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: 13

The only thing constant in life is change.

Why is it that we are so desperate for things to stay the same? We hang on to predictability for dear life and resist the evolution of time, technology, intelligence, and our hearts. "Somethings never change" we say cynically, but really, life is dynamic and ever changing.

We yearn to change others, however, which is quite ironic. We are frustrated because we want things to stay the same, yet we want people to change. Curious. God created the world in which we live to proceed and grow. He created us with temperaments and personalities and talents and flaws. Each of us unique in our special way.

God expects us to change ourselves for the better over time. He never asks us to change anyone else, just be there for them when they are ready to make them. We chafe when someone wishes to change us, and we feel rejected because they can't seem to love us just the way we are.

Embracing change in life is showing honor to the One who created it. Accepting people for how they are today shows maturity and patience. Loving some one's imperfectness and accepting them as they are is relationship success!

Dear Lord, I am fearful of the changes that are happening in my life. Please help me to accept what I cannot control. Help me to understand that everything is for the betterment of my life. Teach me how to accept others just as they are. Teach me to love them the way You do. Jesus was the only perfect person, He accepted His fate, and embraced the changes that lit up the world! AMEN

Matthew 3:8