50 Best Empowering Biblical Affirmations to Declare over Your Life
In a world filled with challenges and uncertainties, finding strength and inspiration from timeless sources can be a transformative practice.
The Bible, a revered and cherished text for millions, offers a wealth of wisdom and guidance that can empower us to face each day with renewed hope and positivity.
One powerful way to tap into this wellspring of strength is through the practice of biblical affirmations.
By speaking these affirmations aloud, we can declare positive truths over our lives and align our minds and hearts with the promises of scripture.
Empowering Biblical Affirmations for Peace and Inner Calm
6. “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guards my heart and mind.” – Philippians 4:7
7. “In peace, I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” – Psalm 4:8
8. “I am anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, I let my requests be made known to God.” – Philippians 4:6
9. “The Lord will keep me in perfect peace when my mind is stayed on Him.” – Isaiah 26:3
10. “I am like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding fruit in its season, and my leaf does not wither.” – Psalm 1:3
Empowering Biblical Affirmations for Joy and Gratitude
21. “I will rejoice always, and in everything, give thanks.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
22. “The joy of the Lord is my strength.” – Nehemiah 8:10
23. “I have abundant life in Christ.” – John 10:10
24. “I am blessed beyond measure and am a source of blessing to others.” – Psalm 67:7
25. “I am grateful for the many gifts and blessings that flow from God’s hand.” – James 1:17
Empowering Biblical Affirmations for Love and Relationships
26. “I walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us.” – Ephesians 5:2
27. “I am patient, kind, and bear all things in love.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
28. “I am quick to forgive, just as Christ forgave me.” – Colossians 3:13
29. “I am a peacemaker, and I sow seeds of harmony and unity.” – Matthew 5:9
30. “I am a friend of God, and I love others as myself.” – Mark 12:31
Empowering Biblical Affirmations for Wisdom and Guidance
31. “I trust in the Lord with all my heart and acknowledge Him in all my ways.” – Proverbs 3:6
32. “I am led by the Spirit of God, and He guides me into all truth.” – John 16:13
33. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and I walk in reverence and humility.” – Proverbs 9:10
34. “I have the mind of Christ and make wise decisions.” – 1 Corinthians 2:16
35. “God’s word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” – Psalm 119:105
Empowering Biblical Affirmations for Strength and Endurance
36. “I can be content in all circumstances through Christ who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:12-13
37. “The Lord upholds me with His righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10
38. “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:14
39. “I run with perseverance the race set before me, looking to Jesus, the author, and finisher of my faith.” – Hebrews 12:1-2
40. “I am not weary in well-doing, for in due season, I will reap if I do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9
Empowering Biblical Affirmations for Purpose and Identity
41. “I am fearfully and wonderfully made, created in the image of God.” – Genesis 1:27, Psalm 139:14
42. “I am God’s workmanship, created for good works in Christ.” – Ephesians 2:10
43. “I am a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession.” – 1 Peter 2:9
44. “I am a light of the world, and I let my light shine before others.” – Matthew 5:14-16
45. “I am more than a conqueror through Him who loved me.” – Romans 8:37
Empowering Biblical Affirmations for Gratitude and Trust
46. “I give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for me in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18
47. “I trust in the Lord with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding.” – Proverbs 3:5
48. “The Lord is my shepherd, I have everything I need.” – Psalm 23:1
Empowering Biblical Affirmations for Gratitude and Trust
46. “I give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for me in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18
47. “I trust in the Lord with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding.” – Proverbs 3:5
48. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He leads me beside still waters and restores my soul.” – Psalm 23:1-3
49. “I delight myself in the Lord, and He gives me the desires of my heart.” – Psalm 37:4
50. “I am confident that He who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion.” – Philippians 1:6
Embracing the Power of Biblical Affirmations
Navigating life’s peaks and valleys, the act of professing biblical affirmations becomes a potent anchor, firmly rooting us in the certainties and commitments of God’s Word.
These affirmations remind us of our identity, purpose, and potential as beloved children of God.
When we speak these affirmations with faith and conviction, we actively participate in shaping our thoughts, attitudes, and actions in alignment with God’s plan for our lives.
Just as a sculptor molds clay into a masterpiece, affirmations shape our minds and hearts, helping us overcome self-doubt, fear, and negativity.
Each affirmation we declare is like a seed planted in the fertile soil of our hearts, growing into a tree of faith, resilience, and joy.
The Bible is a reservoir of wisdom, and by speaking its truths over our lives, we tap into an eternal wellspring of strength and inspiration.
It’s important to remember that biblical affirmations are not mere positive thinking; they are declarations of God’s promises and truths.
As we incorporate these affirmations into our daily routine, we invite God’s presence to infuse every aspect of our lives with His grace, love, and guidance.
Whether you write them down, recite them aloud, or meditate on them.
Biblical affirmations have the potential to transform your perspective and empower you to navigate life’s challenges with unwavering faith.
So, as you embark on this journey of speaking affirmations over your life, may you experience a deeper connection with your Creator, a renewed sense of purpose, and a steadfast faith that propels you toward the abundant life God has prepared for you.
As the psalmist declares in Psalm 19:14, “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”
It’s about cultivating an unwavering trust in the divine protection and guidance that the Lord offers us.
Just as a bird finds refuge under the shelter of its parent’s wings, we seek refuge in the comforting embrace of God’s promises.
This means that in times of uncertainty or adversity, we remind ourselves of God’s ever-present shield and consciously choose faith over fear.
We navigate challenges with the assurance that no harm can touch us under His watchful eye.
This personalized Psalm 91 becomes our compass, directing our choices and decisions.
It encourages us to step forward boldly, knowing that we are not alone in this journey.
By living out the truths of personalized Psalm 91, we infuse our lives with a profound sense of security, enabling us to thrive amidst life’s ebb and flow.
We can read it slowly multiple times and reflect on its meaning.
When we do this, we open ourselves up to receiving the promises it offers.
Another way to put Psalm 91 into action is to use it as a foundation for our prayers.
We can take specific promises from the Psalm and pray them back to God.
This allows us to align our prayers with His word and receive the blessings He has promised.
When Adversity Strikes
When adversity strikes, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed and powerless.
But by using personalized recitation of Psalm 91, you can tap into a powerful source of strength and inspiration that will enable you to face any challenge.
Take the time to understand and personalize this Psalm, and you’ll be amazed at the inner resources you’ll find.
It allows us to move from a position of fear and doubt to one of faith and trust.
But Psalm 91 is not the only tool we have for overcoming adversity.
Let’s explore some additional tools in the next section.,
Additional Tools for Overcoming Adversity
In addition to utilizing Psalm 91 as a foundation for prayer, there are other tools we can use to overcome adversity.
One powerful tool, is the practice of gratitude.
When we focus on what we are thankful for, even in the midst of difficult circumstances, it can shift our perspective and help us find strength and hope.
Connecting with others who are going through similar struggles and being vulnerable about our own experiences can help us feel less alone and provide us with support and encouragement.
Exercise and self-care are also important tools for overcoming adversity.
Taking care of our physical and emotional well-being can give us the strength and energy we need to face challenges head-on.
Why personalize Psalm 91?
By personalizing Psalm 91, we are creating a deeper connection to the words, and the meaning behind them.
It allows us to make the scripture more relevant to our unique situations and experiences.
When we personalize Psalm 91, we are making it our own and tailoring it to fit our individual needs.
Additionally, personalizing Psalm 91 allows us to focus on specific areas where we need strength and protection.
For example, if we are struggling with financial difficulties, we can personalize the scripture to reflect our current situation.
By doing so, the words become more powerful and meaningful to us, and we can draw more strength and comfort from them.
Personalizing Psalm 91 also helps us to internalize the scripture and make it a part of our daily lives.
By reciting a personalized version of the scripture regularly, we are embedding the words and their meaning into our hearts and minds.
This can help us to feel more grounded and connected to our faith, even in the face of adversity.
In short, personalizing Psalm 91 is a powerful tool for finding strength and resilience in the midst of adversity.
By making the scripture our own and tailoring it to fit our unique needs, we can draw more comfort and strength from its words.
In closing, personalized Psalm 91 is a powerful tool that can help us find strength in the midst of adversity.
By understanding the power of this Psalm and tailoring it to our specific situation, we can tap into a well of inner strength and inspiration.
Additionally, we can use additional tools such as meditation, positive self-talk, and seeking support to further overcome challenges.
Remember, the next time you’re facing obstacles, recite your personalized Psalm 91 and see what a difference it can make.
As the Psalm says, “You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.””For He will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease.”
So let’s take control of our lives and conquer adversity, one personalized Psalm at a time because “His faithful promises are your armor and protection.”
Short Prayer Using Psalm 91
“Lord, I take refuge in Your wings,
Under Your shelter, my heart sings.
Protect me from danger day and night,
In Your presence, I find my light.
Cover me with Your feathers of grace,
Guide me through life’s every pace.
No harm shall touch me, for You are near,
With You, O Lord, I have nothing to fear.
Thank You for Your love, steadfast and true,
In Your embrace, I find strength anew.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.”♥
70 Inspirational Charles Stanley Quotes to Ignite Your Faith and Strengthen Your Soul
Welcome to a world of inspiration and wisdom with Charles Stanley’s inspirational, uplifting and transformative quotes.
In times of adversity, uncertainty, and self-doubt, we often seek words of wisdom to restore our faith and find the strength to move forward.
Charles Stanley, a renowned pastor, author, and theologian, has been a beacon of hope for millions of individuals worldwide.
His profound teachings and encouraging words have touched the hearts of many.
Offering guidance and motivation to face life’s challenges with resilience and grace.
In this blog post, we present 70 inspirational quotes by Charles Stanley that will uplift your spirit, subsequently remind you of your inherent worth, and encourage you to embrace life’s journey with faith and courage.
Charles Stanley, a preacher, teacher, and mentor, holds a special place in my heart as one of my all-time favorite spiritual guides.
His life and teachings have left an indelible mark on countless lives, including mine.
From the moment I first encountered his profound insights, I knew I had found a source of wisdom and inspiration that resonated deeply with my soul.
Charles Stanley’s gentle yet powerful presence consistently brings clarity to my spiritual journey, illuminating my path and fostering unshakable faith.
Dr. Charles Stanley has so many FREE audibles to help us grow in our faith.
Propelled by his unwavering commitment to biblical truths and genuine love for people, I’ve been inspired to cultivate a deeper relationship with God.
It motivates you to embrace life’s challenges with unwavering courage.
Through his sermons and writings, he continues to be a guiding light.
He keeps reminding me that no matter the circumstances, God’s grace is sufficient, and His love is unconditional.
Charles Stanley’s influence not only shaped my faith but also impacted countless others, marking him as a true instrument of God’s transformative love.
Here are some of his words, straight from his mouth, that can make anyone find peace in the Lord.
70 Inspirational Charles Stanley Quotes to Ignite Your Faith and Strengthen Your Soul
I hope they minister to you as they do to me.
Enjoy!!!
“Our willingness to wait reveals the value we place on the object we’re waiting for.”
“Fear stifles our thinking and actions. It creates indecisiveness that results in stagnation.”
“Disappointment is inevitable. But to become discouraged, there’s a choice I make. God would never discourage me. He would always point me to himself to trust him.”
“In every situation, God provides the strength to endure and the wisdom to navigate through it.”
“The only way to learn strong faith is to endure great trials.”
“Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.”
“God never leads us where He cannot keep us.”
“God’s voice is still, and quiet and easily buried under an avalanche of clamor.”
“The size of your faith isn’t measured by the absence of doubts, but by the presence of actions.”
“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable, because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.”
“Instead of concentrating on your problems and getting discouraged, focus on God and meditate on His promises for you.”
“The way you store up treasure in heaven is by investing in getting people there.”
“Fear is a choice. You must choose not to allow it to steal your tomorrow.”
“You will never ‘find’ time for anything. If you want time, you must make it.”
“When God speaks, oftentimes His voice will call for an act of courage on our part.”
“The time you spend alone with God will transform your character and increase your devotion.”
“Faith is not just a belief; it is a way of life.”
“When you live your life according to God’s principles, you will experience a level of joy, peace, and fulfillment that the world can’t give.”
“Obstacles are opportunities for God to demonstrate His power.”
“A strong faith enables us to trust God in the midst of adversity, even when we can’t understand what He’s doing.”
“God never promises to remove us from our struggles. He does promise, however, to change the way we look at them.”
“God’s Word is the only reliable mirror that reflects accurately who we are.”
“We can be tired, weary, and emotionally distraught, but after spending time alone with God, we find that He injects into our bodies energy, power, and strength.”
“God’s love is the only love big enough to forgive every sin.”
“It is not our ability that God looks for. He’s looking for our availability.”
“God’s ultimate goal for your life on earth is not comfort, but character development.”
“The moment you wake up each morning, all your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists of shoving them all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in.”
“God’s way is better than your way. His plan is bigger than your plan. His dream for your life is more significant than your dream.”
“You may go through difficulty, hardship, or trial, but as long as you are anchored to Him, you will have hope.”
“The best way in the world to deceive believers is to cloak a message in religious language and declare that it conveys some new insight from God.”
Charles Stanley’s wisdom has served as a guiding light for countless individuals seeking hope and encouragement in their lives.
Through these 70 inspirational quotes, may you discover renewed strength, faith, and determination to courageously face life’s challenges, guided by a higher power.
Here are 40 more inspirational quotes by Charles Stanley.
“When we are in the midst of pain and suffering, we must remember that God is working something good out of it all.”
“The battles we face are won on our knees, not with our fists.”
“Never let the opinions of others define who you are. God’s opinion is the only one that truly matters.”
“It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light of God’s guiding hand.”
“The key to a joyful life is not the absence of problems, but the presence of God’s grace in the midst of them.”
“God’s love for you is not based on your performance, but on His unchanging character.”
“The path to peace is paved with a humble and contrite heart before God.”
“The more we rely on God’s strength and less on our own, the greater we will see His power at work in our lives.”
“Happiness is fleeting, but the joy found in Christ is everlasting.”
“Our Heavenly Father’s love is like a river; it flows freely and unconditionally, never-ending and life-giving.”
“The greatest act of love is to lay down your life for others, just as Jesus did for us.”
“God often uses our deepest pain as the launching pad for our greatest calling.”
“Patience is not the ability to wait, but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting.”
“When we pray, God hears more than we say, answers more than we ask, and gives more than we imagine.”
“Faith is the confidence that God knows more about our situation than we do and is working it out for our good.”
“God will never lead you to a place where His grace will not sustain you.”
“God’s mercy is like a sunrise; it brings new hope and new beginnings every day.”
“When you are in the center of God’s will, there is no safer place to be.”
“The greatest legacy we can leave behind is a life well-lived for the glory of God.”
“God’s plans for your life are always better than your own. Trust His timing and His ways.”
“It’s not what you have in your pocket that makes you thankful, but what you have in your heart.”
“Your life is a canvas, and God is the Master Artist. Let Him create a beautiful masterpiece out of your story.”
“The more you trust God, the less you need to understand the ‘whys’ and ‘hows.’
“God doesn’t promise a problem-free life, but He does promise to be with you every step of the way.”
“Seek God above all else, and everything else will fall into place.”
“God’s grace is the divine power that transforms brokenness into wholeness and darkness into light.”
“A heart at peace with God can find peace in any circumstance.”
“God’s love is not based on what you do, but on who He is.”
“In God’s eyes, you are not defined by your past mistakes, but by the potential of your future.”
“God’s mercy is the anchor that keeps us steady in the storms of life.”
“We must remember that the shortest distance between our problems and their solutions is the distance between our knees and the floor.”
“God is responsible for the consequences of our obedience, WE are responsible for the consequences of our disobedience”
“From the world’s perspective, there are many places you can go to find comfort. But there is only one place you will find a hand to catch your tears and a heart to listen to your every longing. True peace comes only from God.”
“God takes full responsibility for the life wholly devoted to Him.”
“In times of defeat, we never know how close we are to victory. In every event of failure, God has planted a seed of success.”
“Trusting God means looking beyond what we can see to what God sees.”
“Fight all your battles on your knees, and you win every time.”
“If you put your faith in yourself and your abilities, intellect and dreams, then your foundation is only as strong as you are.”
“You must never sacrifice your relationship with God for the sake of a relationship with another person.”
“God’s Word is absolutely true. You may not understand how God is going to bring about what He’s promised you, but He is keeping every promise that He has ever made. He will never deceive you or disappoint you, and He will never change His mind about what He’s told you.”
Charles Stanley’s insights on faith, trust, and God’s love deeply resonate across diverse lives.
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Seek God’s guidance and wisdom first daily, and discover the power of prayer and affirmation.
He is the champion, above all champions, and the captain of your destiny.
Positive Biblical affirmations are choiceful words that will add to, rather than subtract from, your life.
You must separate yourself from your own strength, and must instead totally rely on God’s.
Positive Biblical affirmations help me stay optimistic, focused, and grounded in the word and my faith.
Positive Biblical affirmations are for everyone who is intentional about experiencing God in a higher dimension by recommitting yourself to God and following His direction.
Unconfessed sin is a barrier to prayer. Confession not followed by repentance, and change is even worse. Please choose the best path.
#2. I Exhibit The Highest Level of Wisdom and Understanding In The Lord.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding…” Proverbs 3:5
“So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will, and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.” Colossians 1:9
#3. My Path Is Smooth And Purposeful.
“The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.” Psalm 16:6
#4. The Lord Renews My Strength Each Day.
“Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.” 1 Chronicles 16:11
#5. I Am Light, I Illuminate, And I Can’t Be Hidden. I am Strong In The Lord.
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” – 2 Timothy 1:7
#6. My Future Is Bright. The Evil Expectations Of My Enemies Shall Be Cut Short. My Future Is Filled With Unshakeable HOPE!
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
“Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.” Proverbs 23:18
#7. PEACE Surrounds Me. Peace That Surpasses All Understanding.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
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.” Philippians 4:6-8
#8. I Am Loved Unconditionally.
“For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39.
“For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
#9. I Am Good Enough. Nobody Can Make Me Feel Any Lesser Than I am.
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener… “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:1 & 5.
“Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.” Ephesians 1:4
#10. I Am Not Afraid. The Lord Is On My Side.
“For God gave us a spirit not of fear, butof power, love, and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7
“The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” Psalm 118:6.
You may also like the 4 Sentence Prayer That Instantly Grants Your Heart’s Fiercest Desires.
#11. I Forgive Myself And Others.
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:14-15
#12. I Am Thankful And Grateful To God For My Life.
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Colossians 4:2.
“I will praise your mighty deeds, O Sovereign Lord. I will tell everyone that you alone are just.” Psalm 71:16
#13. I Have An Unshakable Belief That My Prayers Are Heard.
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:24
#14. God Is My BANNER (Jehovah-Nissi).
“Let him lead me to the banquet hall, and his banner over me is love.”Songs of Solomon 2:4.
#15. God’s Purpose For My Life Stands Firm.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
#16. No Plans Of The Enemy Shall Prosper In My Life.
“And in Your lovingkindness, cut off my enemies, and destroy all those who afflict my soul, For I am Your servant.” Psalm 143:12
“Though I am surrounded by troubles, you will protect me from the anger of my enemies. You reach out your hand, and the power of your right hand saves me.” Psalm 138:7
Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14
#18. I Am An Overcomer. I Am Victorious!
“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57
#19. My Today and Tomorrow Will Be Greater Than My Yesterday.
“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6
“But forget all that— it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. Isaiah 43:18-19
#20. I Am The Apple of God’s Eye.
“He found him in a desert land, and in the howling waste of the wilderness; he encircled him, he cared for him, he kept him as the apple of his eye.” Deuteronomy 32:10
#21. I Shall Lack Nothing.
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
#22. I Am More Than A Conqueror.
“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31
#23. I Am Shielded And Lifted (Protected).
“But you, O LORD, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.” Psalm 3:3
#24. I Experience The Lord’s Goodness And Miraculous Ways.
“For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it is received with thanksgiving.” I Timothy 4:4
#25. I Will Taste The Power And Goodness of The Lord.
“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” Psalm 34:8
#26. I Walk In MIRACLES.
Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Psalm 71:17
You may also like the 7 day Miracle Prayer That Instantly Grants Your Heart’s Fiercest Desires.
#27. I Am Not Who I Used To Be.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17
#28. I Can Get Through Anything I’m Going Through. Pain Is Not Permanent. No Negative Condition Is Permanent.
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Roman 8:18
#29. God Will Take Me Where No One Else Can. I Depend On God ALONE.
“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” Psalm 55:22
#30. The Lord Is My HELPER.
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
“The Lord will work out his plans for my life—for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me.” Psalm 138:8
#31. My DESTINY Is Secure. Today, I Choose JOY!
“It is the Lord who directs your life, for each step you take is ordained by God to bring you closer to your destiny. So much of your life, then, remains a mystery!” Proverbs 20:24
#32. I Am Fearless And Brave.
“So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.” Matthew 10:26
“I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.
Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;
no shadow of shame will darken their faces.” Psalm 34:4-5
#33. I Have UNSHAKABLE Faith.
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7
“Trust in the Lord forever, for in YAH, the Lord, is everlasting strength.” Isaiah 26:4
“Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” Psalm 103:2
#35. I Am Strong And Courageous.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6
#36. God Knows My name. He Recognizes Me.
“I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.” John 10:14-15
“Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever…” Psalm 125:1
#38. God Always Makes A Way For Me.
“God arms me with strength,
and he makes my way perfect.” “You have made a wide path for my feet
to keep them from slipping.” Psalm 18:32, 36
“Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is trustworthy in all his promises and faithful in all he does.” Psalm 145:13
#39. God Orders My Steps.
“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” Proverbs 16:9
#40. The Lord’s Drawn Bloodline Surrounds Me.
“My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold, and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.” 2 Samuel 22:3-4
#41. I Have Peace That Surpasses All Understanding.
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ…” Psalm 5:1
#42. I Shall Not Be Shamed.
“Fear not; you will no longer live in shame. Don’t be afraid; there is no more disgrace for you.”Isaiah 54:4
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
“The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.” Psalm 9:9-10
#44. The Lord, My God, Will Be With Me Wherever I Go.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
#45. My Plans Will Succeed Because I Depend On The Lord.
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Proverbs 16:3
#46. I am Forgiven. The Blood Of Jesus Purifies Me.
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace…” Ephesians 1:7.
“O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive,
so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.” Psalm 86:5
#47. When I Call Upon The Lord, He Listens, He Hears.
“Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:12-13.
“Listen closely to my prayer, O Lord; hear my urgent cry. I will call to you whenever I’m in trouble, and you will answer me.” Psalm 86: 6-7
#48. I Delight Myself In The Lord, Therefore, He Will Give Me The Desires Of My Heart.
“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4
#49. I Am Content. God Is My Provider.
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Philipians 4:19
“Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:4
#49. I Will Reap The Fruits Of My Labor.
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3
“All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.” Isaiah 54:13
“Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me are for signs and for wonders …….” Isaiah 8:18
Discover how to pray specifically and expectantly for your children’s faith, character, safety, relationships, and future here.
#51. I Am Blessed And Highly Favored.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” Ephesians 1:3
#52. I Am Healed And Made Whole Continually.
He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3.
“But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’declares the Lord..” Jeremiah 30:17
#53. I Live with Intention And Purpose.
“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” 2 Peter 1:3
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
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 3:5-8
#54. The Lord Supports My Endeavors.
“May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion.” Psalm 20:2
#55. God Will Come To My Aid When I’m In Trouble.
“May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.” Psalm 20:1
You may also like the 4 Sentence Prayer That Instantly Grants Your Heart’s Fiercest Desires.
#56. Today Will End In Praise.
“Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy!” Psalm 126:3.
“And my tongue shall speak of Your righteousness, and of Your praise all the day long.” Psalm 35:28
May The Lord, our God, guide you continually today and forever.
May He be a mighty shield over you and your loved ones.
“Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.” Psalm 25:4-5
May every enterprise of yours be successful.
May God’s mercy and grace accompany you wherever you go.
“The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease.” Lamentations 3:22
May all your expectations and prayer requests turn into mega testimonies.
May The Lord grant your heart desires. Now and forever. Amen.
Be sure to get your free Biblical affirmations printable below, so you can be reminded of who you are in the Lord daily.
According to scientific research, gratitude is one of the best ways to boost your mental health and physical well-being.
This is what Robert Emmons, the world’s leading scientific expert on gratitude wrote, “it’s an affirmation of goodness. We affirm that there are good things in the world, gifts, and benefits we’ve received.”
This article discusses studies that seem to suggest that gratitude is good for your health.
Tip #4 on How To Teach A Child About Gratitude = Say Thank You
Gratitude enhances and builds relationships.
Even the youngest of children can learn to say, “Thank you.”
With their chubby little hands, they can form the sign language words that express gratitude.
These two words, “thank you,” are the first words parents often teach their kids.
Energetic and zealous, parents demand that their children give thanks for any gift received or service offered.
Often, children end up expressing gratitude by rote.
Other times, their words are insincere.
Gratitude does not produce all the scientific benefits unless it is heartfelt.
How can we make sure that our children are not saying these words by rote?
How can we ensure their words are meaningful and genuine?
The author of the book, Nonviolent Communication, shares tips about expressing effective gratitude towards others.
In his article, he shares three steps to effective gratitude:
1. Observations.
Teach your children to make observations about what their friend or relative did for them. Like,
A. Mom tied my shoes.
B. Grandma bought me a present.
C. Dad brought me a hamburger after work.
Even if your child didn’t like the gift itself, she can express gratefulness for the motive behind it. “Thank you, Grandma, for taking the time to go shopping and buying me a gift.”
Teach your child to express gratitude in full sentences.
2. Feelings – Teach your kids to describe their feelings about their friend or relative’s kind action or gift.
A. “Mom, when you tied my shoes, I felt relieved…”
B. “Grandma, when you bought me a present, I felt loved…”
C. “Dad, when you brought me a hamburger, I felt happy…”
3. Need – Finally, help your kids express the need that that their friend or relative met.
A. “Mom, when you tied my shoes, I felt relieved because I wanted to go outside and play.”
B. “Grandma, when you bought me a present, I felt loved because I knew you were thinking about me.”
C. “Dad, when you brought me a hamburger, I felt happy because I was hungry and you remember my favorite types of burgers.”
In summary, an effective gratitude statement includes the action that was performed, the feeling that was produced, and the need that was met.
This formula helps avoid rote gratitude.
It also helps you avoid saying “thank you” as a way to manipulate someone.
Think how good you would feel if someone used this formula on you!
“When you stopped by to ask if I needed something (Observation), I felt happy (Feeling) because I had been very lonely and anxious today. (Need)”
Tip #5 on How To Teach A Child About Gratitude = Thank You Notes
Writing thank you note may seem like an ancient, outdated practice.
In reality, it is a wonderful habit to teach t today’s generation of kids.
If you are quarantined or shut inside during winter, now is an excellent time to start developing this skill in children.
Children can rediscover the joy of letter-writing.
Ask your children to name one person who has influenced and encouraged them.
Maybe it’s someone whom they have missed during the pandemic.
Have them write a letter expressing gratitude to this teacher, friend, or classmate.
Now is the time to teach children about envelopes, stamps, and postage.
Kids can learn how to address an envelope and write a return address.
They can practice their skills of letter heading, greeting, body of the letter, and closing.
Are you willing to send a thank-you note to someone you’ve never met?
Then you are willing to take your gratitude journey to the next level!
Why not share the gratitude with someone who’s discouraged?
The organization “More Love Letters” devotes itself to inspiring people to write handwritten letters to people who are going through tough times.
Go on the website and help your children select a discouraged individual to write to.
