You Are Priceless!

 

Do you know that you are God’s masterpiece?

What do you think this means for you as an individual?

Oscar Wilde, gives an appropriate response in the following quote ascribed to him:

Be yourself – everyone else is already taken!

This world is filled with people who do not appreciate their uniqueness. They do not believe they have anything worth offering to others. And there are those who are so besotted with the image of another that they seek to replicate him/her.

I am sure you’ve seen on stage or TV (if not in real life), those who earn money from being look- a-likes, or who pattern themselves on well-known celebrities, such as Marilyn Munro, Michael Jackson or Elvis Presley.

There are even people who will buy the same product used or worn by a celebrity they admire, because they somehow wish to emulate the lifestyle of whomever they deem to be cool, or successful, or hard, or whatever.

Women of Warfare followers, whom are you emulating?

A self-help book I’d read a while ago, mentioned a certain young man who’d started a new job and then began dressing and acting like his new work colleagues, even though the way they dressed and the cars they drove etc., was not a fit for his personality. In the end, he did not recognise himself!

And what about the marketing gurus, who sell idealised beauty, holidays, homes and lifestyles? Now there’s absolutely nothing wrong with following the lead of somebody you admire, or seeking to improve yourself, but to do so to the extent that you become a fake copy of someone else, rather than enjoy and express your own authenticity, is too, too sad.

It’s sad for your poor self-esteem, which has been squeezed into the mould of that person you’d much prefer to be. It’s sad for the people around you, who do not get to benefit from the unique gift you are to the world around you. And it’s mega sad for our wonderful Father-God, who took great care in designing and creating you.

Are you guilty of thinking, or feeling, or even saying that you are not good enough?

What has motivated those thoughts or feelings?

Is it peer pressure, or insecurity?

Can I tell you that the worth of anything is determined by the price someone is willing to pay for it? Well, based on that premise, guess what? You are invaluable!

Jesus gave his life for you. Jesus shed his precious, incorruptible blood for you.

…you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold… but with the precious blood of Christ… (1 Peter 1:18-19)

 

You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men (1 Corinthians 7:23)

 

So, don’t allow people (your peers, the media, even your enemies!), to dictate whom you should be, how you should behave, what you should buy etc., particularly if doing so cuts across the grain of your own authenticity.

Your uniqueness is God’s gift to you and how you express that uniqueness is your gift to those around you. [click to tweet]

Isn’t it about time you unwrapped yourself?

With love,

Carol (aka Lady Cee)

Author of: Petitions From My Heart

AMAZON UK – Print: click here; E-book: click here

AMAZON US – Print: click here;  E-book: click here

 

 

Did you enjoy reading this post? If so, please share your thoughts in a comment box below. Do you know someone who would benefit from its message? Then please don’t hesitate to share it. Thank you.

 

 

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Underdog, or Overcomer?

 

 

There was a time in my life when I used to go home from work practically every week day feeling like an underdog. But, unlike Eddie the Eagle, I was not the kind of underdog everyone, or indeed anyone rooted for.

No, I was the subject of daily ridicule and rejection and I took it to heart. I felt a victim. I behaved like a victim. I was a victim.

Why is this happening? Why are people so cruel? And why is God allowing this to happen? Apart from my husband, or the odd family member, or my best friend, no one seemed to care about me.

I carried a wound deep within my heart and each fresh incident of mockery and mistreatment consolidated my sense of being a non-person.

And then one day I came across a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt, which upset me. It went like this:

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.

 

How dare she say this!

Does she know what I’ve been through? Does she know what it’s like to be me?

But you know she was right. She is right!

You see, it’s all about the mind-set. The habitual thought patterns. My mind-set. My thought patterns.

And as Assegid Habtewold observed:

A winning mindset can transform an underdog into a champion, conqueror, and achiever. You’re a mindset away from winning your battles!

 

God’s Word puts it this way:

…be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:2)

As I exposed myself to the ideas and suggestions of various motivational speakers, they all highlighted the mind-set as a key to radical change, transformation, personal progress and achievement.

I had a choice. Continue to be miserable. Continue to die inwardly. Continue to allow others to control my emotions, dictate my day and keep me in a vegetative state, so to speak.

Or, I could accept responsibility. I could begin obeying God’s Word. I could begin trusting God and using his resources to change and heal me.

