What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?

What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?
Remember: "When God closes a door, He always opens a window!" You never know what might be out there waiting for you!

Friday, August 29, 2014

Getting Back on Track

I seem to be a bit behind in my writing and reading of other friends' blog posts these days.  It's been busy, I've been tired, and just can't seem to get my thoughts together.  I've said that a lot over the past few months haven't I?  Well, even if I haven't written it down here, I've said it in my mind aplenty.  But I'm getting better. Not that there is anything wrong with me...just haven't had the get up and go that I used to have. It got up and went.

It's been too hot here in my home state of Florida to have much energy for anything during the summer months. I keep saying when it cools down I will do such and such...or when I retire I will take care of that, or go there, or build that little guest cabin,
or finish my front porch, or plant those flowers and take better care of them than I have in the past.  Good intentions...we all have them.  Dreams, schemes, and plans for a better life, a great retirement, a wonderful vacation, more friends and fellowship, more time for home and family.

(all signs are courtesy of Ben's Country Woodshop)
Our intentions are always good. The ideas are noble and wonderful.  The dreams are full of marvelous hopes and unselfish desires. And then it seems that things happen to prevent us from doing the things we had been striving so hard to achieve.  Unexpected illnesses, loss of job, death of a loved one, financial losses, disappointments, moves of necessity not of choice...the list could go on and on. These events in themselves may not be the reason we can't fulfill our dreams and plans, but they could cause us to lose the drive and desire to keep striving.  We get depressed, bogged down in the mire of the situation, and become too tired to keep forging ahead. We lose our focus on the vision of the goal ahead, and get sidetracked and discouraged.

How can we turn this around and get back on track? Good question. I'm asking myself that right now. There must be a way. We just can't give up and throw in the towel.  

  1. Pray for fresh inspiration from God.
  2. Look into God's Word, the Bible, for answers and direction.
  3. Spend time in His presence, away from the cares of the world for a while. Every day...
  4. Resist the temptation to go here and there, chasing the whirlwind of activity and worldly answers. 
  5. Don't look at your circumstances and fear that there is no hope.
  6. "Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established."  Proverbs 16:3
  7. "Do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind.  For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things.  But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.  Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."  Luke 12:29-32
  8. Fix your eyes on Christ..."the author and finisher of our faith..." (Hebrews 12:2) and 
  9. "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (II Corinthians 4:18, NIV)
  10. "For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."  (II Corinthians 5:1, NKJV)
I started writing this tonight feeling a little down...could you tell?  But God, in His love and mercy, did exactly what I've been writing about...as I started to work through this list of things to do to "get back on track", my spirits were lifted and my heart was encouraged.  I said a little prayer right back up there where I wrote #1, "Pray for fresh inspiration from God"...and He led me to these passages in His Word.  He also directed me to read a little devotional in the book, "Jesus Calling"   by Sarah Young, and the thoughts for today, August 29th, gave me further words of admonition and encouragement.  

No, I don't have all the answers to my life's questions, but I have the answers that I need to know, found in God's Word.  He gives me hope...He strengthens me and lifts me up when I am down. He sets my feet back on the right track...and gives me a little boost in the right direction when I seem to be hesitant to trust.

If you are feeling off the track of your life's goals and dreams, try these steps listed above.  Look to God for the answers you are seeking.  He will not lead you astray...and He will lovingly guide you back on the right track. I know this from experience.



11 comments:

  1. Pam, I love the way we can begin a post with doubts and questions and find some answers before we hit PUBLISH. That's what I love about the act of writing, it leads us back to the truth. This post if lovely...like one of David's psalms. He began many of his writings with questions and ended in a better place. Love that! Love you!

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    1. Susie: I can't find the 'like' button. What you say is so on target.

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    2. Thank you Susie and Quietspirit for both of your thoughts here. One thing I dearly love about this writing blog thing we do is the confirmation and affirmation we receive from our peers...showing us that the message God is giving to one is the message that many are needed and perhaps expressing themselves. God is at work in our midst, giving us hope and encouragement when we need it most. Isn't that just like Him?

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  2. Pam: This is exactly how I started writing--trying to find perspective about a circumstance in my life. Before it was over, that circumstance changed and I had to write some more.

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    1. Don't you love how God works? I know I do. He shows me so many beautiful truths as He leads me in the paths of His righteousness. Even when I am reluctant to take a step, He takes me by the hand and guides me so tenderly, like a father teaching his child to walk. It's so wonderful to be able to share this with others. We all need the encouragement from time to time. Thank you for your thoughts today.

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  3. Oh how God is leading me away from myself at this time to hear these words, I search the blogs that are spiritual to read for I am going through some of the same things. God has made His presence known to me. He is near to those that seek Him! Thanks for these encouraging words, Pamela!

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    1. Dear Sylvia, I am so happy that God is speaking to you as He is speaking to me at the same time. Isn't that just like our God? He wants to shower His precious children with His love and kindness...and oftentimes He speaks through others around us to give us just the word we need. This is reciprocal. You have blessed me many times as well. Praise God for the work He is doing.

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  4. Hi Pam! You have had such a hard road this past year. No wonder you feel tired and defeated sometimes. We all do, and with much less a load.
    I love the way you know you just can't stay down in the pit, and that you reach out for God to inspire and bless you. That can be a hard road in itself. Just like King David, you start out in mourning, and then feel the grace come...and that leads to praise. You are such a wonderful model for me.

    May God continue to bless you on your daily journey. He is near to those who seek him, and if we reach, he's there in a flash!
    Blessings,
    Ceil

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    1. Oh bless you Ceil, for these words of encouragement. Yes, I am so thankful for God reaching down to me through His Word, His prophets, His Psalmist, and His Son...to show me the way I should go...and to give me the wherewithal to get from here to there. We are so blessed. Amen?

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  5. Your thoughts are wise, about how to be lifted up. God is always there, that is for sure, in sorrow and in joy. I have some Christian writer friends who meet once a month for lunch and fellowship, and once a month we have an email prayer request list sent out. When I ask for prayers I feel very supported in a powerful way and always pray for each of them too.

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    1. We certainly need to band together through prayer, emails, comments, and showing support of one another...isn't it wonderful that we can do this all over the world without even knowing the other person face to face...and yet we know each other heart to heart? That is one of the mysteries of the Spirit of God. so thankful for friends like you who help to lighten the load along the way. Blessings to you today my friend.

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