Looking back in your gratitude journal, you’ll be able to see how God has provided for you in a very difficult time.
Then share the good news with someone else!
The “More Love Letters” website always shares about the kind and sacrificial acts that the discouraged individual has performed.
He or she is having a tough time remembering his own goodness right now.
Express gratitude to that person for the kindness, sacrifice, and hope they have shared with others.
Yourdictionary.com defines resentment as “A feeling of anger or displeasure stemming from the belief that one has been wronged by others or betrayed; indignation.”
Resentment is a negative emotional reaction to some perceived negative behavior.
It is one of the most common challenges many couples face.
“Resentment is like drinking poison, and then hoping it will kill your enemies.” Nelson Mandela
When someone we love and trust has hurt us deeply or injured us, we often hold onto those wrongs.
When those issues are not resolved, they can lead to resentment in a relationship.
Resentment often occurs in couples when one or both of them feel hurt or offended by the other, and presume their actions were deliberate.
Acknowledging that what the person did was not appropriate, we feel we must vindicate ourselves and provide justice and resolution.
Unmet expectations often cause resentment.
Resentment can also be triggered when a partner perceives their voices are not being heard, or when one party wants to be right all the time, or when one feels unappreciated.
Repeated instances of the same negative behavior often compound the feeling of resentment in a relationship.
She hoped he would give her flowers, but he just gave her a card.
He hoped she would help hand him tools while he worked on the car, but she stayed inside.
She wished he would listen with deep understanding and kindness, but instead he said, “What’s the big deal?”
When our expectations and real life clash, resentment often forms.
Resentment often feels deeply justified.
Resentment is a choice. While you cannot control what others say or do, you can control how you react to it.
While we admit we should avoid lashing out in harmful anger, hurtful words, and hateful explosions, we feel that there is nothing wrong with resentment.
We may feel very justified about our lingering disappointment in the way someone treated us.
This results in reoccurring negative feelings. The relationship slowly becomes distant and stale.
Couples begin to talk less and avoid each other. Any brief encounter turns into an argument.
In this article, we are going to tell you some ways to overcome resentment and past hurts, so you can be free to love again.
We wouldn’t say we are “angry,” rather we simply say “upset,” “irritated,” “dissatisfied,” or “discontent.”
However, while these subtle forms of anger may be less harmful to others, they are every bit as harmful to ourselves.
David Powlison, in his book, Good and Angry, puts it this way: “Quiet brooding, defensive withdrawal, judgmental thoughts, low-grade irritability, a critical attitude, avoiding outright conflict, indifference to reparable wrongs—these are just my less dramatic brands of an anger problem.”
When you resent someone, you hold onto that person’s hurtful actions and refuse to let go.
In your mind, you carry that person around with you everywhere you go.
You never really forget what they did to you.
It’s always in the back of your mind.
It’s like they’re with you constantly.
This negative presence haunts you, follows you around, hinders your creativity and sucks the life out of you.
Because of the associated negative emotions, it’s critically important to find out how to release resentment.
So how do you go about addressing the issue?
How do you save your relationship?
Is your relationship worth fighting for?
The following steps will help you dig a little deeper and find the causes of your resentment.
It will also suggest some steps you can utilize to initiate the healing process in your relationship with your partner.
#1 step on how to overcome resentment in a relationship is to Vulnerably Express What Mattersto You
Being honest, transparent and open with your partner about the core or root of your anger and resentment are the first steps.
We can never overemphasize the importance of communication in any relationship.
David Powlison explains, “Whether the tremor [of anger and resentment] is mild or fierce on the emotional Richter scale, the common denominator operates inside.
The degree to which something matters to you, and the degree to which it cuts you to the quick, will intensify or diminish your emotional fire.”
In other words, the more something matters to us, the angrier we will be when something is not right in that area.
For example, people who care a lot about a certain team or a certain political party become angry when their team does not win.
A mother who cares a lot about her child’s success may become angry when the child does not work hard on homework.
Or when a teacher does not recognize his or her potential.
If a relationship matters to you deeply, you will be more likely to become angry and resentful when the other person hurts you or does not appreciate you.
In fact, anger and resentment are good clues as to how important that person is to you.
Like a temperature gauge, your anger shows you what matters to you.
If you didn’t care, you probably wouldn’t be angry!
Express to your partner, “You matter to me so much. That’s why I feel angry and resentful that we couldn’t spend special time together last week.”
Say, “I care about hearing your feelings. I resent the fact that you don’t talk to me more.”
Your relationship is worth fighting for.
The Bible says in Ephesians 4:31 that we should “Put away from yourselves every kind of malicious bitterness.”
#2. Face Shame and Contempt Head On
An important key to releasing resentment in a relationship is dealing with shame.
Shame is the fear of disconnection and abandonment that stems from our belief about who we are as a person.
This painful feeling of abandonment and disconnection is terrifying to partners.
Shame causes us to feel hurt by the actions that were truly not intended to hurt us.
Because we feel shame about our neediness and our vulnerability, we avoid bringing up these painful situations to our partners.
We don’t feel like we can voice our own needs, wants, and desires.
It feels too scary to voice our hurt.
Instead, a deep resentment begins to build.
Talking honestly to your partner and other safe people, and reading books on shame, like ‘Soul of Shame’ by Curt Thompson, can be important keys to eliminating and releasing resentment in marriage.
Also, talk to your doctor if you feel your resentment is getting out of hand. They may refer you to a Psychiatrist, Psychologist, or a relationship counselor.
#3. Understand Gridlocked Conflicts
The Gottman Institute has come to a startling conclusion that some conflicts are impossible to resolve.
They don’t mean we should pessimistically despair when we have conflicts.
Rather, they urge couples to recognize the difference between solvable conflicts and perpetual problems.
Solvable problems are simple logistical challenges or differences of opinion that can be fixed by discussing them.
Unsolvable problems, however, are clashes between personalities or values that will come up over and over again and will never truly go away.
Some couples work endlessly to try to solve these problems, running themselves into corners, becoming defensive, being angry, or shutting down completely.
These perpetual problems are a common source of building resentment.
After attempting for a time to solve problems, couples become resentful and lose hope.
Instead, Gottman suggests approaching these issues and topics with continuing dialogue.
He recommends “humor, affection, and even amusement, to actively cope with the unresolvable problem, rather than allowing it to fall into the condition of gridlock.”
Being honest about unsolvable problems can help you not to waste time and energy worrying about things that cannot be changed.
Gottman urges you not to waste mental energy with resentment, stress, and anger.
Let these things go, stop mulling over them, have a curious and humorous approach, and continue talking.
At the same time, recognizing that you don’t need to continue fighting about these personality differences that will probably never go away completely.
Recognize and accept that these differences are a part of who your partner is.
Understanding your spouse’s love language could be the first step towards making things better.
#4. Keep the Lines of Communication Open
As you learn how to release resentment in marriage, don’t keep your insights to yourself.
You have discovered how to overcome shame in your own life.
You also know how to release hurt and confusion.
Similarly, you know how to laugh affectionately over perpetual problems.
Don’t forget to bring your partner into the discussion.
Share what you have learned.
Be vulnerable in terms of your own shame, your own feelings, your weaknesses and your personality differences.
If you have been hurt by your partner, express that hurt to him or her as openly and simply as you can–with words.
David Powlison asks of partners, “Why can’t they talk over the miscommunication and disappointment in a constructive way?
Why don’t they communicate their desires and hurt without adding large doses of hostility and self-righteousness?”
The reason is that we are afraid.
We don’t know how our partner will receive our honest admission of our shame and the true hurt our partner’s actions have caused us.
Despite the fear that vulnerability engenders, it is worth the risk.
Vulnerability tends to breed vulnerability.
As you share with your partner, you may find that he or she gains a softer heart, more open to your needs and is more willing to share his or her own needs.
Talk to your partner. Also listen to your partner.
As you do so, you may discover that the things that you perceived to be so hurtful, the very things that you harbor so much resentment, were not intended to cause harm.
You may begin to see your partner in a different light, understanding the vulnerabilities of your spouse that caused him or her to act the way they did.
As you grasp the fact that your partner did not mean to hurt you, your heart will soften and the resentment will start to melt away.
#5. Perform a Ceremony of Letting Go of Resentment
Sometimes we simply can’t work through every single hurt.
No matter how much we talk, discuss, understand, or contemplate, those conflicts may never be completely solved.
It becomes humanly impossible, but God possible. He promises never to leave or forsake us.
When we turn to our Lord genuinely and seek for help, He hears us, and He responds in a supernatural way.
You may never completely understand what happened within a certain conflict.
Your partner also may not completely understand your view, no matter how hard he or she tries.
That’s ok.
During those times, it’s important to forgive, let go, and move on.
Try to practice deep empathy and forgiveness without reservations.
An important step of releasing resentment in a relationship is finding tangible ways to express your forgiveness.
Colossians 3:13 says, “make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”
Instead of demanding perfection in our relationships, we need to be more patient in accommodating each other’s oddities and quirks.
We are reminded many times in the Bible that God had forgiven us.
Our sins are gone when we confess them and receive The Lord as our savior.
In the same way, we are instructed to forgive others.
People could let go of their fear, shame, and guilt, because their sins had been carried far away.
In the same way, we can perform ceremonies to represent letting go of resentment, hurt, self-deprecation, pain, and anger.
Harriet Hill suggests writing pains, hurts, and bad memories on slips of paper and taking them to the foot of a wooden cross, representing Jesus’ death for our sins.
After you write the source of your anger and resentment on slips of paper, and leave them at the foot of the cross, burn the papers.
Or, nail it to the cross and leave it there!
Jesus not only died for our sins, but He also carried our pain and shame.
We can take our pain, resentment, anger, shame, and hurt to Him.
Even though it takes a while to stop hurting, we can release our resentment and forgive those who have hurt us.
Between yourself and God, share a time of letting go of the hurt.
Releasing resentment in a relationship is a gradual process.
As you work patiently over time to learn how to release resentment in your marriage or relationship, you will discover you experience more freedom daily.
Pray for God’s wisdom and intervention as you practice these steps, understanding that He has the power to change anyone and any situation.
You can respond to anger and resentment with patience and peace that comes from the Prince of Peace.
Which of these ways to overcoming resentment resonated with you the most deeply?
Will you take time today to journal about one or more of these points?
Through prayer, we can influence His decisions and actions in this world and in our lives.
In addition, prayer brings us closer to God. It is primarily a relationship with our heavenly father (Romans 8:15).
Paul Miller says, “A praying life isn’t something you accomplish in a year. It is a journey of a lifetime. The same is true of learning how to love your spouse or a good friend… there is far too much depth in people to be able to capture love easily. Likewise, there is far too much depth in God to capture prayer easily.”
Prayer is a lifelong intentional journey of getting to know and experience our heavenly Father.
Prayer is a relational connection between God and humans. Our relationship to God is both personal and communal.
It’s the simple act of talking to God through His son, Jesus Christ, and it’s so much more than that.
Most people enjoy spending time with their friends.
They may go to the movies, take a walk, chat about life, or go to coffee.
Time together may involve lengthy conversations or just enjoying being together.
In the same way, prayer is our way of connecting with God.
Sometimes, we connect through words. At other times, we abide in His presence in silence.
Prayer is the way that we give God the gift of presence and connection, and enjoy His presence in return.
We all want our close friends and family to give us the gift of presence.
Steve Call, in his book, Reconnect, points out that gaze aversion is a subtle form of rejection.
He says, “Gaze aversion can be a momentary looking away, such as reading a text message during a conversation. It can also be prolonged distraction or preoccupation, which precludes emotional and/or physical presence.”
Gaze aversion can be distressing for either a member of a friendship or relationship.
When we pray, we focus our spirits, hearts, minds, and faces towards God, and show Him that we love Him.
In Jeremiah 2:27, God expresses the pain He felt when His people turned their gaze away from Him. “They have turned their backs to me and not their faces; yet when they are in trouble, they say, ‘Come and save us!’”
God wants us to not only cry to him when we are in trouble, but to focus our hearts on him at all times.
“Pray without ceasing” means a continual turning towards God in love.
– Help people to manifest God’s blessings by tuning into the God frequency.
Different Types of Prayer
All prayer is talking to God, but there are different varieties of prayer that will help us connect with God through the different activities and seasons of life.
Short Prayer
It’s fun to travel, work side by side, or accomplish a project with a friend.
Even if most of your conversation happens in short sound bites in between tasks, it’s still fulfilling to spend time together.
Those 30-second conversations make the difference between a lonely day of boring tasks and a meaningful time of shared effort.
In the same way, we can invite God into our everyday life through quick conversations with Him.
We can let Him know what we enjoy, what’s hard for us, and what we’re thinking about our everyday circumstances.
“Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) encapsulates this kind of constant conversation with God.
Unhurried, Intensive Prayer
Quick prayers are an important way to stay connected with God throughout the day.
You check in with God while you’re working, caring for kids, and going about your day-to-day life.
Simultaneously, all relationships benefit from longer, unhurried conversations as well.
With friends or romantic partners that are truly important to us, we make a set aside time in our busy schedule to truly get into deep conversation.
Whether that’s a walk on the beach or an unhurried meeting over coffee, those long conversations add depth to a relationship.
In the same way, it’s important to take time to talk to God in a more focused way.
Later, we’ll talk a bit more about how to do this special time with God.
A time of unhurried prayer is so critical, because we show God how much He means to us.
Our lives become so hurried and harried.
We rush from one activity to another.
Our short, sound-bite prayers become impersonal.
Our relationship begins to take on the feel of college roommates who say hi as they rush from one thing to another.
Unhurried prayer gives us time to show God, He is important to us.
And it gives us time to truly accept how much He yearns to spend time with us as well.
Contemplative Prayer: Resting in God and Meditating on God
Another important element that will help us feel connected to God is contemplative prayer.
Though contemplative prayer has been the subject of some amount of controversy in Christian circles, it aligns closely with the concept of meditation that is frequently commanded in the word of God.
Several passages encourage us to meditate on God.
Psalm 119:147-148 says, “I rise before dawn and cry for help; in Your word I have put my hope. My eyes anticipate the watches of night, that I may meditate on Your word.”
Still other verses command believers to rest in the Lord. Psalm 37:7 encourages believers to rest, or be still, before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.
In meditation or contemplative prayer, we still our souls before the Lord.
We focus mindfully on connecting our heart with God’s.
Instead of frantically begging Him for our needs, we center our minds on a truth of His word.
For several minutes, we bring our mind back to that truth whenever it wanders.
We reach out to God with short phrases, like, “Lord, I love you so much.” “My hope and trust are in You.”
We seek to let go of the stress of our daily lives and reignite the connection with God.
Prayers with Others
Praying with other believers was an important element in the early church’s worship.
Acts 2:42 described how the believers devoted themselves to worship, eating, and praying together.
One of the most encouraging elements of the believer’s life is praying with others.
Moms in Prayer offer an excellent, global program that helps bring moms together to pray for their kids and their schools.
As a couple, you have an automatic prayer group!
Jesus said that “where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” Matthew 18:20
It is necessary for you as a couple to take time to pray together.
Praying bonds you as a couple and gives you a shared purpose.
It gives you an opportunity to observe God answer your mutual prayers.
Why not start today?
When Do We Pray?
Why should Christians pray at all times?
God wants prayer to be as natural as breathing.
He wants us to abide in His presence throughout the day (John 15:4).
The psalmist describes how he even prayed during the night.
Psalm 63:6 says, “On my bed, I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.”
God wants us to talk to Him and think of Him throughout the day and night.
We pray to God through Jesus Christ in the morning, afternoon, evening, before meals, at night, while driving, at work, in private, in God’s house, etc.
When you meet with God personally, find a quiet place where you will not be distracted by technology or friends.
Get the privacy you need to pour out your heart to your heavenly Father.
Pull out all the stops and really dig into your relationship with God.
Like you would plan for a special date with your partner, take the time to prepare for your time with God.
Learn all you can about getting the most out of prayer.
#1. Adoration/Praise.
Praising God for His character helps us focus on the truth of God in the midst of our crazy lives.
Sometimes, our minds get frozen in negative patterns. We begin to believe that our situation is truly hopeless.
When we praise God for His attributes, our hearts are lifted above the difficulties of life to remember who God is.
Moms in Prayer, an international organization that brings women together in focused prayer, provides excellent prayer guides that focus on God’s attributes.
Every prayer session starts out with specific praise for one of God’s attributes.
#2. After praising God for His character, we can transition into thanking Him for specific things He has done for us.
Breathe deeply and turn your mind to the good things in your life.
Rather than focusing on the stress, the disease, the relational problem, or the upcoming challenge, contemplate His goodness.
Did He answer a prayer?
Did He provide food and shelter? Can you remember a pleasant conversation you had with a friend?
Each of these is a gift of God’s goodness! Thank Him for what He has done.
#3. Daily, we wander from God’s goals for us. His desire is for us to love Him with all our hearts, adore Him with all our souls, and be enamored with Him with our entire mind and strength.
But we often fail to meet His best for us.
After reminding ourselves of the beautiful and wonderful God we serve, we can confess the way we’ve wandered from His plans.
We can be assured that through the blood of His Son, He will cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
#4. Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is an important key to prayer.
Sometimes, our prayers are weak and even wordless. We have no idea what to pray. The Holy Spirit acts as our senior partner and helper.
In her book, Liturgy of the Ordinary, Tish Warren describes the way she prays during challenging times: “I couldn’t find words, but I could kneel. I could submit to God through my knees, and I’d lift my hands to hold up an ache: a fleshy, unnameable longing that I carried around my ribs. I’d offer up an aching body with my hands, my knees, my tears, my lifted eyes. My body led in prayer and led me—all of me, eventually even my words—into prayer.”
During those times, we must remember that the Holy Spirit is praying right along with us.
Romans 8:26 says, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.”
When all we can do is throw our bodies before Him in a wordless prayer, God’s Spirit translates our wants and needs before the throne of God.
#5. Supplication/Petition/Intercession.
Petition, supplication, and intercession describe the act of begging God’s mercy for ourselves and others.
As a part of our deep, intensive prayer focus, prayer cards can help you bring specific friends and family to the throne of God.
Paul Miller, in his book, A Praying Life, advises making a prayer card for each family member, friend, pastor, or coworker in your sphere of influence.
On the card, write a few basic categories or verses you are going to use to pray for that person long-term.
Other people enjoy having a prayer document on the computer.
A Word Doc or Google Doc can be easily searched, edited, and updated as new prayer requests come to the forefront.
You can also color code the prayer requests for each person, adding answered prayers and updates as needed.
Still, others use a prayer app to help them keep track of their prayers.
No matter the specific approach you use, invest some time into making your special time with God worthwhile.
In conclusion, prayer is one of the most important ingredients to a growing marriage, any relationship and any family.
The adage says, “Couples who pray together, stay together.”
While this may seem overly simplistic, there is undeniable power in praying together with your spouse.
As you begin to discover the sweetness of praying with your family, you will begin to understand why Christians should pray at all times.
Why not start today?
May you stay steadfast and blessed as you continually seek Him.♥
He’d get up at 5:30 am to exercise, have a light breakfast and do some research on his business.
For the first month and a half, he stuck to his new routine. It felt empowering; Michael was motivated to get out of bed to get a jump start on his day.
What he didn’t expect, however, was that he’d run out of steam. As the weeks went on, Michael felt worn out by the grind.
And little by little, his motivation slowly drained away. Instead of bolting out of bed, he went back to hitting the snooze button to get “five more minutes.”
But it stretched out to an hour, and just like that, he went back to his old ways.
Michael didn’t know what was happening to him.
Why was he so pumped when he started out – only to be so demotivated shortly after?
So, he looked into the topic of motivation to understand what was going on.
Michael realized that motivation is a finite resource.
It was up to him to find ways to sustain that drive and keep going. After that, Michael got back on the old horse and gave it another shot.
Michael managed to find a way to deal with the ebb and flow of motivation he felt throughout the week.
Whenever he was running on empty, he knew how to fill his tank again.
Motivation can be elusive for a lot of people. As much as we’d like to have that feeling on tap, it just seems to dry up every now and then.
Motivation can make a massive impact on your life. Without it, it’s way harder to accomplish your goals and make your dreams happen.
A study from a network of universities in Spain shows that the neurochemical dopamine plays a crucial role in motivation. Dopamine used to be only associated with positive emotions, but as it turns out, it also affects your desire to get things done.
What happens is that this hormone fires in the brain while anticipating a desired outcome. This, in turn, can motivate a person to make that outcome happen.
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In another study, scientists found that rats were more likely to go through obstacles to get to some food if they had higher levels of dopamine.
This shows that the feeling of motivation is something that comes from inside us. However, there are also external factors to consider.
And if you can put these together, you’ll create a healthy cycle. With that, let’s a look at how you can inject more motivation into your life:
#1: Jumpstart Your Dopamine Production
Physical activity is one way you can directly influence your brain chemistry and set the stage for feeling motivated.
Exercise is a great way to trigger the release of feel-good hormones. Aside from dopamine, there’s also serotonin, adrenaline, and endorphins that can put you in a state of post-workout bliss.
Don’t underestimate the link between your overall health and mental well-being. These have a direct effect on your level of motivation, so make the time for cardio and other related activities.
But you don’t need to have an elaborate workout routine or splurge on fancy equipment and a gym membership. You can sweat it out on a budget by going on YouTube and making a playlist of basic exercises.
Talking walks are also incredibly beneficial, too. And best of all, you can spend as little as 15-30 minutes a day doing this.
As you keep up this routine, you’ll feel better about yourself and feel motivated to do more. Suddenly, you’ll find the time for longer workouts and start doing other exercises as well.
Try doing it with other activities like watching TV or listening to an inspiring podcast. Also, you can do it during your work breaks to stay energized throughout the day.
Starting with baby steps makes it less overwhelming to get into this habit. Ease yourself into it, and you’re more likely to build traction and stick to it.
#2: Get Inspired
Another way to light that fire inside you is by looking to other people who have the level of success you want. Study their process and the steps they took to get where they are today.
Chances are they have a book, video blog, podcast or some other medium where they teach other people to follow in their footsteps.
Reading about their accomplishments and learning their story is an external source of motivation you can internalize.
Research from the American Psychological Association (APA) uncovered a phenomenon where you can create what they call “intrinsic rewards” by observing other people.
When you see someone enjoying what they do, that feeling is almost contagious.
So in a way, these people can actually pass their motivation onto YOU.
#3: Get In The Driver’s Seat
Studies also show that the more you feel in control of a task or project, the more motivated you’ll be to see it through.
On the contrary, feeling forced to do something drains your energy to get it done.
Most people don’t realize they act like their own boss and crack the whip on themselves.
Not only is this approach demoralizing, but it’s also incredibly demotivating.
Instead, try this little exercise:
Imagine negotiating with yourself, like a worker would with his or her boss. Discuss the things you need to get done today or this week and figure out what you’d get out of it.
In this dialogue, start off by telling yourself, “Ok, so you need to come up with five business ideas today and choose the best one. Also, you need to do cardio for 15 minutes, either in the morning or afternoon.”
Then you’d say, “Ok, but if I do that, I get to watch an hour of Netflix or catch up on my book… whichever I feel like doing later.”
After you’ve gone back and forth and worked out the terms, you can shake on it and get to work.
By giving yourself options to choose from, you’ll feel more empowered – which, of course, boosts your motivation in the process.
Further research from the APA shows that you have a higher chance of getting work done (by up to 90 percent, in fact) by breaking down your big goals into smaller, specific tasks.
By quantifying your goals with a specific metric (e.g., do 30 pushups and 10 burpees in 30 minutes), it feels more concrete and doable.
Once you have these mini-goals in place, you can start tackling them one by one.
Write your big goals, then make a list of related tasks under each one. Do this a day in advance (like the night before) so you can hit the ground running first thing in the morning.
Then, as you chip away significant chunks from your overall goal, the more motivated you’ll feel.
Every time you accomplish one of these smaller, specific goals, you’ll be rewarded with a small dose of dopamine.
This will give you the push you need to keep going until you’ve cleared all of your tasks.
#5: Visualize Your Future
While it’s crucial to get motivation from accomplishing your goals, it’s also helpful to give yourself a dopamine boost before getting started.
As such, you’ll find that it’s hugely beneficial to develop the habit of creating a vivid picture of your desired outcome.
Spend about 5-10 minutes every day visualizing yourself enjoying your dream life as if it’s happening now.
Like we discussed earlier, rats are more motivated to overcome those obstacles, just by anticipating the reward for doing it.
In the same way, thinking about the results of your hard work will release neurochemicals that will get you pumped for the task ahead.
Think about what it would FEEL like to finally get your big goals done. Imagine the people in your life congratulating you and complimenting you on your efforts.
When you know exactly what’s waiting for you on the other side, you’ll suddenly lose all the excuses that were holding you back.
#6: Positivity In, Negativity Out
Your beliefs also have a great deal to do with being motivated. Perception is a dominant force, and it can dictate the very course of your life.
Aside from visualizing the outcome, giving yourself the right beliefs is also an effective way to design your reality.
Affirmations are an excellent way to do this. These are statements you can repeat to yourself so you can rewire your belief system.
A lot of people operate on destructive beliefs because of bad experiences from the past.
As a result, they go around carrying labels like “loser,” “hopeless case” and “damaged.”
Going through life with this kind of baggage won’t just destroy your motivation…
… but undermine everything you do every step of the way.
That’s why you need to rewrite that story in your head by using powerful statements.
Here’s how to get started:
Think about the qualities you have that will help you accomplish your goals. Also, think about the things you’re grateful for.
Use these thoughts as the basis of your affirmations. These will remind you that you have what it takes to break past your limitations.
As with visualizing, pretend that it’s happening at the PRESENT moment – and not at some point in the future.
That way, you’ll feel empowered from knowing that you’re living that great truth here and NOW.
Here are some examples of affirmations you can use:
– Every day, I am getting stronger, smarter and healthier.
– I am a strong person who can deal with every obstacle and challenge that I encounter.
– My life is filled with infinite opportunities to succeed, and I make the most of them every day.
– I am surrounded by people who love and support me, and they want me to succeed.
Feel free to use affirmations or create your own. The more detailed, the better.
It’s more effective when you say these affirmations (either out loud or in your mind) right after doing your visualization exercises. You can do them right before going to bed or make it part of your morning ritual.
All of these habits have helped me plug the leaks in my “motivation tank.” If I’m feeling a bit jaded, fatigued or burnt out, I make sure I’m doing each of these steps enough so I don’t run on empty.
On top of staying motivated, however, there’s one more habit that got me out of my own funk.
You see, like Michael, there was a time where I couldn’t overcome that inertia I felt. I was successful and fulfilled on the outside, but people around me didn’t know I felt burned out and desperate.
I started to feel like an impostor… until I accidentally came across a life-changing secret.
By making a small but powerful change in my mindset, I suddenly found the power to become the most authentic version of myself.
And more importantly, I could attract every opportunity without working 80 hours a week.
Just like that, all sorts of blessings flowed into my life effortlessly.
Check out this video to learn more: The #1 Secret to Attract Health, Wealth, Amazing Relationships and Endless Abundance – CLICK HERE
Aromatherapy is the practice of using oils from plant extracts for medicinal, relaxation, and aromatic purposes.
Chiefly known for its calming properties, aromatherapy techniques also advocate the utilization of various essential oils to comfort the mind and body.
If you’ve been wondering what essential oils are, worry no more.
I’m going to give you an overview of what it is and how it can be of benefit to you and your entire family.
So, what is an Essential Oil?
An EO is a highly volatile concentrated compound extracted from certain plants.
The oils in every EO capture each plant’s scent or “essence.”