So, I decided to take back control. I decided to accept responsibility for the negative role I’d been playing in the scenarios of my life.

Has the mistreatment stopped? Not really!

Do I still feel hurt? Sometimes – but not to the extent that I did in the past.

Am I still a victim? Most certainly not!

Each new day, I make the choice to walk as a victorious overcomer.

Each new day, I take up my cross and follow Jesus (my Lord and Saviour), down the paths of rejection and ridicule, in the knowledge that he has walked the road before me, and for me.

And whenever I feel despondent, or outraged, or weary, I’m reminded of Paul’s words in Hebrews 12:3:

For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.

 

Dear reader, if life has not turned out the way you envisaged, if people don’t treat you the way you would want, if circumstances have left you feeling, acting and believing you are a victim, I pray God will open your eyes to the truth of his Word, so that as you know the Truth, as you embrace the Truth, as you meditate upon and pray the Truth, it will set you utterly and gloriously free! Amen.

Have a blessed and victorious week.

With love,

 

Carol (author of: Petitions From My Heart)

 

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Did you enjoy reading this post, or have you benefitted from its message? If so, please share your thoughts in a comment box below. Do you know someone whom this message would help? Then please don’t hesitate to share it. Thank you.

 

CREDIT: The above CC0 image comes courtesy of Pixabay.com

 

Stop Complaining and Making Excuses — The Light in the Heart

Maturity is when you stop complaining and making excuses in your life; you realize everything that happens in life is a result of the previous choice you’ve made and start making new choices to change your life. Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the heart

via Stop Complaining and Making Excuses — The Light in the Heart

Progress Check – Where are you on your journey?

Hello Peoples!

How are you doing?

I trust you are enjoying an abundant life, enjoying your privileged relationship with God, and making good progress on your spiritual journey.

At the beginning of this year, I wrote a 7-part series which focused on your journey – the journey you will take from 1 January to 31 December 2018. I asked you to think about what this journey will look like.

Will it be a journey of frustration, or a journey of faith?

Will you emerge from this year’s journey as a victorious overcomer, or will circumstances hold you captive and make, or keep you a victim?

It may seem harsh to hear what I’m about to say but I hope you will hear me objectively and realise that I speak from a heart that genuinely wants the best for you.

So, what am I about to say?

That whether or not you reach the end of your journey this year as a victorious overcomer, will be your own choice!

And so my dear spiritual buddy, what are you choosing? Are you choosing to obey God’s Word or spending too much time listening to the voice of the Enemy? Or are your ears constantly attuned to the voice of secular opinion?

Are you choosing to die to self-serving desires, or to live a life which honours and glorifies God?

Are you praying or complaining? Praying or pity-partying?

Dear reader, whether by intention or whether by default, your decisions, your mind-set, your habitual actions will determine the success or failure of your spiritual journey this year.

I close with this beautiful quote I discovered today:

 

Whatever your storybook carries within its pages, own it with love, courage and compassion. Remember that you can change your story at any time – nothing is fixed and we all have free will. We should not seek to love someone else’s journey more than we love our own; the swords of comparison are sharp and cutting to our soul and innermost values. We are all designed unique with our own original paths to walk through; we lose momentum and our natural impulses for creativity and progression when we focus our energy on other people.
― Christine Evangelou, Rocks Into Roses: Life Lessons and Inspiration for Personal Growth

 

Have a blessed weekend!

ooooOOOOOooooo

 

In case you’d like to remind yourself of my message to you at the beginning of this year, or if you are a new visitor to Women of Warfare! here is the link to my post referred to above (click here).

 

You Can Make It!

 

Will 2018 be the year your life changes?

Will it be the year you experience a miraculous turn around?

Will 2018 see you go from strength to strength and from victory to victory?

As we move into the second quarter of this year how are you progressing so far?

Women of Warfare followers and visitors – if you can take it, then you can make it!

If you can take the disappointments and disapproval, if you can ignore the  naysayers and dream-slayers, if you can overcome historical fears and failures, then you can make it!

The Word of God says:

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13 NKJV)

What say you?

—–oooooo000oooooo—–

 

Encouragement for Your Journey (5)

 

Each year, each month, each week, each day, even each hour, we are presented with an opportunity to change, to aim for a better, higher expression of ourselves as a child of God, as a spouse, as a parent, as a colleague, as a human being with a unique personality.

