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| Every day is a beautiful day for inspiration and faith from Daily Bible Quotes! | |
| It's 1/30 and here is today's scripture: | |
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Friday, January 31, 2014
Daily Bible Quotes
Les Brown
Bet
on you. Your past does not determine your future. You are a winner. In
spite of your critics, you have what it takes to live your dream.
Bet on you! What people think about you is none of your spiritual business. Stay focused. Do what know ~ not what you feel. Honor yourself and bet on you. Because you have the right stuff. You have GREATNESS within you!
Bet on you! What people think about you is none of your spiritual business. Stay focused. Do what know ~ not what you feel. Honor yourself and bet on you. Because you have the right stuff. You have GREATNESS within you!
Depression: Healing Through Psalms Day 21
Proverbs 3
Wisdom Bestows Well-Being
1My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,
2for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you peace and prosperity.
3Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.
5Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
7Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord and shun evil.
8This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones.
9Honor the Lord with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops;
10then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine.
11My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline,
and do not resent his rebuke,
12because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
as a father the son he delights in.
13Blessed are those who find wisdom,
those who gain understanding,
14for she is more profitable than silver
and yields better returns than gold.
15She is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.
16Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.
17Her ways are pleasant ways,
and all her paths are peace.
18She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her;
those who hold her fast will be blessed.
19By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations,
by understanding he set the heavens in place;
20by his knowledge the watery depths were divided,
and the clouds let drop the dew.
21My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,
preserve sound judgment and discretion;
22they will be life for you,
an ornament to grace your neck.
23Then you will go on your way in safety,
and your foot will not stumble.
24When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25Have no fear of sudden disaster
or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
26for the Lord will be at your side
and will keep your foot from being snared.
27Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in your power to act.
28Do not say to your neighbor,
“Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”—
when you already have it with you.
29Do not plot harm against your neighbor,
who lives trustfully near you.
30Do not accuse anyone for no reason—
when they have done you no harm.
31Do not envy the violent
or choose any of their ways.
32For the Lord detests the perverse
but takes the upright into his confidence.
33The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the home of the righteous.
34He mocks proud mockers
but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.
35The wise inherit honor,
but fools get only shame.
Words Of Wisdom
It
is time to fix the problem and stop feeding the habit! Deal with the
root and you'll heal the fruit! Change is a decision away. Have you had
enough to motivate you to change? -Bishop Dale C. Bronner
He who lives by the approval of others will die by lack of the same!
Faith is not just believing that God can - it's knowing that God will #2014Wisdom #GodsGrace
If God brought you to it – He’ll bring you through it! #2014Wisdom #PleasingGod #NothingElseMatters
I
pray that you are boldly pressing forward and committed to make
adjustments that will positively affect different aspects of your life.
While
determination is critical in achieving anything, I challenge you to
slow down the pace every now and then, look back at the ground you have
covered and applaud yourself for making it thus
far.
far.
There is success by association- who are you around? How is it benefiting/hurting you?
Often “old friends” don’t understand the “new change” in you. But stay the course!!
If I walked by sight I would've given up by now.
If life doesn't give you a reason to smile create your own. Happiness belongs to those who look for it.
If
you are feeling weary, give your burdens to Jesus. God specializes in
energizing us when we are under pressure! Jesus enables us to do what we
feel like we cannot do. We can do all things through Christ who
strengthens us. - Pastor Jackie McCullough #AnInspiredGeneration
It
is alright to feel helpless, but you are not hopeless! You have Christ
in your life, so you have hope. Your situation may not look like it is
changing, but God is still working; governing everything about your
life. Give Him praise! – Pastor Jackie McCullough #AnInspiredGeneration
You
are not hopeless and you are not helpless because there is a God that
is alive who loves you, personally loves you, and wants to help you.
You don't have to live this pitiful, pathetic, weak, puny, fearful life. There's power of the Holy Spirit available for you.
Being
grateful is the key to staying happy. That’s why King David said in
Psalm 34:1, “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall
continually be in my mouth.”
The
Scripture tells us to put on “the garment of praise for the spirit of
heaviness” (Isaiah 61:3). When you feel heaviness trying to overtake
you, throw away self-pity and thank God for what He’s already done in
your life.
Two dead in Glen Burnie shooting
Police: Two dead in Glen Burnie shooting
Anne Arundel County police said two men dead Monday night
Anne Arundel County Police spokesman T.J. Smith addresses… (Pamela Wood / Baltimore…)
Two men are dead after a suspected murder-suicide in Glen Burnie on Monday evening, Anne Arundel County police said.
Residents of a bottom-floor apartment in a two-story home on Wendover Road in the Marley neighborhood called 911 about 5 p.m. after they heard gunshots in the second-floor apartment, said Lt. T.J. Smith, a police spokesman.
Police arrived a short time later, got the bottom-floor residents out and entered the second-floor apartment. Inside, police found two men in the living room, both dead from gunshot wounds, Smith said.
The men were both residents of the apartment, but their identities were not immediately released, pending notification of family.