Answers to any questions you can’t get from this content can be found in this ‘essential oil tell it all.’
The associated unique aromatic compounds give each plant its characteristic essence that makes up its essential oil.
Although essential oils for the most part, are still linked to the idea of a relaxing therapeutic massage session, there are many more recent uses today.
Research shows EOs can be helpful, but people have to know how to use them correctly.
How are Essential Oils Obtained?
The most common method for essential oil production is through steam distillation.
Another method is mechanical, including cold pressing.
Advantages of aromatherapy oils include mood improvement, concentration, decongestion, relaxation, and sleep improvement.
Today, many spas use aromatherapy to enhance the pleasant experiences of their clients.
The use of essential oils and aromatherapy, however, does not end there.
Many other application methods include diffusers, massage oils, inhalers, baths, and teas, but are not limited to them.
Therapeutic Essential oils and oil blends can also be produced for specific therapeutic purposes, such as
-Relieving muscle soreness,
-Minimizing the occurrence of acne,
-Fighting infections,
-Treating wounds,
-Repelling insects,
-Hair growth,
-Reducing winter blisters, and much more.
Are Essential Oils Safe? Here are some Essential Oil Safety Tips
As EO popularity and market continue to grow, concerns as to whether they are altogether safe also continue to grow.
These concerns are validated by the fact that EOs are highly concentrated and potent plant extracts.
You have to be cautious and read label directions for each oil before use.
Dr. Scott Johnson empowers individuals on the safety profiles for over 200 integrative remedies with this.
Essential oils are also highly flammable substances therefore they should be kept away from direct contact with some elements.
By all means keep EOs away from elements like flames, gas cookers, candles, fire, matches, and cigarettes.
It is advised not to apply essential oils directly into the eyes, ears, nose, or other sensitive areas of the skin.
Also, keep all essential oils out of sight and reach of small children and pets.
Are you taking any supplements, vitamins or medications?
Yes, no, maybe?
If yes, then hear this.
EOs should NOT be taken by mouth because it can interact with other medications or supplements with potential damage to the kidneys and liver.
The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians advises against using EOs on babies under three months old.
Before using EOs topically, it is very advisable to do an allergy test first, and this is how you do it.
• Dilute the essential oil in a carrier oil at 2 times the concentration of oil you plan to use.
• On the inside of the forearm, rub the mixture into an area the size of a quarter.
If within 24 to 48 hours, you don’t notice any allergic reaction like a rapid onset of pain and redness of the skin or other skin irritations, you can assume it’s safe to use.
I have personally found essential oils to be beneficial to elevate moods, promote relaxation, increase focus, and bring on feelings of peace and tranquility.
Here are my top 15 Essential Oils that help and heal and some of their benefits.
You can also add it your conditioner and other hair products for added hair growth boost.
#3. Tea Tree Essential Oil (Maleleuca Alternifolia)
Tea tree essential oil visibly smooths out the skin and reduces inflammation.
Research has shown that when mixed with a carrier oil, like coconut or jojoba oil, tea tree EO can be used topically as a lotion to alleviate acne and nail fungus.
This herbal/tea tree toothpaste has become a necessity in my morning routine.
Hygiene – my family’s favorite body wash contains tea tree oil. It helps fight body acne and leaves a refreshing feeling.
Sandalwood oil is widely used in Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine to combat acne and reduce large pores.
People believe that sandalwood can be beneficial in treating disorders like fatigue, bronchitis, anxiety, insomnia, low libido, and UTI (urinary tract infection).
“Count your blessings, Name them one by one
Count your blessings. See what God has done
Count your blessings. Name them one by one
Count your many blessings, see what God has done.”
[‘And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.’] – Johnson Oatman Jr.
There are lots of things that we should be grateful, and thankful for regardless of our situation in life.
As children of God, we believe that God is at the center of everything.
By now you must have realized that I’m not talking about the traditional pilgrim’s thanksgiving celebration with the juicy turkey, art, crafts, and games. Right?
Children can still enjoy the inflatable turkeys and harvest blessings. But, there’s more!
It is more important however to instill in your child a heart that is very thankful and shows gratitude.
You can start to teach your kids about gratitude with this.
We must prayerfully ask the Holy Spirit through the word of God and our example, to instill a practical attitude of gratefulness in the hearts of our kids.
Teach them to be thankful for who they are and for what they have because there will always be that someone else more successful, more beautiful, more talented, and more influential.
With “grateful together,” parents and children can connect more closely with both big and little things.
Most people, including children of God, often fail to acknowledge their blessings and give thanks.
Sometimes we feel entitled.
Reflecting on thanksgiving Psalms and prayers can rekindle a spirit of thanksgiving and thankfullness in any season.
Thanksgiving Psalms and prayers will open our eyes to God’s numerous blessings, big and small.
These Psalms and practical prayer tips will help you voice your thanksgiving in the everyday moments of parenting your children.
Robert Brault said, “Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” – Place for writing thoughts.
What is Biblical Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving means “the act of giving thanks; grateful acknowledgment of benefits or favors, especially to God.
An expression of thanks, especially to God.
A public celebration in acknowledgment of divine favor or kindness. A day set apart for giving thanks to God.” (Dictionary.com)
Clickhere for this month’s uplifting biblical affirmations for courageous faith.
Why Should We Be Thankful?
It’s often difficult to be thankful during long days and hard nights.
But scientists have proven that gratefulness can be good for your mental health and well-being.
It is a success booster!
Being thankful and appreciative of tangible and intangible things we have received helps us to be happy and to build strong relationships with both God and man.
These 12 powerful thanksgiving Psalms and prayers will help you on your gratitude journey.
In any situation we find ourselves in, we should TRY to be thankful because it could be worse.
Can We Be Grateful In The Face Of Adversity?
Yes, we can!
Philippians 4:12-13 says, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Let’s dive in and find some Psalms with accompanying Prayer that will help us find reasons for gratitude even in the middle of adversity.
You can find power in your prayer like never before with this inspiring guide.
1.Thank Him that He Intimately Knows You And Your Children.
God created you and He created your kids.
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
Prayer:
With a grateful heart, we say thank you, Lord, that you know all about every detail of our lives.
Thank you, Lord, that you love me and my family unconditionally. You even know the words I am about to say.
Even when my thoughts make no sense to me, you understand my thoughts.
In the middle of the darkness of midnight, you see me waking to care for my little ones.
You oh Lord personally formed each and every one of my children. I praise you for your intimate knowledge and love for us.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
2. Thanksgiving Psalms and Prayers: Thank Him For His undying Love
Psalm 136:1-4
“Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever.
to him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever. “
Prayer:
Lord, thank you that your love endures forever. Thank you that your commitment and covenant loyalty never leave us.
When we are exhausted and feel like a failure, your love endures forever.
No matter what happens to us and no matter what this day holds, your love endures forever.
You do great wonders, and you are good to us. Thank you for your everlasting love.
Psalm 34: 1-4
I will bless the LORD at all times;
His praise will always be on my lips.
My soul boasts in the LORD;
let the oppressed hear and rejoice.
Magnify the LORD with me;
let us exalt His name together.
I sought the LORD, and He answered me;
He delivered me from all my fears.
Prayer:
Lord, sometimes fear swirls around me like a dark cloud.
When I pray to you, you enter my situation and remind me of your presence.
Thank you that you can deliver us from all our fears. I pray that you calm my tired heart.
Give me peace in every uncertainty of life. Take away our fear and guide our steps. Thank you that you rescue us from fear.
In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
4. Thank You for Godly people You Send My Way
Psalm 111:1 Praise the LORD! I will thank the LORD with all my heart as I meet with His godly people.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for all the godly people you have placed around me and my children. Thank you for godly family members and friends.
Help me thank you with all my heart as I fellowship with other believers.
Right now, I lift an extra prayer of thanksgiving for all the people that intercede prayerfully for me and my family.
I praise you for the ability to pray, praise, learn, and worship together. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
5. Thank You Lord For Being Our Shepherd
Psalm 95:6-7
O come, let us worship and bow down;
let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.
For He is our God,
and we are the people of His pasture,
the sheep under His care.
Prayer:
Lord, we kneel before you in humble gratitude.
Thank you for taking care of us like a shepherd takes care of their sheep.
What could be a more beautiful picture of tender, attentive care? You know each of your sheep individually. You think about their needs.
Lord, You even notice when just one is missing or have strayed. You oh Lord search for the lost.
We praise you and thank you for being our Shepherd and for taking care of us! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
6. Thanksgiving Psalms and Prayers: Praise the Lord In The Morning!
Psalm 92:1-3
It is good to praise the LORD, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High, to proclaim Your loving devotion in the morning
and Your faithfulness at night with the ten-stringed harp
and the melody of the lyre.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the miracle of waking up each morning.
Lord, help me to make my first thought about you. When I wake up in the morning, help me not to allow fear to come rushing in.
Help me to direct my thoughts to your love, grace, and mercy.
May I remember your provision for me and give praise to you!
In gratefulness, help me to gain a peaceful and joyful outlook for the rest of the day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
7. Thank The Lord For Forgiveness!
Psalm 103:1, 3-4
Bless the LORD, O my soul;
all that is within me, bless His holy name.
He who forgives all your iniquities
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the Pit
and crowns you with loving devotion and compassion.
Prayer:
Father, we thank you for being so merciful and kind.
Lord, we acknowledge our many sins and failures. Thank you so very much that you forgive us for our sins. You heal us from the consequences of our actions.
Thank you, Lord, for providing us with total restoration in your New Creation.
Help us to love and worship you and live with a heart of gratitude today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
8. Praise The Lord For His Many Blessings
Psalm 103:2, 5 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and do not forget all His kind deeds—
who satisfies you with good things,
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for all your blessings.
Thank you for the little things, like a baby’s smile or a toddler’s laugh. Thanks for little hands clasped in mine.
We praise you for the sleeping faces of little ones. Thanks for the nights we get some sleep, and for satisfying us with good things, even if it’s hard.
Thank you for renewing our health and our hearts. We praise you for all the blessings of love that you give us every day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
9. Praise The Lord For His Strength In Times Of Difficulty
Psalm 69:29-30
But I am in pain and distress;
let Your salvation protect me, O God.
I will praise God’s name in song
and exalt Him with thanksgiving.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for being with me when I go through times of difficulty.
You know that there are times when the pain overwhelms me. Physical pain and sickness discourage me. Emotional pain brings me down.
Sometimes, I am so low I don’t even know what to pray for. So, I thank you for your salvation in times of pain.
Thank you that the psalmist got through to the other side. We praise you for his songs of praise to You!
Thank you Lord that no weapon formed against me and my family will ever prosper.
I praise you that great joy is ahead for me, as well. I can get through any difficulty! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
10. Thank Him Because Joy is Coming!
Psalm 30:4-5
Sing to the LORD, O you His saints,
and praise His holy name.
For His anger is fleeting,
but His favor lasts a lifetime.
Weeping may stay the night,
but joy comes in the morning.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you that weeping doesn’t last forever. I praise you that you promise that joy comes in the morning.
When everything looks bleak, help me trust in your promises. By your grace and mercy, tomorrow morning, the joy will come. I know it will come in the eternal dawn of heaven.
Weeping is not permanent! I praise you for this hopeful promise. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
11. Praise the Lord for Hearing Your Cry
Psalm 28:6-7
Blessed be the LORD,
for He has heard my cry for mercy.
The LORD is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped.
Therefore, my heart rejoices,
and I give thanks to Him with my song.
Prayer:
Lord, I praise you that you are never distracted. You are not preoccupied with your phone or watching the news!
You attentively listen to my every cry. Thank you that you hear me, even right now. Thank you because my season of Joy is here. You make all things beautiful.
Thank you that I can sing to you because you are my shield. You protect me from fear and distress. I praise you for listening to me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
12. Praise God for His Salvation
Psalm 95:1-2
“Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before him with thanksgiving
and extol him with music and song.”
Prayer:
Lord, thank you that you are our Savior. You died on the cross and rose again to make a way for us to be saved.
As we trust in you, we are saved from the punishment of our sins. We are also saved for victory and peace! You save us from fear and give us freedom!
Thank you that one day, you will save us from every bit of pain and suffering in this world. We give you thanks! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
As you pray these thanksgiving Psalms and Prayers to God, I pray your life will be enriched.
I pray you find new joy with your little ones. I trust that your heart will be lifted and connected to the heart of your Savior.
Praise His name!
May God bless you and your family this Thanksgiving season and always.
Tips On How to Intentionally Pray For and With Your Children.
Children are the greatest gifts of grace from God.
Every parent desires the best for their children no matter their age.
How do you feel every time you gaze into the eyes of your child?
With all the responsibilities that encompass being a mother, sometimes it’s challenging to find enough time to pray alone or gather the children to pray.
Are you facing that challenge?
Many of us know how important it is to pray with our children, but sometimes we won’t know how to do it or what to say.
Are you in that place right now and can relate?
With this you can “discover how using the Bible to shape your desires and requests opens the door to God’s provision–and frees us from things like worry and fear in our parenting!” – Jodie Berndt.
Jesus emphasized prayer and its role in our lives.
There is no legalistic requirement for how long prayer should be.
What every child should know about prayer will encourage your child to enjoy speaking to their father God.
Prayers for your young children should not be complicated and you shouldn’t feel bad if you don’t spend an hour or more at a time to pray to your heavenly Father who knows everything.
Despite that, you must recognize that praying for and with your children is a task and duty you should endeavor to perform every day.
Allow Jesus to directly speak to your young children with this!
It cannot be outsourced either! Right?
The love dare challenges both parents to understand, practice, and communicate Christ-like love to their children.
What is Prayer?
Simply put, prayer is a means of directly communicating with God.
It is individualized and can be unorganized especially if it is a petition or a gratitude prayer.
Inside Prayers for Your Children, you’ll find ninety accessible, simple, and powerful scripture-packed prayers you can pray for your kids during every season of their lives.
Yes, you can Intentionally pray for and with your children.
The Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 that we should “Never stop praying.” “Pray without ceasing.”
Praying often keeps our hearts closer to the Lord and away from the stresses of life.
Even when you are busy with your hands, at the grocery store, running errands, paying your bills, you can still reach out to God with your heart.
Connecting to divinity shouldn’t be complicated at all.
He is our father!
We have the freedom to talk to Him like ‘a Father.’ Jeremiah 29:12 says – “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.”
What Do You Pray For?
You must have realized that as a parent, you do not have control over everything.
Through prayer, however, you can connect to a God that is in control of everything.
Children are like clay from God. Our duty is to mold the clay with God’s guidance and direction to become the best final product – using our best God-given abilities.
We pray to God about everything.
What prayers do we pray for our children to our heavenly father?
Here is a Simple Guideline on how to intentionally pray for your children and teach them to do the same.
1. Pray for God to Guard their Heart
Pray that they love and embrace God the Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit at an early age.
Also, Pray that they honor and reverence God, their creator.
• Pray that they connect wholly to God.
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” – Proverbs 4:23
• Pray that your children maintain and guard their purity.
“All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.” 1 John 3:3
2. Destiny Preservation
Pray always for and with your children that they grow to fulfill their God-ordained destiny.
Pray and decree into their lives that no weapon of the enemy would interfere with their lives now and in the future.
“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11
3. Obedience
Teach and pray that they practice obedience and the benefits of obedience.
Let them understand that obedience is pleasing to God and has benefits.
“Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” – Exodus 20:12
4. Pray for Allround Protection and Security
Pray for protection, preservation, and security from God.
Teach your children to rely on God for all-round protection – physical, emotional, and spiritual.
“In peace, I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord will keep me safe.” – Psalm 4:8
“Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday.” -Psalm 91: 5-6
5. Gratitude
Pray for your children that they cultivate a grateful heart. A heart that not only asks God for things but a heart that praises and gives thanks to Him in all things.
Pray that they appreciate how people are blessed in different ways by God.
Include in your prayers the principles of contentment that alienates envious and spiteful attitudes.
“I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name forevermore.” -Psalm 86:12
6. ForgivenessPray and teach your children to easily forgive and show mercy to others as God through the atonement of Jesus Christ has forgiven us.
Pray that they understand the benefits of forgiveness. It removes anger, bitterness, and malice from our hearts.
Forgiveness relieves you from being held captive by somebody else. It’s freedom!
Instruct and Pray that they understand the freedom to confess their sins to God and know they can be forgiven.
“Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” – Ephesians 4:32
7. Pray for wisdom, Knowledge, and Understanding “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” – Proverbs 2:6
Pray for your children every day that God will grant them the divine spirit of excellence, wisdom, insight, knowledge, and understanding.
8. Compassion and Conscience
Pray that your child will show compassion to people in need. Pray that they show empathy.
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32
9. God Is In Control
Pray for your children to understand that God is in control no matter what the situation is.
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” -Psalm 23:4
“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9
10. Real Friendships
Pray that your children will have a spirit of discernment in their relationships.
Pray fervently for positive influences and against any relationships that would turn their hearts away from God. And definitely no “frenemies.”
“The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.” – Proverbs 12:26
11. Abundant Blessings
Pray every day for your children to be blessed by God in every aspect of their lives.
There’s power in proclaiming blessings on your children. For instance;
“May the Lord bless you and protect you, May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you His favor and give you His peace.” – Numbers 6:24-26
12. Confidence With Self
Pray for your children to be confident with who they are and how God made them.
“I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” – Psalm 139:14
How Can You Start to Teach Children to Pray?
It is very important that parents encourage their children to pray.
Children should be taught to pray confidently and intentionally from an early age.
You can start to teach your child how to pray with “The Lord’s Prayer,” or with prayer journal prompts.
The Lord’s Prayer as found in Matthew 6:9-13 – “Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever.” Amen.
I hope this helps you in starting to devise ways to pray with and for your child/children.
I pray the Lord helps you in this journey and equips you with the gifts of the spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Did you enjoy these prayer points for your children?
Do you have any you’d like to add or share?
Let me know your thoughts in the comments.
Sending lots of love♥ and positivity your way. Stay continually blessed!
Living an intentional life lead towards living a purposeful life.
You must know what you want out of life for a start. Intentional living is way much more than a YOGA BURN that leads to a lighter, healthier & happier life.
It is like your personal vision. It is like taking stock of your life NOW and deciding whether the things you are investing your time and resources into are worth it.
“Although no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.” -Carl Bard
More importantly, how do they bring glory to God? You must prayerfully ask for God’s guidance in identifying your purpose in life.
Always ask yourself, WHY am I doing this?
If there’s no reasonable WHY or if it’s difficult for example to identify WHY you are in a relationship or WHY you are spending so much time with a particular friend, or WHY you keep watching this particular show, if there’s no fulfillment at all, then guess what? It’s time to shift gears and start doing things differently.
It’s time to start making changes that will align with your core values. These changes will bring about long-lasting happiness and feelings of fulfillment
Here Are Some Tips on How to Live Intentionally.
Improve the PRESENT
Forget the PAST
Spend quality time studying the word of God and things of the Lord
Associate more with genuine children of God. Iron sharpens iron
Have a positive mindset
Be sensitive to time always. Do not waste time on anything unproductive. Time waits for no one
Here are 56 cards that offer simple and easy-to-do daily practices.
Integrate them into your life and you can have powerful results and uncover sustainable happiness. Get these mindful living card decks
Treat your body right. Take care of God’s temple. Don’t put bad stuff into your body. Stay away from bad habits
Be at ease with yourself
Respect and love your parents notwithstanding their disposition
Don’t think too highly of yourself. You didn’t make yourself
Have a budget and stick to it
Always have an emergency fund for the rainy day
Live frugally. Save, save, invest, invest
Buy what you ‘need’ not what you ‘want.’ Ask ‘why’ before you buy
My dear friends, your intentionality can only grow if you focus on beingintentional. You must identify what you want, have a clear, focused picture, and an action plan.
Are you looking for ways to be intentional in your life? Are your core values based on God’s word and truths? Or anyone else’s?
I would really, really love to hear about one or two of the daily tips you plan to use from now to become more intentional. Please let me know in the comments. I will really appreciate it.
As always, I’m sending lots of love, and positivity your way. Stay continually blessed………..♥
It helps your child succeed in school, helps them build self-confidence, and helps to motivate your child.
Being able to read will help your child learn more about the world, understand directions on signs and posters, allow them to find reading as an entertainment, and help them gather information.
Learning to read is very different from learning to speak, and it does not happen all at once.
There is a steady progression in the development of reading ability over time.
The best time for children to start learning to read is at a very young age – even before they enter pre-school.
Once a child is able to speak, they can begin developing basic reading skills.
Very young children have a natural curiosity to learn about everything, and they are naturally intrigued by the printed text they see and are eager to learn about the sounds made by those letters.
You will likely notice that your young child likes to look at books and thoroughly enjoys being read to.
The best approach is to make it very creative, interactive, and fun as can be.
They will even pretend to behave like a reader by holding books and pretend to read them.
Another way to have a phenomenal reading experience is with a gaming sofa/chair lounger like this that converts to an adjustable sleeper bed and couch recliner.
It adjusts to several angles and it could suit your different sitting requirements.
As parents, you’re the most important first step in your children’s journey into the wonderful world of reading.
It is up to you to create the most supportive environment that turns your child on to reading – such as reading aloud to them often during the day and before bedtime, and placing age-appropriate books for children around the house so that the child will have access to plenty of books.
Reading often to your child will help develop their interest in books and stories, and soon they will want to read stories on their own.
Make reading into a family activity, and spend time playing word games and reading storybooks.
This will not only help your child learn to read, but it’ll also help them build a rich vocabulary, teach them language patterns, and help them fall in love with books and reading.
Below are some tips to help you teach your child to read.
Talk to Your Child
Before a child can learn to read, he or she must first learn to speak.
Talk to your child about everything and anything – whatever interests them.
Tell them stories, ask your child lots of questions, play rhyming games, and sing songs with them.
Read to Your Child Consistently Everyday
We’re all creatures of habit, and enjoy having a daily routine.
Make this their “cool down” period before they go to sleep.
This not only helps your child develop an interest in books and reading, but it also helps the parent bond with the child, and develop a healthy relationship.
Help Your Child Develop Reading Comprehension
Typically, parents will take the time to read to their children; however, many parents do not put much emphasis or thought about whether their children understand what they’ve just been read to.
Instead, occasionally, make an effort to question your child about what you’ve just read.
For example, you read to your child:
“Jack and Jill went up the hill…”
You pause briefly and ask your child:
“So where did Jack and Jill go?” Or alternatively, “Who went up the hill?”
Young children may not catch on right away initially, and it may take a little practice, but they’ll eventually catch on and begin to develop a deeper understanding of what they are reading.
This is a very important step in helping your child develop reading comprehension.
Of course, don’t do this every single time you read, or your child will quickly get bored and lose interest.
Do it at random times, and do not overdo it.
Help Your Child to Read With a Wide Variety of Books And Keep Reading Fun
There is no shortage of children’s books, and you should always have a wide variety of children’s books, stories, and rhymes available.
Reading is a lot of fun, for both parents and children.
Read to your child using drama and excitement, and use different voices.
Give your child the option of choosing what book they want you to read, instead of picking the book you want to read to your child.
When reading to your child, read slowly, and point to the words that you are reading to help the child make a connection between the word you are saying and the word you are reading.
Always remember that reading should be a fun and enjoyable activity for your children, and it should never feel like a “chore” for them.
Did you know that 38% of grade four students have reading abilities below the lowest basic level as determined by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)?
This reading program has been used worldwide to teach children how to read before they are 3 years old.
The NAEP is the only ongoing survey of what students have known.
The NAEP also tracks their performance in various academic subjects for the United States.
In their report, the NAEP found that 38% of grade four students had reading achievement below basic levels, with a basic level reading score being 208.
To put things in perspective, the US reading scale has an upper limit score of 500.
With average reading scores for grade 4 (217), grade 8 (264), and grade 12 (291).
The grade 4 reading achievement levels are categorized by the NAEP as Advanced (268 score), Proficient (238 score), and Basic (208 score), and the basic reading achievement level is defined as follows by the NAEP:
“Fourth-grade students performing at the Basic level should demonstrate an understanding of the overall meaning of what they read. When reading text appropriate for fourth graders, they should be able to make relatively obvious connections between the text and their own experiences and extend the ideas in the text by making simple inferences.”[1]
Unfortunately, over a third of all grade four students read at levels even below basic.
Is your child having reading difficulties?
Research on Phonemic Awareness have found that early reading helps improve a child’s reading and spelling abilities.
In fact, the National Reading Panel has concluded based on their massive review of over 1,900 studies that teaching phonics and phonemic awareness produces better reading results than whole language programs.
There are numerous documented benefits and advantages of teaching children to read early on.
Greater benefits are seen when teaching them to read using phonics and phonemic awareness instructions.
It is clear that early language and reading ability development passes great benefits to the child as they progress through school at all grades.
On the contrary, early language and reading problems can lead to learning problems later on in school.
For example, a Swedish study found that children with a history of reading problems at school entry scores significantly below average on reading in grade 4.
As well, children that show very low interest in books and story reading before age 5 also scored similarly low on sentence reading in grade 4. [2]
This is just one of many studies that have similar findings, and this makes it imperative for parents to begin exposing their children to books and reading at an early age.
So how early?
Good question!
There’s no set guideline on when you should start teaching your children to read;
however, you can start cultivating your child’s love for books and reading as soon as they’re born.
Obviously, very young babies would not even know what books are.
However, talking to your child and reading to your child will help them develop a keen liking for books and stories.
As your child grows and gets older, avoid TV-sitting them.
The reason is because as they develop a dependency on television as their main source of entertainment,
it becomes very difficult to dislodge that need for TV entertainment and get them to enjoy reading books.
Instead, keep age-appropriate books all around the house, and read to them often.
People typically think that kindergarten or grade one would be an appropriate time for their children to start reading; however, this is not the best approach.
Studies have repeatedly found that children with good phonemic awareness before entering kindergarten continues to outperform, and achieve exceptional reading and spelling abilities as they progress through school.
On the other hand, children who enter school with reading difficulties may continue reading and spelling difficulties.
Kids can make wonders; many surveys and stats prove that the age from 5-15 is the best time for anyone in their entire lifetime to store as much data into their brain as possible. But the very idea of introducing them to such complex topics like AI and ML can be extremely terrifying. But worry not, we are here to help you take your kids into the world of Artificial Intelligence.
Artificial Intelligence is definitely not as easy as teaching rhymes but we can make it fun. “Rome wasn’t built in a day” and hence, make sure you don’t dig deep into the topics like robots or automation. Start from the least bottom level, the scratch, start by taking an example of a toy car. Start by explaining how elements like the steering, gearbox, and clutch work in the car with certain mechanisms and now, introduce the car they see every day as a ‘machine’.
Stay blessed as you pilot your gifts of grace. May The Lord grant you peace and gentleness of spirit.
Notes: 1. NAEP 1998 Reading Report Card for the Nation and the States March 1999 Authors: Patricia L. Donahue, Kristin E. Voelkl, Jay R. Campbell, and John Mazzeo
2. J Learn Disabil. 1999 Sep-Oct;32(5):464-72.
Early language development and kindergarten phonological awareness as predictors of reading problems: from 3 to 11 years of age.
Olofsson A, Niedersøe J. Department of Psychology, Umeå University, Sweden.
Learning to read at a young age is important for the development of the child.
It helps them develop a better understanding of their surroundings, allows them to gather information from printed materials, and provides them with a wonderful source of entertainment when they read stories and rhymes.
Children develop at different rates, and some children will develop reading skills quicker than other children;
However, what’s important is that as the parent, you are keenly aware of your child’s maturity and reading level to provide them with appropriate books and activities to help them improve.
