What helps me pass the time when I’m traveling or on a treadmill or elliptical equipment, is listening to audio books. Since I\u2019m a \u201cromantic\u201d at heart, I enjoy listening to Karen Kingsbury\u2019s Christian inspirational books of intrigue, a tinge of romance and happy endings. The story-line of a recent one I listened to, included God’s words to Moses: Deuteronomy 30:15,19 -\u201cSee, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. Choose life, so that you and your children may live.\u201d I\u2019ve repeated those words to those I\u2019ve been encouraging.
Every day we make all kinds of decisions \u2013 from the outfit we\u2019re going to wear, who to meet, what to eat, and what to do. Most important, we choose what to think. I have come to know one thing for sure: today will not be any better than our thoughts. Seriously. LIFE and death are in the power of our thoughts. Choosing life at every thought makes such an incredible difference in who we are to ourselves and to others.
I was compelled to write this blog today because I\u2019ve listened to some dear friends who are still struggling over the loss of a loved one \u2013 years after their passing. Instead of choosing life in abundance, they are still consumed with death and are choosing death over life. John 10:10 says \u201cThe thief comes to kill, steal and destroy, but I (Jesus) came to give you life and more abundant life.\u201d Don\u2019t we all want ABUNDANT life?
I work with a Faith and Grief Ministry. We share with those who have suffered a loss: “Take as long as you need to heal. Allow yourself to grieve for as long as you need to.\u201d And while it is a soothing way to help someone ease back into living, I\u2019ll admit, I want to get them on a fast-track back to choosing life over death. The sooner we get back to life, the sooner we enjoy living. For all who grieve, I know it is a profoundly personal journey and while I can share my hope with you — I cannot speak to your time-frame. What I can tell you is that if you are open to true joy, happiness and living life beyond loss, open your heart to welcome the day to live again because Jesus\u2019 abundant life is there waiting with open arms.
I\u2019m not a mind over matter kind-of-gal, but I am a life-giving, Word-of-God living kind-of-girl. That is my \u201csecret sauce\u201d, which is really no secret. God gave us every tool we need to live an over-the-top victorious life and don\u2019t we want to be one of those who we want to hang around with? I know I live with hope and purpose because I\u2019ve chosen LIFE. The ability to choose my thoughts is the difference between pain and freedom. The greatest truth I have learned about LIFE is that LIFE is only ever one thought away. The good news is we are free to change our mind whenever we want. In every situation, we can cultivate the habit of asking ourselves: \u201cWhat is the LIFE thought here?\u201d Lay aside those dark, sad and depressing thoughts, and make yourself available to the higher ways of the abundant life Jesus came to give us.
Of all the decisions we make \u2013 none is greater than to CHOOSE LIFE. To choose thinking life-filled thoughts instead of doubt, unbelief, death, poverty, sadness and fear. When we choose life, we are choosing God thoughts and God actions. I am speaking to those today who have convinced yourselves there is no hope for good things to happen to you; no great expectations for dreams coming true or prayers answered. I am speaking to a parent who has lost a child or a child who has lost a parent or a widow or widower who has lost your beloved spouse. Today is the day to make a choice. I love you too much not to encourage you to CHOOSE LIFE! What a difference it makes in living! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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