Any Given Day: 40

Growth

With hardship comes one of two things: hardness or growth.

We can choose to become hardened against life, keeping our barriers up and ourselves closed off to possibilities . We can choose to let our bitterness and anger consume our thoughts and affect our actions and eat at our relationships with others. We can choose to decide we are a victim and surround ourselves with people who pity us.

We also have the choice to grow from the experience. We can reflect on where we took a wrong turn and learn from it. We can keep our hearts and our minds open for new possibilities. We are perfectly capable of coming back from a painful and embarrassing experience with a new humility and a greater empathy toward others.

Growth requires reflection, however more than anything, it requires strength and courage. God made us imperfect. We are not Him, and sometimes we need reminders. He uses our pain to teach us where we went wrong in order to grow closer to Him. His reminders can be gentle or they can be tough depending on how far we have strayed off course. As always, they are designed to be a vehicle for growth.

Dear Lord, I am feeling the growing pains of life today! I have so many regrets and so many unfulfilled desires. I have strayed away from your plan for me and I am not sure how to return. Please guide me in the right direction so that I may grow and prosper from this experience! Thank you for loving me enough to bring Jesus to Earth to set the example of growth and humility. AMEN

2 Corinthians 8:10

Any Given Day: 39

Newness.

We love new things! New cars, new clothes, new jewelry, new houses, new....things...

New situations, not so much. Why do we fear the unknown? What is it about being presented with new possibilities paralyzes us? We hang on to old and familiar places, people, jobs, and unhealthy relationships far longer than God wants us to. Why?

What if we embraced the newness of each day as an exciting adventure? Can we be inspired by a new set of circumstances instead of intimidated by it? How do we stop craving the familiar and start welcoming the change?

God will continue to push us in new directions. He knows it is vital to our growth, our sense of self, and His glory. Our lives are wide open with possibilities, yet we cower in the dark corners because they feel safe. A prayer for those of you today who may be frightened of a larger life:

Lord, you know that there is more out there for me. You want me to live fully and seize the opportunity that you have so graciously extended to me. Please help me to see where my fear is stopping me. Give me the strength and courage to face rejection and failure in order to grow and prosper. Thank you for your blessings! With Jesus at the heart of my decisions, AMEN

Jeremiah 29:11

Any Given Day: 38

Choices...

Given a choice between right and wrong, what you would you choose?

Tough question right? "It depends" may have popped in to your head. Who defines right and wrong? The Law? Your conscience? Other people? God? We make choices all day long, many of them unconsciously. All have consequences...

Many of us think we are choosing the right thing, only to find out later it was wrong. Very rarely does is work the other way around...

Prayer works well. Praying before making a decision requires you to slow down. It brings God into the mix. The best part is He never steers you wrong if you give Him the chance. It requires you to actually listen.

Whether the decision is big or small, God wants to be a part of the process! Let Him in and give Him a chance. Prayer isn't just for when you wake up and go to bed, or something you recite at church. It's a chance to communicate with the One who created you and has your best interests at heart. Try it.

Lord, I am at a crossroad and I need your guidance. Help me to make the decision that is best today. Keep me focused on the big picture, Your picture, and do what is right. I trust your decision above my own. You know the ripple effect my decision creates, please help me make the right one. In Jesus name, AMEN

Luke 6:12-13