Do you ever catch yourself focusing a little too much on your growing list of needs only to realize that when you do, it never leaves you in a very good place?  

I’ve spent a lot of years trying to chase down whatever it is I think I need next. Well, I might call them “needs,” but “wants” is probably a better descriptor. And I must say that the pursuit of constantly seeking “more” is nothing short of exhausting. It leaves me feeling empty and frustrated, like I’m not enough, and that I will never measure up. Being self-consumed prevents thoughts of gratitude from being recognized felt, or expressed. And when the need is fulfilled, it doesn’t provide the long-term return on investment I was anticipating all along. In truth, I don’t know how it could because I tend to put such unrealistic expectations on that need and what I insisted it was going to do for me or bring more of to my life.  

It’s not that you and me having needs, wants, and desires is, in and of itself, bad. It’s just that we start to get thrown off course a little or a lot when our list of needs becomes our primary focus. In my experience, what happens next is this. I lose sight of my need for Jesus.  

When things get out of balance, I need to remember that my greatest need that scratches out every other need on my list is this- I need Jesus! My hope and prayer is that you, too, recognize your need for Jesus. He is pursuing you and I. He wants to do a work in our hearts. He desired a personal relationship with each of us. He’s ready and waiting for you and I. Saying “yes” to Him is the best decision you and I will ever make. It changes our future in ways we could never dream or imagine. It secures our place in eternity. More of Jesus, less of us. More love, joy, peace, mercy, forgiveness, and hope than we can wrap our heads around.

I’m pretty sure I need a sign like this hanging somewhere in my house where I’ll see it every day- “Have you prayed about it more than you’ve talked about it?  Better yet, maybe it should be the wallpaper on my phone. 

If you know me well, you know I love to talk. I’m energized by connecting with others and seeking out their input. I wouldn’t even want to begin to count the number of times my answer to this question would be “no.”  

You see, I often make the mistake of talking through things with friends or family members first, and turn to prayer as a last step. What I’m sometimes left with is more unsettled feelings and higher anxiety because the more I share, the more amped up I tend to get. So why would I choose to go to God last instead of first or leave God out of the loop altogether? I think there are many answers this question, but this morning what immediately comes to mind is my desire for control and my lack of trust. Can you relate?  

Initially, I want to do everything in my power to try to control the outcome of any given situation I’m facing. And it’s often not until I realize again and again and again, that I’m not in control of the outcome of any situation, that I seek out God, pray, and put my trust in Him. It’s definitely a trust issue for me, and that’s hard to admit. I’ve grown so much in my faith, but questions like this make me realize I need to keep investing in my relationship with God through reading His word and praying. God is changing my heart from the inside out, but it’s a process. I need to stay connected with others believers who help to remind me of who God is, the hope that we have in Jesus, and how important it is to maintain an eternal perspective rather than to get caught up in the whirlwind of chaos in the here and now.  

Let’s go to God in prayer today? Let’s pause for a moment and make Him our first point of contact and trust that He is fully aware of every detail. And pay attention to how different it feels when we do.

Our lives can get so full, can’t they? I have a tendency to get caught up in my own “stuff” only to realize that I haven’t done much lately to show others much I care. Can you relate?  

We may tell people how much we care, but showing them how much we care has an even more powerful impact. As crazy as our lives get, we can’t lose sight of the importance of taking the time to make someone feel special. The simple act of caring shows people that they matter. It makes others feel loved, accepted, and important. Our caring can inspire others to care, too.  

What can you do today to show someone how much you care about them? If you’re like me, you may try to over complicate it, and then stop yourself in your tracks. It doesn’t have to be something huge or costly. Maybe it’s sending someone a text message or a handwritten note. Maybe it’s taking an extra five minutes to help someone or to ask someone how they are really doing. No act of caring is ever wasted. You and I can make a difference in someone’s life today by simply showing that person in some small way how much they mean to us.

What we do each day shapes our tomorrows. Day in and day out it can feel like nothing changes, can’t it? It’s not until we stop, reflect, and look back that we see that everything is so different.  

This is a call to action for each of us. To keep taking steps towards our goals and dreams. Even if they’re tiny steps. To keep persisting through challenges and setbacks. To keep praying and asking God to show us what’s next. To continuing believing in what’s possible. To take risks and be willing to make mistakes. To release fears and let go of the idea of needing perfect conditions or the “right” time to make progress.  

I want to keep pursuing God’s best for my life and encouraging others, like you, to do so, too. Don’t forget that you are one of God’s masterpieces.  

