{ Victim or Victor }

We all know somebody who just seems to be able to take everything that happens to them in stride, whether it be good or bad. But if those who seem to have it all together would be perfectly honest, they'd admit that they have their moments, too, when they struggle with whatever situation they're in. I'm pretty transparent, so it's difficult for me to hide when I'm going through a rough patch. Because of a situation in my own life that's been ongoing for almost a year now I signed up for the current Ladies Bible study at church that focuses on JOY.....

something I felt I could use more of!

The study is by Margaret Feinberg and is called Fight Back With Joy. 

(click on the title to purchase it on Amazon) 

I wanted to share with y'all this portion of our lesson for today that gives tips to break out of the mentality of being a victim. A few of these are uh-oh's for me.  Anything you read in parenthesis are my own emphasis.

1.  Avoid the Blame Game

Take responsibility for yourself and your behavior.

You don't get to choose the situation, 

but you do get to choose your response.

What are you doing to seek healing and wholeness?

2.  Pay Attention To Your Words

(these are my words, not hers....be SLOW TO SPEAK, like I've talked about in a post here )

Psalm 141:3

Take control of what I say, O Lord,

and guard my lips.

3.  Choose Forgiveness

Whether you've been wronged or committed the wrong,

moving forward requires forgiveness.

You may not have the strength to forgive yourself and others,

but God does.

4.  Wrestle With God

(this is based on the story of Jacob - Genesis 32:26)

When you find yourself in the dark and overpowered (this, to me, is a description of depression or feeling overwhelmed by your circumstances), wrestle with God until you embrace Him more deeply. Ask God to reveal Himself in the midst of difficulty.

5.  Ground Yourself In The Gospels

Jesus had every reason to become a victim yet He lived as a victor. 

(use His life as an example)

6.  Abound In Thanks

Remember how blessed your life is compared to people around the globe.  

Instead of thinking,

"I'm the only one",

remember the millions around the globe who are suffering.

Gratitude will change your perspective from what has been taken from you to all God has given you.

I'm in HOPE's that some of these suggestions might be helpful to somebody else reading this.

Have an awesome Tuesday, Friends!

{ JOY }

I absolutely love how God works!

This might get lengthy,  because I'm not good at making a "long story short", so here goes.....

So, if you follow me on Facebook, you know about my visit to a local Wal-Mart, one that I don't normally visit.  This particular Wal-Mart was extremely crowded and I don't do too well in crowds. As part of our Ladies Bible study at church, Fight Back With Joy, I decided to just smile at everybody I saw. Y'all, out of about 20 people I gave a smile to, there were maybe 2 who smiled back and needless to say, my joy bubble somewhat fizzled. A couple of people left comments that helped me to put the situation in a better perspective, that maybe later on they thought about that old gray-haired lady smiling at them and it brought them some joy (those weren't the exact words of my friends....😉).

Now fast forward to this morning.....

I was driving back from Jefferson City and turned the radio on just in time to hear the last part of a message by Dr. David Jeremiah.....

and you know what it was about?

JOY, Y'all!

(here's the link)

One of the things brought out in our study yesterday was that we need to will ourselves to celebrate in spite of the situation we're in.  Now, I realize that's not the easiest thing to do, depending on what's going on in our life.....

and at times it just seems impossible.

But here's a statement Dr. Jeremiah made that hit me like a ton of bricks.....

"Joy is contagious and to catch the infection you have to expose yourself to the virus and become part of the blessed epidemic. Find joyful people, hang out with joyful people, become a part of the  epidemic, catch the virus. Get infected with the joy of Jesus Christ."

Prior to that statement, he spoke about how we NEED each other, we need to be around other Christians. Now, I'm going to ask you to back up with me to this morning because I have a friend who is struggling with life....with their faith. I sent them a text during my Bible time this morning telling them practically the same thing.  My words were "you NEED to have Christian  believers around you for you to feed from."

Y'all, that ain't even the end of this novel.

When I got home and checked my e-mail, I had a refund from Wal-Mart for an on-line purchase I made because the product was a cheaper price in the store.  I just felt like God was smiling on me whether those other folks did or not!

Ain't God Good?

Oh, yes He is!!!

{ THANK-full Thursday }

I'm participating in a Ladies Bible study at our church that is all about JOY!  The study is by Margaret Feinburg and is titled, Fight Back With Joy.  There's a section in the workbook that you write down at least 3 things each day that she calls "joy bombs".....

something that really stood out in the day that brought joy to your heart!

I thought I'd share a few of mine today as part of my THANK-full Thursday.....

*Seeing my Mom's face light up when I took her fresh eggs from Jess' chickens

*Marking several projects off my "to-do" list

*My sweet back door neighbor ringing the doorbell and bringing me some "happies"

*a hawk flying from a tree and ahead of our car as we drove up the highway

*finding our favorite flavored waters in stock at Wal-Mart

*making coffee each morning and using the handmade scoop that my brother made me from a walnut tree we had cut in our yard many years ago

*seeing "have a blessed day" on the bottom of our receipt at Bo-jangles then spotting a sign with John 3:16 on it as we headed out the door

*our precious 4-year old grandson asking me to read to him and going sound asleep in my lap

*Pappy taking the time to finish up my chalkboard and using barn wood from my Mamaw's old barn

*being up early in the morning all by myself thinking, praying, meditating, studying.....

in the peace and quiet before the day gets hectic

These are just a few of the "joy bombs" God's sent my way this week!

HOPE your Thursday is terrific!