Archive for the ‘Daily Living’ Category

8 Proven Bad Mood Boosters

by Kim Avery

Do you ever wonder why when given similar circumstances some people are still happier than others? Clearly, our mood is more than an external affair.

In fact, God tells us that how we feel is not a result of what happens to us but an expression of what we think and do.

As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.
Proverbs 23:7

So choose life in order that you may live…
by loving the LORD your God, by obeying His voice,
and by holding fast to Him;
for this is your life and the length of your days…
Deuteronomy 30:19-20.

Research agrees.  Below are 8 Proven Bad Mood Boosters to set your day and your life on a more joyful path today.

1.  Journaling – Journaling provides a wonderful emotional outlet and connects your deepest thoughts with the presence of the Living God. Just a few of the benefits that journaling has been shown to provide are increased hopefulness, comfort in stress, increased happiness, and a longer life.

2.  Expressing Gratitude – Again and again, God calls us to become a praising, thankful people. This is not because He needs to hear our praise but because He knows it is good for us. Regularly expressed gratitude can increase life satisfaction, lower depression, reduce anxiety, and enhance your mood.

3.  Physical Exercise – God made the body for movement and the more we use it the better we feel. Exercise reduces tension, anxiety, and depression all while increasing self-confidence, happiness, energy, and compassion.

4.  Volunteer Work – The clear call of Scripture is to love others and to care for their needs. Research shows that the beauty in obedience is that the more we give, the more we get. Volunteers have been found to be happier and to live longer than their less altruistic peers.

5.  Savoring Happy Memories – “Remember” is one of the most repeated calls in the Old Testament.  Remember who God is and remember what He has done.  Studies have shown that this savoring consistently leads to greater joy. Maybe it’s time to get scrapbooking again?

6.  Forgiving – If there is anything we associate with our loving God, it is the incredible gift of forgiveness that He has given.  And He calls us to do the same for others. Working through the difficult process of forgiving another enhances all our relationships and actually lowers your heart rate leading to better health.

7.  Using Your Strengths – God gave us spiritual gifts and then commanded us to use them. And studies now show that using your strengths improves your mood and leads to greater success.

8.  Meditation – Yep.  God told us to pray without ceasing and it benefits us in various ways. Meditation (prayer) can actually rewire our brain allowing us to experience significant boosts in happiness, health, quality of relationships, empathy and resilience.

I just love God, don’t you? We’ve known all along that His commandments to us are for our good and now science can actually measure those results along physical lines.  I can only begin to imagine the true effect of obedience when God’s spiritual benefits are added in as well.

We know now, more than ever before, obeying God makes a happier you.

What benefits have you discovered in an area of obedience?  I hope you will let us know by leaving a comment in the box below.


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Worry Free Wednesdays – The Worry Cure – Part II

by Kim Avery

Worry – it’s pointless, and it’s pervasive. While we all know that endlessly mulling, worrying, and churning things over again and again in our minds doesn’t solve a thing, we all do it.

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
And why do you worry about clothes?
See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.
Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor
was dressed like one of these.
Matthew 6:27-29

Step One – Recognize

Last Wednesday we discovered that the first step in God’s Worry Cure is ‘Recognize.’ God’s solution for our chronic worry all begins with recognition. Recognizing through prayer that God is bigger than any problem we will ever have and recognizing and naming our specific need as we give that worry over to God.

But there may still be more to do. Life often brings with it very real trials and problems and many times God not only tells us to bring our concerns to Him but also to obey and respond as He requires.

Step Two – Respond

“According to the Bible, there is nothing wrong with realistically acknowledging and trying to deal with the identifiable problems of life. To ignore danger is foolish and wrong. But it is also wrong, as well as unhealthy, to be immobilized by excessive worry. Such worry must be committed to prayer to God, who can release us from paralyzing fear or anxiety, and free us to deal realistically with the needs and welfare both of ourselves and others.” (Dr. Gary Collins, Christian Counseling)

Thus, after recognizing our need, we are to ask God what He would have us do.  He will tell you.