Why not aim to make this year, a year of significant achievement or breakthrough, in terms of drawing closer to God, in terms of our relationship with others, in terms of our areas of weaknesses, in terms of our dreams?

 Is it possible?

Can anyone who has ingrained bad habits, a negative mind-set, a propensity to start but not finish their projects, change?

YES THEY CAN!

Dear reader, perhaps you are entertaining doubts. Perhaps your doubts are singing loudly from the rooftop of your being, or perhaps they are quietly niggling you at the back of your brain. However they may be troubling you, don’t ignore them and certainly don’t accept them!

Instead dismiss them. Address them each time they show up and say: doubts – come out! Serve them notice. Evict them. Refuse to give them free board and lodging in your life anymore.

Perhaps you are thinking: that’s easy for you to say Lady Cee but I’ve tried in the past and failed.

So have I, dear reader – so have I! But that is not going to stop me from continuing to try until I succeed.

Listen to me – I heard a man of God speak the other day and the gist of his encouraging message was that every champion, every president, every entrepreneur, every man or woman who has achieved significance, had wanted to give up.

What you and I have to do, is purpose in our hearts, no matter how long it takes, no matter what obstacles we face, WE WILL NOT GIVE UP! As a well-known proverb advises: If at first you don’t succeed TRY, TRY, AGAIN!

So about those doubts. Why might they be there?

Perhaps you had parents, or school teachers, or a spouse, or some other significant person in your past, who said you were not going to amount to much. Listen, there is historical evidence that such figures of authority have been proved wrong. Very wrong!

 

Stop Doubting Yourself!

 

They were wrong about physicist and Nobel Prize winner, Albert Einstein. They were wrong about successful business magnate, Richard Branson. They were wrong about renowned motivational speaker, Les Brown. And they are wrong about you!

Decide in your heart that no human being (other than yourself) is going to have the last word in your life about your capabilities or prospects. God says you are his creative masterpiece. Listen to him and accept his assessment of you.

Perhaps you have a past record of beginning projects and not completing them. I know I have. And the memory of these unfinished projects, these unfulfilled “vows” with yourself, sit smugly within your consciousness and point accusatory fingers. The devil himself makes sure to give you his unsought opinion. And the little demons that attach themselves to these memories, scoff and taunt about your ability to change, to be diligent, to discipline yourself, to sustain interest until the point of completion.

Am I right? But more to the point, are they right?

Don’t let them have the last word. You can change. The Word of God says that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. So ask God, believe and expect mental and emotional strength. Ask for, believe and expect to receive an ability to withstand the pressures of your life, to overcome those forces designed to distract and deter you.

Again, the Word of God says all things are possible to him that believeth. I understand that the “eth” at the end of words in biblical text signifies a continuous tense. So to achieve your heart’s desire, it’s important that you not just believe whilst the going is good but continue to believe – today, tomorrow, next week, next month, next year – regardless of what happens and for as long as it takes. Are you willing to believe and believe and believe? Are you willing to do whatever it takes?

And about those obstacles, whether within yourself, or outside of yourself, you have a choice of whether to allow them to win, or whether to soar over them, plough through them, or wrestle them into submission to your dreams, goals and strategic plans.

If human beings, severely disadvantaged in life, refuse to let those disadvantages deter them; if disabled people can paint with their feet, successfully compete in races, and achieve extraordinary results; if individuals so beaten down by life they’d planned to dispose of themselves, can come back from the dead, so to speak, to effectively change and empower themselves, then we as blood-bought children of God—who’ve been given the requisite supernatural resources to enable us to endure, to overcome and win, and enjoy abundant life—have absolutely no genuine excuse!

Dear friend, the following is a short video which concludes today’s pep talk. If you need to watch it again and again and again throughout the coming weeks and months, until that message sinks in, until those doubts do not even dare to peep out of your soul, then please do so.

 

 

WoW follower and visitor – you can do it BUT you have to choose to do so! So choose today to be a victor. Choose today to be a victorious over-comer. Choose today to follow your dreams, to pursue your goals, to make this year, your year of jubilee!