Police are investigating the shooting as a murder-suicide, although Smith would not elaborate on any motive or on the relationship between the two men.
Smith could not say what type of gun was used in the shooting.
Animal Control took a cat and a few small dogs from the home, Smith said.
The Anne Arundel County Fire Department also responded to the scene.
Monday's incident comes on the heels of Anne Arundel's first homicide of the year, the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Ana Isabel Racine in the Riviera Beach area of Pasadena on Sunday night. That shooting remains unsolved.
pwood@baltsun.com
twitter.com/pwoodreporter
sjwelsh@baltsun.com
Residents of a bottom-floor apartment in a two-story home on Wendover Road in the Marley neighborhood called 911 about 5 p.m. after they heard gunshots in the second-floor apartment, said Lt. T.J. Smith, a police spokesman.
Police arrived a short time later, got the bottom-floor residents out and entered the second-floor apartment. Inside, police found two men in the living room, both dead from gunshot wounds, Smith said.
The men were both residents of the apartment, but their identities were not immediately released, pending notification of family.
Police are investigating the shooting as a murder-suicide, although Smith would not elaborate on any motive or on the relationship between the two men.
Smith could not say what type of gun was used in the shooting.
Animal Control took a cat and a few small dogs from the home, Smith said.
The Anne Arundel County Fire Department also responded to the scene.
Monday's incident comes on the heels of Anne Arundel's first homicide of the year, the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Ana Isabel Racine in the Riviera Beach area of Pasadena on Sunday night. That shooting remains unsolved.
pwood@baltsun.com
twitter.com/pwoodreporter
sjwelsh@baltsun.com
Meditate On This
Meditate On
| Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths. |
| Proverbs 3:5–6, AMP |
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Living And Resting In His Grace | |
Depending on the Lord’s grace and resting in His finished work does
not mean doing nothing. Just look at Apostle Paul, who lived by God’s
grace. He saw first-hand how a revelation of God’s grace turned him into
the effective and hardworking apostle that he was (1 Corinthians 15:10).
How do we rest in the Lord and still find ourselves effectively doing what we need to do? It’s simple—just do what you ought to do, but do it trusting in the Lord’s favor, not in your smarts or careful planning. Whatever you need to do today, do it with an inward rest, without worrying or fretting, knowing that He loves you, is in charge and is for you.
For example, let’s say that you’ve got a job interview coming up. First, commit the matter to the Lord. Ask Him for wisdom and favor. Then, prepare for the interview—read up on the company. On the day of the interview, dress appropriately and go for it, all the while having an inward rest as you trust the Lord for His wisdom and favor. As you do what’s needed, He will guide you and empower you to do what’s really needful and right. He’ll also give you favor with your interviewers.
Beloved, rest in His grace today and let the Lord lead you to good success!
How do we rest in the Lord and still find ourselves effectively doing what we need to do? It’s simple—just do what you ought to do, but do it trusting in the Lord’s favor, not in your smarts or careful planning. Whatever you need to do today, do it with an inward rest, without worrying or fretting, knowing that He loves you, is in charge and is for you.
For example, let’s say that you’ve got a job interview coming up. First, commit the matter to the Lord. Ask Him for wisdom and favor. Then, prepare for the interview—read up on the company. On the day of the interview, dress appropriately and go for it, all the while having an inward rest as you trust the Lord for His wisdom and favor. As you do what’s needed, He will guide you and empower you to do what’s really needful and right. He’ll also give you favor with your interviewers.
Beloved, rest in His grace today and let the Lord lead you to good success!
21 Days To Beat Depression Day 21
Hebrews 12:1-3
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Pursuit Of His Presence Day 136
Luke 10:38-42
On the Day of Pentecost, about 120 of God’s servants and handmaidens were gathered in the upper room continuing in one accord in prayer and supplication (Acts 1:13-15). They were in place, ready to move into the streets as soon as God’s Spirit was poured out upon them. They were doing exactly what Jesus told them to do.
The shameful part of it was, only about a fourth of those who had been instructed to be there were present. Jesus had appeared to more than 500 of them and told them all the same thing...to tarry until they were endued with power.
Apparently 380 of them decided to stay home!
What’s the difference between the 380 who didn’t follow Jesus’ instructions and the 120 who did?
Those in the first group were merely Christians. Those in the second group were God’s servants and handmaidens.
The Word translated “servants and handmaidens” in Acts 2:18 is the Greek word doulos. It is the same word used twice, once in the feminine form and once in the masculine form.
In this particular instance, doulos refers to someone who has voluntarily subjected himself to another person’s will. It describes a bondslave who could be free if he wanted to be, but chooses instead to be wholly subservient to another because of his love for that person.
If you are a servant or handmaiden, you will be committed to the Lord Jesus. It is not a commitment He forces upon you. It is one you make by choice, because you love Him.
You see, when you were born again, you did not become a hired servant of God. You became a child of God, a son or daughter of the Almighty. You were made free and “if the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:36).
