What Happened?

I gained twenty pounds this last year.  I have been successful so many times with losing weight, and this last time I was sure it would be the last time.  Well, guess what?  This is not over.  The twenty pounds will come off.  I am not discouraged with this temporary setback.  I am making no excuses.  This is a test that I will pass..  I am good at taking tests.  I always score well, and this will be no exception.

I am still joyful.  I still have a spring in my step.  God is still leading me, and He gives me strength.  I write the story of my life, and it will have a happy ending because I choose it.  I am committed.  I am disciplined and willing to sacrifice.  I will give up unhealthy food to have a better life.

I am willing to accept that responsibility.  There will be opposition along the way.....travel, emotional setbacks. holidays, etc.  Sometimes I won't lose weight as fast as I would like.  Sometimes it will be difficult.  I've been through this many times before, but this is a test I can pass.

Having my mind made up and being of high resolve, my victory is on its way.  I just weighed myself, and I am claiming the Word in Galatians 6:9 which says, "Let's not get tired of doing what is good.  At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up."

Psalm 24:9 reads, "Lift up your heads....and the King of Glory shall come in."    I lift up my head to see God's favor.  My extra pounds are weighing me down so I'm trading them in for a new vision of myself.

I feel so light already.

Love and Light,

Patty

The Freedom of Forgiveness

"When I choose forgiveness, the path to peace, happiness and freedom is revealed.  I choose to forgive myself and others.  I choose to be happy." ~ Daily Word

When our van was vandalized and our electronics were taken about a week and a half ago, I realized that I had a choice to make.  I could cling to the hurt and resentment of being robbed and let it destroy my happiness and poison my view of humanity, or I could release it and take away the power of the criminal to hurt me.  If I held onto the hurt and allowed it to make me bitter, I would continue to hurt.  This would imprison me, not them.

No, I wanted to move forward.  I had a valid reason to be angry, but I wasn't going to dwell on it.  It was not going to consume me and be an open wound.  The only way to heal the bruise is to forgive and let it go.

Once I forgave, God restored double my joy.  Not only was all my stuff replaced by my wonderful husband, but I have better things now.

"If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." ~ John 20:23

Do we really want to hold on to the wrongs someone did to us?  If we do, we remain a prisoner to it. We remain hurt when Jesus was sent "to announce release to the captives...to send forth as delivered those are oppressed [who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity]" according to Luke 4:18.  It's frustrating trying to get back at someone who did us wrong.  We need to let go of the baggage so our happiness can be restored.  Joel Osteen says, "If you will let go of the hurts and pains and get on God's payroll, God will settle your case.  He will make your wrongs right.  He will bring justice into your life.  You will get what you deserve, and God will pay you back with double the joy, double the peace, double the favor, and double the victory."

What more could we possibly want?

Love and Light,

Patty