oh yeah, your future will thank you. Added bonus: All the people in your life will thank you too! Something to think about….. “Inspirational with an Edge!” ™ Some Resources: Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life & There’s a Spiritual Solution to Every Problem by Dr. Wayne Dyer, A Return to Love & The Law of Divine Compensation by Marianne Williamson, You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay, Real Health, Real Life by Jillian Lambert, The Secret & The Magic by Rhonda Byrne, The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness by Dave Ramsey, I Declare by Joel Osteen, Battlefield of the Mind & Change Your Words, Change Your Life: Understanding the Power of Every Word You Speak by Joyce Meyer, Open Your Mind to Receive & The Dynamic Laws of Prosperity by Catherine Ponder, any/everything by any or all of these authors as well as others mentioned on this blog. *Originally published as Pamela's Ponderings © Sept. 2013
As I sit here and ponder what to share with you today, I am reminded of the old adage, “Life is what you make it.” If you are a firm believer in the Law of Attraction, then this statement is true in a very literal sense. (Uh, oh, many of you tuned out with the mention of LOA – thinking I’m going off on a new age, mumbo jumbo tangent, but bear with me LOL!) The Law of Attraction states that what you focus on, you attract into your life. Not necessarily the same thing, but similar situations and circumstances that keep you trapped in that cycle of living - whether good or bad. The Bible says, “As a man thinketh in his heart, therefore he is.” Given these two examples, could there be some truth in that old adage? Can we really make life be what we want it to be, what we wish to experience? “If these statements are true,” you may wonder, “then why is my life such a mess?” After all, you didn’t ask to be born into the family you have, or don’t have. You didn’t ask for the layoff or divorce, illness or death that knocked you down, rocked your world, and trampled your faith into the dirt. We all know those folks who are living examples of the old Hee Haw song about gloom, despair, and misery but what makes them different from others who have suffered a similar (or worse) fate? Why is it that some can wallow in the negativity of their life for years while others simply deal with it, let it go and move on? Now I’m not saying that those who have the ability to move on don’t suffer. Far from the truth that is! What I am saying is that they choose a different path–a way of thinking and behaving that brings peace and joy into their lives despite the circumstances. If you talk to many people you’ll begin to realize one of the things that separate the winners from the whiners is the words of their mouth and meditation of their heart (mind). In other words, their stinkin’ thinkin’. Here’s a clue: If you want to change your life, you must change your thoughts and then change your words! Even the bible backs this up with scriptures like… “I put before you life and death, therefore choose life,” and “the power of life and death are in the tongue, and he that indulgeth in it shall eat the fruit thereof,” oh and let’s not forget “you reap what you sow.” Jesus said that it is not what goes into a man’s mouth that defiles him, but what comes out of it. We’ve all heard the saying, “you can’t live a positive life with a negative attitude” and that is so true! If whatever “it” is that happened to make you so miserable transpired years ago – Get Over It Already! Now I know that sounds harsh but be honest….Do YOU like being around a dark, nasty cloud all the time? I know I don’t. No matter how much I love or care for someone, after a while it gets old hearing the same old poor, pitiful me stories. We all have experiences in our lives that are far from blissful. Sometimes I look back and wonder how I ever made it through some of the circumstances that threatened to get and keep me down. I’m not better than the next person, so I guess what makes me different is that I chose to rise above those things, to think and speak victory over my life instead of wallow in a victim mentality. Here’s the good news…You Can Too! Something to think about….. Inspirational with an Edge! ™ *Originally published as Pamela's Ponderings © July 2017
|
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.*
This film will change your life!
For the price of a single movie ticket & snacks you can watch it for 48hrs. For the price of 2 tickets + snacks you can own it. *Source film ilinks on this blog are affiiliate links through which I will receive receive a commission on qualifying purchases.*
Love to Travel? Me Too! Come Along for the Ride!
About this Blog
I've been on a spiritual quest most of my adult life. In the last 40+ years I've listened to podcasts & interviews, and read books by some of the worlds most popular Religious, Spiritual and New Thought leaders. I've shared the information in different formats such as Pamela's Ponderings in TWJ Magazine which is no longer a viable website. Therefore, some content you may recognize, other will be new. Either way I hope to encourage and inspire you with every post! AuthorPamela S Thibodeaux is a native of SWLA. She is an award-winning author, life coach, and spiritual mentor. Follow Me
|