But if you truly love the One who set you free, you will trade that freedom for a life of service to Him. That’s what the Apostle Paul did. In Romans 1:1 (The Amplified Bible), he calls himself “a bond servant of Jesus Christ.”
Choose today to be a bondslave...one who longs to stay close to the Master’s side...serving Him wholeheartedly from a heart of love and devotion. Choose to be one of God’s servants and handmaidens.
Speak the Word
“I am not enslaved by sin. I am free to be a servant of Jesus Christ. I choose His will above my own.” —John 8:34-36
Need prayer? Call 817-852-6000. We’re here for you, 24/7!
At the Home of Martha and Mary
38As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40But
Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She
came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me
to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”Devotional
God’s Servants and Handmaidens
by Kenneth Copeland
“Tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” Luke 24:49On the Day of Pentecost, about 120 of God’s servants and handmaidens were gathered in the upper room continuing in one accord in prayer and supplication (Acts 1:13-15). They were in place, ready to move into the streets as soon as God’s Spirit was poured out upon them. They were doing exactly what Jesus told them to do.
The shameful part of it was, only about a fourth of those who had been instructed to be there were present. Jesus had appeared to more than 500 of them and told them all the same thing...to tarry until they were endued with power.
Apparently 380 of them decided to stay home!
What’s the difference between the 380 who didn’t follow Jesus’ instructions and the 120 who did?
Those in the first group were merely Christians. Those in the second group were God’s servants and handmaidens.
The Word translated “servants and handmaidens” in Acts 2:18 is the Greek word doulos. It is the same word used twice, once in the feminine form and once in the masculine form.
In this particular instance, doulos refers to someone who has voluntarily subjected himself to another person’s will. It describes a bondslave who could be free if he wanted to be, but chooses instead to be wholly subservient to another because of his love for that person.
If you are a servant or handmaiden, you will be committed to the Lord Jesus. It is not a commitment He forces upon you. It is one you make by choice, because you love Him.
You see, when you were born again, you did not become a hired servant of God. You became a child of God, a son or daughter of the Almighty. You were made free and “if the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:36).
But if you truly love the One who set you free, you will trade that freedom for a life of service to Him. That’s what the Apostle Paul did. In Romans 1:1 (The Amplified Bible), he calls himself “a bond servant of Jesus Christ.”
Choose today to be a bondslave...one who longs to stay close to the Master’s side...serving Him wholeheartedly from a heart of love and devotion. Choose to be one of God’s servants and handmaidens.
Speak the Word
“I am not enslaved by sin. I am free to be a servant of Jesus Christ. I choose His will above my own.” —John 8:34-36
Need prayer? Call 817-852-6000. We’re here for you, 24/7!
Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional Day 322
2 Corinthians 2:10-11
10Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, 11in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.
10Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, 11in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
In First Kings 18, the Samaritans had been in a great famine. For three and a half years, there had been no rain. The prophet Elijah showed up and said to King Ahab, “I hear the sound of the abundance of rain.” When he said that, there wasn’t a cloud in the sky, yet he chose to believe what he heard in his spirit in spite of what he saw in the natural. With his eyes, he saw drought, famine and barrenness; but inside, he heard the sound of the abundance of rain.
Friend, this is what faith is all about. You’ve got to believe what you hear in your heart even when you see just the opposite. God is saying, “There’s about to be an abundance of favor in your life. The drought is coming to an end. You’re going to see healing, restoration, new opportunities, new growth.”
Soon after, that rainstorm came. And just like Elijah, you have to believe that your rainstorm of blessing is right around the corner. No matter what anyone says, no matter what happens, keep believing and keep declaring because soon you will hear the sound of rain!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father, thank You for the blessing and victory You have in store for my future. Thank You for allowing me to see and hear in my heart the good things You have planned. I choose to keep my eyes on You and declare Your blessing over my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.
— Joel & Victoria Osteen
In First Kings 18, the Samaritans had been in a great famine. For three and a half years, there had been no rain. The prophet Elijah showed up and said to King Ahab, “I hear the sound of the abundance of rain.” When he said that, there wasn’t a cloud in the sky, yet he chose to believe what he heard in his spirit in spite of what he saw in the natural. With his eyes, he saw drought, famine and barrenness; but inside, he heard the sound of the abundance of rain.
Friend, this is what faith is all about. You’ve got to believe what you hear in your heart even when you see just the opposite. God is saying, “There’s about to be an abundance of favor in your life. The drought is coming to an end. You’re going to see healing, restoration, new opportunities, new growth.”
Soon after, that rainstorm came. And just like Elijah, you have to believe that your rainstorm of blessing is right around the corner. No matter what anyone says, no matter what happens, keep believing and keep declaring because soon you will hear the sound of rain!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father, thank You for the blessing and victory You have in store for my future. Thank You for allowing me to see and hear in my heart the good things You have planned. I choose to keep my eyes on You and declare Your blessing over my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.
