Moment by moment...

It's easy for us to look at the big picture of what needs to be done and get overwhelmed! I learned for me, it's better to make a list and do one thing at a time. And then cross it off the list! I've noticed on crazier days I can feel so unmotivated and act already defeated! This is not good... We shouldn't give up so soon. Sometimes we need to push ourselves to keep going and do the right thing, even if we don't feel we have the strength or willpower to do it. 

Discipline is an admirable trait. Doing what's right despite the circumstances... Persevering through the hard times and through the mundane times.... Discipline helps a person stay consistent and on task. It also helps one to avoid the trap of laziness, which can be fallen into so easily! There is a time and place for rest... but rest and laziness are two different things.... 

On that note... make a goal to stay disciplined. Don't get overwhelmed with what's ahead. Trust that God wants to move and be your strength. He does. And if you feel like you can't go on, let go and let God. Stay faithful to His commands. He will be faithful to you. That's who He is. 

Pacifiers

Have you ever noticed that when you are feeling sad or down, there is usually something you turn to to make things a little better? Maybe it's friends. Maybe it's a vice. Maybe something else... For me, I like to do makeup to feel good of myself, or sometimes I turn to comfort food. Sometimes I even take long naps (when I have the time) to make time pass by quickly. Some of these things are not necessarily bad while some are. But that's not the point... The point is, why do we turn to such petty things to make ourselves feel better? We like to ease the pain with something temporary like a pacifier or a bandaid. Well I got news for you -- those are only temporary! And only meant to be temporary. Just like a baby outgrows the use of a pacifier, so must we outgrow our tendencies of turning to things other than Jesus for comfort. Don't get me wrong, spending time with a friend to shave away some loneliness is not a bad thing. And I think an occasional piece of chocolate to boost your mood is not bad either! BUT, we should not be constantly filling the void with something as temporary as these. We must recognize that there is a void inside of us that is meant for Jesus to fill. Take a look at scripture. He calls us to cast our anxiety on Him, because He cares for us. (1 Peter 5:7). Also, He calls Himself the bread of life and the light of the world! (John 6&8). Furthermore, He tells us to come to Him and drink. John 4:14 and John 7:37-38 show this. If He really cares that much for us, wants to satisfy our needs, satiate our thirst and brighten our path, why don't we turn to Him right away? Maybe we are scared. Maybe we are lazy! Maybe we are forgetful or unbelieving or doubtful. Whatever the case, we must recognize the truth that He is there for us. He wants to come alongside us and dwell with us and enrich our lives. He is the true satisfaction. He is the always-faithful friend. We must exercise faith that although we cannot see Him, His words are true and He is with us.