As parents, you are the most important teacher for your children.
Studies have shown that children learn best when they are taught the letter names and letter sounds at the same time.
In one study, 58 preschool children were randomly assigned to receive instructions in letter names and sounds, letter sound only, or numbers (control group).
The results of this study are consistent with past research results in that it found children receiving letter name and sound instruction were most likely to learn the sounds of letters whose names included cues to their sounds. [1]
When teaching your child the letter sounds, have them slowly trace the letter, while saying the sound of the letter at the same time.
For example, if you were teaching your child the letter “A,” you would say:
“The letter A makes the /A/ (ah) sound.”
Then have your child say the /A/ sound while tracing the letter with his or her index finger.
Teach Your Child How to Read Tip #2
When teaching your child to read, always emphasize with them that the proper reading order should be from left to right, and top to bottom.
To adults, this may seem so basic that anyone should know it.
1. J Exp Child Psychol. 2010 Apr;105(4):324-44. Epub 2010 Jan 25.
Learning letter names and sounds: effects of instruction, letter type, and phonological processing skill.
Piasta SB, Wagner RK.
Preschool Language and Literacy Lab, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
Everything else flows out of a heart that is grounded in God and His goodness. Our God is good, ALL the time!
Outside the daily devotions and times spent with God the Father, God the Son, and the Holy Spirit, I always make daily, weekly and monthly affirmations and declarations.
I speak them over myself, my family, my marriage, over relatives, the works of my hands, my community, and more.
You can write affirmations out and post them in noticeable places too.
What Is An Affirmation?
An affirmation means to state or assert positively; to confirm or ratify that all is well.
Affirmations can eradicate negative feelings that can bring positive changes.
“The problem with negative thoughts is that they can become self-fulfilling prophecies. We talk ourselves into believing that we’re not good enough. And, as a result, these thoughts drag down our personal lives, our relationships, and our careers.” – Mindtools
Biblical affirmations are intended to exalt the power and sovereignty of Almighty God that transcends human limitations.
It’s like commanding your month and praying your desires and expectations to Almighty God and having an unwavering faith and unshakable hope that He will grant your requests.
Commit Everything to God in Prayer!
Committing everything to God in prayer is a weapon that offers a victorious expectation.
Prayer is our way of communicating with our heavenly father.
Isn’t it reassuring that we can speak directly to God? With no middleman? No holds. No interference. Zero drop calls. No Wi-Fi needed either.
The best part is that you can call upon Him 24/7 at any time of the day or night, and He won’t get upset.
Prayers are Powerful.
Believers use prayers as spiritual weapons to ignite heaven’s influence and action.
We can talk to God about anything and everything with the assurance that He hears us.
God answers us when we pray in the name of His Son Jesus Christ.
Jesus gave us these commands; “You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.” John 14:13
“In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” John 16: 23-24.
Even when you don’t know how to pray, Jesus gave us a prayer sample, you can call it a template in the “Lord’s Prayer.”
For believers, praying is not about if but when…. We are to pray always without ceasing.
“Pray without ceasing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:17.
“And so, I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” -Luke 11:9
Prayer is not just about talking to God, it includes worship and devotion. God loves it when we praise and worship Him.
Prayer is the weapon we have over and against the enemy, who roars like a lion. Did you get that? The devil is not strong like the lion, it roars like one.
When we pray daily and make affirmations, the devil runs away in fear.
Why? Our God is Omnipotent, Omnipresent, and Omniscient – OOO, and can withstand and overpower Satan’s devices.
Worshiping for Believers goes beyond singing. Worship stems from the depths of whom the worshiper is and what God means to them.
When we praise, we recognize and relate to the good acts of God.
This is one of the songs I sing every day and I always feel like God is smiling down on me when I sing it.
It’s from Lamentations 3:22-23:
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; They are new every morning; New every morning, Great is your faithfulness, Oh Lord Great is thy faithfulness.”
Monthly, Biblical affirmations are positive declarations of God’s truth. The source of God’s truth is the Holy Bible.
The Bible contains trustworthy and infallible information that is wholly true and valuable.
Daily prayers and affirmations help believers live true to their divine potentials.
The month of manifestation of God’s Glory, revelations & reality.
Esther 2:16 NKJV: “So Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus, into his royal palace, in the tenth month, which is the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.”
Genesis 8:5 NKJV: “And the waters decreased continually until the tenth month. In the tenth month, on the first day of the month, the tops of the mountains were seen.” OCTOBER POSITIVE BIBLICAL AFFIRMATIONS FOR COURAGEOUS FAITH
NOVEMBER BIBLICAL AFFIRMATIONS
DECEMBER POSITIVE BIBLICAL AFFIRMATIONS
Use this planner to discover who Jesus says you are everyday.
“ForGodsolovedtheworld, that he gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
“For to usachildisborn, to usa son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
“We must not allow the clock and the calendar to blind us to the fact that each moment of life is a miracle and a mystery.” – H.G. Wells
“Joy is powerful, and focusing on joy brings God’s power into our lives.” – Russell M Nelson
Powerful, Positive and Intentional Monthly, Biblical Affirmations
Living Deliberately: 25 Anchor Scriptures
#1. “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” -1 John 4:4
#2. “He will shelter you with His wings; you will find safety under His wings. His faithfulness is like a shield or a protective wall.” -Psalm 91:4
#3. “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise.” – Hebrews 10:23
#4. “But from everlasting to everlasting
the Lord’s love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children’s children—
with those who keep His covenant and remember to obey His precepts.” -Psalm 103: 17-18
#5. “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. -Romans 8:28
#6. “Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” – Ephesians 4:32.
#7. “But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” – Matthew 6:15.
#8. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”- Proverbs 3:5.
#9. “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? – Psalm 27:1
#10. Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” – John 11:25-26
#11. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy, He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” -1 Peter 1:3.
#12. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” -Isaiah 55:8-9.
#13. “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” -Psalm 139:14
#14. For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11
#15. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. -Romans 8:38
#16. And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. – Philippians 1:6
#17. Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” – Matthew 19:26
#18. “The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust Him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.” – Psalm 28:7
#19. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” – 2 Timothy 1:7
#20. “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end” – Lamentations 3:22
#21. “This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord, your God is with you wherever you go.”- Joshua 1:9
#22. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.- Psalm 51:10
#23. “Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips.” – Psalm 141:3
#24. “Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.” – Colossians 1:10
#25. “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:13.
Kids love the freedom of being able to relax on the floor or on a special chair or cushion while studying.
The simplest and no-fuss homeschool classroom set-up is to just use your own living room!
Each of your children can sit on the couch or on the floor with lap desks.
Lap trays usually include a hard surface for writing and a compartment to store pencils.
They also have a place to put whiteboards, erasers, and other supplies.
Kids can use their lap tray to keep track of their essential items.
This multipurpose lap desk is perfect in a homeschool environment.
With lap trays, children have the freedom to move around the room.
However, it’s still a good idea to assign spots or areas where your kids are allowed to work.
For example, if your children are doing online school from their local elementary, middle, or high school, it’s a good idea to position them with their backs to you so you can see their computer or tablet screens.
First, have the children sit far enough apart that they don’t distract each other.
They need to be positioned in a spot where you can see their screens and monitor their activity, making sure they are not goofing off or playing computer games.
If they are sitting on a low-backed couch that is not against the wall you can walk behind them and monitor their activity.
Teachers at public schools walk around frequently to monitor their student’s online habits.
There is nothing wrong with allowing your students to sit on the couch or on a comfy bean bag chair while studying.
In public school, children take turns on the bean bag chair or other special seats.
A child who has been particularly quiet and focused may be rewarded with the privilege of the bean bag chair.
The same principle can apply to homeschool.
Children who are paying attention and focusing can get more freedom in moving to comfy or fun seating arrangements.
Best tips on how to set up a homeschool classroom – Small Tables And Chairs
Another home school classroom organizational model includes multi-purpose tables and small tables.
Before you start spending money, see if you can use your dining table or breakfast room table or a reading nook with shelves.
You can buy tiny, lightweight camping tables on Amazon or at your local Walmart.
For example, multi-purpose tables provide an excellent option for homeschooling.
A center folding 6 – feet adjustable rectangular table that is waterproof, stainproof, scratch- and impact-resistant; ideal for indoor or outdoor use is a great option for any family.
These lightweight tables fold up into small, compact packs, which look like suitcases.
They can be easily stacked when not in use.
During the school day, you can set up a small table with a chair for each child.
Adjust the height of the table and ensure your kid is sitting in a comfortable chair.
Again, arrange the small tables in an arc or circle with the kids’ backs facing you so you can see their computer screens.
This way, if the students need help with an assignment, it will be easier for you to quickly check their screen.
Since most tables do not have an automatic pencil and supplies storage system, you will need to provide your own.
For very active and high-energy children, a seating alternative would be the flexible school chair like this.
Keep a pencil pouch, dry erase marker, highlighter, notebook, pencils, and erasers in your bag as well.
The bag will provide convenient access to your supplies as you walk around to your children’s learning stations.
You can use the whiteboard to practice spelling words or demonstrate how to do a math problem.
Notebook paper can be used to write notes for your student to complete.
Sensory Breaks
Students of all ages perform better if they have frequent brain breaks and sensory breaks.
For kids with special learning difficulties, it is extra important to incorporate opportunities to move around and receive sensory input.
Therabands are relatively inexpensive options for kids who feel the need to constantly move around.
Therabands are stretchy resistance bands that can be placed around chair legs or table legs.
They provide your child with something to kick, push, pull, and interact with while they study.
Therabands helps children avoid constant bouncing, tapping, or frenetic movement.
Chewable jewelry is another way that children can get sensory input without even looking up from their work.
Chewable jewelry is also known as Chewelry.
Children can relieve their need to chew without destroying their pencils, jewelry, sleeves, and nails.
Chewelry looks like stylish pendants, but they are made of food-grade chewable material that is satisfying for nervous children with autism or other special chewing needs.
Fidget toys are also an important part of a student’s day, for the relief of stress and anxiety.
Especially with the anxiety around Coronavirus, pandemics, and school closures, students need a way to let out their anxiety in a healthy way.
From stress balls to fidget cubes, the internet has a plethora of interesting toys for students to fidget with while working.
Try a DNA squish stress ball, a pillow with sequins to stroke in different directions, or even a homemade glitter jar.
These items help kids relax while studying.
The student may seem distracted while they play with the toy, but they may actually be deep in thought.
Having your mind on neutral and thinking is an important part of creativity, learning, and growth.
Allow children to take breaks to do sensory activities.
Swinging, running around the yard, or doing heavy work will help children stay focused.
Heavy work includes carrying small boxes, vacuuming with kid’s size vacuum cleaners, or pushing a sibling on a swing.
Bouncing on an exercise ball is another example of a sensory break.
Brain Breaks
Whether or not a child has special needs, it’s important to give their brains time to rest and recharge.
Perhaps your child’s online school allows for breaks, or your class schedule is modeled with downtime.
It’s important to allow children to stretch, exercise, or relieve the stress of constant thinking.
GoNoodle is an important source of indoor brain breaks for kids.
Your child may already be familiar with GoNoodle because they use it at their school.
GoNoodle is full of movement videos and ideas in helping children calm down and release anxiety.
You can look online for a wide variety of kids’ exercise and movement videos that are great for five-minute breaks throughout the day.
At a public school, outdoor recess is nothing more than turning kids loose in a large, safe play area.
Kids organize their own games, such as soccer or basketball.
If you have a backyard playground or nearby park, this would be a great place to allow children to burn off some extra energy.
At school, kids usually go outside several times a day, even during winter.
Can you challenge your children to get moving and stay outside, tech-free, for the full 30-minute recess?
While you watch and monitor them, you will get some much-needed time to decompress and relax.
Sunshine in a natural environment is a very good anti-depressant and anxiety-reliever, so take advantage of the time to sit outside and watch your children.
Better yet, join in the fun!
Ultimate Tag is a game that children of all ages in elementary, middle, and high school can play.
Even mom can have fun! In this game, every person is “it.”
Running from everyone, while simultaneously trying to tag everyone, can provide plenty of laughter and exercise.
If a person is tagged, they sit down.
They can be freed only when the person who tagged them is caught.
Going Back to School: Tips on How To Ensure Children Are Safe.
Is It Safe For Your Children To Go Back to School?
How to ensure children are safe to return to school is a serious thought in every parent’s mind.
Back-to-School 2020 is a TIME like no other.
Gone are the jovial crowds, jostling to find the best deals on school supplies like markers, pencils, notebooks, and Kleenex.
Stores are quiet.
Silent, masked individuals move around the stores, not taking the effort to talk or make eye contact since no one can see their smile.
Stores hide their back-to-school items, uniforms, and school supplies along the back wall instead of broadcasting their sales in the front lobby.
This year doesn’t look like it usually does. The hesitance is tangible.
It’s time for school, but no one knows what that really means.
In some states, no one knows for sure when and if schools will ever start.
When educational facilities finally open their doors, what will school look like?
Parents have to make quick decisions with ever-changing situations.
They feel the weight of the world on their shoulders.
If they send their children to a traditional school, are they compromising their own health and the health of their kids, the teachers, grandparents, school workers, and staff?
The school does not just provide academics to children.
Students also learn social and emotional skills and access to mental and special needs support.
Students also have access to computers, the internet, and other vital services in a school setting.
Parents should be aware of what the school’s policies are concerning children’s safety while in school.
On the other hand, if they keep their children at home, are they separating their children from the necessary social and emotional support they normally get through time with friends?
What steps can parents take to ensure their children are safe?
How can you as a parent make the wisest choice, and how can you ensure your children are safe?
What is the parent’s role in keeping those precious little ones healthy during the back-to-school rush?
Let’s explore some tips from a parent on how to ensure your children are safe to go back to school no matter what option you have chosen.
While implementing these tips, it is my prayer that the Lord will guide you into making the right decision and I pray that the Lord protects and shields every child and family from all harm and danger.
1. Stay Updated on CDC Guidelines.
The most reliable resource to refer to when making safety-related COVID-19 decisions for you and your family is the CDC.
Being on top of CDC guidelines will help you make sure your child’s school is operating in the safest and most efficient way possible.
For the most part, you need to teach your children about the importance of wearing the mask or cloth face covering, hand washing techniques, and social distancing.
This will help guide decisions such as whether or not your child should go back to school and will help give insight into things you can do on your end to ensure they’re safe going back to school.
2. Check Your School’s Safety Policy.
In a traditional school setting, an easy first step is checking the school’s mask and safety policies in the classroom and in outdoor spaces.
Some schools are flexible about masks, only using them when absolutely vital to keep state mandates.
Other schools strictly enforce mask usage.
Some schools are going to great lengths to ensure that children do not mingle in hallways, common areas, recess, and the lunchroom.
Instead, children limit their interaction with the people in their own classrooms.
These measures can be very helpful in holding back the spread of the virus, allowing schools to easily isolate rooms that may become infected without shutting down the entire school.
Find out the school’s policy on washing hands, sanitizing equipment and high-touch surfaces, social distancing, mask usage, and other personal protective-PPE measures.
Make sure that their standards of operation are in line with the CDC’s recommendations.
3. Cleanliness During Transitions To and From School.
When your child leaves for school, make sure they are equipped with a mask and personal hand sanitizer.
Teach him or her to use hand sanitizer when on the bus and when leaving school for the day.
Arriving home in the afternoon, have a designated area where soiled school items, such as backpacks, are placed.
Your child should thoroughly wash their hands with soap and water according to CDC guidelines and change their clothes immediately after arriving.
Later, when it’s time to sign papers and do homework, treat the school items as you would any germ-laden item, such as currency.
Teach your child to wash his or her hands after using items from his or her backpack, and not to touch their eyes or face while handling school items.
Temperature Checks: You should plan to monitor your children’s health at home especially their temperature with a thermometer (not the back of your hand).
The child should stay home if they have a temperature of 100.4 degrees or greater or any signs of not feeling well.
These important steps will help keep your children safe and healthy.
4. Homeschooling.
While the CDC does not provide scientific studies that suggest that COVID-19 transmission may be low among children, they stress that this is the case when proper protocol is followed.
You may find that your child’s school might not follow the COVID-19 protocol that is the safest or most efficient.
When you choose some form of homeschooling, social distancing becomes much more efficient and effective.
If you or one of your children has a health problem that would put you at significant risk were you to contract the virus, you may find that schooling or distant learning from home is the most viable option.
Getting some homeschooling ideas can help you to effectively provide good targeted educational instruction to your children.
When you choose to keep your child at home, you may elect to hire a tutor to guide him or her through the online curriculum.
Like any babysitter, this tutor must be thoroughly vetted. Will the tutor provide effective emotional support, or will she dismiss your child’s fears and needs?
Does your tutor have plenty of thorough references, a background check, and other proof that they are safe to be around children?
After you hire a tutor, listen to your children and what they tell you about the way their tutor treats them.
Don’t just go with the flow because hiring a tutor is cheaper than a private school.
Keeping your children safe from the virus will mean nothing if they are not safe from their in-home teacher too.
6. Being a Safe Teacher-Mom.
If you choose to stay home with your children, you are poised to provide not only physical safety but also emotional health.
Who knows your children better than you do? Is anyone else more invested in their physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental well-being than the mother herself?
You may be confident that you can provide the safety and attention your children need.
As you homeschool your children, there may be times when you become overwhelmed by your children’s daily needs.
The novelty of teaching and parenting at the same time and the question of how to entertain everyone and keep everyone engaged in learning could become challenging.
During these times of stress, it’s important to take care of yourself so that you can be present as a healthy, safe, and fun mom.
Become aware of situations and comments that trigger you or tempt you to blow your top.
Do you feel shame when you think you haven’t done enough?
Do you feel upset when your children don’t perform as well as you’d hoped?
Are you comparing and measuring your children—and yourself—to other schools, moms, and situations?
Could you be pushing your children too hard? Are your expectations too high or too low?
Since you will be home 24/7 with your children, make sure you take time away to recharge.
180 Days of Self-Care for Educators can help you understand how prioritizing your own self-care will better equip you to positively impact student learning and achievement.
Read God’s word, walk in nature, read a good book, or vent to a friend.
Make sure that you are a safe mom to your children.
7. Pour on the Healthy Touch.
No matter what option you choose for schooling your child this school season, there are things you can do to keep your child safe physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
Make sure your child gets plenty of safe, healthy touch while at home.
Numerous studies have shown the critical importance of human touch to our well-being and safety.
Dr. Asim Shah, A medical doctor-MD who teaches at Baylor College of Medicine states that “touch starvation increases stress, depression, and anxiety, triggering a cascade of negative physiological effects.
The body releases the hormone cortisol as a response to stress, activating the body’s ‘flight-or-fight’ response.
This can increase heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, and muscle tension, and can suppress the digestive system and immune system—increasing the risk of infection…
‘Every single medical disease including heart attack, diabetes, hypertension, asthma—every single physical disease—is altered if you are more anxious, more depressed or if you have more mental health issues.’”
You may not think that touch has anything to do with health, or that children need touch in order to be safe.
But in reality, their immune systems and health are compromised when they are deprived of the loving hugs, high-fives, pats on the back, and other experiences they previously received at school.
This means that it will be your job to fill in those gaps.
Becky Bailey, Ph.D. promotes the “I Love You Rituals” series on youtube as a way to incorporate healthy touch into your child’s life.
The four key ingredients of an “I Love You Ritual” are presence, healthy touch, gentle eye contact, and playfulness.
Sweet and playful connecting games, explained inDr. Bailey’s book, I Love You Rituals, can help increase the bonding and safety in your home.
Make sure to look up Ashley’s Conscious Life on Youtube to learn how to use “I Love You Rituals” in a day-to-day context.
Each of these tips will help keep your children safe during an uncertain time.
Many schools provide social-emotional training every week.
At school, children learn to calm themselves, breathe deeply, solve arguments, and make friends.
Children learn how to express their frustration in helpful words and have a positive attitude towards life.
It’s important not to neglect children’s social and emotional safety.
If you choose to keep your children home from school, they may miss their friends and teachers.
You know you love your child. But how can you make sure your child knows it?
5 love languages of children will help you discover how to speak your child’s love language in a way that he or she understands.
They may miss the playground and after school activities even more.
If you send your child to a traditional school, they may feel stressed by seeing everyone in masks and by being introduced to rituals and routines that are completely foreign to them.
They may feel scared and startled by teachers who will no longer hug them, get close to them, or smile at them (due to social distancing and masks).
Social and emotional health are critical parts of safety.
Children whose emotional needs are not met are at a higher risk for anxiety and depression.
Are you listening to your children’s needs and point of view? Are you offering a comforting presence, understanding, curiosity, and kindness to your child?
These elements will improve their emotional well-being, which in turn promotes physical safety.
9. Other Immune Boosters.
The addition of immune system boosters to your daily regimen can help to ensure your children are safe at home and in the community.
In addition to healthy touch and psychological safety, there are many other simple, practical and cost-effective ways to support the immune system and help ensure your children’s safety during this volatile time.
Vitamin supplements, good nutrition, plenty of sleep, and exercise are other ways to ensure your child stays as healthy as possible.
First, help keep your children safe by boosting their immune defenses.
Vitamin C, D, and Zinc are the most popularly recommended by medical practitioners for immune system support.
All these supplements come in different forms including gummies.
Vitamin C is a well-known vitamin that helps children avoid sickness.
Second, help keep your children safe by ensuring they have plenty of sleep.
The Sleep Foundation shares, “Without sufficient sleep, your body makes fewer cytokines, a type of protein that targets infection and inflammation, effectively creating an immune response…. Chronic sleep loss even makes the flu vaccine less effective by reducing your body’s ability to respond.” https://www.sleepfoundation.org/articles/how-sleep-affects-your-immunity.
Third, emphasize exercise for your children.
Ensure that they are getting outside to move their bodies in fun ways.
In this way, it will work out for the safety and health of all involved.
10. Trusting God Brings Ultimate Safety.
One of the most difficult admissions for you as a parent to make is that ultimately, you cannot ensure that your children are 100% safe.
Stray germs could come into the cleanest environment.
The most diligent teacher could allow a safety breach.
Danger could come out of nowhere. No matter how hard you try, you can’t ensure your child is 100% safe.
Rather than becoming paranoid, we can seek God’s strength to rest in His sovereignty and love.
Ultimately, safety only comes from God.
The words of Psalm 27 describes an attitude of peaceful calm, trusting in the Lord’s protection:
“The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
whom shall I dread?
When the wicked came upon me to devour my flesh,
my enemies and foes stumbled and fell.
Though an army encamps around me,
my heart will not fear;
though a war breaks out against me,
I will keep my trust.” (Psalm 27:1-3 BSB)
The next verses explain the reason why David can have such confidence.
His ultimate request is not for protection from germs or other earthly harm.
“One thing I have asked of the LORD;
this is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the LORD
and seek Him in His temple.
For in the day of trouble
He will hide me in His shelter;
(God)He will conceal me under the cover of His tent;
He will set me high upon a rock.” (Psalm 27:4-5 BSB)
Ultimately, our safety comes from God alone.
When our desire is the presence of God, we feel the security of hiding under his wings—even if we do get sick.
We should continue to work hard and do our best to keep our children safe.
But in the end, we should entrust them to the one who loves them more than we do.
And in Him, we can rest.
Praying for God’s continued blessings and guidance………♥
I can vividly identify with the feelings of loneliness and despair a mother can experience when their children leave home.
Leaving home may not just be for college. It includes when they leave to settle maritally with their significant others or postings to faraway jobs.
My desire has always been for my children to succeed in everything and to fulfill their God-designed destinies according to Isiaih 8:18 that declares that I and the children God has given me are for signs and wonders – paraphrased.
I was happily looking forward to when my last child would leave for college.
I could not see the feeling of despair and anxiety that came over me weeks before the actual day he left coming.
Letting go and adjusting to my new norm was harder than I expected.
There were days that I was enveloped by desperate feelings of loneliness.
Other days I would be so anxious about his welfare that I would facetime him at 2 A.M or other odd hours of the day and night.
When we dropped him off at his college, 4 hours away from home, our hearts were gladdened and we could sense the feeling of independence he was feeling around him.
Actually, he couldn’t wait to leave for college! He had been held down too long by these “strict” parents!
It took me quite some time to adjust to the new environment without my son.
I would still call out his name to come to give me the remote, turn the outside lights on, get me this and that, only to realize that he wasn’t there.
How can it be possible that the child that you poured your life into for so many years is gone?
My friend, if you are experiencing an empty nest, let these words from Isaiah 4:10 comfort you and give you the encouragement and strength to move on.
This article provides important keys to the empty nest: how to intentionally adjust to the new role when children leave.
These tips helped me a lot and I hope they help you too.
1. Remember the Past, But Don’t Try To Recreate It.
When your child leaves home and you are experiencing empty nest syndrome, remembering the past can make it easier to bear.
During those sentimental days just after your child leaves home, his or her whole life seems to pass before your eyes.
The tears flow as you remember every moment of your little one’s entire growing up years.
Sure, it’s been years since mud puddles, hair bows, or baby bottles, yet suddenly the past returns with an immediacy that had been drowned by the daily grind of high school, and football/basketball/track/music practice.
Suddenly, you remember; you reminisce.
In “Release My Grip, ” by popular blogger Kami Gilmour, she offers inspiration and some practical insights as she reveals the personal surprising truth she learned while knee-deep in this sacred season of parenthood.
You wish that you had treasured the memories more.
And you want to recreate them.
The important thing to remember is that your child isn’t dwelling on all the memories.
He or she is launching in excitement towards their future, or they are worried about the new environment, college, studying, textbooks, and friends.
As you ponder the past, don’t try to cling to it.
Keep your eyes on your child as he or she is right now, this minute.
What are her needs as she faces the future?
How can you thank God for the past and pray for his or her needs today?
Focus on the new prayer needs and intercede for them more.
Healthy grieving is an important part of saying goodbye to your children.
Rather than stuffing down your feelings of sadness, recognize that you sacrificed, loved, and invested for more than 17 to 18 years as you raised this child.
Your life is undergoing a major change, so don’t dismiss the pain you feel.
A journal like, “Empty Nest, Full Life Journal,” designed with ample space for writing or drawing, will help you slow down, reflect, and record your thoughts as you work through the book.
Proactively indulge in self-care practices to better take care of your spiritual, emotional, and mental health.
Essential oils are very popular now and have uncountable uses.
I personally like them in a diffuser for aromatherapy.
Another alternative use for essential oil aromatherapy is the SOOTHING AROMATHERAPY PLUSH WRAP: Sources say they relieve muscle pain & tension & promote relaxation.
This hot & cold plush wrap envelops your shoulders & neck for a customized fit adaptable to any body type.
Depending on how I feel on a particular day, I can use essential oils topically with a carrier to relieve tension and for relaxation.
Jeramy and Jerusha Clark help put your losses in words: “Loss of closeness, loss of ‘being needed,’ loss of control, loss of confidence.
You may feel like you don’t know what you’re doing.
That’s ok.
Grieve the loss of confidence and gear up for the learning curve.
God promises that you’re not alone in this; he will strengthen you and help you; he will uphold you with His victorious right hand.”
When you name your losses and take time to grieve, it will enable you to let go in a healthy way, so you don’t overburden your child with your pain.
If you fail to see the importance of lament, you will be more likely to pressure your adult child and drag him or her into your complex grief process.
It’s easy to want to hold on to your children.
Wishing you could make up for your past mistakes or have just one more breakfast together, you want to pull your child closer.
But this is the time to let go.
Take the time to grieve by yourself, with God, or with your spouse, friend, or your pastor, so that you don’t feel tempted to use your grief to manipulate your child.