— Joel & Victoria Osteen
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Toward a Fearless New Year Day 3
Exodus 20:20
20Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.”
20Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.”
Pursuit Of His Presence Day 133
2 Chronicles 5:11-14
11The priests then withdrew from the Holy Place. All the priests who were there had consecrated themselves, regardless of their divisions. 12All the Levites who were musicians—Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun and their sons and relatives—stood on the east side of the altar, dressed in fine linen and playing cymbals, harps and lyres. They were accompanied by 120 priests sounding trumpets. 13The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the Lord and sang:
11The priests then withdrew from the Holy Place. All the priests who were there had consecrated themselves, regardless of their divisions. 12All the Levites who were musicians—Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun and their sons and relatives—stood on the east side of the altar, dressed in fine linen and playing cymbals, harps and lyres. They were accompanied by 120 priests sounding trumpets. 13The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the Lord and sang:
“He is good;
his love endures forever.”
Then the temple of the Lord was filled with the cloud, 14and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the temple of God.
Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional Day 319
Romans 14:5
5One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind.
5One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind.
Meditate On This
Meditate On
| So he [Elisha] answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” |
| 2 Kings 6:16 |
|
See The Lord And His Army On Your Side | |
Imagine waking up one morning, going to the window and being greeted
by the sight of a massive army. Hundreds of well-armed soldiers with
their horses and chariots have surrounded you, and they’re there to take
you down!
What would you do?
In the Old Testament, Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, was consumed by such a frightening vision one early morning. Naturally, he panicked…until the Lord opened his spiritual eyes to see that the Lord’s army was present with them—in far larger numbers than their physically visible enemies!
My friend, never see yourself alone in your struggles or challenges. Don’t go by what you can only see, feel or hear with your natural senses. See with eyes of faith how the Lord and His angels, horses and chariots of fire are right with you to protect, provide for and deliver you! And if God is for you, how can you not emerge successful from every trial?
What would you do?
In the Old Testament, Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, was consumed by such a frightening vision one early morning. Naturally, he panicked…until the Lord opened his spiritual eyes to see that the Lord’s army was present with them—in far larger numbers than their physically visible enemies!
My friend, never see yourself alone in your struggles or challenges. Don’t go by what you can only see, feel or hear with your natural senses. See with eyes of faith how the Lord and His angels, horses and chariots of fire are right with you to protect, provide for and deliver you! And if God is for you, how can you not emerge successful from every trial?
Sunday, January 26, 2014
How to REALLY Let Go of a Resentment
December 5 by Jessica Ruane in Lifestyle | 318 Shares
Ask yourself honestly, “When was the last time I truly felt overwhelmed with happiness, freedom, and gratitude?” If you can’t remember, then you may be holding on to resentments.
When it comes to dealing with other people, many of us find ourselves helplessly oscillating between anger and fear. We constantly try to find quick fixes to soothe moments of blind rage and alleviate anxious thoughts. However, these “solutions” are usually nothing more than temporary fixes, which allow us to white knuckle it through one more day. Meanwhile, the root of the problem continues to fester and get worse until we can’t even bear to look at it anymore.
But what if you found out that there is a permanent, lasting way to feel less angry and fearful and finally regain control of your emotions?
It’s called letting go of resentment.
Here’s how it works: resentment, anger, and fear are all connected. We become trapped in a self-obsessed cycle of being afraid of the future, angry in the present, and filled with resentment over our past. The antidote to fear is faith, the remedy for anger is love, and the solution to resentment is acceptance.
If you’re part of a 12-step program, this may sound familiar, but it can be applied to anyone’s life.
What is Resentment?
The best description of resentment I have ever heard came from listening to Dr. Drew from Loveline.“Resentments are like swallowing poison and expecting the other people to die.”He was not the first person to say this, but it’s still an incredibly effective way to understand resentment.
In psychology, resentment is when a person has ongoing upset feelings towards another person or place because of a real or imagined injustice.
One of the reasons resentments are so hard to get rid of is because there is so much bad advice floating around out there on how to deal with them. Exasperated friends may tell you to “Just get over it already.” Therapists might tell us to “let it go.” Other people may say “forget about it” or the even more unhelpful, “the past is the past.” Excuse me, what does any of that generic advice even mean?
I can tell you for sure that you shouldn’t do the following with resentments:
- Ignore them
- Fight through them
- “Lock them in a closet”
- Pretend you don’t feel them
- Try and forget them
- Face them
- Feel them
- Deal with them
- Heal from them
How Do You Accept What Happened in the Past?
Before you begin to overcome resentments, you should know the following things:- It’s a process
- It may get worse before it gets better
- It requires a great deal of willingness and an open mind
OK, here it goes.
