Focusing On God (Refusing to Wallow)

Along the way I’ve never found complaining to be useful, nor has it ever contributed to my happiness.

On the surface, complaining about my troubles and finding people to commiserate with seems to make life just a little more bearable; however, I’ve recently realized that when I complain it concentrates my focus on my troubles instead of my blessings. Complaining focuses my attention to the difficulties instead of allowing me to gleaning knowledge and wisdom from the trials I’m experiencing.

I’m not saying that I never complain; too often, in fact, I find myself slipping into the mud pit of complaining and wallowing there for a time, falsely believing that wallowing makes me feel better. However, dwelling on my troubles only drags me down, it never lifts me up.

It’s been my experience that when I look for the blessings in my life, even in the midst of life’s fiery trials, I live a more joyful, more productive life.

For me, the key to kicking the habit of complaining is twofold: 1) I must completely turn my troubles over to God, allowing Him to carry my heavy burdens and 2) I must continue to count my blessings.

So join me as I stop relying on my own flawed feelings and instead look to God as the source of my strength and joy.

Final Thought: When I keep God in focus, even during the trails in my life, I can stop wallowing in the mud pit; I can stand up straight and walk in joy.

Between the Blogs

Personal Epiphany: A major barrier to personal growth is a heart hardened by the refusal to forgive.

Between the Blogs

Personal Commitment: I constantly struggle to sit still and listen, so I am admitting my weakness and acknowledging that I cannot do it on my own.

Thankfully the Bible says: “And then he told me, ‘My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness.’ Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness” 2 Corinthians 12:9 (MSG).

So, instead of focusing on my weakness, I am going to claim God’s strength and allow Him to change my selfish heart and to replace it with a willing, listening heart.

Between the Blogs

Personal Commitment: It seems presumptuous of me to say that I will change my daily habits all on my own when I know that only God can give me a new, warm heart that longs to obey Him; so, instead of continually trying to do it on my own, I am committed to daily turning my life over to God, allowing Him to complete His good work in me.

Changing My Routine (Relying on God)

Along the way I’ve discovered in my life that it’s the daily, repeated actions that mold my character; those daily activities become my routine, my habits; they make up the very fiber of who I am.

I’ve found that the trials in my life often reveal deep, hidden truths; but, unless these newly-learned truths become habits that I diligently apply to my daily life, they will quickly fade into ineffective memories.

The “big” events in my life only elicit permanent changes in me when I allow God to incorporate what I’ve learned into my daily routine. Only when I make those ideals, those dreams, a habit will they become my reality. If I don’t allow their ripples to permeate my daily life, constantly inspiring me to grow, they will become a memory, a fading memory—empty echoes of hope lost.

This is especially true in my relationship with God; unless I make Him a daily part of my life, that relationship will become a vague memory of what I once had—an empty aching, a separation from Life.

So join me as I determine to daily apply the truths learned from the hard lessons in life. Join me as I stop repeating the mistakes of the past and instead allow God to transform my future one faith-filled day at a time.

Final Thought: It is not enough to want to change; we must daily rely on God to work that change in us, putting His love into action in our lives