Separated from human reasoning...

It never ceases to amaze me how much God provides for me and at the perfect time.  What does that say about me and my faith?  It is growing.  All the time.  Or, if you prefer, it is lacking.  All the time.  Either way, I am frequently reminded that He is active in my life in more ways than I acknowledge.  

Today's post is generated from my deep appreciation of a devotional article I read in one of my books.  I read these books every day, according to the appointed date, and I never read ahead or behind.  Sort of a rule for myself.  So when the readings identify what I am experiencing at that exact moment and offer the perfect advice or perspective that I need, I can't help but believe God is somehow behind this perfection. I don't understand it, but I am SO grateful for it.

The reading today was explaining the benefit of being isolated from everyone and everything you are used to and the blessings that can come from this uncomfortable state.  Referring to the widow and her two sons in 2 Kings 4:4, it says, "They had to be isolated from everyone, separated from human reasoning, and removed from the natural tendencies to prejudge their circumstance.......depending on God alone."  (more later on 'prejudging our circumstances')  This is exactly what I needed to hear today as I am facing severe and intense trials in my life right now and it's left me feeling so confused and seeking a reason or understanding for the situation I am in.  It tells me that God is going to great lengths in my life to get my proper attention.  As much as I think I am putting Him first in my life, my reaction to unexpected changes that I see as unfavorable corrects my thinking.  If I were really putting Him first, my first reaction would not be fear or worry but an understanding that God has allowed or orchestrated this for my benefit.  To draw me closer to Him and rely on him entirely.  Not on whatever I have lost.  I know that in my life, tragedy and loss has 'called me on the carpet' and reminded me that I have let myself trust in something other than God.  Not that we shouldn't experience sorrow with our losses but they don't need to destroy us.

But this also requires action on our part.  As stated in my reading, "We are to enter a secret chamber of isolation in prayer and faith that is very fruitful.  At certain times and places, God will build a mysterious wall around us.  He will take away all the supports we customarily lean upon, and will remove our ordinary ways of doing things.  God will close us off to something divine, completely new and unexpected, and that cannot be understood by examining our previous circumstances.  We will be in a place where we do not know what is happening, where God is cutting the cloth of our lives by a new pattern, and thus where He causes us to look to Him."   Wow.  This describes perfectly how He has worked in my life the past few years and that makes it so much more comforting to be reminded that He will do the same in my current situation.  How could I forget?  I think it's just the way we humans are wired; we need constant reminding and training.  

"Most Christians lead a treadmill life -- a life in which they can predict almost everything that will come their way."  This described my life up until the past few years.  I didn't have all the answers to my problems but I knew how to get them, was able to find them and learn from them and so I was not afraid of unexpected challenges or changes in life. I didn't know what was coming and I didn't welcome 'bad' things in my life, but I had so many resources (health benefits, work/life benefits through my job, friends, family, wise people around me...) I had confidence that I could survive them and even be stronger in the process.  But the past few years have shattered that confidence which tells me I was more confident in MYSELF than in God.  So I am being lovingly corrected.   

The article further says, "But the souls that God leads into unpredictable and special situations are isolated by Him.  All they know is that God is holding them and that He is dealing in their lives.  Then their expectations come from Him alone."  This totally changes my perspective.  It takes me from feeling absolutely inadequate, foolish, lost and confused to instead believing God really does have a purpose in me going through this pain and fear and HE is that purpose.  I have allowed myself to get distracted from the main priority in life: put God first -in everything.  In my life, this means daily Bible reading, prayer, and trusting Him.

So now, I am reminded that when human reasoning isn't helping me or answering any of my questions and also when it IS helping me, either way, I must remain detached from earthly things and keep myself attached to God.  "It is through the most difficult trials that God often brings the sweetest discoveries of Himself"

Excerpts taken from "Streams in the Desert" L.B. Cowman

Unconditional Love for Yourself (Part1)

 

It occurs to me that each year that the goals or resolutions I struggle (or fail) with keeping are the ones I never wanted to do in the first place.  They are the accomplishments or actions I have seen in others that I admire and so I want to admire them in myself as well.  It seems their lives run smoother, they are more balanced, more healthy, happy, etc…. and it’s because of what I ‘see’ them doing in their life.  So if I do that too, I will also have the successful life I think they have.  So I start analyzing and identifying what I need to do in my life that will accomplish those valuable things for me. 

But what I am not considering in this thinking is that each of us is different and our lives are all balanced in different ways.  Sure, we have some of these things in common, but ultimately we are each unique individuals with a unique set of needs.  For me this is what makes it hard to really understand and accept myself.  It is much easier for me to listen to someone sharing with me what makes them angry, hurt, ashamed, or happy, loved, appreciated.  They have already identified the issues and are just seeking counsel on what to do about them.

But how do I look inside and identify what MY needs are?  As soon as I can identify my unique ‘list of ingredients’ that fulfills my life, I can then see what I need to change.  This is the clear path to setting goals I can actually keep and that will build me up instead of setting me up for disappointment in myself and my life.

to be continued.....

Health and the Power of Thoughts

“The point of power is always in the present moment…. what you choose to think and believe and say today is creating your future…” Louise Hay

The term “Holistic Health” covers so much more than it implies at first glance. It includes a completely balanced and healthy life in mind, body and soul or spirituality and that our emotions and beliefs control all of these areas. While most things are neutral in and of themselves, they all have the ability to affect each of us in a negative or positive way, depending on how we perceive and process them. We have complete control over how we choose to think of events in our lives so we must think in the most positive and beneficial way we can. This is a learning process that takes time but improves the quality of each day we practice it. I believe God has given us the power and freedom to choose our thoughts which then affect our feelings and our behavior. Learning how to apply positive principles and practices to our lives will enable us to overcome negative consequences we find ourselves in — no matter what we have done or endured in the past.

If we don’t feed and exercise our mental, emotional, physical and spiritual selves, that part will get sick and die. This can sound overwhelming but since everything we do in one aspect of our lives affects the rest, this makes every positive thought and/or action much more powerful and healing than we can imagine. The key is to begin.

Carol Tuttle states, “Our mental body is at a higher vibration than our emotional body, meaning our minds are more powerful than our feelings. We have been trained to listen to our feelings and create thoughts that match our feelings. Therefore, if we are feeling negative feelings, we will think negative thoughts. We believe we cannot start thinking and perceiving ourselves in a positive light until we feel positive feelings. Take charge of your life by taking charge of your thoughts. Change your life by changing your thoughts….Creating a strong intention in which you can hold a belief is the most powerful way to use your thoughts…..a spiritual term for intention is faith. Whatever you put your faith in will be your life experience”

Choose conscious thoughts that are honoring and loving you today!