Follow These 4 Steps to Let Go of Resentments
Step One- Make a list of all the people you have resentments towards. If you do this honestly, then the list should be pretty long. Include ANYTHING that gives you an automatic negative feeling. You can also include places and institutions (a school you attended, an airport you had a bad experience in) nothing is too trivial or too small.Step Two- Next to the person’s name; write what they did to cause you to resent them. Again, nothing is too small. If you resent your boss, it may be because that person gives you unreasonable deadlines, or could simply be because you don’t like their hair. The reason for the resentment doesn’t have to “make sense”—it just has to be honest. This is where it will get hard, and you will feel worse than you did before starting. Try to have faith that the end result will be worth it—because it will be!
Step Three- Now you write what part of your life each resentment affects. If you resent an old teacher who made you feel inferior, you might say that it affects your self-esteem or confidence. The point is to become acutely aware of the specific ways that the resentment is impacting your identity, and your ability to feel safe, secure, and loved.
Step Four- Next to the reason, or cause for resentment, you are going to write down your part. This is how YOU have contributed to the problem. Back to our boss example, at this point you’ve established that you resent your boss, that you resent your boss because of unreasonable deadlines. Your part in this problem could be that you never spoke up and asked for less work.
This is where honesty and willingness come in. You must be honest about your part, and willing to admit it. Otherwise, you may get stuck.
Taking It All in
Now, read from left to right. You should be able to develop a clear picture of who you resent, why you resent them, the negative ways that it affects your life, and the part you played in all of it. Understanding your resentments by breaking them down will hopefully start the process of evolving from a person who constantly lives in a generalized cycle of resentment, fear, and anger, and help you transition into someone who can identify the source of their feelings and target specific areas they want to work on.The purpose of this writing assignment is to experience freedom by letting go of secrets, fears, and lies which we have been holding onto, and getting these issues out of our heads, and onto paper. What is done with the paper afterwards is up to you. Some people choose to share it with a trusted friend; others burn it as a symbolic gesture of surrendering those feelings.
This is a tried and true method adapted from the 12-step program model, which literally ANYONE can do. Unlike expensive therapy, this will cost you nothing, other than the price of a pen and paper. What do you have to lose?
How to Release and Prevent Resentment in Your Relationships
Never apologize for showing feelings. When you do so, you apologize for the truth.” ~Benjamin Disraeli”
We often experience resentment toward other people when we find it hard to forgive them and hold onto unspoken pain.
Whenever we feel we’ve been treated unfairly, judged, or wronged, we have a very powerful internal reaction.
The emotions we experience are strong. We feel them intensely and deeply, because they challenge us to reassess the self-image we hold of ourselves.
The unexpressed painful emotions we experience as a result of other peoples’ actions have the potential to transform into resentment if they are not released in a healthy, effective, and timely way.
Resentment lives inside us, feeding on our negative feelings and emotions. It becomes stronger the longer it is ignored. It can mutate and develop into a warped veil, which prevents us from seeing the world from a healthy, balanced perspective.
If left unresolved, resentment has the power to be all consuming, and is very effective at fuelling anger.
In turn, unexpressed, internalized anger is a ticking time-bomb which can lead to abusive or self-destructive behavior, or a combination of both.
Resentment is a very personal and private emotion, as it has almost no effect on the person it is directed towards.
It resides with its owner, and causes negativity and pain.
Given a conducive set of circumstances and enough time, I can experience resentment on a powerful scale. I believe this is, in part, rooted in my formative years. I was brought up in a home where expressing strong, “negative” emotions was prohibited.
I grew up believing it was unacceptable to express hurt, disappointment, frustration, or anger toward the people who evoked these very emotions in me.
By the time I reached my teen years, I had unwittingly yet wholeheartedly perfected the internalization of painful emotions.
Resentment had found a comfortable home inside me, neighbored by my reluctance and fear of expressing myself.
Whenever anyone hurt me, intentionally or otherwise, I would simply deny my emotions by storing them in a box inside me labelled “deal with this later.” However, later never came. What did come was resentment toward the people who’d hurt me—that and anger.
At the time, I saw this as a kind of pay-off. “If I keep my feelings hidden and unexpressed, then I don’t have to risk jeopardizing the quality of my relationship with this person.”
In truth, I was terrified of rejection.
This fear fuelled my reluctance to express my pain to the people who’d hurt me. Ultimately, the person who I ended up hurting the most was me.
As a young adult I began to reflect; to try to understand how my behavior, reactions, and choices were affecting my overall well-being and happiness in life.
At first, I felt weak for not being able to consciously override my existing behavior patterns and simply create newer, healthier thought processes and actions.
I wanted more for myself than a life limited by my own self-imposed parameters.
It took a lot of honest and thoughtful self examination to begin to realize, understand, and accept what was preventing me from living a life free from bitterness.
After years of denying myself the full spectrum of my emotions, I resented anyone who stirred powerful, “negative” feelings inside me. My resentment toward others was intrinsically linked to my own inability to express painful emotions.
Looking back, I feel that if I had expressed myself more truthfully, I would not have clung so desperately to the resentment and anger. I also believe I would have welcomed forgiveness and been able to enjoy closer relationships with others more readily.
Everyone needs to express themselves. This is not a luxury; this is an absolute necessity.
