Daily Hope

CURRENT TEACHING SERIES Essentials For Living

Three Things Fear Does to Relationships

By Rick Warren — Aug 14, 2015

“For the Holy Spirit, God’s gift, does not want you to be afraid of people, but to be wise and strong, and to love them and enjoy being with them.” (2 Timothy 1:7 TLB) If you want to connect with someone, you’ve got to be willing to take the first step. This often takes courage. Why? Because it’s fear that disconnects human beings. When we’re full of fear and anxiety, we don’t get close to each other. In fact, we back off. We’re afraid of being rejected, manipulated, vulnerable, hurt, used. All of these fears cause us to be disconnected in life. This fear is as old as mankind. When Adam and Eve sinned and God came looking for Adam, Adam said, “I was afraid, and I hid.” People have been doing that ever since. We’re afraid, so we hide. We hide our true selves. We don’t let people know what we’re really like, because if we do and they don’t like us, we face rejection. And so we pretend. Fear does three terrible things to relationships: Fear makes us defensive. When people point out weaknesses, we retaliate and defend ourselves. Fear keeps us distant. We don’t let people get close to us. We withdraw. We hide our emotions. Fear makes us demanding. The more insecure we are, the more we try to control things. We try to have the last word in a relationship. We try to dominate. So where do you get the courage to take the first step to connect with someone and go into a deeper level of intimacy? You get it from God’s Spirit in your life. The Bible says, “For the Holy Spirit, God’s gift, does not want you to be afraid of people, but to be wise and strong, and to love them and enjoy being with them” (2 Timothy 1:7 TLB). How do you know when you’re filled with God’s Spirit? You’re more courageous in your relationships. You love people. You enjoy being with them. You’re not afraid of them, because God’s Spirit is in your life. The Bible says “God is love” and “Love casts out all fear.” The more of God you have in your life, the less fear you’re going to have in your life. PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >> Talk It Over With whom do you need to go deeper in your relationship? Pray, and ask God for the courage to take the first step toward growth with that person today. In your relationships, what is some more evidence of the Holy Spirit in your life? How can you get more of God in your life? What is one practical step you can take today?

Joel & Victoria

Today’s Scripture

“You crown the year with Your bounty and goodness...” (Psalm 65:11, AMP)

Crowned with Goodness

The Lord has crowned your year with bounty and goodness! That means there is an abundant supply for whatever you may need—spiritually, physically, emotionally and financially. He has also set up a system so that you can access all of His blessings. It’s the system of seedtime and harvest. If you have a need in your life, step into God’s system by sowing a seed. For example, if you’re lonely and need friends, sow a seed by being a friend to someone. If you have a financial need, pray and ask the Lord where you should sow a financial seed. The Bible says to give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over. The more you sow, the more you will reap. That’s God crowning your year with bounty and goodness!

A Prayer for Today

“Father, thank You for supplying all of my needs according to Your riches in glory. I submit my resources to You today and ask You to show me where I can sow seeds and be a blessing to those around me in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

4 Truths That Will Turn Your Frown Upside Down

by Joyce Meyer
 
Would you like to be in a good mood every day? You are probably thinking, Yes, of course I would. Who wouldn’t? I spent a lot of years being controlled by a variety of moods and believing I had no choice in how I felt. I envied all the “happy people.” I used to wonder, What is their secret? Why them and not me?
Then I finally learned that our mind, mouth, moods and attitudes are all intricately connected. First you think, and then your thoughts turn into words that you speak, and the two of them together affect you emotionally and turn into moods and attitudes.

For years, I paid no attention to what I was thinking, and I didn’t make the connection between my thoughts and the rest of my life. But the Lord has taught me many things from His Word about the “mind connection” since those early days, and I’m excited to share some of those truths with you.

