Tag: Positive woman

Passion

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This is considered “Passion Week” as we reflect on the days Jesus moved from His triumphal entry into Jerusalem toward the cross where He paid the ultimate sacrifice for us. Often, we think of passion as a deep feeling of love and concern, but the word itself means so much more. Passion comes from the Latin word passio which means to endure or suffer. Because of His deep love for us, Christ chose to endure the suffering on the cross on our behalf. So “Passion Week” is actually “Suffering Week” – a week when we look with gratitude on what Jesus did for us. But the story doesn’t end there, we also rejoice this week for Easter Sunday, celebrating the victory of Christ’s resurrection.

In his letter to the Philippians, the apostle Paul encouraged believers to not only know Christ in the power of His resurrection, but also to experience the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings. Our faith in Christ not only calls us to live a life of victory and power, but it also calls us to die to self and serve others with humility and love. Christ did not cling to His Heavenly rights (Philippians 2:6), but humbled Himself as a servant and became obedient even to the cross.

This week (and every week), let’s turn our eyes toward Jesus in joy and gratitude for His sacrificial love for us. May we be inspired by His example to live in loving and grace-filled service toward others. Perhaps we need to consider some of the rights we tend to hold onto in our lives or perhaps areas where we feel we are above serving or caring. Let’s open our hands to Him and ask Him to guide us and flow through us as we reflect His love to the world.

Point to Ponder: The word Compassion means to join into someone else’s suffering. Where is God calling you to serve, to love and to show mercy?

This week on my facebook page I am looking at what the Bible has to say about Jesus. Join me each day for a new reflection. Click Here.

Regaining Strength

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It’s easy to feel down or frustrated after experiencing a failure or loss or setback of some sort. Our immediate reaction may be fear or despair, while hope and strength feel beyond our reach. Helplessness and hopefulness are at two opposite ends of the emotional spectrum, and yet there are always small steps we can take to climb out of our feelings of failure and move forward in life.

How do you regain your strength in order to keep going? Here are some principles that will help the process:

  • Grieve the loss, don’t ignore the pain. Allow yourself to feel sad when disappointment happens.
  • Find a healthy way to express your feelings – journaling, walking, talking to a friend, painting, gardening, etc.
  • Seek God’s comfort and ask Him for strength to move forward.
  • Choose to look for glimmers of hope. Find something for which you can give thanks each day.
  • Take a step forward in a positive direction, even if it is simply meeting a colleague or friend.
  • Step out and help someone else. Make a plan for how you can use your experience to strengthen another person.

In my own life, when I have faced hurt or disappointment I have found that God gives me an inner strength beyond what I could produce on my own. The Bible reminds us that He is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of need.  This week focus on the strength He gives. And always remember, where we are weak, He is strong.

Photo by Jimmy Conover on Unsplash

The Power of Team

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The winter Olympic events are always spectacular to watch, but this year something else caught my eye – the Norwegian Ski Team. Although they compete in mostly individual sports, they move, practice and live as a bonded team. They provide an unique example of the power of camaraderie and the beauty of selflessly working together.

 

The New York times called the Norwegian team “a contrarian mix of humility, egalitarianism and basic respect.” In a society that tends to be all about self – the Norwegian team is an inspiring example of thinking of others. At this point, Norway leads the world in gold medals and overall medals.

 

One of Norway’s gold medalist in men’s team ski-jumping, Robert Johansson said, “I really like the team competitions. I think we’re really good friends, travelling a lot of days during the year together.”  The team shares meals with one another and spend about 250 days together every year. That’s a lot of togetherness!

 

There’s an incalculable strength that comes from the bond of a team. Cheering one another on and going the extra mile to help another person succeed is true teamwork. Teams strengthen one another and hold each other accountable. When you are a part of a team, you are working for something much bigger than yourself – you don’t want to let your fellow team mates down.

 

An old African proverbs says, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

 

The apostle Paul wrote, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,  not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” That’s true teamwork!

 

Think about ways that you tend to try to achieve on your own. Are there people God has placed in your life with whom you can join together and encourage? How can the power of a team transform the work He has called you to do?

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Photo by Joris Berthelot on Unsplash

Wonder

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Jan22

Research now shows the benefits of experiencing a sense of awe as we observe nature, listen to music, appreciate artwork or even practice religion. A feeling of wonder tends to remind us that we are not the center of the universe, rather there is a much bigger picture of which we are a part. People who are awestruck tend to feel humbled and thankful and often are inspired to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

The older we get, the less we seem to take note of those beautiful moments of wonder in our everyday lives. Wouldn’t it be great to have the eyes of a child once again? Children see spectacular moments in the simple things – a yellow butterfly, a sand castle, a funny-looking bug or a genuine smile. Is it possible to regain that sense of wonder? Certainly it is, but we must be observant and intentional.

One of the ways to increase our awestruck moments is by turning your heart and mind toward the God of all wonders. Start each day by praising Him for His amazing hand in creation. Observe the life around you, whether you are looking out the window or paying attention to the people He puts in your path. Stop and consider the intricate details of all He created both great and small.

The psalmist praised God for the wonders of His creation, but he also acknowledged the wonders of God’s love. In Psalm 31:21 we read, “Praise be to the Lord, for he showed me the wonders of His love.” Perhaps the beauty of His unfailing love toward us is the greatest wonder of them all. Oh that we would stand amazed at His grace and mercy each day, for truly this would give us a sense of humility and thankfulness, as well as a desire to show love and grace toward others.

This week, let’s be deliberate about experiencing wonder, especially as we consider the love and goodness of our wonderful Heavenly Father. May we never lose our sense of awe and delight in who He is and what He has done for us!

 

This month’s $5 book special is Karol’s devotional, Pursuing God in the Quiet Places. Each devotional points to attributes of God and opens our hearts to the wonder of who He is.  Click Here for more info.

Wisdom

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Jan 9

As the new year begins, having a positive focus and direction can help us journey through each day with hope and strength. One idea that helps me is to choose a word for the week and contemplate what the Bible has to say about that word all week long. As I ponder my positive word for the week, I think about how the word can have an effect on both my life and my actions, and especially how I interact with others and the Lord. This week’s word is “Wisdom.” The book of Proverbs has quite a bit to say about wisdom: Consider the following passages:

For the Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6

Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord and shun evil.
This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones. Proverbs 3:7,8

Blessed are those who find wisdom,
those who gain understanding,
 for she is more profitable than silver
and yields better returns than gold.
She is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.
 Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.
 Her ways are pleasant ways,
and all her paths are peace.
She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her;
those who hold her fast will be blessed. Proverbs 3:13-18

Get wisdom, get understanding;
do not forget my words or turn away from them.
 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;
love her, and she will watch over you.  Proverbs 4:5,6

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
    and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10

 

Each of these verses motivates me to pursue wisdom – and not my own wisdom, but God’s wisdom. In pursuing wisdom I am ultimately pursuing God. Wisdom begins with Him. I want to know Him in a fresh and deeper way by studying His Word and spending time with him in prayer. How will you pursue wisdom this week?

 

 

Check out my devotional, Pursuing God in the Quiet Places, which looks at the different attributes of God and what they mean to us. It’s on sale this month for $5. Click here for more info.  https://positivewomanconnection.com/books/#monthlyspecial

 

Join me each week as we consider a positive word and apply it to our daily living.