To be fully free and completely ourselves, we must feel comfortable enough to outwardly express our emotions, whatever form they take.
If you are experiencing feelings of resentment, here are a few tips that may help you to let go and move forward:
Allowing ourselves to feel our full range of emotions is not only liberating and necessary, but it also helps cleanse us of negativity which we may be subconsciously holding on to.
Many of us are conditioned to see emotions as “good” and “bad.” To regard the complexity of emotions as either black or white belies the learning opportunities which are embedded and disguised in experiencing them.
For example, jealousy could be regarded as a “bad” emotion, however if we open our minds and hearts, we could also see that this emotion is our own personal doorway to learning more about fear, trust, and connection.
When someone hurts us, intentionally or accidentally, we have a responsibility to ourselves to express our pain.
This needn’t be self indulgent or pitiful, but an understanding that it is our right to express that pain in an effective, healthy manner which helps us to let go and move forward.
The next time you experience a strong emotion such as fear, hurt, disappointment, anger, fury, or panic, try using this simple mantra:
“Right now I feel (INSERT EMOTION). I give myself permission to feel (INSERT EMOTION) because I have a right to express myself and my emotions.”
When we stop trying to control our feelings, and start embracing the colorful way in which our hearts communicate with us, life begins to teach us our most important lessons.
Communicate your feelings
It takes huge strength and courage to express and communicate our pain to the people who hurt us. In doing so, we expose our vulnerable side—the very part that we want to protect and keep safe.
But when we communicate painful emotions, we take a step outside of our comfort zone and into a wonderful learning and growth opportunity.
The next time someone’s actions hurt you, try telling them how you feel. For example, “When you raise your voice, I feel scared and disrespected,” or “When you ignore me, it makes me feel unappreciated.” Choose the right words to convey your feelings.
Try to express yourself from a calm and balanced frame of mind. Your words will have more effect if you are able to express them from a strong, healthy standpoint.
Remember that you are doing this for you. It may also help the relationship, but your main motivation for communicating and expressing your feelings is your commitment to living a truthful life, free from resentment.
Practice forgiveness
Forgiveness is your own personal honor. The ability to wholly and
truly forgive is one of the greatest gifts you can ever give yourself.
Forgiveness sets you free from resentment’s confines; it breaks down the walls that anger builds and negativity reinforces.
When we forgive, we stop letting ours pasts dictate our presents. We acknowledge we want the very best for ourselves; accepting that our past makes us the person we are today, and embracing that.
Letting go of resentment doesn’t necessarily lead to forgiveness, but when you embrace forgiveness, resentment ceases to exist.
When we commit to expressing ourselves fully, we become stronger, more confident, and more aware.
We cannot control what other people do, but we can control how we react. When we practice truthful living, self-expression, and forgiveness, resentment simply has no place or power in our lives.
We often experience resentment toward other people when we find it hard to forgive them and hold onto unspoken pain.
Whenever we feel we’ve been treated unfairly, judged, or wronged, we have a very powerful internal reaction.
The emotions we experience are strong. We feel them intensely and deeply, because they challenge us to reassess the self-image we hold of ourselves.
The unexpressed painful emotions we experience as a result of other peoples’ actions have the potential to transform into resentment if they are not released in a healthy, effective, and timely way.
Resentment lives inside us, feeding on our negative feelings and emotions. It becomes stronger the longer it is ignored. It can mutate and develop into a warped veil, which prevents us from seeing the world from a healthy, balanced perspective.
If left unresolved, resentment has the power to be all consuming, and is very effective at fuelling anger.
In turn, unexpressed, internalized anger is a ticking time-bomb which can lead to abusive or self-destructive behavior, or a combination of both.
Resentment is a very personal and private emotion, as it has almost no effect on the person it is directed towards.
It resides with its owner, and causes negativity and pain.
Given a conducive set of circumstances and enough time, I can experience resentment on a powerful scale. I believe this is, in part, rooted in my formative years. I was brought up in a home where expressing strong, “negative” emotions was prohibited.
I grew up believing it was unacceptable to express hurt, disappointment, frustration, or anger toward the people who evoked these very emotions in me.
By the time I reached my teen years, I had unwittingly yet wholeheartedly perfected the internalization of painful emotions.
Resentment had found a comfortable home inside me, neighbored by my reluctance and fear of expressing myself.
Whenever anyone hurt me, intentionally or otherwise, I would simply deny my emotions by storing them in a box inside me labelled “deal with this later.” However, later never came. What did come was resentment toward the people who’d hurt me—that and anger.
At the time, I saw this as a kind of pay-off. “If I keep my feelings hidden and unexpressed, then I don’t have to risk jeopardizing the quality of my relationship with this person.”
In truth, I was terrified of rejection.
This fear fuelled my reluctance to express my pain to the people who’d hurt me. Ultimately, the person who I ended up hurting the most was me.
As a young adult I began to reflect; to try to understand how my behavior, reactions, and choices were affecting my overall well-being and happiness in life.
