Come Into The Deep End... with ImHisServant (2)

psalms 91 · Jan 17, 2007

good morning

woman.at.the.well · Jan 17, 2007

ImHisServant said:
Wednesday 1/17/07

Choosing My Words

There was a time when, if a thought entered my mind, it automatically came out of my mouth. Even if I wasn't sure that what I was saying was true, the words poured out of me. In Christ I have learned to "Think" before I speak.

When I'm tempted to respond to angry accusations with accusations of my own, I stop and "Think." When I have an urge to betray a confidence, to gossip, or to tell something extremely personal to a total stranger, I stop and "Think." And when my opinion about another person's business has not been requested, I take the time to "Think" before I get involved. That way I make a conscious choice about how I will respond.

Perhaps I will decide to say nothing, or choose a more tactful way to proceed, or question whether I really mean what I have been thinking. I may decide that this is not an appropriate place to discuss what is on my mind. Or I may choose to go right ahead and speak up in a very direct manner. Regardless of which option I select, today I am willing to accept the consequences of my actions because I have taken the time to make a choice.

Today's Reminder:

Today I will let my words serve my best interests. I will choose them with care.

"I don't let my mouth say nothin' my head can't stand." -- Louis Armstrong

Proverbs 10:19
When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.

Proverbs 12:18
Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Ecclesiastes 5:2
Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.

Ecclesiastes 6:11
The more the words, the less the meaning, and how does that profit anyone?

I would also liek to pray that we all, as Christians, are infilled with God's Holy Spirit so we can do just this - not just today, but everyday. I pray that we are filled with the Fruit of the Spirit and that we let the Spirit lead us when we have something to say.

In Jesus Name
Amen

powerofprayer · Jan 17, 2007

Good morning Bill!!

ImHisServant said:
Wednesday 1/17/07

Choosing My Words

I don't have a problem with this. I have this crazy fear of saying the wrong thing, or hurting someone's feelings, so I very rarely speak out of anger, or even give my opinion on things. I also won't gossip because I always fear that the person I am talking to may somehow know or be related to the person I'm gossiping about. I guess in a silly way it helps me to be a better Christian - at least in this aspect!!

MeekOne · Jan 17, 2007

Yes, the tongue is a sharp weapon when we let it get ahead of us. Our minds are also involved with these things as well. Sometimes we can speak the things that are on our minds and hurt someone even when you don't mean them to. When conversation is going on there are two minds involved, sometimes the other mind does not compute what is said correctly, even if it is said with care. Sometimes the other person is not ready to hear what needs to be said. Other times, its just met with the enemy's two cents in it too.

In all things be careful of what you say, this is truth. However, if it needs to be said, then you have to say it. Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.

If one cannot be kind in what needs to be said, at least have the decency to be vague.

LivingLifeHisWay · Jan 17, 2007

This is an area I am constantly working on. I talk too much and sometimes I don't think before I talk. I'm working on it by praying and trying to be more reserved. It's hard because I like to share but sometimes I tend to share too much and I start to second guess myself. I'm a little OCD over it. I'm much much better now then I have ever been - praise God!

Surrender2Win · Jan 17, 2007

powerofprayer said:
Good morning Bill!!

I don't have a problem with this. I have this crazy fear of saying the wrong thing, or hurting someone's feelings, so I very rarely speak out of anger, or even give my opinion on things. I also won't gossip because I always fear that the person I am talking to may somehow know or be related to the person I'm gossiping about. I guess in a silly way it helps me to be a better Christian - at least in this aspect!!

Good afternoon everyone!

This is me too, I don't have a problem with this because of similar reasons that you shared!

tiradas · Jan 17, 2007

I do have an issue with this. It is a constant struggle.

This is a good one for today! Thanks!

Crystal~Rose · Jan 17, 2007

I've always been of the variety to keep peace and avoid conflict no matter the cost, I am here to say that by not speaking more I paid a high emotional price.
Today I am to the opposite extreme trying to find a balance between when to speak and when not to speak. I tend to lash out with a fury due to all the pent up emotions I've held for so long. This is a good topic for me most days I have to concentrate and attempt to filter what comes out of my mouth especially when I have negative emotional reactions to situations that are outside of my control. Word are powerful, some of my deepest scars are form words that cut so deep from those I trusted with my whole heart.
The only control I have in any situation is how I conduct myself, that is my goal each day not to allow myself to injure or discourage another.