With love,

Carol ♥♥

 

CREDIT: all the above CC0 images come courtesy of Pixabay.com

 

Encouragement for your journey (4)

Success is a journey – not a destination!

 

It’s been said that these modern times have produced a generation of people who’ve grown up in a negative culture – the blame culture!

With this kind of mind-set, this kind of perspective, those so afflicted can point the finger at someone else for their failures or misfortune.

 

My parents didn’t love me!

No one gave me a helping hand!

I came from a broken home!

I didn’t attend the right school… college… university!

I didn’t grow up in the right neighbourhood!

I don’t have the right skin colour!

I wasn’t given the same opportunities!

I…    I…    I…

 

Godly warriors and victorious over-comers, if we want this year to be a year of supernatural success and consistent achievement, we need to take responsibility for our thoughts, attitudes and actions.

Let’s cast an eye on a few biblical examples where people, who could have felt justified for going down the road of anger, bitterness, self-pity, or revenge, chose instead to trust God, to be patient in tribulation and to forgive those who’d wronged them.

• Joseph did not blame his brothers for putting him in a pit, for selling him as a slave
• David did not blame his family for dismissing him as someone with the potential to be king, with the potential to succeed
• Ruth did not blame her mother-in-law, or life in general, for ending up a young widow
• Daniel did not blame God when his faithfulness in prayer, caused him to be thrown into the lion’s den

 

 

Dear WoW! follower and visitor,

May I encourage you to adopt the same attitudes as those individuals in my examples above?

May I invite you to watch the following motivational video and to pay heed to its message?

I hope it will inspire you to change (if applicable). And I hope it will inspire you to pray for yourself, and/or to pray for anyone you know, who’ve become entrapped within the gall of bitterness.

 

 

With heartfelt good wishes for you, that this will be a year of tremendous blessings and significant breakthroughs.

Love,

Carol

 

CREDIT: The above CC0 image comes courtesy of Pixabay.com

 

Encouragement for your journey (3)

Success is a journey – not a destination!

 

Hello my journey-friends,

21 days ago, we welcomed in a brand New Year.

21 days ago, we entered into this New Year with a sense of anticipation.

21 days ago, we looked back at the previous year and assessed whether or not we’d experienced a year of achievement, success and victory, or fatigue, failure and frustration.

21 days ago, you and I had a choice—do we enter into the New Year with baggage from the old one, or do we let go of our debilitating fears and weaknesses and face the challenges and opportunities ahead with faith and determination?

How are you doing so far?

Here’s a short motivational video that I trust will encourage you to keep going, despite any doubts, disappointments or discouragement.

Fellow journey-ers, may 2018 be a year of significant breakthrough for you. May 2018 be your year!

  

 

 

Women of Warfare friends and followers, have a blessed week!

With love and best wishes,

 Carol

 

CREDIT: The above CC0 image comes courtesy of Pixabay.com

 

Encouragement for your journey (2)

Success is a journey – not a destination!

 

Hello friends and followers,

How’s your journey going so far?

I hope you are managing to maintain your determination and optimism.

So here’s my second post in this series. Is your relationship with God flourishing? Are you seeking to draw even closer to him this year? I do hope so!

Many of you will have heard the saying: It’s not what you know but who you know that matters. Well that saying is never more true than when you are a child of God. Make it your aim to become intimately acquainted with his nature, with his heart, with his Word, his will, plan and purpose for your life.

As you listen to the short video below, may it motivate you to seek God’s face like never before. May it spur you to keep going, to reign in your circumstances. And may the grace and power of God enable you to emerge at the other end of 2018 as a victorious overcomer. Amen!

 

 

• How can you draw even closer to God this year?
• Will you let him into those hidden areas of hurt in your life?
• Will you allow him to cleanse and heal you?

Love,

Carol

Encouragement for your journey (1)

Success is a journey – not a destination!

 

 Hello friends and followers,

The journey to which I refer in the title of this post is the journey you will take from 1 January to 31 December 2018. What will that journey look like? Will it be filled with frustration or fuelled by faith? Will you emerge as a victorious overcomer? The choice is yours!

I don’t know about you but I love to receive words of encouragement and my Bible tells me that we should encourage one another while it is still “today”. So, because I want 2018 to be a year of immense satisfaction with regards to spiritual growth, personal development and significant achievements (both for myself and for you), I will be using the next few posts to send some encouraging vibes, or motivational messages your way, as you begin this journey.

