Be Optimistic

Day 13

Complaining and Arguing 

Good morning!! It was such a pleasure praying for all of you who responded yesterday. I’m excited to see what God will do when that fear and anxiety is released. Today let’s put this scripture into practice “Do everything without complaining and arguing,” (Philippians 2:14). 

Many times we can get into the habit of complaining because we are unhappy about our circumstances. Let's make it clear, there is a difference between addressing an issue and complaining about an issue. There is a difference between discussing something with someone or having a disagreement and arguing. Both complaining and arguing are negative ways to use our tongue. In both of these instances you can end up saying things that you don't mean or you can displace the focus from solving the problem. 

An example maybe at your job, in your relationship or among strangers - do not mask complaining as “venting” yet you do it over and over or the same thing to multiple people. Yes we can address our feelings or process them but we have to be mindful about the way it's done. Is it promoting change or prompting conflict? Let's begin to turn our complaints into gratitude and arguments into discussions and prayers. How much more effective would your conversations be with those around you if it was edifying and uplifting? Or what if something did not go your way you choose to address it with the person or with God and leave it at that, not the daily complaint about the same thing? 

Today I encourage you to start turning these things around and efforts to becoming more positive with those around you.

                                   🚫Complaint/Arguing Zone🚫

“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” (Rom 14:19) Have a blessed day! -Monica

PEACE

Day 12

Letting Go Fear and Anxiety

Good morning!! Many times one of the things that can sneak up and cripple you from being positive is the fear and anxiety of things to come or things going on in your life. In the bible it tells us, “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10). Why be so worried and anxious about what is to come when you have assurance that as you pray and thank God, He will hear it and answer in HIS way. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Phil 4:6).” If someone told you that you would have one million dollars if only you let go of all fear and anxiety. I’m sure we would have a lot of millionaires. So in reality I am telling you that you can gain so much more if you let go of fear and anxiety. There is such treasure in living a life of peace and joy that no amount of money can overcome. So today I challenge you to "Let it Go"🎶! (Just like frozen lol). 

Make the choice today to step in a new level of trust and to let go and let God. Stop trying your way and worrying about the outcome or fearing the places God is taking you. Choose courage (Joshua 1:9), peace (Phil 4:7), hope and joy (Romans 15:13). So those of you who choose to let go of the fear and anxiety today and give it to God, simply send a message back saying “Letting it go” and I will pray for you throughout the day. Have an awesome day!! - Monica

Keep Going!

Hey Girl! Yeah you! Heeeey!!! (Waving hello)

I just want to encourage you to never give up! No matter what's going on in life, keep going. Trust me I know, life gets hard! Things come up that have the force to knock you off your feet, and into the dirt. If you ever find yourself in the dirt, pick yourself up and keep going forward; slow progress is better than no progress!

During my morning devotional (Trusting God Day by Day) time today I read something by Joyce Meyer that really encouraged me. She wrote "It's normally during the time that you are pressed to give up that you are closet to your break through and or blessing [not verbatim].

Check out this picture:

Enough seen! Keep going. Be Encouraged! XO

God's Goodness

He Uses Our Difficulties
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
(2 Corinthians 12:10, NIV)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
We all face difficult situations. Somebody isn’t treating you right; your business is not growing as fast as you had hoped, or maybe you’re single and still haven’t met anyone. It’s easy to get frustrated and anxious on the inside. You don’t understand why it’s taking so long or why things haven’t changed. But here’s a key: just because it’s an uncomfortable place doesn’t mean it’s not where you’re supposed to be. God uses difficulties to do a work in us. We grow in the tough times. That’s when our character is being developed. God will not allow a difficulty unless He has a divine purpose for it. If we’re going to reach our highest potential, we have to make up our mind, “I’m not going to live frustrated because I am uncomfortable. I’m not going to be upset because things are not happening on my timetable. I’m not going to fight against everything that I don’t like.” Instead, believe that God is doing a work in you. Believe that He has the best for you. And see yourself moving forward in the victory He has prepared for you.
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father, today I give You my questions, frustrations, concerns and doubts. Have Your way in me. I trust that You are at work in every difficult situation in my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.
— Joel & Victoria Osteen

Moving forward in love

I am truly heart broken by the events that took place yesterday in Boston. Continue to pray for those who were affected. 

God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love, power and a sound mind.

Delay is not Denial.

If God has made you a promise, believe it, it WILL come to pass! Delay does not mean denial! A prayer not answered yet, is not a denied prayer. God's promises are always fulfilled on time. Continue to have faith and trust in His word.

Be Encouraged :)

Morning Goodness: Trust God's Timing

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, I choose to trust in Your timing. I trust that You have my best in mind. I believe that You are working behind the scenes on my behalf. Thank You for ordering my steps and leading me in the life of blessing You have in store for me in Jesus’ name. Amen.

— Joel & Victoria Osteen

In life it's very easy for us to become discouraged and loose heart because of the things going on around us or happening to us. I myself have also faced these types of challenges and have felt discouraged and overwhelmed. But I have found that putting my trust in the Lord gives me peace. When I don't understand and can't seem to make any of the pieces fit into the puzzle, I've learned to give the "puzzle" to Him. He knows what to do with it and he is the only one who has the answers I seek. We stress ourselves when we continually try to control and manage things, people and situations that were never intended for us to control. Release all of your cares to Him.

1 Peter 5:7 (NIV) Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.

Trust His timing. Trust Him.

Have a wonderland morning. XO

Release

Hello Journey Mates! Happy 2012, this is officially my first blog entry of the new year!

I've entitled it release because that is what this month has been for me so far; releasing. You maybe thinking to yourself releasing what... What the heck is she talking about?

Well, for me it has been about releasing myself, my dreams, problems, fears, and people to God. So may times in my life I've gotten caught in this vicious cycle of holding onto things that were outside of my control. In doing so I've stressed myself out, and also shown that I was not fully trusting God to do what he has promised to do in His word. (He doesn't need our help)

Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart. - Psalm 20:4 May He grant you according to your heart's desire and fulfill all your plans.

When we submit/release all of ourselves to the Lord we allow Him to do the work in our heart that needs to be done. That work usually consists of some healing, forgiveness and renewed thinking. Once that work is happening, we began to develop new desires and dreams that line up with His word. Hence the reason He will give us the desires and secret petitions of our hearts, as well as fulfilling all of our plans.

I challenge you today to release everything to God, and allow Him to do the work in your life that you so secretly desire.