An Out of Control Life...

Today, some of you face obstacles that seem unsurmountable. Just this week, I have friends that have dealt with the hospitalization of a loved one, a marriage fall apart, an empty bank account, foreclosure, loss of a job, dysfunctional family members, change of a job, loneliness, and hopelessness. So many things around us are so uncontrollable. It is so amazing how one week can seem to change everything and everything is so broken. God came to transform the broken.

We do not choose our uniqueness or flaws. We do not choose our genes or chemistry. We do not choose our circumstances. None of these things can we control. We can, however, choose our choices or how we respond to our present circumstances. We can also choose fear which is False Evidence Appearing Real. Fear is the result of not feeling connected. This choice we will pay dearly for. This path leads to depression and anxiety.

We also can choose to walk into a room or a party and instead of worrying what everyone in the room thinks of us, to instead look for others struggling like we are and encourage them. This completely takes the focus off of us and sums up what the Bible tells us to do and that is LOVE. We don't love ourselves, how then can we love others? We need to get connected. We are so disconnected from people. We do not want to be interrupted by others and their problems, that connection is impossible for us. Relationships impact your identity. If your in love with God, you will be in love with others. There is no fear in love. The Bible says "Let love be your highest goal".

Instead of loving others, we are too busy sabotaging ourselves. Some of us have a grand canyon of doubt and insecurity. We have habitual thoughts of negative self-esteem. Remember, you do not have to believe everything you tell yourself. Feelings are not facts! In Phillipians 4:8, Paul says "keep your thoughts fixed on what is pure, noble, true, and right. We need to choose to get healthy. If you improve the controllable in your life, it will reduce the impact of the uncontrollable. For instance, one way to get rid of fear is to move against it. Do the thing you fear the most. This is so empowering.

The world will tell you to focus on your flaws and your shame. God tells you to change the way you think. Tell yourself "I am unique" and focus on healing. Surround yourself with pictures and quotes that encourage you. Throw the trashy books and magazines away that keep your mind focused on yourself.If you want to create a positive identity, you have to get rid of the rut in your mind and replace it putting into action God's plan for your life. Some of you are missing out. Your living life the way the world tells you that you should. Life is about so much more. There are millions of blueprints and plans that lay unused because people refuse to step outside their comfort zones and live out the life God designed for them. Those plans are unique to each individual. Don't miss out on what God planned for your life. You only get ONE shot.