Self-Worth | Courage for Today

Your Key to Happiness

I know I am not alone when I talk about this but, just last week, I was searching and searching for the keys to my car. I looked in my usual place which was on my bedside table. When they weren’t there, I looked under the bed. I looked on the bedside table on the opposite side of the bed. I looked in the kitchen. I looked in other bedrooms. I looked under couches and everywhere I could think to look. Still, no keys. With each passing moment, I got angrier and angrier. “Who took my keys?” “Why did someone move my keys,” I continued to mutter to myself. Finally, after several minutes of fuming, my wife walks in the room and says, “I have your keys.” They were in her pocket. All this time of searching and my wife had the keys the entire time.

As I thought about that funny moment, it reminded me so much of how we allow others to control our emotions and feelings. I can tell you countless times when I have allowed others to negatively impact my life. I should have cut them out of my life or confronted them, but I didn’t. Instead, I let them control how I felt. I was miserable but only because I allowed them to have control.

Over time, I learned that there are many times when we not only need to include positive people in our lives more often, but we also need to cut out negative people from our lives. It’s hard to do, but sometimes necessary. Once I learned to do just that, my roller coaster emotions changed for the good.

If you feel like your life is out of control or your “misery index” is to the max, you may be where I was. As yourself this question: “Are the keys to my happiness in someone else’s pockets?” If so, it may be time to change.

Other Posts You May Enjoy

How God’s Grace and Mercy Guides and Protects Us in Life

Finding Strength in God During Times of Crisis

Understanding God’s Role in Helping Us Forgive Those We Struggle to Forgive

Staying in Your Lane

Self-Worth

I’ve been spending a lot of time in the car this week, driving back from a business conference. I am not a fan of flying so I decided to take the scenic route and enjoy the peace and quiet of several hours in the car alone. I know most of you would hate driving as much as I have this week, but it gave me a lot of time to think about different things and realize once again how God has so wonderfully directed my path.

During one particular stretch of roadway, I encountered miles and miles of construction. Construction delays are never something I want to see when I am on a long trip. I was already tired of driving and construction delays just made things worse. There was signage everywhere warning drivers to slow down and merge lanes. I noticed one particular set of signs instructing trucks to drive only in the right lane; I assumed that this was for safety reasons. As I looked ahead, I saw a long line of 18-wheelers in the right lane as far as my eyes could see. Every truck managed to follow the instructions and stay in their own lane.

Each of us has been given a God-given purpose and mission. What that mission or purpose is depends on the unique gifts and talents that God has blessed you with. We are all different but all of our gifts work together to further God’s kingdom. There have been many times in my own life where I have drifted or strayed from my God-given purpose or, sometimes, driven down the wrong path. My vision for what God’s purpose was in my life was totally different than God’s actual purpose for my life. In essence, I was driving down the wrong lane. I was out of place by trying to be something I wasn’t.

One of my favorite versus in the Bible is Hebrews 12:1 which says, in part, “And, let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us…” This verse makes a point to say that you have a race (purpose) designed for you. All we have to do is make sure we are in the right lane and not give-up. Trouble will always follow you when you are in the wrong lane. If you are going through one of those seasons in life when nothing makes sense or things just seem to be hitting a dead-end, ask yourself: “Am I in the right lane?”

Spend some time this week asking God to make clear your God-given mission and purpose and help you merge into the correct lane so that you can run YOUR race, not someone else’s.

Your Time Will Come

Self-Worth

I don’t think there is anything more frustrating as a Christian than continually waiting for God to work in our life. I know in my own life, there have been times when I have prayed and prayed and prayed and it seemed to me that God was never answering my prayers. It got to the point that I was so frustrated at God for seemingly not answering my prayers that I began to stop praying which, obviously, wasn’t the right thing to do. I figured why bother praying; HE isn’t answering anyway so that must mean HE isn’t even listening to me. I suppose if we are honest, each one of us has been in this situation where we are seemingly stuck in neutral with no moving forward.