3. Believe, Don’t Burden.
Speak words of honor to your adult child. Pray for them more and trust that they will be sensitive and obedient to the Holy Spirit and to hearing from God.
Rather than burdening him or her with your own expectations and dreams for them, affirm the person that God created your son or daughter to be.
Make sure your child knows that you are proud of him or her.
Speak words that lift them up.
At this point in their lives and during my personal moments of despair, I had to come to the realization that my job is to pray to Almighty God and God’s work is to answer. That right there gave me peace!
If your child is showing initiative and growth, let them know you respect their hard work.
When your son or daughter works on building friendships with fellow students in the dorm, share, “I am in awe of the way you are showing kindness and reaching out to your new friends. You are a loyal and caring person. Way to go!”
Let them know that you admire the man or woman that they are becoming.
“I respect that you are seriously thinking about this problem and feel strongly about the remedy.”
Listen to your child and admire their deep thoughts, their attempts to connect with others, their steps towards diligence, and other things.
Often, words of encouragement go a lot farther than words of rebuke.
Even when you must offer correction to your child, do so in a way that affirms your belief in the adult they will become.
Eggerichs recommends something like the following: “I believe in you. Because I believe in you and the man you are becoming, my role is to help you to be a self-disciplined man of honor,” and then going on to share the gentle rebuke.
Words of support help your adult child understand that you are cheering them on, even if they don’t fulfill your own personal expectations and career goals.
4. Support With No Strings Attached.
When you find yourself in an empty nest, it’s difficult to let go.
You have to understand who your child has become and how the parenting technique must change too.
In addition to sharing words of honor, it’s important to support your child emotionally.
Be there for them.
Make sure they know that you will always be a listening ear and a source of encouragement to them.
Send them open-ended texts that don’t demand a reply.
Surprise your child with care packages often. I did initially and still do!
Share fun facts you learned, interesting things that happened in your day, or something you are praying for in your child’s day to day life.
Ask yourself a hard question: “Deep down, is the purpose of this message to get a response, a reply, a visit, or an affirmation of love?
Or is it to show unconditional support for my child?”
Kids can often read our motives.
When we manipulate to try to get a response, a reply, or a visit, kids often feel frustrated and shamed.
Instead, speak words of encouragement that let your child see your love, your respect, and your hope in their future.
But don’t try to pressure them into seeing you or meeting your own personal needs.
5. Find New Ways to Meet Your Own Personal Needs.
Speaking of getting your own needs met, you will need to find other avenues to finding fun and satisfaction.
When you used to turn to your child for companionship, diversion, busyness, or relief from loneliness, you will now have to find other people to turn to.
This is a great time to spend extra time with God.
There are other ways to survive and thrive in your empty nest.
A job, a new hobby, or a volunteer opportunity at your church or in the community.
These can be great ways to occupy yourself and meet your need for significance and service.
Be OK with going to your child’s favorite store, coffee shop, or entertainment venue—by yourself or with a friend.
You could even text your child photos!
Another thing that helped me a lot was Face timing. My son made it a point of duty up to this day to facetime every day.
Even though he has left home, the bond is still strong.
Although it will certainly take a while, learn to be ok on your own.
If intense grief has been going on for a very long time and you can’t seem to find your identity apart from your child, feel free to find a therapist to help you with complicated grief.
6. Allow Change In The Relationship And Devote Time to Other Relationships
There’s no denying it: saying goodbye to kids hurt, and it changes things forever.
Even though you will be able to repeat some of your favorite activities, things will never be the same.
You will likely still enjoy a rich relationship with your child; you will likely get to repeat all the fun things you are longing to do: sitting and talking, going to coffee, celebrating Christmas traditions, or even performing simple tasks like ironing your son’s shirt.
Though the memories and traditions will still be there, it’s important to let go of your hope that you will be able to recreate the old days and bring back the past.
Acknowledge to yourself that things will never be the same.
Commit to starting to do those things you couldn’t do because of parenting obligations.
Reconnect with old friends – good positive friends that can build you up and explore volunteering opportunities at your local church and in the community.
Letting go of the past and of the elusive “same” that you’re hoping for is hard.
It feels like another death.
When you are able to let go of things being the “same,” you will be more open to treasuring the moments that do remind you of the old days.
Michael Anderson, in his book, Gist, explains that parental love must change over the years.
He says, “In every relationship and aspect of life, love must evolve to survive.
Bringing this child home must evolve into sending that child into the world.
Potential must evolve into limitations.
Hope must evolve into disappointment.
Perfection must evolve into reality and failure. …Our love as parents must evolve.
It might even need to evolve from a ‘would never hurt’ love into a ‘need to allow hurt’ love.”
Letting your child go certainly hurts, and your relationship with your child will never be the same.
Open yourself up to the fact that beautiful things lie ahead—even if they are not exactly like the beautiful things that lay in the past.
7. Influence, But Don’t Insist.
As parents, we feel like we know what is best for our children.
After all, when they were small, we regulated every aspect of their lives.
From the clothes they wore to the food they ate, we provided for them with wisdom and discretion.
We made decisions about their schooling, their healthcare, their nutrition, their technology, and their learning.
Now, you will likely see your child making choices that are different than the ones you would have made.
It’s easy to want to jump in and control the situation like you did when your child was a toddler.
However, Jeramy and Jerush Clark ask a probing question that reminds us of our true priorities: “What does forcing your agenda ultimately accomplish?”
Even when children are younger, it’s impossible to truly control them.
Clarks continues, “Despite daily evidence that we can’t control our kids, many of us cling to the illusion that we can protect them from doing something foolish, something hurtful, something that will seriously damage their future opportunities.”
Rather than forcing children to be what you had hoped and envisioned, try to see your child for who they really are: a person of dignity created by God.
Slow down long enough to really understand the beauty and complexity of your adult child.
Recognize the role changes that the empty nest has brought and learn to gradually adjust.
8. Rely on God for Strength And Focus on Yourself
Saying goodbye to kids is not easy.
You may wonder how you will survive your empty nest when children leave home.
The empty nest may seem overwhelming and unbearable sometimes. The word of God brings peace that surpasses understanding
Jerusha Clark gives these timely words of encouragement: “Now is the time to pay close attention to your own heart and mind…
The Holy Spirit can give you wisdom and insight, consolation, and strength.
You need those things, and you cannot manufacture them on your own.”
The empty nest may seem like it carves an emptiness in your soul that goes to your very core.
Saying goodbye to your kids leaves a void that only the Lord can fill.
But, you have to accept your child’s independence and encourage them to succeed.
The Lord offers His comforting fullness as a balm to your emptiness.
When you are weak, God comes near to help and support.
For those who feel that they cannot go on today, I pray the words of Ephesians 3:16-21:
“I ask that out of the riches of His glory He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.
Then you, being rooted and grounded in love, will have power, together with all the saints, to comprehend the length and width and height and depth of the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”
Did you catch that? He can fill you with His fullness.
And he finishes up the verse with a promise:
“Now to Him who is able to do so much more than all we ask or imagine,
according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
Saying goodbye to children moving away is no easy task. It’s not for the faint of heart.
But with God’s grace, you can make a slow and healthy adjustment.
As you learn how to survive when children leave home, you will begin to see the beauty of your new life.
With God’s grace and consistent support, you can have hope in your revamped empty nest.
Sending lots of love, blessings, and positivity your way:)
Small Love Gestures that Keep a Relationship Going Strong.
You may have seen the catchphrase, “It’s the small moments that make life big,” plastered in a sentimental scrapbook or posted beside a baby photo on social media.
But have you ever taken the time to think carefully about the truth behind this statement?
We often work, labor, and stress to achieve great moments: a vacation, a college degree, or a great milestone.
But we don’t take the time to realize that each everyday experience with our friends, spouses, and children are the stuff of life.
The love dare is a 40-day challenge for husbands and wives to understand and practice unconditional love.
It’s the small love gestures that keep any relationship going good.
Show you care by asking about their day. You can ask as soon as they get home or over dinner.
Do a simple online search for conversation starters for couples, then bring those questions into your daily life.
Here’s a link to 100 questions that every couple needs in their relationship – the questions were specifically designed to build trust, openness, and eventually feelings of deep intimacy.
Don’t just rotate in the same ruts that you’ve always used.
Try to bring in new topics of conversation and learn something new about your spouse every day.
Asking your partner about their day is a small love gesture that shows that you care.
#4. Surprise Your Partner With gifts As a Love Gesture
Listen to your spouse’s conversation and try to tune into the small nuances that provide clues to the things they like and dislike.
Then surprise them with gifts “just because.” It will bring a smile to your spouse’s face.
Meaningful gift ideas include flowers, gourmet chocolates, special cookies, perfumes/colognes, or anything that can make their day special.
Essential oils – EO, is not a woman’s only thing anymore.
Reach out and make the first move. Show your spouse you care and want to connect.
#7. Create Daily Rituals In Your Relationship
Every relationship should have rhythms and patterns of connection.
These patterns lend stability to relationships.
Check-in every morning over coffee. Hold hands and pray. Call each other at lunchtime and check-in.
Take time each week to go over that week’s schedule and pray together over your week.
Doing your rituals on a regular, recurring basis will help you and your spouse feel safe.
Becky Bailey calls these rituals of connection, “I Love You Rituals.”
She says that “I Love You Rituals” contains four ingredients: playfulness, simple touch, presence, and gentle eye contact.
While most of her I Love You Rituals are geared for adults connecting with children, partners can incorporate the same principles into their interactions with one another.
Are you truly present with your spouse during that quick kiss? Do you touch them gently, look fondly into their eyes, and express playfulness and joy?
It’s these little things that matter.
#8. Respond To Your Spouse’s “Bids.”
Dr. Steve Call says that couples are constantly sending out “bids” for attention.
“Dating for the Socially Awkward: Overcome social anxiety and gain the confidence to get the girl you desire” by Jouhzu, is a total self-improvement journey.
The thought of being with your crush brings you feelings of excitement, yet the idea of initiating things with them brings feelings of discomfort and dread.
You’ve had opportunity after opportunity to approach your dream girl and ask her out, but each time you find yourself stumbling over your words, unable to truly articulate your attraction to her.
•If you lack self-confidence out of fear, then this will keep you believing in yourself and help you in attracting a great partner.
Asking a girl out is a challenge for many men. The fear and anxiety of rejection is enough to make a man do without a woman he really cares for.
There’s no foolproof guide on how to ask the girl of your dreams on a date.
You have to try different approaches.
We are all blessed with a unique combination of qualities, preferences, and social styles; there simply can’t be one perfect way of approaching someone.
This post is not meant to be a rule book, but rather a collection of tips you can use to better yourself and your mindset when approaching the woman of your heart.
Let’s dive into some of the tips you can utilize to approach your dream girl and probably land a date.
#1. Know Your value
The first tip on how to approach your dream girl is to know yourself and your value.
One thing a man must strive to have before they approach anything in life is a sense of self-worth.
In order to confidently approach a woman, you must know you have something valuable to bring to the table.
You may not have all the money in the world or may not be the most popular guy in the room, but these are not things that make a person, and limit a person to external validation.
The only person’s validation you require is God’s and your own.
You are more than money or status, you are filled with kindness, valor, and intelligence, and much more!
When you understand you possess a combination of unique God-given qualities, you realize you are more than enough for your dream girl.
When you become secure in the fact that you have so much to offer, the thought of initiating a date with the woman of your dreams seems less daunting.
Women appreciate a man that is sure of himself and his God-given strengths-it’s an indication of the great partner he’ll be.
An additional word of advice though, there is a thin line between arrogance and confidence.
Being sure of yourself does not mean you should forget about the importance of being humble.
Humility and Confidence work hand in hand.
#2. Be Observant
Most people, whether it’s a man or a woman, appreciate when they feel someone took the time to notice little things about them.
Being observant to detail is another tip on how to approach your dream girl.
Whether you take note of how she takes her coffee in the morning, her favorite past time, or the genre of music she loves to listen to, using the knowledge you gain can go a long way.
A woman is most likely not going to be impressed solely by your attraction for her.
Instead, she’ll appreciate the fact that you delved beyond that attraction and endeavored to get to know her as a person.
Strike up a conversation about her favorite song or ask a question about the book she’s reading.
This is an almost sure way of communicating your interest in her without focusing solely on physical attraction.
Paying attention to details can also serve as a great way to get ideas for that date you want to ask her on.
Imagine that after careful observation, you notice your crush loves art.
Asking her out to an art museum or a painting class would be met with much more interest and enthusiasm than if you blindly suggested something else.
#3. Form a Friendship
Forming a solid friendship is another tip on how to approach your dream girl.
I know, I know. You probably rolled your eyes when you read that.
Why would you set yourself up for the awful, dreaded, friend zone? However, the key to a successful relationship is a strong friendship.
• Oprah Love Expert Reveals the Secrets For You To Have the Relationship of Your Dreams.
Earlier, we discussed how being observant could help put you in the position to ask your dream girl on a date.
Some aspects of a person, though, can’t be inferred from observation so much as it can from the regular conversation.
By forming a friendship with your potential date, you stand the chance of really getting to know her.
And by getting to know her, you increase your chances of landing a date.
There’re even more advantages to forming a friendship with your crush: A friendship tears down walls and creates comfort.
Remember when you first met your ideal woman and how hard it was to form complete sentences around her?
Maybe with time, it got a little easier to say a few words, although the thought of asking her on a date still makes you anxious.
With time and continued proximity, you got a little more comfortable.
Imagine if you two formed a friendship. That type of bond would definitely make you feel more comfortable around her and allow you to be yourself.
When we approach each other in a climate of friendship, we do not have the pressure to be accepted or rejected.
•She gets to learn more about you.
Friendship is not only an opportunity for you to learn more about your dream partner, but also an avenue for her to get to know you.
Perhaps you have common interests or admirable strengths.
Perhaps you have quirks or mannerisms that she could find adorable.
A friendship is an opportunity to present who you are without the added pressure to perform. It’s an organic, healthy way of allowing all aspects of you to shine.
•You get to see if there is actual compatibility.
For the longest, you’ve admired your crush from afar.
You’ve observed some things, had a few conversations here and there, but every interaction has been only on the surface.
You don’t know enough about her to gauge whether you’re genuinely a match.
While dating is a way to gauge if there is an affinity for one another, a friendship does the same, but with an added benefit- there is no pressure.
When you decide to pursue a genuine friendship, you don’t have to worry about performing or making grand gestures that may not be organic.
#4. Show Her The Respect She Deserves
Romans 12:10 says to “Love one another with brotherly affection.”
It is essential to treat all of our fellow humans with respect, and this extends to your dream girl or woman you want in your life as well.
In a world full of patriarchy and misogyny, women don’t always get the respect they deserve.
Unfortunately, some women end up with dates and partners who also won’t extend that respect.
The number one way to turn a woman off is to show clear disrespect for her and her boundaries.
Without love, the woman reacts without respect, and without respect, the man reacts without love. This initiates a painful and negative cycle in any relationship.
Dr. Emerson Eggerichs’ book on love and respect is a great resource for anyone interested in a long-lasting relationship.
While this can get you the date, you’ve wanted, it can have disastrous results as well.
In his book “No Excuses,” Dr. Tony Evans “urges men to stop looking at their circumstances as excuses and instead to see them as challenges and opportunities for success.”
Be a man of honesty and integrity, and you will attract the woman of your dreams!
#6. Invite Her To Church
One way to get a good woman to gravitate towards you is to include her in personal activities that don’t have an air of expectation.
One great way to form a friendship and easing communication between you and your crush is to invite them to church with you.
It can be something more intimate such as a bible study, or it could be a mid-week or a Sunday service.
Maybe you could connect over your mutual love for similar worship styles.
Or perhaps the pastor’s topic of the day could strike up a deep conversation.
Most importantly, inviting her to something personal and intimate like a church is an excellent way of communicating how important she is to you.
You wouldn’t invite just anyone to church with you, to be amongst you and the people you fellowship with.
This is a great segue to asking her out because when you do, she’ll know it’s not just a superficial date you’re asking for; you really want to connect with her on a deeper level.
#7. Communicate Clearly
Always work on being the best communicator you can.
When you do get around to asking your dream girl on a date, it will take clear communication so she can have a good idea of what your intentions are.
Good communication is one of the things that keeps a relationship intact.
Whether you strike up an initial friendship or simply ask her out, good communication is key.
Sometimes, being an excellent communicator is hard for people because of the amount of vulnerability it entails.
Most people have a fear of opening up themselves to rejection or being the subject of negative judgment, so they tend to avoid directly communicating their wants, feelings, or thoughts to protect themselves.
Unfortunately, there is no set way of avoiding rejection or negative judgment.
When you open yourself up to someone, you’re taking a risk. However, the potential gains from clear communication greatly outweigh the potential losses.
Communicating clearly ties back to your security in who you are as a person.
When you are confident in who you are and know your value, it’s easier to put yourself in a vulnerable position.
Regardless of the outcome, you know that you are a man of valor, and any woman would be lucky to go on a date with you.
If they accept it, excellent. If they don’t, it’s their loss.
A good woman will have a deep appreciation for a man who is willing to go out on a limb to communicate his intent and feelings.
Don’t hesitate to communicate clearly. Be true to yourself and to what you feel in your heart.
#8. Just Do it- Ask her out!
Your dream girl could end up being your soulmate.
She could end up being the partner that God created for you.
Marriage Advice Every Newly Married Couple Must Know.
Christian Couples with 31+ years of Happy, Healthy, Successful experience share 31 Lessons learned in Marriage.
Let’s explore some of their best Christian marriage advice for newlyweds!
Through the happy days of romance, love warms you, fills you, and lifts you to new heights.
Congratulations on your new wedding!
Marriage mirrors God’s relationship with His people.
Successful marriages require way more than physical attraction, love, and common interests.
Like the torch in a hot air balloon, romantic love gives you the thrill of seeing your loved one from 10,000 feet as your love soars.
Once the marriage begins, however, the rubber meets the road.
The hot air balloon lands. Reality sets in.
The daily walk together, on the ground, is about to begin.
Here are 31 must know practical, Christian marriage advice for newlyweds that will help you through the new, daily journey that you are beginning with your spouse.
Use this proven best biblical marriage advice for newlyweds to build a strong foundation for your relationship.
Marriage God’s Way is a Biblical Recipe for Healthy, Joyful, Christ-Centered Relationships.
“Many conflicts would be effectively avoided if you do your best to get to learn about each other,” is one marriage advice for newlyweds from a lady married for 32 years.
Build on the special bond between two of you and strive to be each others BFF.
Adjusting to living with each other initially may be difficult.
It is necessary and essential to patiently understand your spouse to avoid even the smallest conflicts that could erupt into bigger ones.
An excellent tool for learning about your spouse is taking a personality test.
A personality test is aimed at improving interpersonal relationships, and promoting positive attitudes towards people who are different, in the areas of understanding, appreciation and respect.
Tests like DISC, Enneagram personality test assessments, 16 Personalities tests, Nanaya, the 5 love languages, or the Gothman Institute’s Relationship Quiz are some tests you can try.
They can help you get started in discovering new realities about your spouse.
What activities energize your spouse? It’s better to know for real than to guess.
Dr. Gottman, the country’s foremost relationship expert, talks about nurturing fondness and admiration in the seven principles that guide couples on the path toward a harmonious and long-lasting relationship.
Make sure you bring these topics out into the open as soon as possible in the relationship and have a plan in these areas.
Adjusting and willing to compromise here and there will help reduce a lot of fighting in making sure household chores are completed; marriage advice for newlyweds from Liz married close to 32 years.
5. Learn About Perpetual Conflicts
The topic of chores is an area that the Gottman Institute would label as a solvable conflict.
If you discuss this issue with clarity and compassion and come to a mutual compromise, the topic can be easily solved.
But The Gottman Institute provides food for thought when it says that some types of conflicts are not solvable.
While solvable conflicts are simple logistical challenges or differences of opinion that can be fixed by discussing them,
unsolvable problems are clashes between personalities or values that will come up over and over and will never truly go away except with divine intervention.
He recommends “humor, affection, and even amusement, to actively cope with the unresolvable problem, rather than allowing it to fall into the condition of gridlock.”
Dr. Dan Allender, a prominent Christian therapist says that couples must have “a loyal commitment to a zero-contempt relationship. No matter the issue, no matter its importance, contempt must be viewed as dangerous as lighting a match to look into a gas tank.”
8. Be Proactive About Conflicts
Dr. Allender goes on, “Contempt arises like smoke from the fire of shame.”
Shame is the fire and contempt is the smoke, and you will need to develop a “smoke detector” in your marriage.
Meet proactively at least once a week to discuss issues, hurts, sins, conflicts, and things that have been unsaid that need to be addressed.
Make sure these issues are detected early, while they are still small and healthy.
Try to uncover feelings of inadequacy before they explode into an incendiary.
James 5:16 – Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.
According to author Gary Thomas, in “Sacred Marriage” “We have to stop asking of marriage what God never designed it to give — perfect happiness, conflict-free living, and idolatrous obsession.”
Instead, he invites us to see how God can use marriage as a discipline and a motivation to love God more and reflect more on the character of His Son, together as a couple.
9. Trust And Respect Each Other Including Each Other’s Space
“A marriage without trust is like a car without gas, you can stay in it as long as you want, but it won’t go anywhere.” -Unknown
No relationship can thrive without trust and respect.
Your spouse should be confident that they are with someone they can completely trust and confide their feelings, thoughts, worries, and concerns to.
Married couples are one flesh and joined together in Christ for life, therefore they should understand what respecting boundaries is early in the relationship.
Yet at the same time, they are also individually created children of God.
Your spouse may need time to be alone with God or just to reflect, decompress, or relax.
Allow your spouse some space and don’t seek to manipulate or demand every minute of his or her time.
Philippians 2:3-4 reminds us, “In humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look at not only your own interests, but also at the interests of others.”
The bible says we are to “Do unto others as you want them to do unto you.”
In other words, this means that you treat your spouse in the same way you would want to be treated.
Respectable boundaries in your marriage, foster trust and belief.
“Respecting your spouse includes not saying bad things or discussing them with other people, friends, family, co-workers, and others” – another marriage advice for newlyweds from Laura – married for 34 years.
10. Don’t Let Marriage Become An Idol
The thrill and closeness that marriage can bring are meant to be a breathtaking picture of our special relationship with Christ.
At the same time, we can’t begin to assume that marriage itself is our relationship with Christ or that our spouse is our god or ultimate focus.
“Our spouse is not our ultimate place of fulfillment,” stated another lady with 40 years marriage experience on biblical advice for newly weds.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer encourages Christians to be careful not to make human love an end in itself.
He describes the dangerous thinking patterns of idolatrous love: “Nothing, not even the truth, must come between” the two lovers.
The only goal of life, to which everything else must bend, is “the other person, his company, his answering love.”
When we think like this, our relationship is unhealthy and in danger.
11. Get Excited About God’s Work In Your Spouse
In the middle of daily stresses and conflicts that come with jobs, careers, housework, chores, and kids, it can be easy to lose sight of the beauty of what Christ is doing in your spouse’s life.
Try to catch a glimpse of the exciting work God is doing.
The similarity in beliefs, goals, and objectives are virtues in any relationship, but it’s good for any spouse to appreciate any positive attitude or change towards a greater knowledge of Christ by the other spouse.
Trust the ways God can change your spouse!
12. Pray Together
As children of God, one of the most important things you can do with your new spouse is to talk to your Heavenly Father together.
Short Daily devotionals with bible passages will sometimes encourage couples to pray together.
Newly married couples must know that relationships have plenty of bumps along the way, and prayer is the shock absorber that helps make the journey a little less difficult.
Practically, try going on a prayer walk together. Hold hands and pray.
Colossians 4:2 instructs us to “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” ESV
Start the morning with prayer. End the day with prayer. A family that prays together stays together, they say.
Pray about fears, difficulties, conflicts, and decisions. Surprise each other by calling to pray together.
Make prayer a part of your everyday experience with your spouse.
The Bible agrees that when people pray together their petitions are heard by God: Matthew 18:19: “Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.”
13. Pray For Each Other
Similar to the last point, this point emphasizes an important lesson learned in marriage.
Prayer is a powerful tool to touch the heart of your spouse—and to change your own heart in the process.
In moments of conflicts or discord, your knee-jerk reaction may be rehashing the situation in your mind or with your words.
Instead of mulling, try turning to Christ with the conflict. Pray for your spouse.
This is probably the best marriage advice for newlyweds.
In his book, Life Together, Bonhoeffer said we should “speak to Christ more about a brother than to a brother about Christ.”
In other words, talk to God about your spouse even more than you talk to your spouse about problems, issues, or concerns.
Bring your spouse’s hopes, dreams, failures, sins, and struggles to the Lord in prayer.As you do, you may see that God wants to change you as well.
14. Compliment One Another
Go out of your way to express thankfulness for your spouse.
Speak words of gratefulness directly to your husband or wife, and intentionally speak well of them to others within their earshot.
Keeping a gratitude journal about your spouse will help you have compliments at your fingertips. Writing a thank you heartfelt sweet note, a gift or card are simple ways of expressing thankfulness.
Even before your children are born, create traditions, rituals, and habits of celebration for your household.
Special surprise or moment on a birthday morning, an Advent chain counting down the days to Christmas, caroling to neighbors,
taking walks together or getting up by candlelight on Christmas morning are simple acts that can help bond your new family together.
Start by combining holiday traditions from your families of origin.
Then brainstorm and research ideas to form new traditions of your very own.
16. Look For Ways To Serve
Doing dishes, filling glasses of water, checking the doors at night, balancing the checkbook, fueling, washing, and maintaining the car are simple ways to show your spouse you care.
Decide to fix breakfast so that your partner could sleep longer.
Have the mindset that you are a team and you are in this together and find ways to intentionally serve each other.
But what about more descriptive acts?
We can imitate Christ’s self-giving love when we do distasteful tasks such as cleaning the bathroom, dealing with rodents and insects, or fixing the plumbing.
17. Forgive Early And Often
Couples who have been married for many years share lessons they have learned in their marriage.
They all say that forgiveness is a very important and practical aspect of a long-lasting marriage relationship.
Every human being has the capacity to sin.
In any marriage, even the most peaceful, couples will definitely sin against each other.
As Christians, we do not grant our spouse forgiveness because they deserve it, but as an act of mercy and grace covered by unconditional love.
It is very important that you continually forgo the hurts you go through caused by your spouse and resolve to start the relationship afresh.
One of the most important lessons newly married couple must grasp is forgiveness.It’s better to forgive quickly rather than holding on to a grudge.
And it’s better to assume the best and forgive as a knee-jerk reaction rather than assuming the worst.
18. Confess When You Are Wrong
Confession is often very hard but very necessary.
A seasoned spouse shares, “If I am wrong, I have to say so. Staying angry or insisting on my own rights is not an option. Over the years, this has been a struggle, but practice does make it come a little easier and more quickly.”
Dr. Bonnie Badenoch explains that couples become more resilient every time they work to repair a “break in connection.”
Couples who have worked to repair their broken bonds can actually feel closer after the reconciliation than before the conflict happened.
Early in your marriage, seek to clarify common goals, values, dreams, and desires.
When your family has joint goals and you are all working together to meet them, a special bond will be created.
20. Managing Careers
As you create joint goals, seek to understand your spouse’s independent career goals.
How can you work to help your spouse succeed in their career?
How can you each support each other in your individual goals and dreams?
Make sure to clarify early in your marriage the role that careers will play in your lives.
Prioritize spending time together outside of work.
Work together to establish work schedules that are best for your union.
Be an encourager to your spouse. Be their best cheerleader.