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God,
who gives generously to all without finding fault,
and it will be given to him.
But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt,
because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea,
blown and tossed by the wind.
That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord;
he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
James 1:5-8

At times, God may assure you that the situation is fully in His hands, and you are just to wait in faith on Him. At other times, God may call you and equip you to respond as He requires.

Either way, the results up to Him.

You can choose to take this Wednesday and enjoy it entirely worry free. Through prayer, recognize your need and then respond as God directs.

Join us in this process by following the steps below.

Search your heart and identify each specific need.

Write that need in the comment box below (with as little or much detail as you would like.)

Pray thanking God that He is able to provide all you need. Also take a minute to pray for the request entered right above yours.

Ask God what, if anything, He wants you to do today about this situation? Follow through in obedience knowing the results are up to Him.

Click the submit button knowing that your worry has been entrusted to the Lord, and He will respond to it in the wisest, most loving way.

Walk away and enjoy a worry free day.  God’s got you covered.


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Marriage Monday – Marriage is a Continual Journey

by Julie Gorman

We’re friends right? And friends can be honest with one another…right? So…can I just say…very honestly…I’ve had a lot of trial and errors all through out my marriage, even recently?

Don’t get me wrong…I love my husband implicitly…but he sure can tick me off…and he has a few times lately. LOL.

In the past few week I have travelled well over 10,000 miles…driving from Texas to Missouri…to Kentucky…then flying to the Ukraine…back to Kentucky…then flying to Florida…then back to Kentucky…then driving to Missouri…and finally back home to Texas! Whew…just thinking of it gives me jet lag all over.

Along with all the travel, I am packing boxes. We are moving our family from Texas to Florida in just 3 short weeks. We are doing all of this and still haven’t gotten the final approval our rental lease for the next year has been finalized! AGGGH!

All in all…we are under a little pressure. Now combine in the mix that I’m finishing the last 3 chapters of my next book and awaiting final approval from my publishing company…well…you might just say there’s a little stress in my life right now. :-)

So, Greg and my temperaments have been tested. Our friendship has been stretched. And, the grace we need for one another has been magnified. I say all of this to remind myself and you that…

Marriage is a continual journey; if you struggle you are not strange. Every couple hurdles obstacles within their relationship, but resolving to press on produces healthy, satisfying relationships.

Thomas Edison once replied to an interviewer’s question (concerning his light bulb invention), “I never failed once. It just happened to be a 200-step process.” Our marriages won’t fail if we embrace the same attitude and commitment Edison held concerning his inventions. He never gave up. He kept trying until he succeeded.

Marriage is a journey, demanding our constant effort of “giving” not “taking.” Prepare for the twists and turns in the road. Prepare for the occasional accidents and detours. Position yourself in prayer. Study the road map of God’s Word and you’ll discover direction for your journey. You can’t stop. Keep driving. In the hazardous seasons, slow down. Remember, every journey has a starting point; your marriage started with a vow before God. Occasionally, you find yourself at the starting line all over again remaking and reconfirming the vows to love, honor, and cherish. Put your spouse’s needs before your own and watch God move.

In the Seven Conflicts, Tim and Joy Downs write: “Each of us is born with an instinctive ‘me first’ attitude. But in marriage, each husband and wife has to cultivate a ‘we first’ mentality—and each needs to know that his or her partner shares that value.” (2003, Moody Publishers, pg. 40)

Don’t give up—God is near. If you have breath it is not too late to experience your “happily-ever-after.” Marriage takes a lot of hard work and you may feel as though your life hangs by a delicate string, but God is able to mend and restore. Put your hope and confidence in Him and He will navigate you on your journey.


