PERSPECTIVE
AND BALANCE
Come to Me, all you are labor and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you
and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.
For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
-
Matthew 11:28-30
FOCUS FOR TODAY
Life is a balancing act.Life seems out of balance,
To improve your balance, consult your
Heavenly Father many times each day.
Sometimes, amid the demands of daily life, we lose perspective. Life seems out of balance, and the pressures of everyday living seem overwhelming. What's needed is a fresh perspective, a restored sense of balance...God.
If a temporary loss of perspective has robbed you of the spiritual fitness that should be yours in Christ, it's time to readjust your though patterns. Negative thoughts are habit-forming; thankfully, so are positive ones. With practice, you can form the habit of focusing on God's priorities and your possibilities. When you do, you'll soon discover that you will spend less time fretting about your challenges and more time praising God for His gifts.
When you call upon the Lord and prayerfully seek His will, He will give you wisdom and perspective. When you make God's priorities your priorities, He will direct your steps and calm your fears. SO today and everyday hereafter, pray for a sense of balance and perspective. And remember your thoughts are intensely powerful things, so handle them with care.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
IT'S UP TO YOU
Simply put , it's up to you to assume the ultimate responsibility of your health. So if you are fighting the battle of the bulge (the bulging waistline, that is) don't waste your time blaming the fast-food industry - or anybody else, for that matter. It's your body, and it's your responsibility to take care of it.
MORE FROM GOD'S WORD
Philippians 4:8
New International Version (NIV)
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Proverbs 16:16
New International Version (NIV)
16 How much better to get wisdom than gold,
to get insight rather than silver!
5 The wise prevail through great power,
and those who have knowledge muster their strength
to get insight rather than silver!
Proverbs 24:5
New International Version (NIV)
and those who have knowledge muster their strength
Proverbs 20:5
New International Version (NIV)
5 The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters,
but one who has insight draws them out.
but one who has insight draws them out.
Romans 12:2
New International Version (NIV)
2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
MORE THOUGHTS
ABOUT BALANCE
Persecution for a happier and healthier life: resolve to slow down your pace; learn to say no gracefully; resist the temptation to chase after pleasure, more hobbies, and more social entanglements - James Dobson
Some of us would do more for the Lord if we did less. - Vance Havner
Work is not always required of a man. There is such a thing as sacred idleness, the cultivation of which is now fearfully neglected. - George MacDonald
Notice what Jesus has to say concerning those who have wearied themselves by trying to do things in their own strength: "Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." - Henry Blackaby and Claude King
Jesus gives us the ultimate rest, the confidence we need, to escape the frustration and chaos of the world around us. - Billy Graham
FINDING TIME FOR RECREATION
Are you one of those women who seldom takes a day off? Are you a seven-day-a-week worker bee, or a closet workaholic? If so, it's time to reorder your priorities. Why? Because an essential element of physical, emotional, and spiritual fitness is simply this: the ability to relax and enjoy leisure time.
The familiar words of Psalm 118:24 remind us of a profound yet simple truth: "This is the day the LORD has made: let us rejoice and be glad in it". Yet me may find ourselves so wrapped up in the demands of everyday living that we forget to celebrate God's glorious gift. That's a BIG mistake.
Are you willing to relax long enough to that you can celebrate this glorious day with your family and friends? Hopefully so, because this day is a one-of-a kind treasure that can - and should - be a cause for joyful celebration. Part of that celebration means finding an appropriate balance between work and play.
PEACE AND RENEWAL
One aspect of spiritual health is the ability to partake in the peace that only God can give. Are you willing to accept God's peace? If you can genuinely answer that question with a resounding yes, then you are richly blessed. But if you have not yet discovered "the peace that passes all understanding," today is a wonderful day to find it.
The beautiful words of John 14:27 give us hope: "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you..." Jesus offers us peace, not as the world gives, but as He alone gives. We, as believers, can accept His peace or ignore it.
When we accept the peace of Jesus Christ into our hearts, our lies are transformed. And then, because we possess the gift of peace, we can share that gift with fellow Christians, family members, friends, and associates. If, on the other hand, we choose to ignore the gift of peace - for whatever reason - we simply cannot share what we do not possess.
The beautiful words of John 14:27 give us hope: "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you..." Jesus offers us peace, not as the world gives, but as He alone gives. We, as believers, can accept His peace or ignore it.
When we accept the peace of Jesus Christ into our hearts, our lies are transformed. And then, because we possess the gift of peace, we can share that gift with fellow Christians, family members, friends, and associates. If, on the other hand, we choose to ignore the gift of peace - for whatever reason - we simply cannot share what we do not possess.
WORKING IT OUT
LITTLE DECISIONS ADD UP
When taken together over a long period of time, little decisions can have big consequences. So remember, when it comes to matters of health and fitness, there is no "small" decision.
STRENGTHENING YOUR FAITH
SPEND TIME EVERY DAY WITH GOD
Need balance? Have a daily planning session with God. A regularly scheduled time of prayer. Bible reading, and meditation can help you prioritize your day and your life. And what if you're simply too busy to spend five or ten minutes with God? If so, it's time to reorder your priorities.
1 I will sing of the loving kindness of the LORD forever;
To all generations I will make known Your faithfulness with my mouth.
22 The LORD’S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,
For His compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
5 For the LORD is good;
His loving kindness is everlasting
And His faithfulness to all generations.
5 How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
Whose hope is in the LORD his God,
6 Who made heaven and earth,
The sea and all that is in them;
Who keeps faith forever;
MORE FROM GOD'S WORD ABOUT
GOD'S FAITHFULNESS
Psalm 89:1
A Maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite.To all generations I will make known Your faithfulness with my mouth.
Lamentations 3:22-23
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
22 The LORD’S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,
For His compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
Psalm 100:5
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
5 For the LORD is good;
His loving kindness is everlasting
And His faithfulness to all generations.
Psalm 146:5-6
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
5 How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
Whose hope is in the LORD his God,
6 Who made heaven and earth,
The sea and all that is in them;
Who keeps faith forever;
God is faithful,
by whom you were called
into the fellowship of His Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
-
1 Corinthians 1:9
NOTES TO YOUR SELF
Write down at least three things you can do to bring more peace into your life.
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