When someone prays for patience, do you think God gives them patience? Or does He give them the opportunity to be patient?
If they prayed for courage, do you think God gave them courage? Or do you think He gives them the opportunity to be courageous?
If they prayed for the family to be closer, do you think he gives them warm fuzzy feelings? Or does God give them the opportunity to love one another.
The best gifts given in life are the opportunities that we have to explore and learn on our own. Be thankful for the ability given to us to learn daily and cherish those the blessings forever.
Have you taken your opportunities lately?
Proverbs 3:13 NIV Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding,
Flaws What we think is a flaw, sometimes is what makes someone or something so very special.
Flaws
Flaws show up in many ways. Some are visual; like a crack, blemish, a mark, a chip, a knothole in wood, or a distortion in a pattern. Some are invisible that we only think we can see; then some are not flaws at all; but are something very beautiful that appears uniquely different.
At first glance we look and see something that we think is hideous, unsightly, or unworthy.
We tend to focus on the imperfections and flaws so much; that we miss the actual beauty that the flaw gives to the masterpiece itself.
Humans do the same thing with their lives. They focus on the imperfections and flaws that they see. They begin to see things that they think are flaws; extra wrinkles, love handles, gray hair, droops and sags, and a variety of other things that bring on anxieties and self-doubt.
No matter how much they fight against it and try to ignore the flaws, self-doubt creeps in; causing anxiety and distress. The battle to once again seek perfection, creates hurt, anguish, conjures blame, denial and resentment; that robs them of the joy and the actual beauty inside and out.
Our idea of perfection is not the same as the ideas of others and God’s; that we tend to ignore and not listen to.
Instead; we should realize the beauty in all the flaws and imperfections that we think we see. Knowing that we were created by an incredible, awe-inspiring Creator just as we were meant to be. Each and everyone, made similar, but very uniquely in our own ways, that creates the value and self-worth that is very special and very priceless.
Flaws are never bad; they are a blessing and a thing of beauty in the creation of all things.
Embrace your flaws; show the world and yourself how special you really are.
Psalms 139:14 NIV I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Vision comes in all forms; from the ability to physically see; to something seen in the mind (as in a dream or spiritual experience).
Vision
Vision can be a beautiful or impressive sight; the power of imagination to design or plan something; to imagine what the future of something could be, and the endless possibilities of your mind.
The power of sight is a wonderful thing; the power of vision is an amazing gift.
Let your vision open your world and unlock your potential deep inside.
Serve others quietly with a gracious heart and a lack of expectations or hidden agendas.
Servants Heart
Acts of servitude, kindness and love will change lives and the world. It is not the size of the deed or action; but the thought that lasts forever.
Live your life with a pure servants heart that is filled with desire, compassion, a mindset and a desire to selflessly help and bless the lives of others.
Ephesians 6:7 NIV Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people,
Fears; the reality in life. Everyone has fears; be it large or small; they are fears, and they are real.
Face your fears
For many; they are able to overcome them and move forward, and some are not able to and feel trapped by them.
Some are huge, and some so small, but so real to people, that they seem enormous. They become engulfed, and at times paralyzed, unable to function because of them, becoming a victim to them.
For most, fears are not so large; in fact they are so small, that it is a matter of choice than fear. The fear develops because of self-doubt, hesitation, and a sense of failing.
Fears can be as simple as passing a test, speaking to a group, or even stepping out of your comfort zone. Regardless of what they are, they are there; in your face; ready to stop you at a moments notice.
Facing your fears and meeting them head on is the key. Seeking help when it seems to be bigger than you are. Chiseling away at them a little at a time. Overcoming the smaller ones, builds confidence to overcome the larger ones.
Face your fears and find freedom in your life.
Isaiah 41:10 NIV So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Contagious; that scary word that sends people flying in all directions.
Be Contagious
Contagious is commonly thought of as an infection spread from one person to another by direct or indirect contact. However; all things don’t have to be bad to be contagious.
Positive thoughts, attitudes, actions, and encouragements can become so infectious; that it can spread throughout the world as fast as a virus.
Calming fears instead of creating them and panic; helping the world instead of tearing it down can change attitudes and lives.
Be contagious and infect the people in your life, the workforce, and the world with kindness, compassion, understanding, unity, and love.
Proverbs 15:4 NIV The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.
The race; the epic battle of the tortoise and the hare. The timeless fable of an overconfident hare that was sure it could beat the slow moving tortoise.
The Race
While the story seems to be about the race; it is a metaphor about life.
Life is like a race; realistically, a marathon. It has a beginning and an end, with a lot of distance in between. So many things can happen along the way; obstacles can pop up, staying focused, pushing yourself when you hit the wall, and pacing yourself to finish.
Rushing to the end and trying to have, and accomplish everything in life is not always the important part of the race. Slow and steady, enjoying the run and scenery along the way, will bring far more pleasures to life.
It is not important how you start the race; but how you run the race and finish it that matters. Enjoy the race of life and all that it offers.
Journey-of-Inspirations 