December 19 Be Careful Who You Listen To

Affirmation: I am blessed, grateful and abundant. (What I give God, He multiplies.)

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭17:7‬ ‭NIV

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Ponder, Personalize, Practice: Personalize this command from God. Create a daily reminder in your calendar: “Love others like I love myself.” Talk to God about how to do this each day. 

“And the second is like it. Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:39

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Wholehearted Guidepost from Brené Brown

Guidepost 1: Cultivating Authenticity and Letting Go of What Other People Think
There’s no such thing as an “authentic person” and an “inauthentic person.” Because authenticity isn’t a fixed quality. It’s a skill you PRACTICE over time.
“Authenticity” is also used so frequently that it’s lost its meaning. If you feel burned out on the term, I invite you to practice beginner’s mind and look at it from a new perspective.
Brene’ Brown shares a helpful definition: “Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be, and embracing who we actually are.”
(God created you because He loves you and has plans for you to be the light to those in your life. You are courageous, compassionate, connected.)

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Mastering the 7 Decisions from Andy Andrews 

The Responsible Decision 

The buck stops here. I control my thoughts. I control my emotions.

In the future, when I am tempted to ask the question “Why me?,” I will immediately counter with the answer: “Why not me?” Challenges are a gift, an opportunity to learn. Problems are the common thread running through the lives of great men and women. In times of adversity, I will not have a problem to deal with, I will have a choice to make. My thoughts will be clear. I will make the right choice. Adversity is preparation for greatness. I will accept the preparation. Why me? Why not me? I will be prepared for something great!

I accept responsibility for my past. I control my thoughts. I control my emotions. I am respon- sible for my success.

The buck stops here.

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Reading for Today

Walk in Grace. Live in Love. by Bob Goff

                        December 19

Be Careful Who You Listen To.

“As iron, sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17

Whoever we are today, we did not get here on our own. All the joy and whimsy or frustration and sadness we embody come from the influences of the people who have been in our lives along the way. As you gather for the Christmas holiday, take a look around. Be honest. Did a relationship with someone leave some gaps in your life? It is OK – it is normal. What are those gaps, and do you need to have a conversation or find a friend to help you deal with them? What if it is the opposite? Is there someone in the living room who played a big role but you have never told them the impact they have had? Put down the pumpkin pie, and go say thank you. Of all the people in your life, your family is the one group you don’t get to choose. God’s family is kind of the same way. Those who follow Jesus, are part of us whether we like it or not. What voice will you choose to have in the others’ lives?
We become whoever we trust the most says we are. If the people we look up to tell us, we will never amount to anything worthy of love, shame will fuel our interactions for most of our lives. But if the people we admire tell us our creator is crazy about us, we will grow into people who carry extra love with us everywhere we go. Be loud with your love and trust, God will put the right people in your path.

How did people shape you this year?