What To Give To God

Give God you, not just when He blesses you but during heart ache. God wants a our desperate hearts. He wants a to take away the desperation, our heartache. He wants to restore joy in us. Only He can restore us to true joy.

Be happy is temporary. Happiness last for a moment. It is a temporary fix but joy is something that can not be taken from you, unless you allow it. For example, running out of money is so miserable and frustrating. The temporary fix is to borrow, steal or gamble. This brings a temporary happiness. All three of things will cost something later that will lead right back to being miserable and frustrated. 

The permanent fix is to go to Jesus. Receive God as your Lord and Savior. He will give joy as well as the guidance and wisdom on how to get rid of your brokenness without the cost later. Give God you, that's all He wants.

How To Forgive Yourself

"It is important that we forgive ourselves for making mistakes. We need to learn from our errors and move on."-Steve Maraboli

Forgiveness of yourself can be difficult but it is possible. All forgiveness is important. My opinion is that forgiveness of yourself is the most important but can also be the hardest.

The reason it is the hardest is because we have a tendency to judge ourselves more than anyone in our lives. You can judge yourselves to the point of anxiety. The judgement does not have to be from an outside source but in our minds that make us depressed. Thinking thoughts about if only, should have, could have, is what leads us to those unforgiving thoughts.

It took a couple of years for me to forgive myself for having a baby at the age of eighteen. I kept thinking about if I only said no. If I only had made a better choice my life would be different. My life is so hard because of that decision I made. I love my daughter but it was hard for me to accept being a young mother. I had to forgive myself for becoming pregnant at a young age. Once I did, my love for my daughter grew and I became an effective mother. I came out of depression and could love her the way she needed.

Unforgiveness toward yourself is a hinderance. It presses the pause button on your life to achieving success in many areas. It can cause an attitude of not caring what happens because of the focus being on the mistake you previously made. For example, many people over eat because of unforgiveness. They stop caring about their health and how they appear because of unforgiveness toward themselves. Some people don't try to be successful on a job because of unforgiveness. The worst thing that unforgiveness toward oneself causes is to to stop praying.

Many people stop praying because of the shame of a mistake they made. They feel like they can not talk to Jesus because of unforgiveness toward themselves. The awesome thing is that Jesus forgave us before we knew we were going to make that mistake. Luke 23:24 in the Amplified version says And Jesus prayed, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. And they divided His garments and distributed them by casting lots for them.
Jesus asked God to forgive us while He was on the cross. This was not just for the people killing Him in that moment, this was for everyone who would ever walk the earth. All you have to do is believe that Jesus died for your sins, He is the son of God and He is alive. You have to receive His forgiveness by praying to Jesus thanking Him for forgiving you for your sins and telling Him you believe He is the son of God. Let Him know you want His love to cover you for the rest of your life. Romans 10:9-11 Amplified version says

⁹ Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

 ¹⁰ For with the heart a person believes (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God), and with the mouth he confesses (declares openly and speaks out freely his faith) and confirms [his] salvation.
 ¹¹ The Scripture says, No man who believes in Him [who adheres to, relies on, and trusts in Him] will [ever] be put to shame or be disappointed.

Knowing you are forgiven by God removes the shame, the depression of the mistakes you made. Therefore it is time to forgive yourself. YOU ARE FORGIVEN.

Take Your Positions

Have you ever had one of those days when it seems like you are fighting for your life? It seems like everything around is falling apart. It seems like the best solution  is to go home, lay in the bed with the blanket over your face, and sleep the day away. The only thing that gets resolved is getting sleep.
The best solution is to stay encouraged. Don't look at the problems around you but start looking at things to be grateful for. Say positive things out loud. For example, saying "this too shall pass" will be encouraging to know that the problems are just temporary. "Peace be still" is something I like to say when my mind is trying to worry about something. I refuse to worry and speak peace over my thoughts, then the worry leaves. After the worry leaves I can focus on finding answer by seeking God for the victory. He will reveal the next steps to take if we do not occupy our minds with thoughts of worry or doubt. When we let Him take over the battle, He will provide a victory.

King Jehosphat in 2 Chronicles 20 was facing a battle that seemed too big for his army to handle. This is what God says to him in verses 15-17.  

^{NIV 15} He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. ¹⁶ Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. ¹⁷ You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’”

God encouraged King Jehosphat to take your position and stand firm because the battle is the Lord's. I am telling you the same thing, don't let depression sink in your mind. Do not let your current circumstances defeat you. Take your position, stand firm because the battle is the Lords.