Smileyill · Jan 17, 2007

Lately, I've been trying to actually think of my sentences before saying them. Mostly I do this to improve my grammer, but it also slows my response time. Thus I say fewer words and consider the meaning of the ones I do say. Hopefully, I both say what I mean and mean well.

Maharg · Jan 18, 2007

I don't really have a problem wit speaking out angrily but I do have an issue with sharing too much about myself wih others. In the past people have betrayed my confidences and have used what I have said against me. I now am more 'politic' with my words. That is, they are well-chosen, I think about who I am saying them to and I am more reserved, but I still have a tendancy to trust and share too early in a relationship and then end up bottling up. I have found that prayer helps. The mroe I say to God, the less urge I have to pour everything out to others. It's God who can deal wih our raw emotion and uncensored words.

Maharg

ImHisServant · Jan 18, 2007

Thursday 1/18/07
Accepting Myself

Today I seek to become a little more accepting of myself, a little more comfortable in my own skin. Although it is important to recognize and admit my limitations and flaws, only God can remove them.

Condemning my imperfections has never enhanced my appreciation of life or helped me to love myself more. Perhaps I can let go of all condemnation for this one day. I will recognize that I am on a spiritual path of self-improvement. Every tiny step I take on that path moves me closer to wholeness, health, and serentiy.

If I become impatient with myself, I can examine my expectations. Perhaps I expect recovery to happen overnight. I will take time today to acknowledge my efforts and to trust the process of growing through Christ one day at a time. (It's progress... no perfection)

Today's Reminder:

My walk with the Lord is a gentle, healing process. I will remember to be gentle with myself today, trusting that the healing will come.

"Today I can accept myself for what I am because I know that whatever happens, I have God and a group of Christian people who will love me anyway." ...In All Our Affairs

cristianna · Jan 18, 2007

Very nice Gina! And it's so true. I remember reading LivingLifeHisWay's blog post about self criticism and it really changed my whole attitude-- immensely.

Given today's society, in particular for women, it's difficult to not try to be harsh on ones self. I mean we are tormented and tortured day in and day out with what we are to look like on the outside. Then through various avenues we are told what to feel like on the inside. It's a vicious cycle many fall prey to.

I have struggled and strived very hard to ensure I'm not passing those traits, or aiding them, onto my daughters and encouraging them to love themselves just as they are: perfect in God's eyes, not flawed according to society. Just physically that included me not complaining (well not infront of them) about the weight I'd like to lose, not saying I wouldn't wear a skirt or bathing suit because I was unhappy with my body, toning down the make up-- what I use now is strictly to enhance features, not dying my hair anymore, etc.

Emotionally, mentally and spiritually is kind of hard. I really offer tons of praise to them for things they are good and really good at. It's still very hard for me to find things in myself that I can easily praise without immediately tossing in a negative or what needs improvement. Items we need to work on we find positives about and praise the progress that has been made.

It truly is one nasty battle that I sincerely hope to fully overcome in myself and prevent in my girls.

LivingLifeHisWay · Jan 18, 2007

This is the blog entry Cristianna mentioned..fits in with today's topic. Thought I'd share it with you....

Week 4: Training Your Mind To Think The Truth About Yourself

It is so easy to beat ourselves up; to be our toughest critic. We pick ourselves apart, pointing out every flaw we have and being depressed about them. In general, we tend to think very low about ourselves; we struggle with low self-esteem. Even though this way of thinking is highly common, it is not biblical. Romans 12:3 calls us to think about ourselves with sober judgement. Sober meaning not too highly but not too lowly.

Think of 4 words to describe yourself. Are they negative or positive? Picture yourself sitting next to you and project those 4 words onto that person (your clone). What do you think of her?