21. Start Investigating Child-Rearing
Couples may imagine that they will have years to get to know each other, pursue careers, and casually learn about child-rearing before children will arrive on the scene.
But some couples are surprised by how quickly God sends little ones into their lives and families.
Start right away to define your shared values regarding child-rearing.
Research different issues related to raising children, and be clear about your shared values in this area.
Get genuine advice from your wise parents, especially mothers and trusted friends who have been there.
22. Be Proactive In Your Relationship With God
A couple who has been married for forty years shares a lesson learned in marriage.
They say, “We emphasize the centrality of God and Scriptures to our home and life.
We try to let God’s words be continually in our mouths and to talk of them when we sit in our house, when we walk by the way, when we lie down, and when we rise up.
We spend time reading God’s word privately and together, and also work on hiding God’s word in our hearts through memorization.”
One of the best biblical advice for newlyweds is to read His word together. The word of God has positive impact in changing hearts and keeping people humble.
23. Be Careful About Expectations
Young couples often enter marriage with rosy-colored dreams and great expectations for their marriage, life, and relationship.
Mike Bechtle shares, “When we have expectations of what needs to happen, we’ll usually be disappointed.”
Instead of forming unrealistic expectations that will later be broken, he encourages couples to “replace expectations with expectancy.”
Filled with expectancy for what God will do in our relationship, we can free ourselves from unreasonable expectations and demands.
24. Express Healthy Curiosity
Be curious about your spouse’s day, experiences, feelings, job, or childhood.
Ask questions and seek to understand.
Even during challenging conversations, allow your mind to be curious about what your spouse might be thinking or feeling.
Wonder out loud or silently about the feelings or experiences that may be causing the words or reactions that your spouse is portraying.
Decide together how to manage any student loans, credit card debts, paying house bills, etc.
Have a clear understanding of how to manage bank accounts, whether joint or separate accounts or both.
Who will be responsible for actually paying the bills after the funds are apportioned?
What about your parents? Would they need help? Decide how you will accommodate extended family expenses if applicable.
Remember, it’s no longer MY money, it’s now OUR money.
27. Remember The Events That Are Important To Your Spouse
To some newlyweds, it is extremely important that their spouse remember the one-month anniversary of their marriage and the one-year anniversary of their first date or their engagement or other dates that are special.
Do your best to set a reminder on your phone so you will not forget these important days.Marriage advice for newlyweds from Linda – 36 years in marriage.
When the anniversary rolls around, respond with a simple card, back rub, flowers, words of appreciation, or another gift that would be meaningful to your spouse.
Keep in mind holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries of deaths or traumas your spouse may have experienced.
Be extra gentle on those days and seek ways to encourage your spouse.
28. Talk About Your Spiritual Life
Deuteronomy 6:7 says to talk about God’s word “when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed, and when you are getting up.”
To some people, it may seem very personal to talk about your spiritual journey with your spouse.
But talking about God together will help you stay accountable and will help you grow in your closeness to God and each other.
Talk about the church you will be attending and how involved you are going to be. This marriage advice for newlyweds should be agreed on before you start having children. It’s very important for families to worship together.
Know preachers your spouse likes to listen to, what songs they like, and sometimes just watch or listen together.
29. Talk To Your Spouse About Your Temptations
This may seem counterintuitive, but Laurie Krieg emphasizes the importance of talking to your spouse about your temptations.
Rather than pulling away in shame or fear, come to your spouse and start to talk.
This frank, straight-to-the-point, and practical book is a perfect must -read resource with tons of marriage advice for newlyweds and engaged couples.
To avoid sexual immorality, sex should be frequent and mutual.
1 Corinthians 7:5 – Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
No matter what your schedules are, make this an IMPORTANT aspect of your marriage and when you partake, let it be special, no hurry, and let it be a mix of however you both like it!
Sex should be honored, cherished, and enjoyed as a gift from God and moreover, you should not be ashamed to express yourself.
In conclusion, proactively implementing this marriage advice for newlyweds and always being open, intentionally and responsibly willing to work on your relationship can help newlywed couples build a lasting, strong, and satisfying relationship.
One of the biggest surprises for a newly married couple can be their spouse’s daily habits regarding finances.
17 practical financial advice for newlyweds can help you avoid money problems before they creep in.
In the busyness of wedding preparations and the glow of romantic love, many couples may forget to discuss the fine details of their financial habits.
After marriage, a husband could be shocked when his new wife responds to a rough day by stress-shopping and coming home with loads of new clothes.
The total money makeover by Dave Ramsey has proven to be a faith-based and PROVEN plan for financial success for couples.
A wife might as well be surprised by her husband’s coffee habit or obsession with off-brand products.
If you are in debt, use this secret to miraculously dissolve your debt.
Saving for children’s college or retirement, beliefs regarding debt, investments, and savings–all these are important details that many couples overlook during the exciting days of engagement.
Igor-Alexander Ledochowski offers a program that gives clear, straightforward information for the average person on how to manage their finances, instead of living paycheck to paycheck.
Now, as a newlywed, it’s important to start off on the right foot when you talk to your spouse about finances.
Learning and adhering to personal finance basics could help couples not live paycheck to paycheck, and avoid many problems that can creep in later.
Money issues are the number one reason why most married couples have conflicts or fights.
As awkward as discussions of money issues can be, it is advisable to tackle this line of communication early to prevent any misunderstandings along the way in the relationship.
This complete guide to money teaches you how to budget, save, dump debt, and invest.
Come along with me in this article as I explore several important financial advice goals for newly married couples, shared by veteran couples with many years of experience.
Most of the information here comes from my own experience of more than three decades of marriage, interviews, and conversations with like couples.
Also, from Christian personal financial management classes and countless personal finance books that have passed in front of my eyes.
Here are 17 pieces of very valuable financial planning advice for newly married couples.
Every decision you make surrounding money is often based on your values.
Mary Nosuchinsky of Stash Wealth once said that married couples should, “Know what each person is bringing into the marriage, whether “good” or “bad” (salaries, savings, debt, spending habits).
It’s also helpful to talk about how each partner grew up with money.
Preparing a written and zero-based budget is the first and most important step in your financial plan.
In light of the important values you have determined, apportion an amount of money that you will set aside for certain needs every month.
A budget is a plan for every dollar you have. A zero-based budget means that every month you must budget or apportion every single dollar.
A budget is a must for any family aiming for financial freedom and a blessed, happy, and contented life.
Money problems related to insufficient wise financial planning is the cause of most marital stresses.
Based on your net incomes, you must know how much to apportion for your needs and wants every month.
Any budget must cover all your needs and some of your wants.
Basically, the key element is — savings for emergencies and the future.
If dressing professionally is important to you, you may want to use a larger portion for work attire.
If savings and generosity are important to you, then place considerable amounts in savings.
Don’t forget to budget for house and car payments, utilities, groceries, and small daily needs like soap and toilet paper.
The most common monthly expenses to factor into your budget should include housing, transportation, child care, pet care, health, life and car insurance, transportation, savings, debt, cell phone, food, utilities….
You must put into consideration both short term goals (within two years and less) and long term goals (anything more than 2 years) in your budget planning.
There are many budgeting apps specifically designed for couples and the family that allow for tracking of individual expenses as well as shared spending.
Avoid large purchases that would involve going into debt. Learn the ancient art of contentment.
If you can’t afford it, simply live without it.
Avoid borrowing and the use of credit cards.
If you must use a credit card, get one that you could use for all of your expenses, where you get cash rewards/ points/miles, and has the capability to build your credit too.
Your plan and focus should be on how much you can put on your credit card each month with the conviction and discipline to pay it OFF completely every month.
According to Proverbs 22:7: “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.”
Don’t ever get fooled by ‘sale’ prices, discounts, and attractive payment plans.
They are all beautifully decorated ideas that can lead you to spend on wants and not needs and to overspend.
8.// Don’t Spend All The Money You Do Have.
Avoiding debt and living within your means are important first steps to financial wellness as newlyweds.
However, a couple married for forty years shares another important lesson they have learned in marriage: you don’t need to spend every penny you DO have.
When you have leftover money in a cash envelope for the month, it’s not necessary to empty it.
Just count it as an extra donation to your savings account.
9.// Save For Large Purchases.
Savings is an effective and preferred way to achieve those large purchases you’ve been wishing for.
A car, a house, a new roof, and other large purchases require savings, patience, and perseverance.
Save money, a little or as much as you can each month for whatever goal you have in mind, and you will be surprised how quickly the money adds up.
10://Put Money In Long-Term savings.
Arrange with your employer to deduct money from your paycheck before you ever see it.
Direct deposit to savings is a simple way to pay yourself first.
Long term savings accounts are designed for saving over an extended period of time. There are other savings account options that are not as restricted.
This method of savings ensures that you are not tempted to spend the money you should be saving.
Saving is an important way to plan for your future and your family’s future. It requires a lot of discipline on your part, but remember that The Lord is your strength.
11.// Work Hard. Hard Work Pays Off.
Colossians 3:22-24 tells us God’s standards for our employment.
We should work hard “not only when [the boss’s] eye is on you and to curry their favor but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Proverbs 13:4 also links hard work to financial success.
If you are not willing to work diligently, cheerfully, and willingly, don’t expect money to come rolling in.
12.// Remember That Money Is Not The Ultimate.
Although money is critical for survival, it is not the most important thing in the universe.
There are many things more valuable than getting another dollar.
There is no price tag to assess the value of spending time with your children while they are growing.
Investing time helping your elderly parents or neighbors is paramount and priceless.
Listening to a grieving friend is irreplaceable.
Each of these items is more important than money.
Although it’s important to work hard and to save, sometimes other things need to come along too or even come first.
First Timothy 6:10 says, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.”
Jesus had a lot to say about people who loved money more than they loved him. Don’t be that person.
In other words, do not be so engulfed in making money that you neglect other aspects of life that are equally or even more important.
Someone once said that a happy environment attracts good things including money.
13.// Listen To Advice From Older Generations.
A seasoned couple with many years of marriage experience shares lessons learned in marriage.
These short proverbs will help guide you as you start your marriage:
Advice # 1: Pay off your credit cards every month and do not allow debts to accumulate.
Advice # 2: Shop from a list; if it’s not on the list, don’t buy it.
Advice # 3 Always think about big purchases overnight. Don’t buy impulsively.
Go home from the car dealer or furniture store and contemplate overnight if the purchase is warranted, for example.
Morning light often gives clarity to the situation.
There’s nothing wrong with getting financial advice from successful and trustworthy people that are older.
They can also serve as your mentors or accountability partners.
14.// Have An Emergency Fund.
Dave Ramsey and all financial advisers suggest keeping a sum of money that is set aside for emergencies.
Unfortunate situations tend to come around with regularity: emergent care, hospital bills, car breakdowns, appliance problems, roof damage, or even a fire or car crash.
Having an emergency fund will give you more confidence when difficult situations arise.
Dave Ramsey advises at least $1000 emergency fund in a beginner emergency fund and $500 if your income is under $20,000 per year.
According to Dave Ramsey, “A fully-funded emergency fund covers three to six months of expenses.”
Others suggest starting at $500 and adding to it until it gets to three to six month’s worth of expenses.
It’s not possible to know when an emergency will happen, but it is possible to plan ahead for it.
To build your emergency fund quickly, the simple and best principle is to spend less and make more.
You have to make an intentional effort to cut down on your overall average monthly expenses.
It can mean taking lunch to work, cutting off the lattes, going to the grocery store with a list, and avoiding buying anything that is not on the list, cutting down on weekend outings, etc.
This is probably one of the best practical financial advice a newlywed couple can put into practice immediately.
15.// Choose Date Options That Don’t Cost As Much.
While splurging on your relationship as a newlywed couple is a good idea from time to time, try to choose cost-effective date nights whenever possible.
The bottom line is to save money.
Perhaps you could go on a hike, ride a bike, walk by the river, or enjoy a home movie.
Whatever the case, enjoying the simple joys of life FOR NOW can help to save money.
16.// Live By The Old Proverb, “A Penny Saved Is A Penny Earned.”
Another practical financial advice for newlyweds is to SAVE, SAVE, SAVE. What small changes can you make to save money?
Perhaps you could adjust the thermostat by a few degrees. Or change your lighting to fluorescent bulbs.
Or, turn off the shower while lathering. You can also turn off lights when not in use, or let the fresh breeze dry your clothes.
Ride a bike to the store, walk in the neighborhood instead of going to the gym, or cook at home a few more nights a week.
You can sell things that you don’t need or use to make extra money and also declutter your house or apartment.
These options will not only save money but will reduce your carbon footprint on the earth.
17:// Pay Your Tithes and Choose Generosity.
Sometimes, it’s easy to clench our fists and hang onto our carefully-earned money.
But 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 says, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give outside the tithe, however not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
This promise provides endless hope for those who are generous. We tithe as an act of faith. Tithes support the needs of pastors and the work of the local church.
Most wealthy Christians attribute their success to adherence to sound practical financial advice related to tithing and offering.
God is more than able to bless us with all we need, in this life and in the next.
He will give us the resources we need to serve Him and bless others in every good work.
He will take care of us, and we will be fulfilled.
I believe that giving to the Lord should be the number one priority for any believer that understands or has experienced the benefits.
Obedience in paying tithes pleases God. Remember, He is the source.
Malachi 3:10 supports that – paying tithes and giving offerings as instructed are signs of obedience to Christ.
Obedience is better than sacrifice. Tithing is an act of faith.
We prove our love for Christ by obeying His commands.
All that we have belong to God. That should be a motivation for you to be obedient in paying your tithe.
Putting these practical financial advice and tips into practice can help you to stay financially happy.
“A vision without action is just a hallucination.” – Dr. C. Thomas Anderson.
Please do not Procrastinate!
Sending lots of love, blessings, and positivity your way………♥
A Happy and Healthy Relationship that is Good, Sweet, and Long Lasting is Possible!
But they can’t be bought, people have to intentionally make it happen.
The following tips can help you and your partner create and maintain a happy and healthy relationship.
Let’s dive in.
She gazes at a diamond ring through eyes filled with tears of joy and hope.
He stands on the stage, promising to love his new bride with all his heart, for the rest of his life.
As they walk down the aisle amidst cheers of congratulations, the happy couple sees their future spreading before them like the endless sparkling sands of a good tropical paradise.
Crystal waters lap softly on the beach of their life, while palm tree shades them from above.
Life is good; their hopes have come true.
The Disney ideal of “happily ever after” has come to their own doorstep to stay.
But only a few months later, after the newness has worn off, many couples find themselves staring at the sands of their life in confusion.
Most couples begin to wonder if they’ve been dumped on a deserted desert island rather than a tropical seaside resort.
They realize that they packed for a vacation, whereas real relationships are the adventure of a lifetime.
Expecting nothing but fun, happiness, romance, and fulfillment, most have made very few preparations for marriage.
They expected a beach vacation—not a wilderness survival camp.
The good news is that no matter what stage you are at in your relationship, you can always gain new tools and skills.
As a participant in the wilderness survival shows on television, you can still choose the carefully selected tools you will need to brave the white-waters of life with your spouse.
Most happy and healthy relationships have certain characteristics in common.Your relationship can be strong, meaningful, fulfilling and exciting if you understand and practice these basic and proven principles.
As you gain the abilities you need to overcome danger and adversity, you will find joy, even in the most remote and desolate deserts of life.
“When you pursue God’s purpose as a couple, then everything else you value in life – such as happiness, love, and satisfaction – will fall into place.” – Dr. Tony Evans. Kingdom Marriage.
Nine C’s of a Happy and Healthy Relationship are Crucial Resources for Every Couple’s Survival.
Each individual C is a tool for your tool belt as you launch into life’s adventure with your spouse.
1. Commitment
The first C on how to maintain a happy and healthy relationship is Commitment.
No one would survive the wilderness without commitment.
The kind of person who bails after the first stubbed toe or splinter is not the person that would be chosen for these reality shows.
Braving the wilderness requires an unvarnished commitment to continuing to work toward surviving and thriving.
In the same way, good relationships take work, perseverance, and the willingness to stand up under difficult circumstances.
First Corinthians 13:7 says that “love… endures all things.”
The Greek word “hupomeno” means that we experience difficulty with calmness and bravery.
“Tough love” is commonly used to refer to rebuke, discipline, or natural consequences, but it can be used in another way in relationships.
Tough love is a kind of love that is strong, durable, and stands the test of time.
It’s not like dollar-store tableware or a cheap toy that breaks with the first use.
It doesn’t quit or fall apart when the going gets rough and tough.
In the words of a pastor with many years of experience, love must keep “going through times of difficulty with a determination to continue.”
2. Communication is the Second C of a Happy And Healthy Relationship
Imagine what would happen to a team of wilderness survivors if there were no communication.
Food was being carefully rationed, but the team leader forgot to communicate this fact to the other team members.
Imagine the frustration and anger—and danger—that would ensue when the leader discovered that a large proportion of their food had been consumed.
Mike Bechtle said, “Watch for baby elephants in the room. If you let them stay, they’ll get really, really big.”
In other words, the “elephant in the room” starts small, and it is vital to communicate regarding uncomfortable issues before they grow unmanageably large.
The Bible stresses the importance of good communication.
James 1:19 says, “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.” ESV
This verse emphasizes that relationships should provide an environment where each person feels safe.
Friends and spouses should provide a proven track record of listening to each other’s concerns
so that each person feels safe bringing issues into the light in a timely manner.
When communicating, dig a little deeper than you think you have to.
Don’t just tell your partner that you’re upset that he or she never looked up from his or her computer while you were talking to them.
Steve Call encourages people to ponder their frustrations long enough to become aware of past hurts and vulnerabilities that may be making your partner or friend’s behavior seem intolerable to you.
Mentioning these dynamics to trustworthy friends and partners can help communication stay open and honest.
3. Compassion
After you have communicated with your spouse or friend, compassion is critical.
We need to treat the story they have shared with honor and dignity.
Seeing others’ perspectives is critical to successful relationships.
If your friend or spouse shares a personal story or trigger related to their frustration with you, Reject the temptation to say,
“Well, too bad. Get over it. I’m not the person who hurt you.That’s not what I meant.”
Instead, take a moment to see the situation through your spouse’s or friend’s eyes.
Speak with kindness, acceptance, and understanding.
Jesus provided an excellent example of compassion in the way he treated others.
Matthew 9:36 says, “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” NLT
The phrase “moved with compassion” means that Jesus felt compassion in his gut, in his inner being.
Despite his followers’ confusion and helplessness, Jesus loved them deeply.
Your spouse or friend may be confused in their anger and frustration. They may be helpless against the triggers of past pain.
Our reaction should not be anger and hatred. Our reaction should be and should exhibit compassion.
4. Compromise
After you and your friend or spouse have communicated about the reasons behind your frustration and demonstrated empathy and compassion for one another, it is important to find a middle ground.
Consider our example of an individual who experienced visceral fear and abandonment when her friend didn’t look up from her computer.
Communication can lead to compassionate and helpful compromises.
Her friend or partner who was in the middle of a work project on the computer could verbalize; “I am working on an important work project with a deadline.
Could I finish a few more paragraphs? After that, I will give you my undivided attention.”
James 3:17 says that Godly wisdom is ”peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others.”
In the same way, compromising with others’ wishes in relationships is a sign of maturity and wisdom.
5. Courage
Few people have escaped from harm.
In this sin-tainted world, everyone has been a victim of abuse, hurt, betrayal, or harm of some kind.
Especially in cases where a partner has been abused in the past, Dan Allender discusses the intense courage necessary to walk into the “waters of death.”
It takes bravery to wade through the “confusion, suspicion, darkness, and betrayal” that past harm has brought to the relationship.
In an article on the 9Cs of how to maintain a happy and Healthy Relationship, it is appropriate to mention the courage required to wade into the “seas” of darkness and harm in any relationship.
Imagine a survival team that was required to swim through a poisonous chemical spill in order to make it to shore.
Most would do all they could to avoid this difficulty.
But if the chemicals had polluted the only avenue to safe harbor, they must dive in–no matter the cost.
The words, “Love… bears all things” have become almost cliché, rolling off our tongues at weddings or offering catchy words to put on a Teddy bear poster.
But if we take a moment to pause and consider these words from 1 Corinthians 13:7, we realize that they have a deeper meaning.
The word “bears” in Greek means “to cover closely (so as to keep water out).”
Envision yourself carefully covering your struggling friend, or partner with a waterproof jacket as you swim through those sordid waters to bring them safely to the shore.
This act takes courage, a vital element in any successful relationship.
6. Confidence
Another emphasis from 1 Corinthians 13 is that “love believes all things.”
Clearly, God does not encourage us to believe every fragment of information that we find on the internet or every false claim that a deceiving and conniving spouse wants to lead us to believe.
But there is one person that we can believe all the time: God.
“God is the cord that not only keeps you together but also keeps you strong and able to do all He has designed for you to do and enjoy.” -Dr. Tony Evans. Kingdom Marriage
Do we believe that God has the power to heal this relationship?
Also, do we give others the benefit of the doubt, believing their word whenever we can?
Do we have confidence in the other person, trusting that they will resolve this issue to the best of their ability?
Or do we approach the other person with doubt, assumption and suspicion?
A seasoned pastor once said that believing all things means that we “believe all things related to beauty and truth.”
It means “crediting the best motive in each other and directing others to Christ with their sin, believing that anything is possible with the work of God.”
When we support others in this way, we will often experience growth and resolution that we never dreamed possible.
7. Covenant
Poisonous chemicals, starvation, and isolation are tough.
But nothing beats the destructive power of a hurricane.
These deadly storms have the power to rip apart the strongest of buildings.
In life, what will keep your marriage intact during the storms of life?
It is not simply a means of looking for love, happiness, and fulfillment.”
Marriage is a Covenant, not a Contract.
A contract is an agreement made between two parties because they fundamentally distrust one another.
Business partners make contracts with one another to hold each other to their word in case of a disagreement.
Contracts are based on limited liability, seeking to protect one’s self from harm or infringement.
If both parties decide to change the terms of the contract, they can modify it at any time.
A covenant, however, is based on endless trust and security.
It cannot be broken when one of the parties wishes to change the terms.
A marriage covenant is created before God and is permanently indissoluble.
In Malachi 2:14, ESV, God mourns the broken marriage covenants of his people:
“The LORD was witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant.”
God takes marriage covenants seriously because he takes His own covenants seriously.
The covenant God made to Israel – ie -US could not be broken, even when Israel wished to desert God and follow other lovers.
Startlingly, God could not even break His own covenant, even when it cost Him endless pain and betrayal.
Centuries later, He still holds out His promise of love to His chosen people.
The New Covenant, won through Jesus’ blood, welcomes trusting sinners into a relationship with Him.
He is their husband, and they are His beloved and beautiful bride.
God emphasizes to us that He will never abandon us or break His covenant.
The God that created us wants a marriage relationship to be a reenactment of His powerful covenant to us.
8. Companionship
Can you imagine the difficulty of surviving in a vast wilderness—alone?
All you have is yourself, your gear, and the wide-open sky full of danger and promise.
Now imagine that even one friend joins you in your survival experience.
A friend who encourages you, supports you, laughs with you, spends time with you, and lifts your spirits when the going gets tough.
In any human endeavor, companionship is key.
Humans were created by God to live in relationships with one another.
In his book, Reconnect, Steve Call makes this memorable statement: “Play together to stay together.”
His prescription for marital struggles is playing together three times a week for ten minutes.
Playing could involve sitting together to drink coffee and watch the sun go down.
It could involve watching a movie, going on a bike ride, giving a simple hug, or talking about things that are mutually enjoyable.
Even though relationships are hard, the difficulty doesn’t have to have the final word.
Make time to enjoy your spouse or friend. Play together.
Provide companionship.
9. Caring Shines Like the Sun
The last of the Nine C’s on how to maintain a happy and healthy relationship.
Caring shines like the sun peeking out from behind storm clouds.
Make time to enjoy your spouse or friend. Play together.
Caring is the sweet rainbow after the rain, but it can be overlooked.
To know that someone cares about you is one of the most powerfully motivating forces in the universe.
Life can be tough sometimes, and it’s easy to throw up our hands in despair:
“I don’t even care,” we may grunt.
When storms beat through our desert island and destroy the Hollywood dreams we once had, it’s easy to become cynical, cold, and calculating.
“Like I cared,” we snort to the broken pieces of our dreams, floating out to sea.
That’s when the powerful words, “I care,” become so crucial.
Do you Even Know What it Takes to Make Your Relationship Last Long?
Every long term happy marriage has secrets to their success and what has kept them together.
While some couples enter their marriage relationship with starry eyes and rosy glasses, others enter with a bleakly realistic fear:
“What if our marriage falls apart? What if we don’t have what it takes to stick it out?”
With marriage relationships falling apart left and right and warm and devoted marriages disintegrating before our very eyes, we need words of advice, guidance, and strength.
We need to gain skills for endurance and going the distance.
What makes the difference? What helps some people weather the storms of life and stay strong long term?
Ever wondered – what are the secrets to a long-lasting relationship?
In this post, we will examine some important life lessons for building long-lasting marriage relationships.
Let’s have a look at twelve of the best things people (including myself – 34 years of marriage) who have stayed together for the longest share as perhaps, some of the secrets to their long-lasting relationships.
Let’s explore some great advice for a strong, happy, and enduring relationship.
Sherry Turkle explains that smartphones, computers, and technology have taken the place of much-needed personal conversation that is so vital to healthy relationships.
we can be sucked into the trend to outsource our thinking, our information storage, and recall, our memories, our information processing, and our philosophy to digital devices.
In fact, instead of taking time to fully digest our multi-sensory experiences with our spouse, we often short-change the experience by focusing only on taking a picture to later post on social media.
Instead of using our own minds to store, process, and retrieve our memories about our spouses,
we rely on the crutch of social media to remind us of memories and anniversaries.
Similarly, instead of spending time conversing about our day, developing new hobbies together,
or responding to one another’s bid for attention, we spend time scrolling endlessly through social media feeds or online news and shopping.
The writer of Ecclesiastes, despite his tone of darkness and despair, had a lot to say about the importance of treasuring each and every moment that God gives us here on earth.
He often reminded readers that life is uncertain; tragedy and calamities come, and death is sure.
In light of this, he advised, alternatively to,
“Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun–all your meaningless days.
For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun.”
Ecclesiastes advised his audience to treasure the simple pleasures of daily life.
Don’t allow the marvels of a smiling face, a fading sunset, or a nuanced expression of tenderness be lost under a pile of addictive, stressful, and never-ending tweets, likes, comments, and headlines.
Sherry Turkle suggests creating “sacred spaces—the living room, the dining room, the kitchen, the car—that are device-free.”
However, you choose to apply this principle, remember that boundaries on technology are a very important part of a relationship that can go the distance.
#2. Be Prepared For Difficulty
It is important to understand that marriage may not be easy.
Jesus says that “in this world, you will have tribulation.”
Hebrews 10:36 says, “So do not throw away your confidence; it holds a great reward.”
Although you prepare for the worst, you must enter your marriage relationship with hope, confidence, optimism, and the power of imagination.
Paul Tripp says that the spiritual “power of imagination” is the confidence that allows us to envision leaves, flowers, and fruit on a dry, dead, winter tree.
The power of imagination allows us to dream of business goals that we later make a reality.
Similarly, the power of imagination helps us see that no matter the current or pending difficulty, God is always at work in our spouse’s life.
Even in times of difficulty, we can work on “believing that anything is possible with the work of God.” (Pastor H, Kansas)
Tim Keller in his renowned book “The meaning of Marriage” encourages spouses to use their spiritual imagination to get excited about what God is doing in their partner’s life.
