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Here's how God is using the daily readings from Jesus Calling to speak into my life.
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Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Opting Up & Forward

"Every time something thwarts your plans or desires, use that as a reminder to communicate with Me. This practice has several benefits...
(1) Talking with Me blesses you and strengthens our relationship...
(2) Disappointments...are transformed into opportunities for good... (removing) the sting from difficult circumstances...
When you reframe setbacks as opportunities, you find that you gain much more than you have lost." (322)
Learning to deal constructively with various setbacks or disappointments, on a regular or daily basis, revamps and strengthens the neuro landscape of our brains. I've learned that every time I "reframe setbacks as opportunities" I win huge victories over my natural, human responses which tend to set me up to be hurt or offended. Instead of becoming down and out I can move up and forward!
This has been a HUGE helpful insight in ministry life. So many expectations, so many disappointments, so many inconsistencies and inadequacies on so many levels from so many viewpoints...it's truly a HUGE benefit to just keep talking to Jesus about it, continually unloading my heart and renewing my mind.
Romans 8:37-38 says it so well. "No, in all these things we are more than victorious through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!"
My options are: Will I allow this to separate me from God's love? Or to strengthen me in God's love?
Choosing the Opportunity Option...dmc

2 comments:

  1. Great devotion after Election Day! Not everyone or everything may have gone the way we wanted, but know that God's plan is in action. I believe we now have people that are fighting for the American people in our government and will be praying for them. The scripture Dawn Marie shared fits so well, because no matter what happens with our new representatives God's love will still be there. Please pray for our new representatives that they won't allow any persuasion other than God's to help them lead this country! For me there were a couple "set backs" in this election however I see that maybe God kept them there to keep our perspective on Him. Although I may not be able to see the full picture of what God is doing, I trust Him completely and "know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

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  2. What a great reminder, Melissa! Thanks for helping us navigate past this season of elections. God Bless & Protect America!

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