If you are in a stormy season right now, I want to remind you that God is right there with you. He has a purpose and a plan for you and it is good. He is the Master of taking our messes and redeeming them into something beautiful. And He can be trusted with all of the details. Nothing is too much for Him. He makes a way where there seems to be no way possible. He’s changing you and I from the inside out. He doesn’t want us to simply trudge through our days. He wants us to live with intention and love and serve others and point others to Him. He wants us to look back and see that everything is different because of our relationship with Him.

At times, it can feel like someone or something is attempting to rob us of the peace we so desperately desire, can’t it? These verses from Philippians 4:6-7 give us so much hope about our search for peace and how to maintain it.  

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

It can come as a surprise to us that peace is NOT the absence of trouble. It’s actually the presence of Christ right there in the midst of our challenges.  

When we are personally battling adversity or see others encountering a life storm we may start to question how we or they will ever withstand the destruction. In these situations, we must pray and continue to give thanks to God and the peace that comes from God will transcend all of our understanding. We can’t explain it or articulate it. There aren’t even words that exist to adequately describe it. But this unimaginable peace from God guards our hearts and minds. And we can keep on keeping on.

I ❤ mornings.  A fresh cup of coffee. And the smell of possibility. A quiet moment to consider all of the potential this new day holds. A few minutes to reflect and give thanks to God and pray. One of the things I enjoy most about mornings is that I tend to see possibility and opportunity more so than issues and problems. And my faith and hope seem to rise above my fears and anxieties. It’s the time of day that I’m most aware of my desperate need for God and my inability to do it all on my own.

Thanking God for another day. A precious gift. Another chance for each of us to shine bright, to love and encourage others, and to see all of the possibilities God has for us in the next 24 hours. May we turn away from what we know is not serving us well and choose to live for so much more!

I’ve heard it said that the biggest mistake you could ever make is being too afraid to make one. Mistakes are an important part of life, aren’t they? So why do we try to to do anything within our power to avoid making them? Wow, am I ever guilty of this? Sometimes I’m not even a fan of making the smallest of decisions, like where to go out to eat or what to order when I get there, let alone big decisions that will have a major impact on my future.

We’re each going to make plenty of mistakes over the course of our lives. And that’s ok. It’s to be expected if you and I are going to attempt to do anything. We’re human and a mistake-free life of perfection is completely unrealistic. Aiming for perfection does nothing more than drive out progress and keeps us stuck. If we’re making mistakes, it’s a sign we’re taking action, making changes, and trying new things. It means we’re pushing ourselves and changing our world. Mistakes also prove to be tremendous opportunities for us to learn significant lessons and grow, don’t they?

What is it that you are scared to take a step toward doing for fear of making a mistake? What stories or lies have you been telling yourself that you realize are paralyzing you from doing anything? What would it take for you to unfreeze yourself and to make a move? What if you and I started looking at mistakes, not as failures or regrets, but as opportunities to learn what doesn’t work and to remain flexible as we discern and make decisions for ourselves moving forward?

I woke up this morning with a few things on my mind about self-care. I know it’s the weekend, but I think it’s important in a regular basis to reflect on how we’re doing with taking care of ourselves. What better time than right now for you and I to take a moment to ask ourselves a few key questions?

-Am I making myself a priority? If so, how? If not, why not? What excuses are standing in the way of my progress?  

-What am I doing to take care of me (i.e. physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, etc.)? How am I refilling my own cup so I can pour out to others? Does my schedule reflect this?
-How am I feeling about my overall health and wellness and my energy level?  
-Has my perspective, attitude, and/or mindset been positive? Or am I feeling stuck on the negative?  
-What’s my “why” for taking better care of myself? 
Each of us can get caught, at times, trying to pour from an empty cup. And it’s typically a result of being consumed by how packed we live our lives. When we ask each other how we’re doing, the word “busy” tends to be woven somewhere in our response.  

I’ve been challenging myself to make myself a priority. And I’d like to challenge you to do the same. It requires being intentional. And I’m not going to lie. It can feel a little awkward and uncomfortable when we’re stretching ourselves like this. And I battle feeling selfish or guilty, but I keep reminding myself that I’m worth it. And I want to remind you that you matter and that you’re with it, too. So why not, take another step in the direction of refilling your cup by making yourself a priority as soon as today?  

🎯 Not sure how to get started? I’d love to help you. Check the comments below for more info.