What Is Growing Inside Our Hearts?

A grateful heart

We often hear people say something like, "I hope you have a Happy Birthday!" Or, "I hope my plans for finding a new job work out." Where do we suppose these thoughts and wishes come from? 

Positive thoughts such as these are truly an act of faith welling up inside us. We can't see them, but they rise to the surface and pour out of our hearts, minds, and mouths. We can effectively practice and use positive words to encourage others (or ourselves) and make everyone feel less concerned about an upcoming situation.

This type of “kindness” attitude causes our soul to rejoice--like a little giggle creeping up--when we place our faith in things God has already planned and arranged for our lives. We become a sort of “ambassador” spreading as much love and joy around us as we can share, and this world certainly needs as much of that as we can give out! Of course, we have no idea what will happen to us next week, next summer, or next year. But our Creator knows. He knows! We just must be willing to trust Him. 

Sure, not everything that takes place in our lives is great. Or fun. Or what we want. That is because none of us are perfect. We make mistakes. We don't pay attention to what we are doing. We waste time, talents, and tempo and that affects our lives daily.    

But there is a better way to live and enjoy life. First, we can define faith as what we cannot see with our eyes, nor can we predict future events with our minds. We must rely on our faith. If we are open to this idea and principle of faith, then, secondly, we know through experience that our faith fluctuates at times just because we are all human. It's like a thermometer. When we are sad, depressed, or even apathetic about things in our lives, our faith takes a dive and barely registers. If we are happy, joyful, content and positive, our faith soars! 

What’s the Solution?
Is there something we can do when our faith is low? This answer may seem too simple and quite the opposite of what we are now thinking, but the solution is actually thankfulness! Yes, that's right. Stay with me now--there is something positive we can do to change our situation. Expressing gratitude and courting depression at the same time just doesn’t work. So, if we can practice and find a way to gather up even a bit of gratefulness, we can change feelings of depression a little at a time!

[Note: this is not a clinical or professional opinion about diagnosed depression. Please see your family doctor or a mental health professional for further discussion on this subject].         

Since faith is something that can't be seen, we are suggesting keeping an on-going, daily journal about thankfulness and gratitude for every tiny thing God has given us! It's not a big chunk of time out of our day. Just take three-and-a-half minutes each evening before bed and record three things we are grateful for from that day. Be specific for big as well as all the little things each day. Thank you, God, for yellow roses in my garden, fresh snow on the mountaintop, a new sweater to wear, getting eight hours of sleep, friends who call, a new book to read, food in my refrigerator, and an answer to my prayer for physical healing. Of course, use your own words.

Our faith thermometer

Result? When you write down what you are grateful for, it can be seen later or tomorrow or next month. This reminder really, really works to increase the temperature of our faith thermometer! 

Moving Mountains

If we give God a chance, He will bless us with all the promises He has to help us enjoy a satisfying and abundant life. It's when we leave Him out of our plans--out of our lives--that things get all messed up. One of the amazing gifts God gives us is free will. We can do whatever we choose to do right or wrong; God will not stand in our way. But if we ignore His direction and plans for our lives, we cannot really expect our faith to grow. It is our hope and faith in Him that will make our paths straight. The Bible tells us that even if our faith is only as small as a mustard seed, it can move mountains! (Matthew 17:20). Nothing is impossible with God on our side.

"Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see" (Hebrews 11:1 NLT).

Will You Allow Your Heart to Dance?

Celebrate Your Life!

Happy 4th of July! Six months into the year already and we are anxious to celebrate our country's 243rd birthday, July 4th, 1776--the day when the Declaration of Independence was adopted by Congress and still stands today!  

No, we are not going to have a history lesson here today. We are simply saying that the celebration of America is more than just sparklers and fireworks (although those are lots of fun!). Instead, we want to point out that our lives can be a celebration too-- every day. 

Now that you are out on your own and living as a single-again woman, what would you say is your greatest feeling of all? Would it be the peace you now enjoy? Would it be relief from all the chaos and verbal and physical abuse? How about freedom? All of these and more are a reason to celebrate and fill your heart with unexplainable joy.

Your Own Independence Day

If your life doesn't exactly feel that way (yet), it's okay! You may still be mourning for a life left behind even though that life wasn't what you imagined it should be way back when. Now, think about this: all that freedom we talked about in the above paragraph can be scary and may be the reason that keeps you from moving forward.   

You have many difficult choices right now so it may seem easier to just turn back and grab for something that is no longer there, which only causes confusion and emptiness. But when you look at your own Independence Day and determine to move through the open doorway, you'll see the possibilities for your best life on the other side. And your heart will dance and sing! 

Get Out Your Bicycle

The momentum that escorts you through that door is exciting. It’s like riding a bicycle for the first time in many, many years. You won’t have time to look back but only to view the passing scenery. There are so many things to do, places to go, and plans to make that your days will fly by! Surely you have had ideas running around in your head for years that you are now free to make happen.

“You can not change the wind, but you can adjust your sails!” (Sue Ingebretson a Holistic Health Practitioner at Rebuilding Wellness).

The quote is a favorite of this blogger because it displays an attitude of never giving up. If one thing doesn’t work in your life, try another way. If going in one direction is frustrating, choose a friendlier path. Don’t allow anything to get in your way. You know what you want. Go after it. Today!

Anything Missing?

Congratulations! You are on your way! Planning, experimenting, and seeking wise counsel are all part of this new way to rebuild your life. You may even want to find other women who are traveling in the same direction. In fact, it is advisable to do so. They may be struggling at the beginning or learning to navigate in the middle or have nearly reached the finish line. So, someone will be able to come alongside you to help.

Strong triple cords

The Bible says, “A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12 NLT).

So, if you sense something missing while planning your adventure, it may just be a lack of support from others. Don’t keep your new marital status a secret fearing other women will gossip about you. If your attitude is new, fresh, and hopeful, others can’t help but see an improvement in you.

"A miserable heart means a miserable life; a cheerful heart fills the day with song" (Proverbs 15:15 Msg). 

Collected In A Bottle

The movie, Message in a Bottle, was a tear-filled and bittersweet kind of story. At the same time, it was pretty amazing to find out that one person had actually collected their thoughts and love for another and kept them in a bottle! 

Digging in the Sand

Many of us still carry around fears, anxieties and pain. We find ourselves, sometimes, crying endless tears over things that are no longer of any benefit to us. How about today we dry our tears and dig into the sand of our future to find out Who really loves us?

There is an empty spot in our hearts, and, since our creation as newborn baby girls, it's been waiting to be filled. Every baby, female or male, has the same heart-spot. As much as our parents were able to provide our every single need and wish, that heart-spot was not theirs to fill.   

We Can Only Imagine

Our heart-spot is there because absolutely no one understands us better than God Himself. He is our Creator including that elusive heart-spot. He knows all about our fears, what makes us joyful, our anxieties and worries, and our thoughts even before we think them! 

He knows our physical qualities, like how many hairs are on our heads, how many times our heart beats and yes, how many tears we have shed. He cares so much about those tears, He collects them in a bottle and even writes down what caused them. Just close your eyes and imagine. Simply astonishing! This is the absolute truth. It can be verified in His book, the Bible.

Our heavenly Father knows exactly how to fill that empty heart-spot. He chose us to be His daughters--don't ever forget that love-filled fact. God is unlike any human father; His love is complete and unconditional. He anxiously waits for each of us to say "Yes!" to His invitation to come and live with Him forever. When we do, that empty heart-spot is instantly spirit-filled with so much love, we have only tears of joy.
     
You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. Psalm 56:8