POWER-FILLED POSITIVE LIVING-CHAPTER 20c—5 Thoughts that Lead to a Vibrantly Positive Life
The last two days I was blessed with going on a road trip that took me on a 5 hour drive there and another 5 hours to return. What an incredible trip. I love driving down the road with God beside me, listening to Christian music, and looking at God’s magnificent creation. As I drove along, I would lose the radio station and have to search for a new one. I seemed to find K-love all along the route except two areas where instead I found preachers—both were new to me and both had amazing sermons as though just for me.
Amazing how God covers every tiny detail, every second of timing, and every need of my heart. He does that for each and every one of His children. There is not a millisecond of time in your life or mine that He is not in control of your surroundings.
As I began this road trip there were some very specific prayer needs I had for myself, for my family, and for my friends which I knew would each need a miracle. For that reason, I began my journey in fasting prayer. Early in the trip I hit a storm that cautiously I drove through and then surrounding me was some of the most beautiful countryside as the rainstorm stopped and the brilliance of the sun peaked through fluffy clouds and such beautiful shades of blue sky. The trees, meadows, and hills were painted with so many shades of green. So many breathtaking photos forever etched in my mind to remind me of just how amazingly beautiful God’s Glorious creation is. God had etched so much detail into every part of His creation. I was overwhelmed by joy, peace, hope and love that it felt as if my heart would burst.
So many wonderful songs I heard along that road that caused me to be dancing inside as I drove on that road—two particularly spoke to my heart. One was “Who I Am” by Blanca and the other was “Promises” by Sanctus Real. Everything along the trip was a reminder that no matter what the answer to my prayers were God had the perfect answer molded by His Hands of Love.
What is it that makes me always full of Joy and Hope? What always causes me to face life without fear? What allows me to feel such abounding love? Why do I anticipate each new day with awe and wonder, waiting to see what Glorious gift God has for me today? Oh, yes, sometimes that gift comes wrapped in pain or sorrow; yet, inside once the wrapping is discarded therein is a wondrous gift of God’s love—a glimpse of His Glory.
I have learned that the positive thinking that leads to a life that is vibrantly alive with Positive living comes from focusing my thoughts on these five things.
1. God. Focus on God’s might, God’s Glory, and God’s love. Whenever I doubt or fear, it is because I fail to remember how really, really, big God is. He loves me with a steadfast love. He is a God who despite being so big is involved in even the tiniest details of my life. He knows my every need. He knows what will ultimately lead to my greatest happiness and He is not willing that I become satisfied with less than His best. He rules heaven and earth—He is sovereign—despite that He chose me to be His child. WOW!!
2. In Christ, I am God’s chosen, beloved, blessed, redeemed child. I am declared a saint, clothed in Christ’s righteousness and royal heir of the Kingdom of God. Again, WOW!!
3. Indwelling me is the Holy Spirit to comfort, strengthen, guide, and assist in everything. He has equipped me with special spiritual gifts to use in this life to help others along their journey. The love, peace, and joy of God the Father and Jesus Christ as it overflows into the essence of the Holy Spirit lives inside of me. I am filled with God’s love, joy, and peace. ANOTHER SHOUT OF WOW!!
4. God surrounded me with friends, family, and biblical teachers who each have their own unique spiritual gifts. When we join together we become a force that can weather any storm this life may bring. We stand strong and firm against every attack that Satan may attempt. Satan so wishes to destroy our testimony by destroying our joy. For those of us hidden in Christ, Satan knows he cannot touch our soul. That is why he attacks our mind to try and steal our hope, our confidence and our joy. Yes!! And Wow!!
5. In Christ, I am heir of all of God’s Promises. These you can find throughout the scripture and are more than I could ever list here. I did find another blog site that lists promises everyday called 365 Promises. Maybe begin there; but, remember to go each day to God’s word where He so richly has written for you His promises.
So, dear friends, “9 Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the Lord…11 the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing… and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away. 12 I,(God) even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass; 13 And forgettest the Lord thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth” (Isaiah 51). So, my dear friends, Awaken to the Joy In Christ that He so freely has given.
I would love to hear from you. I would love to hear your stories of how God has fulfilled promises in your life or even to hear about the struggles you are facing so we can pray together. You can leave your comments below or you can email me effiedarlene@gmail.com or via the link on the right.
Let me leave you with these two songs today
Who I Am by Blanca and Promises by Sanctus Real
The artist that drew the picture “A Broken and Contrite Heart” featured on my header is Ronald Barba. Please go to his website ( http://www.barba-art.com) for information regarding obtaining copies or to commission him to create a masterpiece for you. Feel free to email him at Ron@Barba-Art.com to discuss any art projects and to discuss pricing.
©2015 Effie Darlene Barba
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.