 

 

Did you enjoy this post? Let me know your response in the comment box below. I’d love to hear from you.

And if you know anyone who would benefit from some inspirational encouragement, please don’t hesitate to share it with them, or with your social network.

Love,

Carol

 

 CREDIT: the above CC0 image comes courtesy of Pixabay.com

 

7 Keys for a Successful Year in 2018

Unlock Your Success!

 

1)   Look back

Do you journal? Have some record of what’s been going on in your life other than your memory? I hope you do. I keep several journals (writing, devotional and, more recently, personal development).

Looking back enables you to see patterns. From reading entries of previous years, I can see not only my successes but issues I’ve struggled with again and again. They show me which areas of my life, I have yet to achieve self-mastery.

Without the ability to look back, to see the evidence of my short-comings, these habitual failings could easily be overlooked, or remain unchallenged. Noticing meant I had a choice—do something about it, or make excuses and remain in a place of stagnancy.

 

 

2)   Look forward

Where do you want to go in terms of your spiritual life, your relationship with God and others, your health, or career? When you decide to look ahead, you are creating a focus for your life. By deciding what results you would like to achieve this year and setting realistic goals, you are effectively creating a positive vision for your life.

So ask yourself some searching questions – what would you like to see? Who would you like to be? What do you want to do? Where are you falling short when it comes to God’s Word?

When I looked back through my journals and realised that I was spending year after year lamenting the fact that I wanted to be a writer yet not actively doing anything to make this a reality, I decided to use my constant failure in this area, to set out a vision that I could look forward to and use as a form of motivation.

In a nutshell, one of my visions is to become a skilful writer, to write with such beauty of thought and intensity of passion that my words will be like apples of gold, in settings of silver. I created a vision in my heart to become a writer of  intrinsic quality and dynamic influence, so that my readers will be highly encouraged and perhaps even motivated afresh to take hold of God’s Word and allow themselves to become supernaturally transformed.

 

3)   Plan

Now that you have your vision, decide what steps you need to take in order to move towards that vision. Decide how you are going to get there.

Having realised my dream of becoming a prolific and published writer was not going to happen by mere wishful thinking, I came up with a strategy for making this goal a reality.

I created two blogs, which forced me to write regularly. This enabled me to see myself as an authentic writer (since a writer writes!), plus fulfil a long-held desire for God to use my writing to teach and encourage others. Result!

 

4)   Pray

Creflo Dollar  says that every failure is a prayer failure! I’m inclined to agree with him.

I know from experience that if I’ve gone into an endeavour without seeking God’s wisdom, guidance and enabling power, either my efforts will fail, or else the full potential of what I’m trying to accomplish will not be realised.

When we look to God for supernatural assistance, we will obtain supernatural results.

 

Commit your way to the Lord,

Trust also in Him,

And He shall bring it to pass.

Psalm 37:5 (NKJV)

 

5)   Take Action

So you have your goal(s). You’ve devised a plan and you’ve committed your dream or desire into God’s hands. Now what?

Well, dear reader, don’t kid yourself that God’s going to go Kerpow! and suddenly you will have lost that weight, landed that new job, or levitated yourself from a position of obscurity to “overnight success”. Whatever you wish to achieve, you are going to have to work, work, work at it. You are going to have to apply yourself diligently.

When I decided I’d had enough of being a victim of the Enemy and of the people whom he used to undermine my self-esteem, I took action by renewing my mind through biblical meditation, studying God’s Word, writing out several affirmations and speaking these to and over myself regularly. I read relevant books, watched motivational videos and sought to apply whatever truths I learned, which aligned with my Christian principles.

Work out what you need to do in order to accomplish your dream and then, as the Nike advert demands, just do it!

 

6)   Embrace Discipline

What is discipline?

It is training yourself to behave in a diligent and controlled way, in order to achieve a particular result.

Now, if you are like most people (myself included), discipline is where you fall down. The New Year arrives with its promise of new opportunities. You get excited. You set goals. You plan. You even start to take action. But then for some reason, you lose your enthusiasm and you lose momentum, or else, something happens to knock you off track.