At first, I felt weak for not being able to consciously override my existing behavior patterns and simply create newer, healthier thought processes and actions.
I wanted more for myself than a life limited by my own self-imposed parameters.
It took a lot of honest and thoughtful self examination to begin to realize, understand, and accept what was preventing me from living a life free from bitterness.
After years of denying myself the full spectrum of my emotions, I resented anyone who stirred powerful, “negative” feelings inside me. My resentment toward others was intrinsically linked to my own inability to express painful emotions.
Looking back, I feel that if I had expressed myself more truthfully, I would not have clung so desperately to the resentment and anger. I also believe I would have welcomed forgiveness and been able to enjoy closer relationships with others more readily.
Everyone needs to express themselves. This is not a luxury; this is an absolute necessity.
To be fully free and completely ourselves, we must feel comfortable enough to outwardly express our emotions, whatever form they take.
If you are experiencing feelings of resentment, here are a few tips that may help you to let go and move forward:
Express yourself
When we deny our feelings, we are denying the truth. What kind of life are we living if we are not living truthfully?Allowing ourselves to feel our full range of emotions is not only liberating and necessary, but it also helps cleanse us of negativity which we may be subconsciously holding on to.
Many of us are conditioned to see emotions as “good” and “bad.” To regard the complexity of emotions as either black or white belies the learning opportunities which are embedded and disguised in experiencing them.
For example, jealousy could be regarded as a “bad” emotion, however if we open our minds and hearts, we could also see that this emotion is our own personal doorway to learning more about fear, trust, and connection.
When someone hurts us, intentionally or accidentally, we have a responsibility to ourselves to express our pain.
This needn’t be self indulgent or pitiful, but an understanding that it is our right to express that pain in an effective, healthy manner which helps us to let go and move forward.
The next time you experience a strong emotion such as fear, hurt, disappointment, anger, fury, or panic, try using this simple mantra:
“Right now I feel (INSERT EMOTION). I give myself permission to feel (INSERT EMOTION) because I have a right to express myself and my emotions.”
When we stop trying to control our feelings, and start embracing the colorful way in which our hearts communicate with us, life begins to teach us our most important lessons.
Communicate your feelings
It takes huge strength and courage to express and communicate our pain to the people who hurt us. In doing so, we expose our vulnerable side—the very part that we want to protect and keep safe.But when we communicate painful emotions, we take a step outside of our comfort zone and into a wonderful learning and growth opportunity.
The next time someone’s actions hurt you, try telling them how you feel. For example, “When you raise your voice, I feel scared and disrespected,” or “When you ignore me, it makes me feel unappreciated.” Choose the right words to convey your feelings.
Try to express yourself from a calm and balanced frame of mind. Your words will have more effect if you are able to express them from a strong, healthy standpoint.
Remember that you are doing this for you. It may also help the relationship, but your main motivation for communicating and expressing your feelings is your commitment to living a truthful life, free from resentment.
Practice forgiveness
Forgiveness is your own personal honor. The ability to wholly and
truly forgive is one of the greatest gifts you can ever give yourself.Forgiveness sets you free from resentment’s confines; it breaks down the walls that anger builds and negativity reinforces.
When we forgive, we stop letting ours pasts dictate our presents. We acknowledge we want the very best for ourselves; accepting that our past makes us the person we are today, and embracing that.
Letting go of resentment doesn’t necessarily lead to forgiveness, but when you embrace forgiveness, resentment ceases to exist.
When we commit to expressing ourselves fully, we become stronger, more confident, and more aware.
We cannot control what other people do, but we can control how we react. When we practice truthful living, self-expression, and forgiveness, resentment simply has no place or power in our lives.
Depression: Healing Through Psalms Day 16
Psalm 14
1
THE [empty-headed] fool has said in his heart, There is no God. They
are corrupt, they have done abominable deeds; there is none that does
good or right. [Rom. 3:10.]
2 The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men to see if there were any who understood, dealt wisely, and sought after God, inquiring for and of Him and requiring Him [of vital necessity].
3 They are all gone aside, they have all together become filthy; there is none that does good or right, no, not one. [Rom. 3:11, 12.]
4 Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge, who eat up my people as they eat bread and who do not call on the Lord?
5
There they shall be in great fear [literally–dreading a dread], for God
is with the generation of the [uncompromisingly] righteous (those
upright and in right standing with Him).
6 You [evildoers] would put to shame and confound the plans of the poor and patient, but the Lord is his safe refuge.
7
Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When the Lord
shall restore the fortunes of His people, then Jacob shall rejoice and Israel shall be glad. [Rom. 11:25-27.]
Meditate On This
Meditate On
| …do not…fear the people [giants] of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the Lord is with us. Do not fear them. |
| Numbers 14:9 |
|
See Your Giants As Bread | |
The 12 men whom Moses sent out to spy on the promised land all saw
the same thing. They all saw the same big houses, the same huge grapes
and yes, the same giants standing in their way! But unlike the others,
Joshua and Caleb saw the giants as bread. The rest saw the
giants as insurmountable, impossible obstacles. As a result, Joshua and
Caleb were the only ones of their generation to enter the promised land.
