How do you deal with jealousy? When someone else gets the job, the promotion, the award, the relationship, the recognition, the life experience, has more money, a bigger house, more status, popularity, a nicer vacation, the school acceptance, whatever the "thing" is that you want, how do you respond?
Seeing others succeed when you've worked so hard in an area and yet get passed over can be really hard. It can be easy to feel that you've missed out, been done wrong, and that things just aren't fair. But if you're pursuing God's best, you can rest in knowing that He is working on your behalf so don't worry about whatever the thing is.
As hard as it can be, fight the urge to feel bitter and instead rest in God's providence and goodness. Trust that He is working all things together for good and keep pursuing Him.
In pursuit of His best,
Andrew
Thursday, July 30, 2015
Saturday, July 25, 2015
Prayer, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
Food for Thought: If you spent as much time in prayer as you do on social media, how would it affect your life and spiritual walk? Would you experience more or less joy? More or less fruit of the spirit? More or less wisdom? More or less sensitivity to the voice of God in your life? More or less intimacy with Jesus?
Social media isn't categorically a bad thing and I think it can be used for lots of good purposes but it needs to have its proper place. When the default is to open your phone or computer and mindlessly scroll through Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, or a Twitter feed, there's probably a lot of time wasted that could be better used elsewhere. For me, I've decided to try to limit social media consumption to a max of 15 minutes a day, if not less.
This is an attempt to recapture productivity, experience more of real life, sleep more, and recenter myself on prayer and pursuing God more intentionally.
Is there anything in your life that you need to evaluate eliminating or reducing?
In pursuit of His best,
Andrew
Social media isn't categorically a bad thing and I think it can be used for lots of good purposes but it needs to have its proper place. When the default is to open your phone or computer and mindlessly scroll through Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, or a Twitter feed, there's probably a lot of time wasted that could be better used elsewhere. For me, I've decided to try to limit social media consumption to a max of 15 minutes a day, if not less.
This is an attempt to recapture productivity, experience more of real life, sleep more, and recenter myself on prayer and pursuing God more intentionally.
Is there anything in your life that you need to evaluate eliminating or reducing?
In pursuit of His best,
Andrew
Labels:
Prayer,
the pursuit,
wisdom
Sunday, July 05, 2015
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall
Have you ever spent more than a few moments looking at yourself in the mirror? Time fixing your hair, makeup, brushing your teeth or otherwise taking care of your appearance doesn't count. Just time looking at yourself, your eyes, the emotions displayed in your face, and how God made you.
Others see us all the time and how we express ourselves but we mostly just live in our heads. Use this as an exercise in conjunction with prayer. Talk to God as you look at yourself in the mirror. It facilitates honesty. You can't hide behind flowery language or mask over the emotions inside. You already know if you're bluffing or not but seeing yourself while knowing the thoughts on the inside creates an opportunity for real candor.
Whether you're happy with how life's going or are experiencing challenging circumstances, use this exercise as a way to get real with God. Be aware though, it may be more difficult than you think and take you to deeper places of intimacy with God.
I've read that looking into someone's eyes for four minutes can create a deep connection. See how it works as you examine your own eyes and explore your soul with God.
In pursuit of His best,
Andrew
Others see us all the time and how we express ourselves but we mostly just live in our heads. Use this as an exercise in conjunction with prayer. Talk to God as you look at yourself in the mirror. It facilitates honesty. You can't hide behind flowery language or mask over the emotions inside. You already know if you're bluffing or not but seeing yourself while knowing the thoughts on the inside creates an opportunity for real candor.
Whether you're happy with how life's going or are experiencing challenging circumstances, use this exercise as a way to get real with God. Be aware though, it may be more difficult than you think and take you to deeper places of intimacy with God.
I've read that looking into someone's eyes for four minutes can create a deep connection. See how it works as you examine your own eyes and explore your soul with God.
In pursuit of His best,
Andrew
Labels:
faith,
the pursuit
Bible Verse Song: Psalm 73:26
Bible Verse Song Psalm 73:26
My heart and flesh may fail but God is my strength
My heart and flesh may fail but God is my strength
The strength of my heart and my portion forever
The strength of my heart and my portion forever
Forever my heart is yours
Labels:
Bible,
Music,
songwriting
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