There’s a saying that wisely observes: “to be forewarned is to be forearmed”. So let me forewarn you today—something or someone, somewhere down the road will cause you to lose hope, lose focus and perhaps ultimately lose your dream. Is there something you can do in advance to prepare yourself against this eventuality?

How about making a pre-commitment to not let weeks and weeks go by before you decide to get back on track with your goals or personal development plan? How about making a solid decision that come what may, you are not letting go of that dream?

How about making spiritual preparation in advance, by way of specific and persistent prayer and/or fasting, so that you have the inner strength and resolve required to soldier on regardless?

 

7)   Seek help from the Holy Spirit

How successful could you be in life if you had your own personal-achievement coach, spiritual cheerleader and perpetual mentor?

If you are a born-again Christian, if you have declared Jesus as Lord of your life, then my dear reader, you have! The Bible refers to the Holy Spirit as our Helper. So don’t ignore this valuable and highly effective resource – ask for his help!

Ask him to help you set your goals in line with God’s will for your life. Ask him to remind you of your vows and commitments. Ask him to help you maintain discipline in your life. Ask him to empower you and show you how to achieve your heart’s desire.

Dear reader, dear aspiring woman of God, make 2018 a year in which you achieve, succeed and excel in the plans and purpose of God for your life.

May 2018 be a year where your spiritual growth and development enables you to experience the miraculous power of God at work in your life, to the extent that He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that you ask, think, desire and dream.

With best wishes,

Carol

 

 CREDIT: the above CC0 images are from Pixabay.com

Go Drink From God’s Well of Hope

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11

 

Hello dear reader,

Happy New Year!

May we chat?

What are your dreams for this year? Or have the disappointment and failures of past years, perhaps even decades, meant that your expectations are zilch?

Have troubles that never seem to be resolved robbed you of hope?

Are you tired of fighting, losing, hurting, believing yet not receiving?

Are you content to live a mediocre life, rather than appropriate the abundant life for which Christ suffered and died, in order for us to enjoy? And if you feel that life’s great and all’s well in your bubble, are you concerned, moved with compassion for those around you who are not so fortunate? Are you concerned enough to pray?

I have read blog posts and comments and had conversations where people seem to have lost hope, stopped trying, don’t care (or at least say they don’t). This makes me sad.

It makes me sad because you and I have such incredible potential. It makes me sad because God went to a lot of trouble to ensure no matter what life throws at us, we can win. It makes me sad because I see and hear about people in the secular world, who are tapping into biblical principles and winning in life, whilst many of us Christians are floundering in our faith, drowning in disappointment, wallowing in the mire of messed-up lives and missed opportunities. What’s wrong with this picture?

Dear reader, if you are a born-again child of God, if you are a new creation in Christ, if you still have the breath of God filling your lungs, please don’t give up hope. Don’t throw in the towel with regards to succeeding in life on a deeply-satisfying, supernatural and purpose-driven level.

Believe God’s Word – it says we are more than conquerors! So conquer that apathy. Conquer that doubt. Conquer that discouragement. Be the man or woman that God has called you to be… that deep down in your heart you desire to be.

This is another year. Today is another day. So LIVE! Be a victor!

With love,

Carol

 

New Beginnings…

“As the year comes to a close, it is a time for reflection – a time to release old thoughts and beliefs and forgive old hurts. Whatever has happened in the past year, the New Year brings fresh beginnings. Exciting new experiences and relationships await. Let us be thankful for the blessings of the past and the promise of the future.”
― Peggy Toney Horton

 

For years, decades even, I could not let go of the malicious things people said and did to me. Believe me when I say, I was not being totally paranoid. I had people in my life who’d decided they were going to systematically target me and undermine my self-esteem, my reputation, relationships and career prospects.

Christian or not, when such spiteful and unwarranted behaviour continues from day to day, week to week, month to month, even year to year, it can take its toll on your character, on your relationship with God or others and, on your ability to grow and develop as an individual, as a disciple of Christ.  It can even take its toll on your ability to enjoy every-day life.

As the years clocked by, I allowed these people to get into my head. I allowed bitterness to take root in my heart and I allowed resentment to influence my actions. I became a victim.

It was only when I suddenly woke up to the fact that if God loves me unconditionally, cares about me and has complete control (which I did believe), and that if God is omniscient and therefore aware of my predicament and the actions of those perpetrators (which I had no doubt that He is and was aware), then my Father God must be allowing the circumstances—and if He is allowing it, then it is for a reason.

