Just breathe. God knows the desires of your heart.
Psalm 139: 1-4
O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD
Whew! If you have made it through the past couple weeks of positive thinking challenges, I can only assume that your heart is a tad tired! Hopefully a good kind of tired, but tired nonetheless. Smiles.
Trying to be who God wants us to be, and who we ourselves want to be, can be exhausting at times, but is certainly well worth the effort! Yet, despite our ongoing efforts, the battle for optimism will continue to rage on day after day.
Although we may start out every morning determined to have a new attitude and a joyful song in our hearts, each day brings new challenges that may cause us to stumble in our quest for positive thinking.
Its okay, friend. Take a deep and refreshing breath - and rest in knowing that God knows your heart.
He knows if we truly desire to have a heart like Christ.
He knows when we are trying hard to live a life that glorifies Him.
He knows when we stumble, and need willpower to get back up.
He knows when we are weak, and need His strength.
He knows when we are lost, and need His wisdom and guidance.
He knows when we are broken, and need healing and mercy.
He knows we are sinners, in need of His saving grace.
Today's challenge is simply to reflect on the challenges over the past couple weeks, and consider how God has shown you His presence as you sought to have a heart like His. For review purposes, here are the challenges we encountered:
10. Just breathe. God knows the desires of your heart.
6. Believe that God can redeem you, despite your past. That He loves you, despite your mistakes. And that there is a purpose for your pain.
(click on any of the sentences above to be directed back to that specific daily challenge)
Looking at the list above in it's entirety can seem a little overwhelming! But as we are reminded in Lamentations 3:23, Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. Mercies are renewed every day?! Now, that my friend, is something to be happy about!
My prayer is that each one of you will walk away from this little challenge with a fresh perspective about life and the importance of positive thinking, a renewed desire to be an optimist, and a new-found excitement to always see the glass half full. Above all, I pray God has used it to touch your heart and helped you rekindle the joy of your salvation in Him, despite the difficulties life brings.
Happy thinking!
* After all comments are posted today, I will randomly draw the winner of the Starbucks gift card. Winner will be announced tomorrow, October 5th.
16 comments:
Thank you, Tracie, for this 10 day challenge. Your words have been a source of inspiration--like a "cheerleader of faith" to me. Every morning I have looked forward to reading your words from the Lord. Even though we are at the end, I choose to continue to walk with my eyes looking for the blessings of God all around me...and I will be rereading your devotions, I'm sure! =)
Blessings,
Susan
Was this challenge hard?....yes. Did this challenge take me out of my comfort zone?.....definitely. Was it worth it?.....Absolutely! I feel refreshed and determined to keep my thoughts positive. Thank you for all your help and encouragement.
-Rubi
Thank you for this. I am bookmarking this last post for something I can refer to as needed.
I didn't discover this blog until tonight about 7 pm. But I've read through each entry, and am so grateful for and encouraged with/challenged by the challenges and reminders you have written! I'll definitely remember to come back and read again when I'm able to spend more time!
Serving with you,
Goldfish125
Tracie, thank you so much for doing this 10-day challenge. I shouldn't be surprised, and maybe it's more in awe, that each day I read what I really needed to hear. I know it's God at work!
I was happy to see the list today of all of the challenges. I am printing it to keep with me as a reminder.
God Bless,
Laura
Thank you so much for the 10 day challenge. It has been a sort of revival for me!
I am so thankful for those mercies that are new every morning! And I am thankful for you, Tracie; by following the leading of the Lord you have been a great encouragement and edifier.
Tracie - Thank you for the 10-day challenge! I just read "Day 10" blog posting, as I get your blog by email each morning. I was thinking last night how much I enjoyed the 10 days of challenges and how much it has helped me over the past couple of weeks. God bless you for our efforts!
PS. I hope you still read the comments of those of us who post after getting your blog via email. I noticed that you have already posted the winner from the 10-day challenge, so perhaps I should have posted this on "Day 11"? (smile)
Thank you for these past fews days
of helpful challenges. They were exactly what my heart needed. It has helped me tremendously and though I may still faulter but as you said the Lord knows my heart.I am "Not perfect - but fearfully and wonderfully made - on purpose-for a reason"
Thank you again Tracie. God Bless.
Your thoughts have really helped me to grow in my walk with the Lord, Thank you so much for letting the Lord use you so mightily in so many lives. I'm sure as you walked these last 10 days out yourself you have wondered at their results, but be encouraged, your reward in heaven is great! You have touched and enriched so many lives! Thank you, Lynne Cook
Thank you for this challenge. It couldn't have come at a time I needed it more! Thanks for helping me turn my thoughts in a positive, uplifting direction.
Thank you so much for this 10 day challenge! I have looked forward to reading each one to see what God has to say to me through your words! I was challenged. I was encouraged. I am determined to live with a more positive attitude! Blessings to you!
This was absolutely great Tracie!
You touched on so many things that we need to be reminded of. I looked forward to reading the challenge each day.
Blessings,
Janet
gatorgirl66@hotmail.com
Tracie, This has been such a blessing. Thank you so much!! Truly a source of inspiration to keep a person focused on God and what he wants for our lives!
Thanks, for the great perspective on life and encouraging me as a christian women, who at times is weighted down my life and my own negative thoughts to take the positive thinking challenges. Hopefully, I can conquer my negative thoughts and come out being the women God wants me to be.
I am so thankful Tracie for christian women like you.
God bless you and your family.
A great last post that allows us to see at a glance what each challenge was and where we might need re-focus on the days ahead, even if its all of them like I will probably need. Thank-you for sharing.
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