Do you want to grow? Do you want to get better in some area of your life? If you do, then you must learn.

Exercise:

If we want to get in good physical shape, we will have to exercise. To grow and develop our gifts and talents, we have to exercise them. Walt Disney said, “We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious; and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”

Yearn to learn:

Someone once told me, Learn something new every day. We shouldn’t allow the fear of change to hinder our growth. “Change can be frightening, and the temptation is often to resist it. But change almost always provides opportunities — to learn new things — to rethink tired processes, and to improve the way we work” (Klaus Schwab).

Don’t stagnate:

Playing it safe, I believe, is overrated. When you choose to settle for less or the status quo, you become stagnant. Consequently, nothing ever happens. We only maintain what we have, and will experience no new opportunities. Be a learner — someone who wants to do something, achieve something, and become someone. Don’t allow yourself to grow weary in doing well. God is always leading us forward to be able to see new opportunities that keep us curious about the what-ifs of life. I often say, “You will get older every year: there’s nothing you can do about it, but don’t ever get old.”

Being old is a choice. I believe we get old when we stop seeing the possibilities available to us who continue to learn. Let’s all be lifelong learners.

Just a thought,

PSS

Be Anxious for Nothing

Charlie Brown once said to Linus, “I worry about school a lot.” He thought a little longer and then said, “I worry about worrying so much about school.” He reflected some more and then concluded, “Even my anxieties have anxieties.”

Anxiety disorders:

Worry is wasting today’s time to clutter up tomorrow’s opportunities with yesterday’s troubles. Today in America, anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness. Worry and anxiety are very destructive, both psychologically and physically. People who worry constantly are at a greater risk of death when they become ill. According to the word of God, we worry when Jesus is not at the center of our lives. Nothing, absolutely nothing, is helped by worry.

Unbelief:

In The Sermon on the Mount, Jesus actually dealt with the area of worry more than any other single area. When we worry, we don’t trust God to take care of us or help us. We worry about money because money comes first in our lives. When we worry, we are acting as unbelievers do. So, we must master worry and anxiety and begin to train our minds to think differently. Anxiety and worry are negative thoughts about the past and the future, and this will cause us to ruin the present.

Trusting God:

So, how do we move forward and get free from worry? Firstly, we must recognize it as wrong. Secondly, we must repent for worrying and not trusting God. Then, we must renew our minds to think on things which are good, lovely, and true. All worry is based on lies and deception. So, it’s the truth, God’s word, that can set us free.

Let’s purpose to stop the worry and meditate on the truth.

Just a thought,

PSS

Hope Eternal

When someone we love dies, we grieve their loss. It is part of healing. We grieve because we love. If you don’t want to ever experience the pain of loss, don’t ever love anyone.

Good grief:

The difference is: if we are believers, we do grieve, but not like those who are not saved. They believe death of this physical body is the final end. But those of us who believe in Jesus realize it is only the beginning of eternal life — to be with our Savior and His Father forever. So, we grieve with hope.

The last enemy:

A person’s death is sad for us, but glorious for them. God wants us to love one another, to care, and He knows when someone we love leaves this earth that it hurts. That is why death is called the last enemy. It is an enemy, no doubt.

Hope and healing:

So, as we meditate on the word of God and believe Him and believe in heaven, God, by His Spirit, begins to bring hope and healing to our hearts and minds. We don’t quit caring and loving others: we keep loving and caring for others. Why? Because of the hope God has given us eternal life with Him. I often think, If I could leave my loved ones with anyone, it would be God. I also believe that once those who are saved get a glimpse of heaven, they don’t want to come back here.

So be hopeful! Never give up hope!

Just a thought,

PSS

Are you addicted to approval?

Self-evaluate:

Are you a people pleaser? Do you fear man? Do you find yourself doing things constantly that you dislike so that you fit in, so you can make others happy? Do you cater to others because it makes you feel good about yourself? Do you seek the approval of others in order to feel successful? Do you feel guilty when others don’t get what they want, whether it is right or wrong? Are you indecisive? Are you not honest with people because you are worried about how it will affect them? Do you willingly allow people to constantly take advantage of you? Do you not give your opinion or tell anyone how you feel?

Fear God:

If this describes you, you might be addicted to approval. The Bible calls this the fear of man. It is a very unhealthy way to live your life. You won’t be happy or satisfied. If your self-worth, how you feel about yourself, is dependent upon someone other than God Himself, you are probably addicted to approval. The good news is you can be free from this by getting into the word of God and giving God your whole heart. Whomever you submit yourself to will be the one you will want to please, whether man or God. God should always be first.

Resolve:

So, if this describes you:

1. Admit it.
2. Repent from it and ask God to change your heart so that you will love Him with all your heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37-38).
3. Change your conduct. Ask God to reveal to you when you begin to seek man’s approval over His, and to help you love Him first.

Let Him know you are submitting to His authority.

Just a thought,

PSS

Everyone has a comfort zone or a “confidence zone.” A comfort zone is the place in which we feel the most confident. It’s the place where all is well. For many, it’s the difference between true success and average success or doing just enough to get by.

Boundaries:

I believe a person’s comfort zone is determined by two fears: fear of rejection and fear of failure. The distance between the two is what makes up the comfort zone. We have to remember that everyone fails from time to time; just remind yourself that it’s not fatal, just temporary. The wider the space, the greater the capacity we’ll have to succeed and try new things. We can then attempt and achieve more. The less space between the two, the more we limit our abilities and potential.

Out of the box:

In a large zone, we feel the safest and the most confident. If you take people higher, they will work to get back to the place where they are the most comfortable. If you take them lower, they will do the same. People with a wide comfort zone will think in terms like, “What if I can?” Those that are average and limit themselves think in terms of, “What if I can’t?” There’s a big difference.

Let’s try not to limit ourselves by being average. If we strive to grow and develop in this area, the sky’s the limit.

Just a thought,

PSS