One thing I have learned over the years is that God has His own time-table. He knows what is best for us and He does answer our prayers, but only on His time schedule. We live in a world of instant results. Everything has to happen right now and we have no patience any more. We want everything done immediately. I am not against modern innovation and convenience, but sometimes waiting is better and even necessary.

I remember one time in particular I was waiting for a job promotion. I had prayed for this position for months and just knew when the job opening became available that I would be the one selected. Sadly, someone else got the job. I was devastated. I felt like I was ready for that opportunity but that God had let me down. I eventually recovered and moved on to other things. But, in looking back at that “missed” opportunity, I realized that had I been selected for that position at that time that I would not have been successful. I wasn’t ready and it wasn’t the right position for me. I didn’t realize it at the time, but God knew. He protected me and groomed me for the correct position down the road.

Just like the sun and the moon shine at their particular times of day, so will it be your time to shine. All according to God’s timing.

Designer Clothing

Self-Worth

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Psalms 139:14)

I was traveling down memory lane the other day and thinking back on when my children were younger and the many memories I have of them growing up. I could tell you story after story of the good times; the fun times; and the not so fun times. But, one particular story comes to mind, involving my son when he was probably three or four years old. At that time of my career, I was required to wear a suit and tie to work. On one particular weekend, my son decided that it would be fun to wear one of my suits to play in. He had managed to slip on my pants that were much, much too long. He had wrapped one of my ties around his neck and was clomping along in my size 13 shoes, barely able to walk without tripping. It was hilarious to watch. He was so proud of himself that he had dressed up in Dad’s work clothes. I “played work” with him for a little while and we both had a fun time pretending that he was dressing up and going to the office for a hard day’s work.

The funniest part of this dress-up day to me was that he was so determined to wear my clothing—–even though it was obviously several sizes too big for him. In his three or four year old mind, he believed that simply wearing the clothes of someone else, even when they didn’t fit, transformed him into to that person for a brief moment. Unfortunately, my clothes were much too heavy and too long for him and as well intentioned as he was, my clothing just ended up being a burden as he was trying to walk around the house. He would have been much better off simply wearing his own clothes that fit him properly.

This long-ago memory reminded me of my own Christian Faith when, at times, I have tried to be someone I am not. Over the years I have learned that God anointed each of us with our own set of “designer clothing.” You are wonderfully made, in God’s image. In fact, you already have “designer anointing,” custom made just for you. Instead of trying to be like someone else or trying to fit into a mold meant for someone else, learn to be confident in who God made you to be.

In today’s pressure filled world it is so very easy to be jealous of what others have or the skills that someone else has. I know; I’ve done it myself. Take my advice and don’t try to wear what doesn’t fit you; it will only weigh you down. Wear the custom fitted, designer clothing that God meant for you and allow Him to work in your life. You’ll be surprised at the weight lifted off your shoulder.

The Majesty of the Great I Am

Self-Worth

“God said to Moses, “I Am Who I Am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ” (Exodus 3:14) have to admit that I eat too much junk food. It seems that I’m always on the go. Here, there and everywhere. It’s just easier to stop in my favorite fast-food place and grab something for the road. A burger here; a hot dog there; chicken sandwiches, french-fries. Junk, junk, junk. I know I shouldn’t eat as much of it as I do, but it usually tastes good; it’s cheap; and it’s quick.

Of course when you get to the drive through window, you’re always asked that famous question: “Would you like it Super-sized?” As if a regular sized meal of whatever you’re eating isn’t unhealthy enough, they have to ask you whether you want an even larger portion of the cholesterol nightmare.

Let’s face it. In today’s World, we all have issues and problems. We all have situations in our lives that seem beyond hope. Situations or issues in which we’ve reached a dead end and done all we know to do. It’s usually at that point, our most desperate point, that we reach out. We reach out to a God that, perhaps, we’ve ignored to this point. We know we need to reach out to God, but usually don’t until we’re at a point of no return. We need something to happen. We need God to act. We need a miracle now!! If we were at the drive through window ordering what we needed from God, our order wouldn’t be the regular portion, it would be Super-Sized. We want all we can get from our Heavenly Father and we want it sooner than later.