You Can Choose How You Think

Although we don’t always have the power to change every unpleasant circumstance in our lives, we do have the power to change our outlook. Nobody enjoys a troubling or painful circumstance, but I’ve found if we look at it in a hopeful, faith-filled way, we can watch God work all things out for our good (see Romans 8:28).
Enjoying life begins with the thoughts you choose to think. Yes, it is that simple! No matter what is going on in your life today, if you will choose happy, hope-filled thoughts based on God’s Word, you will feel happier. Our thoughts are intricately connected to our feelings, so if we want to feel better, we need to think better.
Think of the mind like the gas tank in your automobile. Your automobile will run well, or perhaps not even run at all, depending on what kind of fuel you put into it. In the same way, when you choose your thoughts carefully, your quality of life will improve in amazing ways!
Sure, there are some people who are born with a temperament that makes it easier for them to look on the bright side of life than others, but even they have to make choices about their thoughts and attitudes toward life.
Be honest with yourself and think about what you have been mentally focusing on and how you have been feeling emotionally and even physically. I feel certain you will see a definite connection. Nothing good comes from thinking sour, critical, and negative thoughts, but something good always comes when we think according to God’s plan for our life.

You Can Change How You Think

Through His death and resurrection, Jesus offers us a new way of living; however, a new way of thinking will always precede this new way of living. Right thinking and right attitudes are roadmaps that allow us to reach our destination.
Romans 12:2 says, Do not be conformed to this world (this age), (fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs). But be transformed (changed) by the (entire) renewal of your mind (by its new ideals and its new attitude), so that you may prove (for yourselves) what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God….
This Scripture is so important for us to understand! God has a good, acceptable, and perfect plan for you and me, and the way we can experience it is not to think like the world thinks, but to be changed entirely by learning to renew our mind and think the way God thinks. If you want to have what God wants you to have, learn to think like God thinks!
Ephesians 4:22-23 is one of my favorite groups of scriptures in the Bible. Verse 22 says to strip yourselves of your former nature. Then verse 24 tells us to put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God’s image.
How do we do that? Verse 23 gives us the key: And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude].
So, the way to “put off” your old life and “put on” the new is to constantly renew your mind and attitude. It begins with filling our minds with God’s Word, then choosing to think and speak the positive, faith-filled things He says about our lives.

You Can Think Positive Things On Purpose

Did you know you can jump-start your day by thinking and speaking good things on purpose as one of your first acts in the morning? It’s an exercise that only takes a few minutes, but it will be valuable to you all day. I encourage you to meditate on God’s Word and speak out things like:

• This is the day God has made, and I am going to enjoy it! (Psalm 118:24)
• I can handle whatever comes my way today through Christ Who is my strength. (Philippians 4:13)
• Today, I am strong and energetic. (Isaiah 40:28-31)
• I have favor with God and man everywhere I go. (Luke 2:52)
• Everything I lay my hand to prospers and succeeds. (Deuteronomy 30:19; Joshua 1:8)
• I enjoy being a blessing to others. (1 Timothy 6:18)
• I am thankful for all that God has done for me. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
• God is working on my problems, and I can wait patiently because His timing is perfect. (Psalm 31:15; 37:7; 46:1)

A negative mind and mouth will produce negative moods, attitudes and in all probability, a miserable day. But the positive approach of setting your mind in an uplifting direction, full of godly, faith-filled thoughts will have a good effect on you and your entire day.

Change Takes Time and Practice

Renewing our mind, mouth, moods and attitudes isn’t always easy, but it is possible with God’s help. I have personally been working toward this goal for almost 40 years, and although I have not arrived at perfection, I have made amazing progress. I have successful days, and I also have days when I feel like I’ve failed miserably, but I believe with God’s help I can keep growing.
If you desire greater emotional stability, and the ability to maintain a consistent good attitude no matter what your circumstances are, then make it a goal and don’t give up until you have reached it.
A walk begins with one step and then another and another. No matter how long your journey seems, if you take enough steps in the right direction, you will eventually arrive at your desired destination…and truly have the life you’ve always wanted.