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Worry Free Wednesdays – The Worry Cure – Part I

By Kim Avery

I’ve spent a lot of time in my life worrying. I’ve worried about tests, exams, and losing my high school locker combination.  I’ve fretted over my choice of colleges, churches, and friends. I’ve been anxious about my appearance, performance, and people dropping by when the house wasn’t clean.

I’ve conjured up images of poverty, cancer, and global warming and allowed them to play havoc with my life. I can even worry about how much I worry. Yup, if it’s out there, like a dog with a bone, I’m sure I’ve worried it to death.

For many, worry can easily become a habit, a way of life. This month we will look at The Worry Cure and how it can literally change your life. It is found in Philippians 4:6-7.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7

From this one passage we will explore the Four Essential Steps to a Worry-Free Life.

Recognize

Respond

Release

Replace

Recognize

This week we will look at the first step in The Worry Cure which is to recognize 2 different things: 1) what you are worried about, and 2) who your God is.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6

In this phrase, ‘”by prayer and supplication…,” God’s Worry Cure gives us two key words that show us where to begin to live an anxiety free life.

1.  Prayer – this word in the Greek, proseuche, means to call on a deity.  In other words, recognize that you have a God, a divine God. He is much bigger than your problem and much bigger than you. You are not in this alone. Call out to Him.

Our default thinking in troublesome situations usually sounds like this, “If it’s going to be, it’s up to me.” Thankfully, nothing could be further from the truth.  As you obey God’s command to pray, your soul will quickly be reminded that in reality you have a very HUGE God and to Him the biggest human problems are very small.

2.  Supplication – This Greek word, deesis, means to make specific requests. Worries that are undefined can linger over you like a black cloud. Clear requests left at the throne of God will quickly remove the vague anxiety that haunts your heart.

Instead of just saying I’m worried about money, dig deep enough to see that it’s the bill from the hospital that has you concerned. Perhaps it’s not really the global economy that keeps you up at night but the knowledge that your husband receives his work review on Tuesday.  That pit in your stomach could be a signal of stress as you wonder when you will ever find time to help your son with his math before the big test later this week.

As you bring each specific need to your all-powerful God, you will begin to see clear answers and provision for each request.

Be worry free today:

Search your heart and identify each specific need.

Write that need (with as little or much detail as you would like) in the comment box below

Pray (proseuche) thanking God that He is able to provide all you need. Ask (supplication/deemis) specifically for what you need and for the request in the comment box right above yours.

(Optional) You may also include the Scripture promise that God has laid on your heart to encourage you in this situation.

Click the submit button knowing that your worry has been entrusted to the Lord and He will respond to it in the wisest, most loving way possible.

Walk away and leave that worry behind for the entire day. God’s got you covered.


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Be All That God Created You To Be ~ More Goals to Consider

by Kim Avery

Jump start your week by prayerfully pondering some more of the things that God may be calling you to as you engage in His transformation process.

Each Tuesday on Transformed on Tuesdays you will learn how to become more and more the woman God created you to be. Then, you can drop by each weekend to find a short list of ideas to get your creative juices flowing. Some of the ideas won’t be for you but others will be just what God has in mind.

Begin today to be all that God created you to be. Imagine the possibilities. You could…

Identify and reduce the ‘tolerations’ (click here)  in your life.

Clean out the clutter (click here) in your closets and drawers.

Learn how to ask others powerful questions.

Create a peaceful environment in your bedroom.

Learn how to supplement your income without adding to your stress.

Identify the relationships in your life that aren’t honoring to God.

Limit your time on the internet.

Accept your greatest weakness without shame.

See opportunities in problems.

Be more patient.

True transformation is hard. Changing the habits of a lifetime takes prayer, planning, practice, self-forgiveness when you fall short, and the ability to make adjustments along the way. Many women find change easier with the help, encouragement, support, accountability, and wisdom of a life coach walking by their side. Consider taking a minute to explore how life coaching can help you.

What change are you going to begin incorporating into your life today?

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