He says, “Look at another person and get a glimpse of what God is creating, and to say,
‘I see who God is making you, and it excites me! I want to be part of that. I want to partner with you and God in the journey you are taking to His throne.’
And when we get there, I will look at your magnificence and say, “I always knew you could be like this.
Always approach your marriage with hope in the fact that God is; “able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.” -Ephesians 3:20
#4. Practice Steadfast (Hesed) Love
Make Jesus Christ, the first and last and best in everything.
Throughout the Bible, God refers to His love for His people as “hesed.”
Hesed love means love, loyalty, or steadfast mercy.
It refers to a covenant love that never, ever gives up on the beloved.
Paul Miller says that “Hesed is one-way love.
It encompasses love commitment without an exit strategy.
When you love with hesed love, you bind yourself to the object of your love no matter what the response is…” (The Loving Life by Paul Miller)
Hesed love is the type of love that will keep your relationship going for the long term.
#5. Find And Stay With A Congregation That Will Support You
You need a strong body of genuine believers that will come alongside and help you through those tough patches.
They will help you see blind spots, guide you in times of difficulty, and encourage you when times are tough.
The body of Christ provides accountability and helps keep you on track with your relationship with your spouse and with God.
Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Spiritual fellowship helps you avoid placing all your emotional weight on your spouse, which creates an impossible burden to bear.
Find solace in friends, mentors, accountability partners, pastors, and teachers.
The Body of Christ is an important key to developing courage and perseverance for the long haul.
#6. Develop Relationships With Older Mentors
Proverbs 27:10 says, “Never abandon a friend— either yours or your father’s.”
This verse implies that we gain strength and wisdom from learning to know people our own age and our parents’ age.
Seek out an older couple who has an exemplary, happy, and long marriage and explore what has kept them together.
Ask them to share with you the secrets of how to stay strong long term.
Learn from their marriage advice and wisdom and follow their example.
They may even be able to give you practical advice for the specialized situations you experience with your spouse.
#7. Don’t Ignore Your Spouse’s “Bids” For Attention
In his book, Reconnect, Steve Call, Ph.D. says that couples are constantly sending out “bids” for attention.
Like a slight nose-scratch or cough from a bidder at an auction, some of these bids are subtle and hard to notice.
Nonetheless, spouses are constantly asking one another for connection in small ways.
For example, if they hint at going out to eat, taking a walk, chatting about the day, or playing a board game,
make sure you don’t brush off this small invitation.
Notice their “bid” for attention and respond with kindness.
By any chance, if you’re not available right then, make sure you schedule another time when the two of you could connect.
If you make a habit of dismissing or ignoring your spouse’s bids, she or he may stop asking, and your relationship will suffer.
#8. Focus On “Crock Pot Relationships” Instead Of “Instant Microwave Relationships.”
In our culture of instant availability, it’s easy to assume that following a few steps, pressing a few buttons, and learning a few “hacks” can help you develop a successful marriage.
However, relationships are one thing that never develops instantly.
No matter how quickly you may have fallen in love, “love at first sight” doesn’t ensure that your relationship will progress easily and automatically.
Mike Bechtle says, “There are no shortcuts to maturity.
There are no shortcuts to healthy relationships. Maturity takes time.”
#9. Face Shame And Contempt Head On
According to Dan Allender, “a loyal commitment to a zero-contempt relationship” is one of the most critical elements in any marriage.
Especially when there has been vulnerability or hurt in the life of one spouse, a no-contempt rule is critical.
Dan Allender goes on, “No matter the issue, no matter its importance, contempt must be viewed as dangerous as lighting a match to look into a gas tank.”
In order to understand contempt, we need to also examine the shame in our lives.
Shame is the fear of disconnection and abandonment that stems from our belief about who we are as a person.
When we feel shame, we often turn to contempt to distract us from those feelings of abandonment and disconnection.
Instead of learning to feel secure in our identity, we blame someone near us or show contempt for ourselves.
#10. Don’t Allow Conflicts To Gridlock
The Gottman Institute provides excellent food for thought when it says that in some conflicts,
resolution is not necessarily possible in the way we traditionally think of it.
Solvable conflicts are simple logistical challenges or differences of opinion that can be fixed by discussing them.
Unsolvable problems, however, are clashes between personalities or values that will come up over and over ago and will never truly go away.
Some couples work endlessly to try to solve these problems, running themselves into corners, becoming defensive, being angry, or shutting down.
John Gottman, Ph.D suggests approaching these issues with continuing dialogue.
He recommends “humor, affection, and even amusement, to actively cope with the unresolvable problems,
You may think that all of life is going to be an upward of success and victory.
However, Jesus calls us to the life of death, self-sacrifice, and love that he demonstrated while he was on earth.
Ephesians 5 specifically says that husbands are called love with self-sacrificial, dying love.
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her.” Ephesians 5:25
In his book, J-Curve, Paul Miller emphasizes that dying with Christ is a big part of life.
We admire Jesus’ sacrificial love so much that we actually re-enact it daily.
Practice sacrificial love that is enveloped in the mutual respect that promotes your shared values.
This is a great virtue that can serve as a bedrock of any relationship.
Respect is the bedrock of any solid relationship. It’s impossible for any relationship to thrive without RESPECT.
Like the residents of Medicine Lodge, Kansas, who re-enact a historic peace treaty in a monumental pageant every three years, we are called to re-enact Jesus’ life of sacrificial love—not every three years, but every day.
“When you realize that death is at the center of love, it is quietly liberating.
Instead of fighting the death that comes with love, you embrace what your Father has given you. A tiny resurrection begins in your heart.”—Paul Miller
Intimacy should be emotional, mental, and physical closeness and not just sexual.
You must always make time to connect intimately.
This type of intimacy is a feeling that is much more deeper and solid than a romantic feeling. This is one marriage advice all couples in long term relationships agree to be one of their secrets.
Whether your marriage is hanging by a thread or healthy and strong, The Love Dare is a journey you need to take. You will learn the keys to finding true intimacy and developing a dynamic marriage.
#12. Regain Perspective As A Couple
When you start your marriage, it is important to create habits and rituals of connection.
Take time to regain perspective as a couple!
It’s important to think through your schedules, priorities, weekly events, and check-ins.
However, it is equally important to reevaluate those goals, rituals, and habits often as the years pass.
Don’t just get into a habit and continue with it for 20 years without taking a step back to see if those routines are still necessary.
Periodically review your goals, values, habits, and customs.
See if these rituals are working for you and evaluate whether you should change them or add new ones.
Although routines are important, ruts are not always helpful.
Make sure to check in from time to time to make sure you are still on the same page.
Life isn’t easy, and marriage is not for the faint of heart.
With these proven secrets to a long-lasting marriage relationship under your belt, you will gain the perspective, courage, and endurance that you need.
They will help you learn how to stay strong and intentional and long-term in your “Kingdom Marriage“.
Secrets To A Long Marriage Relationship: Words To Live By Everyday:
You can post these words where you can see them often.
Remembering them will help you and your partner to maintain a happy marriage that can withstand the most associated challenges.
-PATIENCE.
-UNCONDITIONAL LOVE.
-FORGIVENESS
-KINDNESS.
-PERSEVERANCE.
-RELENTLESS.
-INTENTIONAL.
-MOTIVATED.
-COMPASSION.
-INTIMACY.
-GRATEFUL.
-MERCY.
-GRACE.
-MEEKNESS.
-COURAGE.
-HONESTY.
-RESPECT.
-TRUST.
-EMPATHY.
-FOCUSED.
-POSITIVE EMOTIONS.
As Always, Just hang on tight. Do Your best and leave the rest to a Faithful God. STAY BLESSED……
Sometimes, you may find you need some uplifting words that can brighten your day.
You may need reflective words or words of wisdom – an uplifting quote that can bring about a much-needed change or pull you in a better and more positive direction.
Find a comfortable spot like this to reflect on these words.
It is my prayer that they would help you in a remarkable way along your journey to better relationship experiences and to encourage you to stay sensitive and intentional.
Here we go, the best uplifting inspirational quotes to brighten your day.
“We tend to forget that happiness doesn’t come as a result of getting something we don’t have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.” -Frederick Keonig
“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.” – Helen Keller
♥“A happy marriage is a long conversation which always seems too short.” -Andre Maurois
♥“The real act of marriage takes place in the heart, not in the ballroom or church or synagogue. It’s a choice you make – not just on your wedding day, but over and over again – and that choice is reflected in the way you treat your husband or wife.” -Barbara De Angelis
“Kindness has no religion. Religions are like narrow tracks, but kindness is like an open sky.” – Amit Ray
“Every morning when I get up, I ask God what he wants me to do, ask Him to lead me to the right people to help them.”– Richard Simmons
“Patience is the calm acceptance that things can happen in a different order than the one you have in mind.” – David G. Allen
♥“Let the wife make the husband glad to come home, and let him make her sorry to see him leave.” – Martin Luther
“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experiences of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved.” – Helen Keller
♥“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.It does not dishonor others, it is not 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 protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. -1st. Corinthians 13; 3-7 NLT
“Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can’t lose” – Bill Gates
“Love is of all passions the strongest, for it attacks simultaneously the head, the heart, and the senses.” – Lao Tzu
“When you love someone, the best thing you can offer is your presence. How can you love if you are not there?” -Thich Nhat Hanh
♥“If love cannot stand the test of time, then it has failed the test of love.” – Bernard Byer
“What I write comes from a place of deep love, and a deep understanding of all kinds of otherness.” – Jacqueline Woodson
♥ “Love is not finding someone to live with. It’s finding someone you can’t live without.” – Rafael Ortiz
“When God puts love and compassion in your heart toward someone, He’s offering you an opportunity to make a difference in that person’s life. You must learn to follow that love. Don’t ignore it. Act on it. Somebody needs what you have.”― Joel Osteen,Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential♥” True love is eternal, infinite, and always like itself. It is equal and pure, without violent demonstrations: it is seen with white hairs and is always young in the heart.” -Honore de Balzac
“Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down”. – Oprah Winfrey
“Love is begun by time, And time qualifies the spark and fire of it.” – Shakespeare
“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” – Henry Ford
♥“What counts in making a happy marriage is not so much how compatible you are, but how you deal with incompatibility.” -Leo Tolstoy
“When you face adversity, you need to remind yourself that whatever is trying to defeat you could very well be what God will use to promote you.” ― Joel Osteen,Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential
♥“Love is everything it’s cracked up to be. It really is worth fighting for, being brave for, risking everything for.” – Erica Jong
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.” – Proverbs 1:7 NKJV
♥“Great marriages don’t happen by luck or by accident. They are the result of a consistent investment of time, thoughtfulness, forgiveness, affection, prayer, mutual respect, and a rock-solid commitment between a husband and a wife.” – Dave Willis
♥“Marriage is sharing your life with your best friend, enjoying the journey along the way, and arriving at every destination together – Fawn Weaver
“Quit worrying about how everything is going to turn out. Live one day at a time; better yet, make the most of this moment. It’s good to have a big–picture outlook, to set goals, to establish budgets, and make plans, but if you’re always living in the future, you’re never really enjoying the present in the way God wants you to.”― JoelOsteen,Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential.
♥“A marriage cannot survive when we think only of ourselves. We need to recognize that to love someone is a choice, not a feeling. – Christin Slade
♥“He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.” –Proverbs 18:22
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16 NKJV
“Think before you speak. In the heat of the moment. It’s easy to say something you’ll later regret.” – Dr. Anil Kumar Sinha
“Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” – 1 John 4:11 NKJV
“Your desire to succeed should be driven by the need to fulfill your God-given purpose and not attract the praise of men.” –Tolu Thomy
“Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be and embracing who we are.”– Brene Brown
“Let your past make you better, not bitter.” -Unknown
♥“Whencouplesfocus on remaining two while God is seeking to create oneness in them, they are inadvertently working against His purpose.” – Dr. Tony Evans
“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Words travel far more than we can ever reach across hearts and live longer than we can ever live on earth and as such, should be spoken with a lot of goodness in them.” – Terry Mark
“Be sure to taste all of your words before you spit them out.”– Unknown
“Think twice before you speak, because your words and influence will plant the seed of either success or failure in the mind of another.” – Napoleon Hill
“Purpose is that power that will propel you to get out of bed in the morning and push you to make your dreams come true.” – Unknown
“Never underestimate the power to change you.” – Walter Ngele
♥“I have known many happy marriages, but never a compatible one. The whole aim of marriage is to fight through and survive the instant when incompatibility becomes unquestionable.” – G.K. Chesterton
“Sin and Hell are married unless repentance proclaims the divorce.” — Spurgeon
“The truth carries a weight that no lie can counterfeit.” –John Hagee
“Today, if you arefeeling overwhelmed,Jesus Christ is the rock who is high above your circumstance.” – Joel Osteen
“Righteous bumper provides motivationto push through difficulties.” – Dr. Charles Stanley
“Attacking the successful does not delete your failure.”– Dr. Pastor Paul Enenche
“Time changes, but truth never change.” – Unknown
“Children of today, there’s no benefit in rebellion.” – Dr. Pastor Paul Eneche
“Favor is the secret to uncommon blessings. Favor is the difference between your present and your future.” – Prophet Nanasei Sarkodie
“No matter what the matter is, you will matter when it matters most.” – Dr. Chris Okafor
“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, all play and no work makes Jack a poor boy.” -Unknown
“Dwelling on negative thoughts is like fertilizing weeds.” – Normal Vincent Peale
“When you appreciate the insignificant, you attract the significant.” – Skip Prichard
“Stop being jealous of people in their winning season. You don’t know what they lost in their losing season.” – Unknown
“Failure in education is not a failure in life. Failure is by determination.” – Unknown
“What you believe is what you become.” – Unknown
♥Where you go, I’ll go, where you stay, I’ll stay. – Ruth 1:16
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. – Deuteronomy 31:8
“We are most grateful for life’s mountain tops when we have experienced life’s valleys” – Skip Prichard
“I want peace, happiness, not only for myself, for everybody.”– Fela Kuti
“It is better to be a fool for Christ than a hero for the world for the times of the world will pass away, but the blessings of Christ will endure forever.” – Pastor John Hagee
“You are creative, you are alive, you are the stuff life is made of. What else could possibly matter?” – Iyanla Vanzant
“Don’t you dare allow personal fear to limit what God will do in your life.” – Pastor Mathew Hagee
♥“What makes a marriage strong is loving with a biblical love grounded in patience, kindness, loyalty, grace, and more, which is in alignment with God’s covenantal purpose for marriage“. – Dr. Tony Evans
“Five Daily Reminders: 1. You only fail if you quit 2. Everyone’s journey is different 3. Things always get better with time. 4. The past cannot be changed 5. Happinessis found within” – Unknown
“The man who is powerful FEARS nothing; not even God. The powerful man loves God, but FEARS him never! Enduring power never grows out of FEAR. Any power that is built upon FEAR is bound to crumble and disintegrate. Understand this great truth and you will never be so unfortunate as to raise yourself to power through the FEARS of other people who may owe you temporary allegiance.” – Napoleon Hill
“Nothing works unless it originates from God.”– Unknown
♥“Love is like a friendship caught on fire. In the beginning a flame, very pretty, often hot and fierce, but still only light and flickering. As love grows older, our hearts mature and our love becomes as coals, deep-burning, and unquenchable.” – Bruce Lee
“Life is about keys when you have a key, you don’t knock, you open the door.” – Archbishop Nick Duncan-Williams
“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” – Walt Disney
♥ “If you can’t do anything about it, then let it go. Don’t be a prisoner to things you can’t change.” – Tony Gaskins
♥ “God never said that the journey would be easy, but He did say that the arrival would be worthwhile” – Max Lucado
“God will meet you where you are in order to take you where He wants you to go.” – Dr. Tony Evans
♥ “Remember who you are. Don’t compromise for anyone, for any reason. You are a child of the Almighty God. Live that truth.” – Lysa Terkeurst
“If you can’t fly, then run, If you can’t run, then walk, If you can’t walk, then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.” –Martin Luther King Jr.
“Our greatest fear should not be of failure but of succeeding at things in life that don’t really matter.” – Francis Chan
“The Christian life is not a constant high. I have my moments of deep discouragement. I have to go to God in prayer with tears in my eyes, and say, ‘O God, forgive me,’ or ‘Help me.’” – Billy Graham
“There is a reason the windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror. Your future matters more than your past.” – Max Lucado
“Your potential is the sum of all the possibilities God has for your life.” – Charles Stanley
“The greater your knowledge of the goodness and grace of God on your life, the more likely you are to praise Him in the storm.” – Matt Chandler
“The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; and, he will exult over you with loud singing.” –Zephaniah 3:17
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” – Deuteronomy 31:6
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” –Matthew 11:28
“God is love. He didn’t need us. But he wanted us. And that is the most amazing thing.” – Rick Warren
♥“Christian marriage does not exist for the benefit of the two people in the marriage; it is for the benefit of the world, that God would be glorified in it. The main purpose of marriage is not the enjoyment of the two people who are married, the main purpose of marriage is to glorify Christ as we participate in the mission of God.” -Tim Suttle
Biblical Caution
Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. Philippians 2:4 NLT
“Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.”-Galatians 6:2 NLT
“Don’t befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people, or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul.” – Proverbs 22: 24-25 NLT
“Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.” – 1 Corinthians 15:33
“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it, is like wrapping a present and not giving it. – William Ward
“The opposite of love is not hatred; it’s indifference.” -Elie Wiesel
For Husbands
The Christlike husband is not supposed to be mean, harsh, provoke, or ill-treat their wives.
They are to love their wives as they love their own bodies. Would anyone ever harm their own bodies?
Be patient with your wife. Women go through some emotions that are peculiar to them, sometimes we do not understand it ourselves.
As her first responder, instead of being nonchalant, be kind and understanding. It takes very little or few gestures to please a woman.
You will progress more if your wife is 100% on your team. You are the head of the household, stay proactive, focused, and intentional, and do all you can to keep your home moving in the right direction.
If you become passive and the wife takes over, please don’t complain and call her liberated and disrespectful.
You cannot hold your wife to a standard or accountability that you will not hold yourself to as well.
♥“In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church.” – Ephesians 5:28 NIV
♥“Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.” – Colossians 3:19 NIV
♥ “Husbands, in the same way, be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them withrespect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.” – 1 Peter 3:7 NIV
“As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” – Proverbs 27:17
“Home is where everyone comes for respite and rest, but if a home environment does not provide the love that children need, then they will seek it elsewhere. ” – Nicoline Ambe, Being Dad
The kingdom wifeis supposed to respect (reverence) their husband.
They are expected to control their emotions and not nag, belittle, insult, talk negatively or gossip about their husbands, or bring them shame by the way they live at home or in the community.
Some men like to be respected for their intelligence and physical strength.
Hey ladies, if all it takes for him to be the kingdom man you want is to respect his intelligence and physical strength andboost his ego from time to time? Please, by all means, do it!
♥However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. – Ephesians 5:33 NIV
“I love you not only for what you are but for what I am when I am with you.” – Roy Croft
♥“Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.” –Proverbs 31:11-12 NLT
♥“She speaks withwisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.” – Proverbs 31:26-27 NIV
“Compassion is like a mother giving love to her children. Mother’s ways are higher than others, even when everyone rejects, mother accepts with her arms open and wide.” -Amit Ray
“When I am frustrated with my husband and feel like giving up on us, I have two choices. One: I can choose love and work on my marriage or, two: I can choose to love and work on my marriage.” -Darlene Schacht
“For our home to be a refuge it needs to be a place where love, compassion, and patience prevail.” – Allan Lokos,Patience: The Art of Peaceful Living
Encouragement
♥ Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. – Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
♥ Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? – Ecclesiastes 4:11
♥“You don’t fall into love. You commit to it. Love is saying ‘I will be there no matter what.’” -Tim Keller
♥ So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.– 1 Thessalonians 5:11
♥For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them. – Matthew 18:20
♥As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. – Proverbs 27:17
♥“Conflicts are not a sign you’ve married the wrong person. They simply affirm you are human.” -Dr. Gary Chapman
Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. – Hebrews 10:24-25
“Your mind is the only thing you can control exclusively. Don’t give it away too freely through useless arguments.” – Napoleon Hill
“Excellence is the best deterrent to racism or sexism.” – Oprah Winfrey
♥“Love is supposed to be based on trust, and trust on love, it’s something rare and beautiful when people can confide in each other without fearing what the other person will think.” – E.A. Bucchianeri
“And now these three remain faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.” -1 Corinthians 13:13
Do you have a favorite quote you would like to share? Please let me know in the comments.
Please don’t forget to share! Get your free printable version of quotes below.
Sending lots of Blessings, Love & Positivity your Way…………♥
Attention: You must take conscious control of your brain if you want to be successful. It’s about time to develop a winning mindset. Watch this video to the end to improve your mindset NOW.
Having some stress in your life is natural, but too much is bad for you.
It doesn’t matter where we find ourselves on our journey in life, whether it’s our career or our personal endeavors, we all deal with stress every single day.
We all have experienced and will sometime experience some levels of stress and anxiety.
The good news is that we don’t have to let them control our lives.
Your stomach is twisted up in knots. It’s late at night, but you can’t sleep.
The uncertainty and the roller coaster of current events have kept you hopping, always on your toes.
Any hopes you may have had for family bonding or project completion during stay-at-home orders have worn off, and you’re just plain tired of the constant challenges.
It’s not fun anymore: Not knowing if you’re going back to church, not knowing if your kids will go back to school, not knowing if you will have a job.
Uncertainty gnaws at your soul like a rodent gnawing away inside a wall: You know it’s there, but you can’t quite get to it.
It’s difficult to relax because you don’t have an idea about what is going to happen next.
If you tune in to your over tired body, your frazzled mind, and your tense soul, you will realize that finding a way to relax is of utmost importance—even if it’s hard.
We have dozens of causes of stress and anxiety, but we need to learn how to let go and unwind.
Finding natural ideas for stress and anxiety relief is a priority.
#1. Take A Break From Social Media To Relieve Stress And Anxiety
This idea might seem simplistic, but you might be surprised to realize how much of your stress and anxiety sprouts from the constant conflicts and comparison traps in the social media world.
Anxiety heightens as you wait to see if your beautiful photo, witty saying, or meaningful video will be approved and “liked” by friends and acquaintances.
Romans 1:20-21 says that nature reveals God’s character:
“For His invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived… in the things that have been made.…Although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking…”
These verses explain that the physical world reflects and illuminates God’s character.
These 3-minute meditations will teach you the number one secret to have more peace, tranquility, and balance in your life.
It reveals the 3 most common barriers you are facing that are stopping you from getting the peace of mind and anxiety-free living that you deserve.
Observing God’s attributes, shown in nature, actually clears your thinking and keeps your mind from turning down futile, dark, anxious paths.
Aim to spend quiet time in nature for at least two minutes a day. If it’s impossible to go outside, open the window screen and lean out into the fresh air.
Let the wind caress your cheek. Tune in to the sounds of birds, wind, traffic, or dogs barking.
Allow your senses to tell you about the texture of the grass beneath your bare feet or the velvet petal of a rose.
Smell the fresh, fragrant air after a rain.
Taste a ripe fruit from your garden. As you relax, ponder what you see of God in nature.
Have you thought about His kindness in providing you with these beautiful experiences? Or, do you see His power in creating the farthest star and the tiniest DNA?
Do you see His faithfulness in bringing the sun over the horizon every morning?
Maybe you feel His renewing power as you see new flowers and sprouts breaking out of the ground.
As you ponder God’s character, take time to thank Him.
Thanking God for His character, revealed in nature, keeps our minds from dark paths (Romans 1:20-21).
Appreciation of God’s character and reliance on HIS sovereignty is a stress reliever.
#3. Spend Time With Animals
Stroking the soft hair of a velvety rabbit, feeling a loving kitty rub his head against your leg,
seeing your loyal puppy smiling up at you—these are gentle reminders of the benefit of spending time with animals.
God created animals to provide service and companionship to humans.
Scientists agree that animals can quickly cause your stress levels to plummet.
So, get out there and pet your dog!
If you don’t own a pet, contact your local Humane Society and see if they have a Dog’s Day Out Program.
Dog’s Day Out programs connect local people with a stressed and lonely dog from the shelter and allow them to take the dog on an adventure to a park or home.
In this way, locals who don’t have money or time to devote to a pet can enjoy the therapeutic and relaxing benefits of spending time with an animal.
If dogs are not your thing, contact a local horse therapy organization and discover what horses can reveal about fear, confidence, and healing.
Studies show that playing with or petting animalscan increase levels of the stress-reducing hormone oxytocin and decrease the production of the stress hormone cortisol.
#4. Find Ways To Connect With Other People
During the COVID-19 epidemic, we have to be more creative in seeking ways to build relationships with others.
Even though it’s difficult, it’s still possible to connect with people. If your State allows it, invite neighbors to sit outside, six feet apart, under the shade of a tree.
Watch the sun illuminate your space as it slowly sinks below the horizon.
Experience the embodied joy of hand gestures, smiles, eye contact, and connection—elements of a relationship that can only be fully enjoyed in person.
British scientists have shown that people experience more endorphins, or feel-good hormones when they see a smiling face than when they receive a large sum of money.
Smiles are in short supply now that masks often cover the lower half of people’s faces.
If needed, resort to Zoom, Skype, or Face Time to get one-on-one interaction. Find ways to share smiles, air hugs, and meaningful interpersonal conversation.
Bask in the simple joys of life to get relief from stress and anxiety.
#5. Meditate On God’s Word
God commands us to meditate on His word. Much stress and anxiety could be relieved by meditation.
In Joshua 1:6-9, sandwiched between three exhortations to be strong and courageous, God commands Joshua to “meditate on it [God’s word] day and night.”
A simple way to meditate is to find a Bible promise book, choose a promise, and think about it constantly for two to five minutes.
Ponder on God’s word. You will get relief from stress and anxiety almost immediately.
Nicholas Carr and Curt Thompson emphasize that when we think about something repetitively, our brains create stronger neural pathways.
Like a rut that is worn by continual travel, we wear ruts in our brains. Whatever we think about over and over form repetitive neural ruts in our minds.
When our mind is on neutral, we repeat the same thoughts that we’ve thought so many times before.
For Bible meditation, this is very good news. The more you think about and ponder the word of God, the more your brain will begin to build new pathways that you can more easily fall back on.
Choose a verse, like Psalm 62:1-2: “For God alone, my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.”
Or Psalm 91: 1-3: “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I trust Him.
For He will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease.”
Turn it over and over in your mind. Let your mind ponder and let your heart connect emotionally with the Lord.
Drift to waiting silently on Him. Think about how He is your rock, a fortress, and a place of safety.
Think about this for two to five minutes—or longer if you can. You will be surprised at how calm you feel afterward.
#6. Try A Cuddle Swing
Originally designed for people with autism or special sensory needs, cuddle swings are a tremendously calming tool for any person of any age.
It offers yet another chance to get outside in the fresh air and listen to the birds and the insects singing in the balmy summer afternoon.
Plus, fresh vegetables and fruit are added rewards.
#8. Prayer
Philippians 4:6-7 tells us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
When we feel out of control, talking to God reminds us that there is someone, a higher power who is perfectly capable of handling our desperate situation.
Antidepressants and other mood enhancers are being prescribed at a higher rate than ever before and some people do rely on them for their benefits.
Millions of people around the world rely on their faith for stress management. They can go straight to God with no waiting in line, no prescription, absolutely free access when they are stressed and get protection and relief.
Faith implies that we trust and believe in God, with an unshakable hope that He has a better plan or agenda for our lives.
When we have that assurance, we are able to align our thoughts to things that matter most with a better sense of purpose.