When I reach those times in my life when I need a Super-Sized portion of God in my life, I remind myself of the majesty of God and the enormity of God. I remind myself of what Moses discovered when God spoke two simple words to Moses. Those two words were “I Am.”

God didn’t say, “I Was” although He has always been. He didn’t say “I Will” although He will always be with us. He said, “I Am.” Why?”

He’s “I Am” because it encompasses everything. “I AM” the comforter. “I AM” the healer. “I AM” the relationship builder. “I AM” the mender of finances. “I AM” the director of careers. “I AM” the answer to important decisions.

He is the Great “I AM.” Don’t worry about trying to order up a Super-Sized God. He’s already all that you need and enough for any situation.

Courage Thoughts for Today:

What are you worrying about that you need to turn over to God?
What do you need God to act on today, this week, or this month?
Are you trusting that God will be enough, or second guessing His ability to help you?

Striving to Flourish Like a Palm Tree

Self-Worth

My wife and I love the beach. In fact, we will most likely try to find our retirement home near the beach. There’s just something so peaceful about the waves, the cool ocean breeze, and the beauty of the sunset over the horizon. We could spend hours just walking up and down the beach or just relaxing under the shade of a palm tree taking a nap in our hammock or lounge chairs.

On one recent beach trip, as I was relaxing and reading, I was reminded of a verse in the Bible that says a Christian will flourish like the palm tree. I always thought it was rather curious why Christians were compared to palm trees but, after some research, I can see now why God used the palm tree as an example of true Christianity:

Palm trees will not grow in filthy soil. If you were to plant a palm tree in soil that was dirty or soil that didn’t have enough nutrients to sustain life, the tree will not grow. How true that is of our Christian life. If you surround yourself with negativity and non-Christian beliefs, you will not grow in your Christian life.
Palm trees are impressive to look at; straight and tall. Most palm trees stand out and rise above the surrounding vegetation. You can always spot a palm tree from other trees because of its distinct look with its one-of-a-kind leaves. In fact, palm trees guide travelers to an oasis. As Christians, how do others see you? Do they view your life as an example of how a Christian life should be?
Palm trees grow from the inside out instead of outside inward. It is common for most trees to grow outside inward which creates the rings in a tree we are all familiar with. Palm trees are an exception and grow from the inside. As Christians, our strength comes from our relationship with God and an inner strength that only HE can provide. When we look for strength from the World, or outside sources, we fail as Christians.
Palm trees grow in bunches for support. Most of the time, you don’t see a single palm tree. Usually, you see groups of palm trees in small clusters. Palm trees actually grow best in small groups. Christians are no different. We need each other for support. Certainly, churches and Christians disagree but, the fellowship, encouragement, and accountability of other Christians is essential to our faith.
Palm trees never stop bearing fruit. Almost without fail, a healthy palm tree will continue to bear its fruit its entire life span. There isn’t a time when a palm tree ceases to produce what it was designed to produce. Similarly, Christians never cease producing spiritual fruit. Perhaps it is a kind word to someone. Perhaps its helping a friend in need. Maybe its simply listening to a loved one during a tough time. The strongest Christians are always giving to others in some way or another setting the example for true Christian faith.
Palm tree branches are a symbol of victory. In many situations, you will see palm leaves used by victors in battle as a symbol for their triumph. As Christians, we are victors and have won the ultimate victory. What happens in life certainly shapes and molds us, but doesn’t have the final word. When all is said and done and we breathe our last breath, those of us that are Christians have final and eternal victory.

As you read God’s word and come across references to palm trees or the next time you relax lazily under the shade of the beautiful palms, I would encourage you to take the time to do a simple self-assessment of your own Christian life and make sure that your Christian life flourishes like the palm tree.