I Corinthians 15:57
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Yesterday, here in the US, we celebrated Thanksgiving. The holidays have become very hard for me as my parents and my sweet mother-in-love have passed. Even so, I’m learning to sit with my pain of missing them and just be! Holidays just aren’t the same anymore.
There are others I miss also.
Yet, I realize I must learn how to be content. I know I have no control over what others chose to do. That’s on them!
I have to answer for what I chose to do!
And in the meantime, I’m learning how to just be.
How do we ‘just be’?
For me, learning how to be present has been hard!
No, I don’t know why! I suspect, though, it’s due to my traumatic past. Even so, I know I am healing, and that’s a good thing!
I am learning how to be.
1. I am learning to be aware of my surroundings.
In doing this, I look around me, and on-purpose, see several different colors.
I listen for three sounds.
I pause to feel sensations in my body.
This isn’t always easy for me, but I am learning by doing so; it helps me stay present instead of retreating into past places.
2. I am learning to be grateful.
Before I roll out of bed, I’m learning to gently wake up and thank Abba for another day of His wonderful blessings.
I tell Him specifics I’m thankful for each day!
I believe it’s important to have an attitude of gratitude! Takes the focus off me and puts it back on Him, for He is the giver of life.
Some days I forget to do this, but as I continue to do so, I can continue being grateful and counting my blessings!
3. Enjoy being with others who make me happy.
Being happy with yourself is very important. Learning to laugh in life is as well!
Finally, I’m allowing myself to enjoy friends and even learning how to do deep belly laughs.
Often my hubby and I will put a funny show on and just laugh and laugh!
Or being out with friends, and we just end up laughing! It really stimulates the brain.
I used to feel I wasn’t worthy of such friends. You know, those who love you no matter what! Oh, I don’t have many of them. Even so, I am deeply grateful for each one I have!
I am also learning that yes, indeed, I am worthy (and so are you!)
4. Trusting my gut
Oh goodness…the many times, hundreds of times I’ve made myself do something that felt off, odd, or panicky, or simply made me sick to my stomach! But nope! I thought I had to please those around me, so I made myself do this or that!
That was so wrong!
That came from a deep, dysfunctional need to always please others. That evil seed was planted in me when I was a young child.
I now know better!
Proverbs 29:25-26
The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe. Many seek the face of a ruler, but it is from the Lord that a man gets justice.
Jeremiah 17:5
Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord.
Galatians 1:10
For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
We can see from just a few scriptures we are to please God rather than man.
There is great freedom in that!
I am learning to do my best, apologize as needed, offer a word of encouragement, and simply love others. Not always easy, but for me, it’s a good direction to walk in!
I pray you are learning how valuable you are!
How very important you are!
And, yes, how deeply loved you are!
Blessings to you this day!
Pamela Richards-Woodall 