Think on these 4 points:

God made me the way I am.
Psalm 139:13-14> For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

God has a plan for me.
Psalm 139:16> your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

God has a purpose for me.
Ehpesians 2:10> For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

God is the master designer of my life and will complete it.
Philippians 1:6> being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Was your description of yourself equivalent to the way God sees you? Are you looking at yourself through God's eyes?

We need to accept what we can't change (height, blindness etc..) and change what we can (gossiping, lying, cursing etc...).

God created us; we are His workmanship. What right do we have to criticize God's creation, His work? By putting ourselves down we are in turn saying, "God, you didn't do a good job". God says I love you, I made you the way you are and I have a special plan for you.

As a Christian THIS is YOUR true identity:

I am the salt of the earth. Matthew 5:13
I am the light of the world. Matthew 5:14
I am a child of God. John 1:12
I am Christ's friend. John 15:15
I am united to the Lord and am one in the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 6:17
I am a new creation. 2 Corinthians 5:17
I am God's workmanship - His handiwork. Ephesians 2:10
I am hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:3
I am chosen of God, holy and dearly loved. Colossians 3:12, 1 Thessalonians 1:4
I am a son of light and not of darkness. 1 Thessalonians 5:5
I am born of God and the devil can't touch me. 1 John 5:18

Key Verse:

Psalm 139:13-14> For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

LivingLifeHisWay · Jan 18, 2007

The above blog entry originated from a bible study I was leading before Christmas. I learned so much from that study. It was awesome! The way I think about myself has definitely changed and I'm really working on how I see others. I still tend to project my insecurities on others and their perception of me. I need to nip that in the bud.

God Bless!
Christina

woman.at.the.well · Jan 18, 2007

ImHisServant said:
Thursday 1/18/07

Accepting Myself

Today I seek to become a little more accepting of myself, a little more comfortable in my own skin. Although it is important to recognize and admit my limitations and flaws, only God can remove them.

Condemning my imperfections has never enhanced my appreciation of life or helped me to love myself more. Perhaps I can let go of all condemnation for this one day. I will recognize that I am on a spiritual path of self-improvement. Every tiny step I take on that path moves me closer to wholeness, health, and serentiy.

If I become impatient with myself, I can examine my expectations. Perhaps I expect recovery to happen overnight. I will take time today to acknowledge my efforts and to trust the process of growing through Christ one day at a time. (It's progress... no perfection)

Today's Reminder:

My walk with the Lord is a gentle, healing process. I will remember to be gentle with myself today, trusting that the healing will come.

"Today I can accept myself for what I am because I know that whatever happens, I have God and a group of Christian people who will love me anyway." ...In All Our Affairs

Another great topic and one I have struggled with in the recent past. I didn't use to think much of the little jokes and jabs I would throw at my imperfections. But then I realized how powerful our words are and decided it was time to change what came out of my mouth. Especially where I am concerned. Although I do still catch myself, I believe I am improving, one day at a time; glory to glory!

Thank you Gina for reminding me/us to be gentle with ourselves. We are all children of THEE most high God and I'm sure it makes Him sad when we treat ourselves like anything less than that!

Surrender2Win · Jan 18, 2007

ImHisServant said:
Thursday 1/18/07
Accepting Myself

Today I seek to become a little more accepting of myself, a little more comfortable in my own skin. Although it is important to recognize and admit my limitations and flaws, only God can remove them.

Condemning my imperfections has never enhanced my appreciation of life or helped me to love myself more. Perhaps I can let go of all condemnation for this one day. I will recognize that I am on a spiritual path of self-improvement. Every tiny step I take on that path moves me closer to wholeness, health, and serentiy.

If I become impatient with myself, I can examine my expectations. Perhaps I expect recovery to happen overnight. I will take time today to acknowledge my efforts and to trust the process of growing through Christ one day at a time. (It's progress... no perfection)

Today's Reminder:

My walk with the Lord is a gentle, healing process. I will remember to be gentle with myself today, trusting that the healing will come.