My choice at that point was to either submit my will to His, or rebel against it. Submitting would demonstrate to both God and Satan that my frequent prayer: “not my will Lord God but Your will be done, in and through my life” was not just an empty platitude.

It took much fretting, agonising and dying to self before I understood that God was not going to respond to my complaints, or cries of outrage, or bargaining, or unhappiness. I finally had to accept that my Father God responds only to faith and obedience.

Now, I’m not saying that I’ve arrived, or that I’m perfect (far from it!). However, I can now confidently declare that I no longer see myself as a victim. I can humbly testify that my predicament gave me ample opportunities to make mature choices, appropriate God’s strength, use his spiritual weapons and learn to walk in life as a victorious overcomer.

I share this post, having been inspired by today’s devotional reading, which focused on the following verse of scripture:

…forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal…

(Philippians 3:13 NKJV)

 

Dear fellow-believer,

Dear precious woman of God,

Dear WoW follower or visitor,

We are at the threshold of a brand new year.

And so dear reader, as you enter 2018, where applicable, may I encourage you to leave behind any disappointments, failings, grudges or other victim behaviour from your past?

May I encourage you to enter into this New Year with a godly resolve to be the best person you can be as a new creation in Christ?

May I encourage you dear Child of God to appropriate and live the best life (i.e. the God-quality type of life) that you possibly can, so you may be that bright spiritual light, that sanctified dispenser of salt, that God-glorifying and victorious overcomer, you have been called to be?

 

This Week’s Prayer Focus:

Let’s pray for the New Year ahead and the fresh opportunities it brings to walk in a manner that pleases God, to grow in our knowledge of and relationship with him and, to enjoy our every-day lives.

 

PRAYER:

Loving Father God,

I want to praise and thank you for your goodness, mercies and blessings throughout this current year.

Thank you for keeping both me and my loved ones safe from harm, danger and evil. Thank you for supplying my daily needs. I ask that you keep me ever appreciative of your divine presence, protection and provision. May I never take my salvation for granted, or squander the priceless privilege, which you have granted to me as your heir.

Lord God, you already know what 2018 has in store for me. I choose to enter this year with an expectation that whatever I face, you have given me the ability to reign in my circumstances through Christ, who strengthens me. You have given me the spiritual resources to emerge as a victorious overcomer.

I commit my dreams, goals and vision into your hands. Your Word advises me to commit my works to the Lord and to acknowledge you in all my ways, so that you may direct my paths. I therefore do so in faith and with confidence that throughout this new year, you will cause all things (both good and bad), to work together for my advancement and welfare.

Lord Jesus, I want to thank you that you ever live to make intercession for me and I thank you for being a faithful high priest. As I offer my life as a daily sacrifice and in service to my Father God, I ask that you make it acceptable in His sight. I ask that you cause my accomplishments, worship and prayers to rise as sweet incense before God’s presence.

Holy Spirit, I acknowledge my need of you and therefore call upon you. Enable and empower me to walk in agreement with God’s Word and in obedience to His will. Fill me afresh with your anointed presence each new day. Fill me with the peace of God that transcends natural understanding. Fill me with the wisdom of God, so that I know what to do, how and when to do it. Give me ears to hear and understand my Father God’s guidance and direction. Help me to recognise His voice, to differentiate between what He is saying, what the Enemy implies and accuses, or what my selfish instincts dictate.

Father God, thank you for hearing my prayer today. I believe you’ve heard me and because I have asked in faith and have prayed in the name of your Son, Jesus, I am confident that you will grant my request. Amen.

© Carol Hind

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Sunday’s Supplications

Sunday’s Supplications invites you to not only read the posts but also participate in the prayers. Each fortnight, I hope to introduce a new theme and prayer focus. You are welcome to print off and use each prayer provided, either verbatim or adapted for your particular circumstance. Even better, you can construct your own prayer and share with others by linking to this post. Please note, you do not have to be a blogger to participate.

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Women of Warfare followers and readers I wish you a successful and triumphant year, filled with God’s abundant blessings and perpetual favour.

Have a wonderful week!

 

CREDIT: The above CC0 images come courtesy of Pixabay.com