When you see a “giant” today in your business, health or ministry, I challenge you to see it as bread that will only make you stronger. Don’t run away in fear, but face your giant head-on—knowing that you are armed with the Lord’s unmerited favor and the powerful promises of your faithful God!
Beloved, meditate on today’s verse. Let God’s Word drive out all timidity and give you the same spirit of faith that Joshua and Caleb had. Let it change the way you see yourself—not as a tiny grasshopper, but a giant-killer—and step into your promised land!
When you see a “giant” today in your business, health or ministry, I challenge you to see it as bread that will only make you stronger. Don’t run away in fear, but face your giant head-on—knowing that you are armed with the Lord’s unmerited favor and the powerful promises of your faithful God!
Beloved, meditate on today’s verse. Let God’s Word drive out all timidity and give you the same spirit of faith that Joshua and Caleb had. Let it change the way you see yourself—not as a tiny grasshopper, but a giant-killer—and step into your promised land!
Daily Bible Quotes
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| Every day is a beautiful day for inspiration and faith from Daily Bible Quotes! | |
| It's 1/26 and here is today's scripture: | |
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21 Days To Beat Depression Day 16
1 Peter 4:12-13
How
can the Bible even use the words “rejoice” or “joy” in the same
sentence with “trials”, “fiery ordeal” or “sufferings” ?! That’s
outrageous!
It might be outrageous ... but it is also possible. It is possible to keep our hearts intent on following God during days of harsh trials and unending fires.
We have idolized our feelings to the extent that they have more control over us than does the Word of God when going through a trial. Our human conviction that we must complain, whine and carry on during days of pain are a sad and weak deception.
God never promised that life would be easy but He promised that He would never leave us. I can worship a God like that!
Jesus never declared that trouble-free living was a part of abundant life on earth. He did assure us, however, that He would send the Holy Spirit to comfort us when our lives were uncomfortable. I can rejoice knowing that the Holy Spirit is the best Comforter in the history of the universe!
Today, my prayer for those of you who are dealing with depression too dark to verbalize, is that you would open your mouth and sing.
My prayer is that you would lift your hands toward heaven, at your moment of most excruciating pain, and declare your trust in God.
I pray that you will worship regardless of how you feel. Do not allow your feelings to have the last word.
Practical Application:
1- Write out the words to your favorite hymn or worship song and meditate on them today.
2- Share three things for which you are grateful in your journal, and through Twitter and Facebook. #beatdepression
Declaration:
“I will worship the Lord today! A song of praise will drown out my emotions and I will keep Jesus on the throne of my heart!”
Prayer:
“Jesus, thank You for never leaving me or forsaking me. Thank You for sending the Holy Spirit to be my comforter in days of darkness and pain. Amen.”
12 Beloved, do not be amazed and
bewildered at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test your
quality, as though something strange (unusual and alien to you and your
position) were befalling you.
13
But insofar as you are sharing Christ's sufferings, rejoice, so that
when His glory [full of radiance and splendor] is revealed, you may also
rejoice with triumph [exultantly].
James 1:2-4
2 Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.
3 Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.
4 But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.
How
can the Bible even use the words “rejoice” or “joy” in the same
sentence with “trials”, “fiery ordeal” or “sufferings” ?! That’s
outrageous! It might be outrageous ... but it is also possible. It is possible to keep our hearts intent on following God during days of harsh trials and unending fires.
We have idolized our feelings to the extent that they have more control over us than does the Word of God when going through a trial. Our human conviction that we must complain, whine and carry on during days of pain are a sad and weak deception.
God never promised that life would be easy but He promised that He would never leave us. I can worship a God like that!
Jesus never declared that trouble-free living was a part of abundant life on earth. He did assure us, however, that He would send the Holy Spirit to comfort us when our lives were uncomfortable. I can rejoice knowing that the Holy Spirit is the best Comforter in the history of the universe!
Today, my prayer for those of you who are dealing with depression too dark to verbalize, is that you would open your mouth and sing.
My prayer is that you would lift your hands toward heaven, at your moment of most excruciating pain, and declare your trust in God.
I pray that you will worship regardless of how you feel. Do not allow your feelings to have the last word.
Practical Application:
1- Write out the words to your favorite hymn or worship song and meditate on them today.
2- Share three things for which you are grateful in your journal, and through Twitter and Facebook. #beatdepression
Declaration:
“I will worship the Lord today! A song of praise will drown out my emotions and I will keep Jesus on the throne of my heart!”
Prayer:
“Jesus, thank You for never leaving me or forsaking me. Thank You for sending the Holy Spirit to be my comforter in days of darkness and pain. Amen.”
Pursuit Of His Presence Day 131
John 13:34-35
34 I give you a new commandment: that you should love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another.
35 By this shall all [men] know that you are My disciples, if you love one another [if you keep on showing love among yourselves].
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