What inspires you to change? Or grow? I have to admit the lazy side of me is comfortable being comfortable. But the other side of me realizes I was created for a purpose and that God DOES have a plan for my life. And in order to be all I was meant to be – change IS required.
Every day I’m offered the opportunity to be a student on this journey called life. Sometimes I charge into the day as if I’m the teacher with all the answers. Can anyone relate?
It’s when I realize I haven’t arrived, that I’m in the perfect position to learn and grow.
Here are five inspirational quotes from the Bible that have changed my life, and they can change yours too:
He must increase, but I must decrease. – John 3:30
It’s Not About Me
When I get a hold of the truth that life isn’t all about me, I’m headed in the right direction. John the Baptist had this principle nailed down. He was at the height of his career and was extremely well-known, yet when Jesus came on the scene, John told his disciples to follow Jesus.
Jesus created everything. As I choose to see Him as He is – a great God who is in control of it all – change happens.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. – Philippians 4:8
Get Rid of Stinkin’ Thinkin’
It’s SO important to think on the right things. God’s Word reminds me not to dwell on “imaginations” – things that aren’t true (2 Corinthians 10:5).
Several years ago, I was in a car accident that caused me to experience severe anxiety and depression. My thoughts were focused on everything that had gone wrong. I teeter-tottered back and forth between “if only” and “what if” thinking.
The truth of this verse encouraged me to challenge my thoughts. Were they true?
Over the course of a year, meditating on the right things transformed my thinking.
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. – Isaiah 26:3
Peace is Possible
We all want to experience peace. When my Dad passed away ten years ago, this was the verse that helped me through the loss.
Peace is a strange thing. I expect to find peace when everything is going my way. But that’s rarely the case. Oddly enough, I’ve experienced true peace when I’m in the middle of life’s mess. That’s because this peace is a peace that only God can give.
When I focus my thoughts on Him and come to Him in my brokenness, He does what only He can do: gives me a peace that goes beyond my understanding (Philippians 4:7).
Who (God) comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. – 2 Corinthians 1:4 (word in parentheses mine)
There IS a purpose for everything we go through in life. As a result of my experience with anxiety and depression, I’ve had lots of opportunities to help others who are going through something similar. I can understand where they’re coming from. I can encourage them with the truths of God’s Word that helped me.
Let God use the difficulties you’ve gone through to bring comfort to others.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. – James 4:7-8a
Choosing GrowthRelationships require work. I know it’s true in my family. When I spend all my time writing and don’t engage in conversation with my husband or daughter, our relationships drift apart. We feel disconnected.
My relationship with God is no different. I make a choice every day to spend time with Him or to ignore Him. The beautiful thing? When I put Him first and focus on our relationship, He draws close to me and gives me exactly what I need to continue moving forward. That’s growth!
Are you seeing growth in your life? Or have you become comfortable? What one step will you take to begin growing today?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for being the ultimate Teacher. Forgive me when I act like I know it all. Help me be willing to learn, because Your plan is for me to grow. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