"Today I can accept myself for what I am because I know that whatever happens, I have God and a group of Christian people who will love me anyway." ...In All Our Affairs

Whoa! This is one that I struggle with a lot! I can say that I have come a tremendously long way in this area of my life and yet I still have such a long ways to go. There was a time years ago, that I hated myself so much and I was on such a path of self-destruction. I have struggled in the past with an eating disorder, I've struggled with alcohol & drugs, I've struggled with self-mutilation and from all of the years of abusing myself in one way or another has also caused me to carry a lot of shame.

One day, I would like to be able to fully accept myself and my experiences. I have been on this road of healing for awhile and I am so grateful that God has shown me through the help of others that I can cope in other ways that are more healthy. I do feel more comfortable in my own skin today then I did even a year ago. One of my favorites in the Bible is Psalms 139...the whole chapter is really comforting in a lot of ways and self acceptance is one that I have pulled away from it.

tiradas · Jan 18, 2007

Wow. I sure struggle with this, too.

Sure wish I knew what God's purpose was for my life.

God doesn't give you more than you can handle. However, sometimes I wonder.

powerofprayer · Jan 18, 2007

Christina, Thank you so much for that post...it is absolutely wonderful. I am going to print it and pass it on to my teenage girls.

I guess this is something we all struggle with - thanks to society. I can just imagine how sad it makes our Father. He created each one of us exactly the way He wanted us and we should feel so blessed to be so unique yet at the same time, each one of us in His image.

rosiecotton · Jan 19, 2007

ImHisServant said:
Thursday 1/18/07

Accepting Myself

Today I seek to become a little more accepting of myself, a little more comfortable in my own skin. Although it is important to recognize and admit my limitations and flaws, only God can remove them.

Condemning my imperfections has never enhanced my appreciation of life or helped me to love myself more. Perhaps I can let go of all condemnation for this one day. I will recognize that I am on a spiritual path of self-improvement. Every tiny step I take on that path moves me closer to wholeness, health, and serentiy.

If I become impatient with myself, I can examine my expectations. Perhaps I expect recovery to happen overnight. I will take time today to acknowledge my efforts and to trust the process of growing through Christ one day at a time. (It's progress... no perfection)

Today's Reminder:

My walk with the Lord is a gentle, healing process. I will remember to be gentle with myself today, trusting that the healing will come.

"Today I can accept myself for what I am because I know that whatever happens, I have God and a group of Christian people who will love me anyway." ...In All Our Affairs

I really struggle with this, especially lately. And it has to do with my weight.
I didn't struggle with my weight until after I got married and especially after having two kids!! I did lose a lot of weight back in '99 and 2000. Then I got my job as church secretary in November 2001, and the weight slowly crept back on (because I went back to my old habits of not exercising, eating bad, etc).
I am almost back up to where I was before I lost all that weight. I hate how I feel and don't like how I look. I hate trying on clothes. I am not comfortable in my skin!
I know I need to quit feeling so negatively towards myself. But, I do need to work better at losing weight.
Not too long ago my husband made the comment that God made me like I am. I told him, no He didn't. He did not make me fat...I made myself that way by the way I eat and the way I live my life.
Part of the reason I want to lose weight is because of how I look. I don't like how I look. However, I really don't compare myself to the magazine images, or people on tv or in movies and think I have to look like them. I don't blame society for me wanting to lose weight and look better. Maybe it's because I used to be thin and know how I looked then.
But more importantly, I know my weight is unhealthy. I have high blood pressure and I know losing weight will help that. I also fear what it can do to my heart. Most of my weight is in my stomach and it's not healthy.
I want to be healthy and feel good, to have more energy. And I know I need to lose weight to do that. However, I know I also need to not be so negative towards myself.

LivingLifeHisWay · Jan 19, 2007

powerofprayer said:
Christina, Thank you so much for that post...it is absolutely wonderful. I am going to print it and pass it on to my teenage girls.

I guess this is something we all struggle with - thanks to society. I can just imagine how sad it makes our Father. He created each one of us exactly the way He wanted us and we should feel so blessed to be so unique yet at the same time, each one of us in His image.

I'm glad you liked it.

Come Into The Deep End... with ImHisServant (2)

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