Prayer and faith are my best stress reduction techniques!
“As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in your commands.” (Psalm 119:143)
#9. Gratefulness
Stress and anxiety and gratefulness cannot coexist.
Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us that we will feel peace guarding our hearts and minds when we give thanks to God.
But did you know that science says the same thing? Jerusha Clark says, “Don’t worry; instead, thank God; then you get peace.
That sounds great, but is it really practical? Yes, especially with this keepsake.
Yes! Brain research clearly shows that anxiety and gratitude are mutually exclusive neural pathways.
Physiologically, you cannot be anxious and grateful at the same time…During active appreciation, the threatening messages from your…fear center…are cut off, suddenly and surely, from access to your brain’s neocortex…
It is a fact of neurology that the brain cannot be in a state of appreciation and a state of fear at the same time. The two states may alternate, but are mutually exclusive.”
What an amazing Creator God we serve! Why not take time to thank God for three things right now?
You will notice how your stress level reduces and you develop more concentration with each inhalation and exhalation.
#11. Exercise
Exercise is an important way of managing stress and anxiety naturally. Make sure to get some heart-pumping aerobic exercise.
Stretch and let your tense muscles loosen.
Release stress, gain emotional strength and nurture stronger relationships with this 7-minute regimen.
Take a walk outdoors and get your lymph, blood, and energy flowing.
Release tension and stress as you get your body moving.
Even though it’s hard to get up off the couch, you will find that you don’t regret it when you add stress exercises to your daily regimen.
Yoga is another form of physical, mental and spiritual practices that professes harmony in the body, mind, and environment. Many Yoga enthusiasts believe that a combination of the physical poses, controlled breathing, and relaxation techniques help to reduce stress, lower heart rate and blood pressure.
Progressive Yoga can be The Map, Torch, and Compass through your Stress.
They say that exercising for 30 minutes per day is one of the best things you can do for both your mind and your body.
Not only does it help you keep fit, but it also gets the blood pumping around in your body.
While you’re doing exercises, there are chemicals being released from your brain that can elevate your mood.
#12. Sunshine
When John Denver said, “Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy…Sunshine almost always makes me high,” he was on to something.
The beautiful light of the sun is another one of God’s provisions to bring peace and hope to dark days.
Sunshine not only gives us Vitamin D – a prohormone that promotes healthy bones and teeth and supports the immune system*, but it also increases our brain’s production of feel-good chemicals. Can you get outside in the sunshine today?
This sounds like the simplest but also the hardest thing to do!
Identify the stressors that may trigger your stress. You can record your triggers in this journal.
They may be recent conditions or they could have been there all along.
We need to focus on developing or creating habits to keep things on track and stay on top of our game.
Resisting procrastinating and staying true to self are ways to prevent stress before they creep up. I call them staying on track anti stress strategies.
#16. Cut Down On Caffeine
Caffeine is a stimulant found in tea, coffee, energy drinks, and some soft drinks.
It is a known fact that the ingestion of high levels of caffeine can make some people be anxious and jittery while some people tolerate it better.
If you are very sensitive to caffeine to the extent that certain quantities increase your stress and anxiety levels, then you need to either cut it off or reduce the quantity and strength of it that you consume.
An alternative to coffee is Yerba Mate if you can’t stay away from caffeine.
It gives the same effects as coffee but is also packed with amazing beneficial nutrients.
It comes in a variety of flavors. This organic brand has very good reviews and is very reasonably priced.
#17. Self Care And Self Compassion
1 Peter 5:7 – “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”
God never promised us that we would be immune to the troubles and cares of this world.
His word and the Holy Spirit, however, provide cushions for a safe landing.
Whenever you do feel like you are stressed or anxious, a good way to cope is to have a routine that will help you focus on stress management techniques.
Focus on self-care but more especially on soul care. It is very important for us to be strong in our faith and in the word so that we would be equipped to withstand any trials and situations that come our way.
The moment we understand that our bodies naturally experience stress to keep us safe and that this journey is about – getting out of the storm, riding the wave- no matter what is going on in our environment and in the world as a whole, then we can start to become more accepting.
Next time you need a little boost, jump in and try one of these simple, natural ideas and solutions for stress and anxiety relief.
These stress tips do not replace anxiety medication and much-needed counseling when applicable, but they are easy, cheap ways to deal with stress to try on your own. Plus, they have no side effects and can begin immediately!
Don’t be ashamed to ask for help.
When you try these simple ways to reduce stress and anxiety naturally, you might be surprised at the uplifting peace you’ll experience.
Have you ever felt stressed or anxious?
What are your favorite natural ideas to ease anxiety?
Be kind to leave me a comment:)
As always, I’m sending lots of love♥ & positivity your way! Stay continually blessed!
With all that goes on in today’s frenetic modern world, all the responsibilities and challenges related to parenting and other pressures,
We have to take time to reflect and take better care of ourselves.
“To be a good parent, you need to take care of yourself so that you can have the physical and emotional energy to take care of your family.” – Michelle Obama
Many times, we get bombarded with our work duties, other obligations, and community activities also.
We should not wait until we have reached a breaking point to purposefully begin to take better care of ourselves.
“Women have to take the time to focus on our mental health – take time for self, for the spiritual without feeling guilty or selfish. The world will see you the way you, see you, and treat you the way you treat yourself.” – Beyonce.
If you don’t catch yourself in time, frustration, anger, anxiety, and even depression can creep in and reap you of all your joy and happiness.
There are so many self-care activities available to improve our physical, emotional and mental wellbeing.
They include spiritual activities like praying, mental activities like practicing mindfulness, and physical activities like healthy eating, and frequent exercising.
These 17 ways to take better care of yourself can help you know how to let go and BREATHE.
What is Self-Care?
Self care is about extending the same kindness, love and grace you willingly and sacrificially show to others to yourself without feeling guilty about it.
Check this scenario out;
It’s 11:00 pm. You silently close your child’s bedroom door, grateful he finally lost the battle against sleep.
As your eyes dart from one stack of dirty dishes to another stack of unfinished projects, you feel bone-tired.
Your mind is a thick molasses. Waves of weariness wash over your heart.
You don’t even know where to start processing today’s argument with your children or spouse, the social media argument about complicated world events, and your argument with yourself about what tasks are most important.
Tears slip out of your eyes as waves of guilt and failure wash over you.
If you have struggled to know how to take care of yourself as a mom, you are not alone.
During the COVID – 19 era, when churches, therapist offices, and support networks are closed, you could have tried to figure out how to take care of yourself emotionally.
Trying to care for yourself should be a natural and God-given instinct.
The Apostle Paul in Ephesians 5:29-30 said, “Indeed, no one ever hated his own body, but he nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church. For we are members of His body.”
God understands that humans naturally nourish, treasure, care for, and feed their bodies. He knows we automatically comfort, warm, and tenderly watch over our bodies.
But with children, marriage obligations, and work clamoring for our attention, we need more than our natural tendency to care for ourselves.
“If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete.” – Jack Kornfield
It’s not us. Sometimes we are always on the go, being a “superwoman.”
As humans, we are created with limits. Immense relief comes from humbly recognizing that you are not God.
Experiencing God will help you get a better understanding of His sovereignty as He reveals Himself to you.
Hannah Anderson, in her book, Humble Roots, says that we are often tempted to a “pride that desires to live beyond natural human limitations… We buy the lie that we could be omnipotent, always virile, never tiring, never needing rest. We buy the lie that we could be omnipresent, always available, never distant, never missing out.”
Often, we think we can be perfect fun moms, involved in every activity, and providing our children and families with every opportunity.
We act like super moms, sometimes inflicting the notion that nothing will get done if we don’t do it.
And when we do, we become exhausted and drained.
Remembering our limitations—and humbly accepting them as an expression of our faith and dependence on God—is an important step towards wholesome self-care.
We don’t take care of ourselves because we’re selfish, proud, or egotistical. We take care of ourselves because we humbly admit that we’re not all-powerful—we’re not God.
With this in mind, I hope you can examine yourself and your environment and decide to start to take better care of yourself!
In Genesis 1:28, God called humans to steward the earth and all of creation.
Have you ever thought about your body as being a part of all creation?
Hannah Anderson points out, “You may have never thought of steadying your body as part of the call to steward the earth, but it’s not that much of a stretch. We are, after all, made from the earth, a mixture of minerals and elements that have only been made alive by the quickening Spirit of God.”
Along with your responsibility to take care of your children, your job, your ministry, you have a responsibility to take care of your body.
God desires for us to be healthy and strong and to take care of our bodies, mind, and spirit. “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself.” – 2 Corinthians 6:19.
Fuel your body with healthy eating habits and supplements that are vital in sustaining your immune system and general well being.
Eat healthy home-cooked meals instead of ‘fast’ food.
Don’t unnecessarily tax your body. Give it the rest, nutritious food, and exercise it needs.
Don’t forget to drink significant amounts of water to stay hydrated. Water is very good for the skin, it helps digestion and boosts your immune system.
#3. Find Joy In Simple Things
God has created many beautiful experiences for us to enjoy.
1 Timothy 6:17 says that God “richly provides us with everything to enjoy.”
In his book, Pure Pleasure, Gary Thomas encourages believers to find pleasure in food, family, fellowship, and more.
He says that when we search for legitimate, healthy sources of pleasure, we will be less likely to fall into temptation and illicit pleasures.
Even when we go through very difficult times, we should look for the simple joys that are all around us: the sun on our faces, the smile of a child, or the gentle song of a flowing stream.
Looking for joy in simple pleasures is an important way to take better care of yourself.
You can look at old pictures, listen to your favorite songs, volunteer your time at a charity you like, get a massage, indulge in a bubble bath, join a women’s weekly prayer group or enjoy the benefits of your favorite essential oils and candles.
Work/life boundaries have never been more important than they are today.
In a cultural shift away from remote jobs and towards in-home jobs, work has more potential than ever to invade every minute of our personal lives.
If you work at home, seek to develop a predictable schedule about when you will work and when you will relax.
Communicate to others when you are working and when you are “off.” When you’re relaxing, take it seriously.
Don’t even open your computer or your work email. Keeping your work from invading every minute of your day is critical in self-care.
#5. Process Your Pain
Unresolved pain, grief, or shame tend to sneak out in ways that are devastating to your body, soul, and health.
You may lash out at others or distract yourself with work to try to avoid difficult memories or thoughts.
Learning how to take care of yourself emotionally is critical for self-care.
Address even the seemingly small things that might seem insignificant like losing a twin sibling before birth, infertility, having a miscarriage, having a best friend move away, or betray you.
Acknowledge your grief. Talk to supportive friends and spiritual leaders. It’s been said that a problem shared is a problem halved.
Often communication with people gives you exactly what you need to hear for you to continue your journey in taking better care of yourself in the most positive way.
Read books on healing. Go to a therapist. Addressing your emotional needs is critical for truly relaxing and taking better care of yourself.
#6. Just Say No
“Love yourself enough to set boundaries. Your time and energy are precious. You get to choose how you use it. You teach people how to treat you by deciding what you will and won’t accept.” -Anna Taylor
In Luke 4:42-44, crowds were begging Jesus to continue healing and helping them. But he said no. He had to move on to other towns and preach there.
He didn’t allow himself to be dissuaded by popular opinions or by the demands of friends or society.
Instead, he simply moved on, “for I was sent for this purpose.” Jesus had a clear sense of purpose and values.
Tim Elmore recommends writing down five of your most important values and using them to help you make decisions in gray areas.
Eliminate parts of your life that don’t fit your values as a part of your self-care regimen.
Just learn how to just say no and don’t feel bad or guilty about it.
#7. Taking Time to Be Quiet
Taking time to be quiet is an important part of any self-care love routine.
Psalm 37:7 says, “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him.”
Psalm 62:5 tells us to wait in silence for God.
Then Psalm 131:2 speaks of the importance of stilling our souls before God.
Many Bible passages encourage us to live a quiet life (1 Timothy 2:2, 1 Peter 3:4, and 1 Thessalonians 4:11).
Make time in your life for silence before the Lord.
Wait on him and try to connect to Him from the heart. Still your heart and acknowledge that it’s not all up to you—it’s up to Him!
This implies telling yourself that you are going to pause and slow down at intermittent times during the day.
Try to relax, go to a quiet place in or outside the house, look around you, close your eyes, and take deep breaths in and out several times.
You’ll notice that you will feel more relaxed before you start off again.
#8. Meditation
Even if you don’t subscribe to the common cultural views of meditation, you can still follow the Biblical command to fill your mind with God’s word.
You don’t have to spend 30 minutes in meditation every time. Two to five minutes—while in the restroom or while feeding the baby—are often sufficient.
Meditate on God’s word and stop the endless soundtrack of frenetic thoughts that try to take your attention. Ponder on the Lord and His love for you for two minutes.
#9. Stretching
Wondering how to take care of yourself as a mom? Consider adding stretching into your life. A simple internet search will lead to easy stretches that you can do any minute of the day.
Watching your kids in the park, you can do a slow nod exercise or a hip flexor stretch.
Before you wind down for the night or while the kids are asleep or at school, you can take a little time, inhale, exhale and stretch.
Watch how much relief you’ll experience.
These are so inconspicuous that no one will even notice you are stretching!
If you work a desk job, try to get up every hour and stretch. Your blood will start to flow and you will notice an increased mental acuity.
#10. Journaling
Commit to journaling regularly as an important way of processing your emotions, understanding your life, releasing your frustration, and taking care of yourself emotionally.
Boundaries for the Soul: How to Turn Your Overwhelming Thoughts and Feelings into Your Greatest Allies By Allison Cook provides some important jumping-off points for journaling about triggering events.
It is very healing to write down your responses to Allison Cook’s probing questions in this book.
Her questions will help you get some distance from overwhelming emotions, talk to them kindly as if they were frightened children, comfort them with the love of Jesus, and re-integrate them into your renewed purpose.
This all-inclusive women’s care package provides simple ways to make you feel better.
Journaling is an important way to process your feelings, encourages self-awareness, and improves your mood.
Some ideas on how to start journaling are to start with positive inner reflections first like what makes you happy, what inspires you, your idea of a good day, eight things you love about yourself and your family, what makes you proud about yourself.
#11. Gratitude Diary
Gratitude is a feeling of appreciation and thanks.
Is there someone in your life that has shown you that you matter to them?
A gratitude journal helps you to focus your attention on positive things in your life, great or small.
First Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Regardless of the circumstances, you can find at least three things to be thankful for.
Keeping a gratitude diary or journal helps you come back later with gratefulness and remember what God has done, making your day more productive and focused.
#12. Spend Time Outdoors
A park, field, or stream is an excellent place to work on self-care. You might want to spend some time walking by yourself or with a friend.
Almost any of these self-care ideas can be done outside. You can exercise outside, express gratitude outside, or meditate outside.
Listening to music that elicits positive emotions can help you to relax and elevate your spirit, which improves your mood and general well-being.
#15. Smile More
A clerk at the store, a child in your arms, or a neighbor across the street would be happy to receive your smile, which in turn can improve your mood, relieve your stress, and lower blood pressure.
Scientists have found that a smile gives your brain more feel-good hormones than receiving a large sum of money!
Smiling lifts your own spirits and encourages others.
Spreading smiles is free, painless, and rewarding. Make smiling an important part of your self-care love routine.
#16.Sleep
Sleep should be a priority in our self-care journey.
Bill Fish, a certified sleep science coach and co-founder of Tuck stated that “Getting a proper night sleep is essential to our health,” in fact, sleep is now known as the third pillar of wellness along with exercise and nutrition.”
Create a sleep schedule and try your best to stick to it. That way your body knows when to settle to rest and when to rise.
A full night sleep promotes mental wellness and diminishes the negative effects of poor sleeping habits that include fatigue, irritability, anxiety, and negative thoughts.
#17. Digital Detox
Distancing yourself from digital devices like smartphones, computers, tablets, and social media platforms help you to focus on real-life interactions and can make your brain to relax and also improve your sleep and focus.
It is a known fact that many families and relationships don’t have many faces to face social interaction anymore.
Most of the time, everyone is by themselves and on their phone, tablet, playing a game, or on social media.
You could be in the same house and you are talking to your spouse or children from the cell phone.
Develop a digital detox hour, hours, or a day that you’ll focus your mind on yourself to improve your focus and reduce stress.
You can call it or relate to it as a biblical fast. Maybe that could help you keep the phones away and stay off social media for some time to rejuvenate and take better care of yourself.
The journey of taking better care of yourself starts in your mind. You must understand your dependence on God and the limits of your body and spirit.
The journey of taking care of yourself emotionally continues as you process your grief, change your thinking about your own value, and start practical steps like meditation, stretching, and journaling.
“Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure.” -Oprah
How does this journey end? In reality, the journey of self-care never ends. It’s not a one-time deal.
But it does come to a culmination as you begin to have enough energy, passion, and joy to invest in others again.
As you entrust your own needs to God and humbly accept your own limits, you begin looking at others’ needs as more important than your own.
The Bible instructs that you take care of others with the same attentive care that you take care of yourself (Mark 12:31 – The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’).
And, in this way, the purpose of self-care is complete.
Your mind is one of the most fragile yet most powerful things in your body.
It is so important to look after yourselves and learn how to look after your beautiful mind. And body too.
Are you seeing things from a different perspective?
Don’t make excuses for not practicing self-care.
You are so worth it!
Please don’t allow procrastination to rob you of the well deserved wholeness and happiness that you deserve.
“Accept yourself, love yourself, and keep moving forward. If you want to fly, you have to give up what weighs you down.” – Roy T. Bennett
How are you practicing self-care?
What routine have you put in place that is solely for you?
Please drop a line in the comments – it can help someone.
Also request for your FREEBIE below
Sending lots of love and positivity your way………..♥
Why is it so hard to leave an abusive relationship? Why is it so hard to move on?
In this article, we are going to show you some signs that signal an unhealthy and toxic relationship.
Many of us have gotten ourselves into situationships!
Quite frankly we often tend to stay in these relationships even when we know that we’re getting all the red flags to leave or demand changes.
Not only that, but we also continue to allow others to step on our hearts and feelings when we have the choice to leave.
According to John Mark Green; “Toxic people attach themselves like cinder blocks tied to your ankles, and then invite you for a swim in their poisoned waters.”
I get it, sometimes it’s confusing because you find yourself in a love-hate relationship.
Toxic people give you hopeful moments of happiness and moments of unexplainable deep stress and distress.
And you think that is the ideal way love is supposed to be, but it’s not at all.
Sadly though, many times before we get our Moses, we have to go through a couple of the Pharaohs.
No one can boast of a perfect relationship, in the personal or the business sphere.
But “The wrong person will give you less than what you’re worth, but that doesn’t mean that you have to accept it.” – Sonya Parker.
According to Ginnie Love Thompson, Ph.D., a Florida based Psychotherapist, “Every single relationship has a level of abuse. Nothing is perfect – there’s always some work to be done.”
For the most part, a good relationship should make you feel secure, special, happy, cared for, respected, and free to be yourself.
My friends, true love will never leave you feeling empty, drained, depleted and distraught.
And if for any reason you do? Then you’re in a toxic relationship.
A California – based communication and psychology expert, coined the term in her book Toxic People, defined a toxic relationship as “any relationship (between people who) don’t support each other, where there’s conflict and one seeks to undermine the other, where there’s disrespect and lack of cohesiveness.”
Let me tell you a couple of ways to identify if you’re in an unhealthy toxic relationship.
If any of these sound familiar, it’s time to make some big changes.
“Don’t settle for a relationship that won’t let you be yourself.” – Oprah Winfrey
The first sign of a toxic relationship is Confusion.
As God’s word says, “God is not the author of confusion, but of peace.” (1 Corinthians 14:33).
It is always good and very important to pay close attention to identify if the person you are in a relationship with is bringing clarity or confusion to your life.
When a person continues to give you less effort and is also showing signs that he/she doesn’t want to “get serious” about a relationship, then they are most likely wasting your time.
They expect much and give little. They feel entitled and act like they are doing you a favor.
Trust me, also believe that there is always someone out there who will not leave you confused.
The second sign of an unhealthy relationship is Dishonesty
If your partner is constantly lying to you, you are discovering little lies here and there, telling a partial truth, or doesn’t even communicate his/her whereabouts, these are all big red flags.
When you are in a relationship or dating, you should know that HONESTY is the first sign of loyalty.
Honesty breeds TRUST over time in a relationship.
Always consider if the person you are with is honest about EVERYTHING.
Most toxic people don’t follow through on their promises. They are “sweet and smooth talkers.”
They say one thing to make you happy this one moment and then revert to their old ways.
Rachel Sussman, LCSW, a marriage and family therapist in New York, says “There’s the constant push and pull.”
Every dishonest gesture between partners undercuts a little bit of the relationship.
The third sign of a toxic relationship is fairly easy to identify.
No Commitment– If the person you are with doesn’t want anyone to know they’re dating you, then you’re pretty much a secret and he/she is liable to do anything.
They don’t talk about the future after you’ve been together for some months or they are comparing you with their past relationships.
They are not committed, period! And that’s a BIG red flag.
No, they don’t have to post you on social media 20x a day, but it should be made known that they are in a relationship with you.
Don’t get me wrong, this doesn’t always guarantee that they will be faithful, but it does give clarity that they can potentially be honest.
It shows they value you as a person.
Dr. Clinton McLemore― a leading expert on interpersonal relationships― gives you a powerful roadmap for promoting healthy and productive relationships and how to have some value for your relationship.
You may already know this, but if your partner is DISRESPECTFUL,this can be a huge red flag.
Being disrespected in a relationship causes much emotional confusion and distress.
Mutual respect fosters individual growth and development.
Lack of respect messes with your image and gives you a sense of insecurity about yourself.
Lack of respect does not bring out the best of you.
In fact, it makes you not feel like yourself around them.
You see, when a man/woman tells you very hurtful things, those things don’t just go away, they stay grounded in your heart for some time.
Here’s one that most people don’t take into much consideration – Uneasy Feeling.
Follow your intuition, if you feel like something is off or you are feeling any type of anxiety and fear in a relationship or anything in general.
Listen to that small voice!
Most times our inner selves will tell us the truth before it surfaces.
I think, a lot of times, most of us know when something is off, but we choose to find out the hard way.
Listen to that small voice in your head. God will never lead you wrong.
A sixth Sign that you’re probably in an unhealthy relationship would be a Lack Of Change In Behavior.
Let me give you an example, if a person constantly does the same thing over and over without changing.
And he/she knows that it bothers you, then they clearly don’t care about fixing the problem, or making you happy.
A person can apologize, but if their actions don’t match, then something is not adding up.
When they are wrong, they try to rationalize their behavior or blame others for it.
True Repentance should come with a change, they say!
Dependencewould definitely be another sign of an unhealthy relationship.
Do not get me wrong, it is okay to take care of your partner.
But when taking care of your partner becomes a full-time job and they are not putting in the same effort, then you are basically dealing with a child with all related stresses.
Do not sacrifice your time and efforts on a selfish and self-centered person.
By all means, don’t.
Some people will be in a relationship with you just because it’s beneficial for them, while the whole time you could be losing out on an amazing partner who will give you the world and more.
Don’t settle for someone who is full of excuses as to why they are not where they are supposed to be because anyone can support themselves if they are willing.
Now I think it’s time we get on the topic of Abuse; another sign of signs of a toxic relationship.
There is more than one kind of abuse. There’s physical abuse, mental abuse, and narcissistic abuse.
If you’ve ever encountered any of these types of abuse, I just want to let you know that you are worth so much more!
Mental abuse is the first sign of these 3. Why?
Because once you allow a person to abuse you mentally – control your mind -which can be verbal – arguing, disrespect, or just their actions, this will eventually lead to physical abuse.
Sometimes people hide what they really feel behind words and hidden agendas until they get comfortable enough to abuse you physically.
Physical abuse could lead to death. No, I am not being dramatic.
If you are in a relationship where you are getting abused, at what point do you think the abuse will end and at what point do you think this person will stop?
There’s never an excuse for abusive behavior, especially when it comes to love in a relationship.
Love is the strongest drug and if you are with a person who is seriously in love with you, but abuses you, at no point does that make it right?
None, for neither of you!
Leave that relationship as quickly as possible, especially when you are not yet married.
Lastly, Narcissistic abuse is the most underrated type of abuse out there.
This is the silent abuse.
This is where the person will have you thinking you’re doing everything wrong in the world, but you’re doing everything you possibly can to the best of your ability.
They mess with your mind. You can’t impress them.
“Beware of narcissistic people. They’ll tell everyone you’re crazy, only to cover up their trickery. ” ― Mitta Xinindlu
“Narcissists are very retaliative if they believe another has achieved what they desire, exposed their insecurities, or refused to be under their control.” — Lorraine Nilon
I think most people have gotten a piece of this kind of abuse.
Not only because it’s so easy to miss, but also because it plays with your mind in so many ways, and most importantly it is a disorder.
Trust me it is very torturing.
Here’s a couple of signs that you’re in a narcissistic relationship:
You have low self-esteem, you feel as though you’re going crazy, you become depressed or anxious.
Nothing you do is ever good enough.
When you try to leave they pull you back in, their attitude towards you changes rapidly.
Guys, this is only a couple ways a narcissist abuses you and I think it is the most horrible of them all.
Beware of these toxic relationships! They are very hard to recover from. Not impossible, but hard!
Now that we’ve discussed the different types of abuse in a relationship, we should move forward with other signs that indicate you’re in an unhealthy relationship.
Which brings me to Control.
If you are dating someone who seems to be very controlling you should be careful, controlling people want you to do exactly as they say or else… and this is not a safe place to be.
When you’re in a relationship, it should be equal, even though a man is dominant over the woman he should never make you feel as though you don’t have a choice or a voice.
You should still be entitled to do what you want and have some sense of independence as long as it isn’t disrespectful towards your relationship.
One thing we all ignore is our OwnComfort in a relationship.
If you don’t feel comfortable without makeup or wigs, etc, then you aren’t with your soulmate,
You see real true love should not be identified by how good your makeup looks, or how laid your hair is,
but when you can wake up barefaced, and 100% natural, you’ve found someone that accepts you for you!
Don’t ever change your image to be with someone.
Beware of the person you’re with is charming when they want to be, real love should always be present, not just sometimes.
Real love is Unconditional. It shouldn’t be based on performance.
If they are more charming to everyone else than you, then you probably have yourself a cheater.
Never stay with someone if they make you feel ignored and invisible.
“The hardest part of being in an emotionally abusive relationship, it’s actually admitting you’re in one.” – Anna Akana
When you are with someone who persistently makes you unhappy, suffocates those precious parts of you, makes you feel lesser than who you are,
you must be alive with your eyes wide open to the damage they are doing.
You owe them nothing, you owe yourself everything.
Everyone deserves to thrive, to feel no intimidation, and to feel safe, and you deserve to be happy in your relationship.
Don’t allow yourself to be in toxic relationships.
You should be able to identify signs that indicate that a relationship may have become, or always was, toxic.
Sometimes you just have to learn how to be alone and patiently wait for true love to find you or vice versa – Most of the time when you least expected it.
Soulmates are real, and you will be at peace when your true soul mate comes into your life.
If you know how much God loves you unconditionally, then you will know how much he cares about your situation.
Lastly, are you:
Currently, trying to get over a heartbreak?
Are you trapped in a toxic relationship?
Do you desire to leave a toxic relationship?
It is possible!
When you have tried all you can, you just have to make up your mind and heart that you will not accept that anymore.
With prayer, self-care, people that care, and self-love, you will overcome any phase you are going through.
“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” 
“The truth carries a weight that no lie can counterfeit.” 
