Rising Up and Out of Bad Attitudes The Way God Designed

    

You know those days when it’s rainy outside, overcast and it just makes you feel depresssed?(funny how the weather does that)  Or you get back from a long, depressing day at work? Maybe your friend said something super unkind and it depresses you. You lash out at your family and you feel super moody.  You think sad thoughts like:

     “What if i never find Mr. Right? What if i don’t get accepted into college? What if all of my friends go away to a college far away?” I don’t know about you, but i think of a bleak future and focus on all of the “what ifs”of my future when I’m depressed. Do you ever feel this way?
     You see, whenever I get into this mood, I spend a lot of time feeling sorry for myself. I get myself into a tizzy and then i start crying and i feel frustrated, depressed and defeated. Does it ever occur to me that i can reach out to God? Eventually yes, but i think our sinful condition (or that little devil on your shoulder) makes us wanna stay there and throw a little pity-party for ourselves. This mentality (i think) is Satan trying to keep us apart from God. And I’m VERY ashamed that sometimes I  do think:
      ” I could go to God, but right now I just wanna cry over my pathetic life.” Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t think crying is a bad thing. I think it’s the way God enabled us to let go of some of our stress, heartache or whatever’s bothering us. And letting go and crying does make you feel a little better, but the difference is: Do you stay there all day and stay depressed? Or do you  rise up to the challenge, and  say to that little devil “Ya know what? I’m finished with you. God can get me through this. He wants the best for me unlike you.”  Do you know what this pity-party attitude really  says? It says:
     “I don’t want you God. I just want to stay here and complain about the life you have given me.” Sounds pretty awful doesn’t it? And you know what it all has in common? It is a wrong and selfish attitude! This in no way reflects God or Jesus. It reflects our sinfulness and imperfection. By dwelling on disheartening thoughts, we let unpleasant circumstances rob us of our joy, peace, kindness, and happiness. (Notice the first three items are all fruits of the spirit. Yet another reflection of the godly women we are supposed to be) We dig a grave for our happiness when we stay down here.
     I LOVE the song Fighter by Jamie Grace. The chorus goes like this:
     🎶She’s a fighter, got that fire. When they thought she’d fade away. Throws a fist up, as she gets up, growin stronger everyday. When she gets down on her knees she finds the courage to believe. She’s a fighter, she’s a fighter, who inspires me. 🎶
     This song really encourages me and whenever I’m feeling down, I want to be the girl Jamie describes in her song. Seriously, ya’ll should click the link and hear this song. I also like the song Overcomer by Mandisa
     🎶You’re an overcomer! Stay in the fight ’till the final round. You’re not goin’ under. ‘Cuz God is holdin you right now! You might be down for a moment, feelin’ like it’s hopeless, but that’s when he reminds you. You’re and overcomer! You’re an overcomer! 🎶
     I love listening to these songs because they inspire me to change.  I also love this verse for the same reason.  
     “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)
     Sister, I challenge you this week to change your attitude in one area of your life. For me, it’s talking nice to my siblings and not shouting at them when I feel frustrated and angry. I know, it’s super hard, but remember Philippians 4:13 when they refuse to listen to you and you just get so angry ya just wanna burst. Does anybody feel like that sometimes with their siblings? In these times, I just try the best I can to bite my tongue and say a silent prayer to God asking for Peace, Love and Kindness.
      🎶As you do every single thing that you do to the glory of who made you.  ‘Cuz he made you to do every single thing that you do to bring a smile to his face and tell the story of grace with every move that you make.🎶    -Do Everything by Steven Curtis Chapman
   Remember, “With God All Things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)
God Bless Y’all! 💜
Allie

    

3 Tips To Help Grow Your Faith

       

I was born and raised a Christian. My parents invested a some time each night to teach me about God’s word. I happen to be a fountain of questions about God’s word, so it was quite easy to learn. My single question would evolve into a three hour long conversation with my dad. We both enjoyed those conversations immensely. My parents even homeschooled me so they could monitor who i associated with, what curriculum I used. Some people call this ‘controlling’. I call it ‘loving’.
    

“Love is patient,  love is kind. It does not  envy and it is not proud. It is not rude or self seeking. It is not easily angered. It keeps no record of wrongs, Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protect, always trusts, always hope ,always perseveres. Love never fails.” – 2 Corinthians 13:4

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Tip #1 Get Into God’s Word

       As a young girl I didn’t read the Bible much besides church reading. When I was young, I thought it was kind of boring. I believe that interest in Bible reading comes with age and maturity. For me, it gradually increased as I got older. In my tween years I got a bit more interested in it  up until now. (my highschool years) I open my Bible eagerly. There’s such a great variety of advice all through it! I will caution you though. You will not grow your faith unless you open your heart to God’s advice to change for the better.
     “Keep this book  of the law always on your lips. Meditate on it day and night so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. The you will be prosperous and sucessful” -Joshua 1:8

Tip #2 Pray, Pray and Pray Some more.
        “Rejoice always, pray continually.  Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will  for you in Christ Jesus.” 1Thessalonians 5: 16 – 18
How can you develop a sweet ralationship with your heavenly father if  you don’t communicate? I’ll tell you one thing; NO relationship will suceed if you don’t have good communication.
     “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your father, who is unseen. Then your father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:6
Personally, I look foward to the end of my day when I’m laying in bed and i get to talk to my heavenly Father quietly, alone and uninterrupted. Some days I just pour out my heart. Other days I don’t necessarily feel like it, but I do it anyway because it’s an important daily practice. Nevertheless, it is an essential part in  our relationship with God. He’s been such a comfort for me in my joyful and sorrow filled days. He feels what we feel.  Let’s face it.  We are human. We fail God daily. I have always been encouraged to pray before my meals. For some reason though,  I have a hard time doing it in the presence of others. Don’t get me wrong! I’m not ashamed of my faith or God in any way, shape or form, but I  feel that my prayers are personal and I don’t want  people watching. However, I do want to change this.  I mean,  how do you think your parents would  feel if you didn’t want to talk to them out in public? Not very nice. God probably feels the same way. Do you have a favorite place to pray? Do you have the same dilemma i have about praying in public?

Tip #3 Seek Older Christian Mentors
  
      There are soo many wonderful Christian writers that offer great advice for teens. My favorite Christian writer is Elizabeth George. I have completely and absolutely loved reading her books. (In a later post I will talk about her some more.) She writes books specifically for teens and women of all ages. Here  are a few books I’ve read by her:
A Girl After God’s Own Heart:  A Tween Adventure With Jesus
As a young ten year old girl,  I loved this book. In this book Elizbeth offers advice on friends, parents,  our siblings, and your time with Jesus. It is a fun book for girls to personalize with spaces in the book for their personal thoughts.
A  Young Woman’s Guide to Making Right Choices
As teens we get a lot of choice making thrown at us daily. Whether it be in school or at home. This book shows how God feels about these things and wow! It really makes you think about how you live and make choices.
     Have you ever read any of these books? If so, what did you think about them? How did they help you? I highly encourage girls to read these books ASAP.
     Well there you go! These are tips that have helped me a great deal in the past and i hope you benefit  from them too.
God Bless!  💙