What About Me?

What About Me?

by Joyce Meyer - posted August 13, 2015
 

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
- 1 John 4:8 NIV
God is love, and His nature is that of a giver. He gives, He helps, He cares, and He sacrifices. He does not do these things occasionally; they represent His constant attitude toward us. Love is not something God does—it is Who He is. He always offers us love, generosity, grace, and help. God does chastise His children when they need it, but He even does that out of love and for our own good to teach us the right way to live.
Everything God does is for our good; all of His commands are intended to help us have the best lives we can possibly have. Because God's love has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit (see Romans 5:5), we can love and be kind to others, which means taking the focus off of ourselves, silencing the internal voice that asks, What about me?, and learning to follow Jesus' example of being kind, generous, and loving toward others. 

Power Thought: I love because I know God, and God is love.

Words of Encouragement

Jekalyn Carr

Faith can bring your future into your now!

Bishop David G Evans

Obedience leads you to favor.

Paula White

God knew every mistake you would make & still made a good plan for your life- one to prosper you & not harm you!

Bill Winston Ministries

The Word of God has to go from information to revelation. Revelation is the strongest asset in the world of faith.

 

Bishop Dale C. Bronner

I dare you to worship God like there is no tomorrow and watch what happens in your life! Intimacy with God produces power in your life!

Les Brown

Drink from the full cup of life. Taste the bitter, along with the sweet, knowing that all of it deepens your experience of life. Life is a roller-coaster. You will have ups and downs, unexpected drops, twists, turns and loops. Buckle your emotional and spiritual seat belt and hold on.
Choose to release your grip on the pain in your life...especially pain that is self-inflicted. Decide that you are not going to let the hurts of the past rob you of your present or future happiness. As you move through life, you will have experiences that can make you bitter or make you better. Remember you always have a choice. Choose to allow each experience to make you better and wiser. Grow through them. Continue to find ways to deepen and express the GREATNESS within you!

How Do You Make Yourself Feel Better?

How Do You Make Yourself Feel Better?

Ishita Gupta | August 13, 2015 | Living

The last few months I’ve become an expert at giving myself comfort and TLC as I move through new levels in life and business.
Life and career transitions are always accompanied by growing pains.

What I’ve learned about myself is that I don’t want to manage my challenges, I want to master them.

To do that I need to first understand myself and my capacity to handle things.
Do I handle family issues better than money ones? Is business easier than matters of the heart? Who helps me get back up versus makes me feel like crap? What gives me hope?
When I know myself, I feel more confident to handle what life throws at me, because even though I depend on others, at the end of the day I go to bed with myself.
My fears. My habits. My tendencies.
Comfort comes in because I’m no longer a Samurai – my constitution isn’t built for harsh lessons or tough love like it used to be. Been there, done that. I used to push a lot, but “hit life back harder” doesn’t do much for me in the middle of a storm anymore.
Because how do I hit life back exactly? And with what instrument?

What I’ve learned about myself is that mastery comes from an equal degree of hard-earned lessons AND self-love. My progress depends on my ability to know what makes me feel strong and safe and what brings me relief.

With furry babies.

So I’ve spent the last decade cultivating how to bring myself relief, comfort, and peace because obstacles arise no matter how many times I think I’ve knocked it out of the park.
I’ve had the freakouts.
Dark nights. Depression so big I couldn’t find my way out. When my grandma died. “Figuring out” my career. Professional nightmares come true. That time when heartbreak ruled my world. When I had $50 to my name. When my business failed and I felt like a giant loser.
We’ve all dug really deep, right? Gut-level digging that’s required us to get into a new state of mind, to get courage, to break old habits and beliefs.
Comfort helps us trust ourselves. When we give ourselves what we need (or at least know how), even at rock bottom, we realize our capacity to handle what life throws at us. Whatever the pain, we’re able to command resources, inspiration, and hope when we most need it.
It starts by knowing yourself and what brings you comfort.
Knowing how to comfort myself has saved my life on some occasions. It’s not just necessary, it’s life-saving.

