We’ve all heard the labels…Negative Nellie, Debbie Downer…names to describe people who can’t seem to find anything good to say or see the positive side of a situation. No one really wants to be around these people as they make it difficult to really enjoy life.

But let me ask you something.

Is it possible you have someone like this living with you all the time? Perhaps inside your head?

Do you put yourself down more often than you encourage yourself?

Is it easy for you to help someone else see the positive side of a situation but when it comes to yourself you are critical and pessimistic?

This came to my mind the other day as I hit the snooze button one too many times and didn’t get up early enough to exercise before work. Many days this is my only opportunity and I found myself grumbling and putting myself down first thing in the morning. Phrases like, “you know if you had gone to bed earlier you could have gotten up on time” and “how do you expect to get healthy if you can’t even get up in time to exercise for 20-30 minutes in the morning.”

While there was some truth in these thoughts it was no way to start the day. I asked myself what I would’ve said to a friend who told me the same thing and realized my answer would have been very different. I would have encouraged them not to give up or to allow it to ruin their day.

Philippians 4:8 says:
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

I don’t believe this passage is saying that we should live life with rose-colored glasses or never evaluate situations for improvement. However we should not fill our minds with these kinds of thoughts.

Imagine how different things would be if we fed ourselves the same words we would tell someone else.

Things like:

“Don’t worry about slipping up on that goal. Try again. You can make it happen.”

“Nice work. You’re really good at this.”

Being positive is not the same as being arrogant or self-serving. Finding the good in yourself also helps you find the good in others and look for the blessings all around. We can’t fully love others unless we love ourselves as well.

As you begin your weekend think about how you look at and talk to yourself. Catch yourself being negative and turn it to positive. Find things about yourself that are admirable, excellent and praiseworthy and thank God for creating these things in you. You’ll be surprised at the peace that will fill your heart and life through this small change in thought.

blessings and peace to you…
Paula

When will I learn that life is not a competition? Sure, there are many who would like us to believe that it is. Our world pushes us up the ladder of success, telling us to climb our way to the top even if it means stepping on others in the process. Social media has added a new dimension to the ladder as we see the accomplishments of friends and strangers (embellished or not) in photos and status updates day after day.

Unfortunately our faith in God does not make us immune to the challenge and  even in Christian circles we see people lifted up for their abilities as authors, speakers and musicians. While this whole concept is fodder for a separate conversation the fact remains that wherever we go we are faced with the idea of ‘measuring up’.  Jealousy often rears its ugly head when we feel like we don’t.

This is not the way God desires us to live, but it’s not a surprise to Him either. After all, the first person born on earth was so jealous he killed his own brother out of a jealous rage. (See Genesis Chapter 4)

The saddest part of this story to me is that Cain believed God liked Abel better and favored him when the truth is that God wanted them each to give the best out of what they were given. God wasn’t asking Cain to measure up to Abel. He only desired Cain to give the best of his own gifts for the glory of God.

This has always been a challenge for me from trying as a young girl to measure up to my sister’s ability on the piano to watching people change to living healthy lifestyles and others who develop successful ministries.

God has given me many gifts and talents yet I still find myself looking at others and lamenting that I can’t be more like them. It may be silly but at times it is reality for me, and I suspect for many of you as well. I see posts of others’ activities, book promotions, speaking engagements, service projects and athletic endeavors and question how I’ve spent my day/week/weekend.

At these times I need to remind myself that there is nothing wrong with questioning my accomplishments or how I’ve spent my time IF I am measuring myself against God’s desires for me, not against others. It’s important to remember what God says in Colossians 3:23-24:

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.

It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 

I want to encourage you to look within, not around you when you deciding if you ‘measure-up’. Ask God to show you where you’re doing your best for Him and not how you compare to others. I know you’ll be pleasantly surprised to see how your perspective changes.

God longs for each of us to see how we fit into the puzzle of life. Each piece is different yet very important. The puzzle isn’t complete until they all fit together. If we try to be someone else’s piece the puzzle will lack our unique part.

Wishing you peace in life’s puzzle… Paula

I was weeding in the garden tonight. It’s amazing how quickly the weeds grow up and drown out the plants! It seems one day I look at it and think, “There’s a few weeds. I’ll have to get out here soon.” In just a day or two the weeds have taken over!

Sometimes when I go out to weed the ground is dry and hard. It takes a lot of work with the hoe and rake, working the ground and my muscles just to make a little progress. It can be frustrating and makes me want to quit.

Last night it rained. Not a big storm, but a nice, gentle, soaking rain. As I began my task the weeds pulled easily from the soft, moist ground. I found myself grabbing by the handful and yanking clumps of weeds at a time. I made so much progress in a short amount of time that I just wanted to keep going.

The landscape of the garden changed quickly as the flowers and vegetables emerged from the mess surrounding them.

My thoughts wandered from the weeds in the garden to the weeds in my life. Bad habits or attitudes that aren’t Godly can creep in quietly then seem to take over what was once controlled by God’s will for my life. Neglecting time in God’s word or not turning my days over to Him can turn my thoughts to selfishness and away from the fruits of the Spirit.

Have you ever found that when you allow the weeds to grow up into your attitudes and behaviors that God sometimes has a difficult time weeding them away from you? I’ve seen that in my life. Looking back I can see where God has allowed rain to come in to my life in order to soften me. Not storms necessarily, but a steady rain that soaks in and makes me turn my thoughts away from my desires and own selfish will and back to His desires for me.

It’s not that the fruit God plants in me is gone, but the weeds have overtaken them and made them hard to see. When I allow the rains to fall and soften my will God is able to pluck away at those weeds. As He clears away my selfish actions and desires His fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control can again be seen.

And they can grow strong and beautiful.

If you’re going through a time of rain in your life right now and you’re uncertain of why the ‘good’ things of life don’t seem to be coming your way, take some time to examine for weeds. Is God sending these gentle rains to soften you and turn you back to Him? If so, ask Him to work at pulling the weeds that are creeping into your life. As the way clears you will see the beauty of all God has planted in you and will continue to grow as you allow.

blessings and peace on the garden of your life today!
Paula