Looking like a terra-cotta soldier on a treat YOSELF day.

Here’s my list of what brings me comfort. I want to share it so you can see how to use comfort as a tool (not to be lazy or complacent or indulgent as many people wrongly believe.) It’s not outside yourself to get what you need; it’s closer than you think.

I wrote these in my journal (and continue to) to notice what gives me space – it’s my record of self-trust and self-knowing and it’s that important.

• Turning OFF technology. Going back to my hands & manual labor.
• No TV or consuming anything digital in the moments I have free time.
• Writing in my journal. Writing period.
• Smelling essential oils. I used to snicker at essential oils but now I love them.
• Candles, soft light.
• Sunlight on my face. Basking in it any moment I can.
• Soft warm, blankets, socks, slippers, robe. SOFT everything. When the world feels hard, I crave soft.
• Heat: any kind of hot water, hot air (even a blow dryer on my hands), moving hot water like in a whirlpool, steam room.
• Crying hot tears. Crying period.
• Lots of space and time devoted to ME. Reveling in it and not feeling guilty about it no matter what people think.
• Humor. Kevin Hart. Louis CK. VEEP. Yo Mama jokes. Whatever it takes.
• Natural, wild world, especially being next to the ocean.

I’ve spent many days under this tree in my parent’s yard.

• Animals. Animals over people.
• Children’s literature and comic books. The Maggie B and Archie.
• Being taken care of and attended to. Bonus if by elderly women. There’s nothing like a wise older women who knows how to touch and care for you in her bones.
• Staying with my feelings instead of filling the space.
• Being touched, scrubbed, massaged. There’s a reason people enjoy being “kissed” by the sun and roughed up by the ocean. It’s powerful to be physically moved by nature.
• Wanting to be led and letting things unfold. In a recent trip to San Diego, instead of correcting mistakes and telling people they were late and I was busy, I didn’t fix or explain. I let things unfold and was rewarded by feeling calm and relaxed.
• My golden books. I have an arsenal of books to help certain moments, but Women who Run with the Wolves, Start where you are and Journey to the Heart are classics. They’re worth a million bucks to me.

One of many favorite stashes.

• Birds chirping and singing. It uplifts me in a huge way.
• Lots of hot tea with milk. Bonus if sipped outside with a cool breeze.
• Being in a new environment like Chinatown or a new city. I feel curious like Indiana Jones, full of possibility. When I see things I’ve never seen before, I get excited. New magical experiences are the lifeblood of me feeling strong again.
• Not talking to humans. Unless I know them well and they understand ME deeply, I don’t ask for opinions. I’ll call one to two friends who’ve demonstrated they get me, but otherwise, I don’t talk much.
• Communication overall. A few times when I’ve needed clarity, I stopped all phone, email, text, and it was very helpful. No need to add more noise to the noise.
• No social obligations or pressure to meet them. On any given day, there are ten things to do with people you genuinely want to do them with. Sometimes it feels too much so in already vulnerable moments, I say no to all.
• Church bells on the hour.

Give me a fireplace any day of the week.

If you’re going through pain right now, bring some relief to yourself by creating your own list of comfort; it will make you feel better. If you feel grief or stuckness, I’m writing this for you.
All we want is comfort in the moments when the pain is too much.

Comfort is the salve that makes it easier to breathe. @ishitagupta (Click to Tweet!)

We want you to keep breathing. Whatever method works for you is what we’re looking for.
What comfort will you give yourself today? Do you need it? Are you pushing yourself to hit life back when you just need to love yourself up and then take on the world? I know I can’t have one without the other. Leave a comment or email me at ishita@ishitagupta.com and tell me what you’ll do to comfort yourself today. It’s THAT important.
With much love,
xx Ishita