Believe in the Promises of God and Discover Your Destiny

The holidays come with a lot of expectations, don't they? Receiving that much wanted gift, spending quality time with loved ones, & enjoying lots of laughter and fun. The reality is that things don't always turn out picture perfect; people don't get along, tensions are high, someone doesn't like the food, people don't show up. This list of things that can go wrong is endless. Why? Because we live in an imperfect world and people are imperfect. As the year draws to a close, today I'm sharing on what can we do to better handle these expectations so we can have more peace, more joy and less frustration in the New Year.

Tip #1. Realize we are all in process.
Everyone is at a different stage in their journey in life. We each have our lessons to learn for our personal and spiritual growth. We can't make anyone grow any faster, but we can work on our own growth. It is a choice we make. Some people are too busy to be concerned about personal growth and/or they don't think they need to change. News flash - we ALL need to change!

Others don't want to change. I met a woman recently who I came to realize has the habit of cancelling at the last minute. I brought this to her attention and gave her grace multiple times. She just wouldn't change her behavior. She said to me "It's too hard to be your friend". What she really meant was "I don't want to change for you." And I didn't want to be continually stood up and stressed out by her behavior so we both agreed to part ways.

Tip #2. Accept people where they are but don't spend too much time with them
I guess since I am a growth person, I like to think others are open to growing as well, but that is not always the case. As in the situation above, the woman did not want to grow. Apparently she thinks repeatedly cancelling at the last minute is acceptable behavior. Maybe in her circle of friends, but not in mine.

If we want to get along with others, we have to overlook some things. The key is to figure out what we can overlook and what we can't.  If we want to live a peaceful joyful life, we want to hang around with people who want the same thing. Some people crave strife and drama. That is their way of getting attention or else they have a personality disorder. I choose not to associate with these types. Life is too short for strife and drama.

Tip #3. Lower your expectations of others. 
The expectations we put on ourselves and others can cause undue pressure, stress and conflict. The key is to realize that our values and priorities may not be the same as others. This takes understanding. I have another friend whom I've known for years. The problem is she is constantly late. I am an on time person and I think being late shows a lack of consideration for others. She apparently doesn't. Solution: don't do too much with her. Now that I know how she is, I can make different plans like tell her an event starts earlier than it does. My goal this year is to accept circumstances and people as imperfect as we all are, the same way Christ accepts me, with love and without judgement.

Tip #4. Do less. 
Over the years I have learned to put less and less effort into all the hoopla that surrounds Christmas. Yes, I still put up a tree and put out the Advent wreath. I still buy and wrap presents and I still bake. Why? Because these simple things are meaningful to me and remind me of the joy of the season. But Christmas cards have gone electronic. The house is simply decorated and I limit the number of parties and events I say yes to. Why? Because I want to enjoy the peace and the joy of the season without overextending myself, feeling rushed, or getting sick.

I've also learned not everyone is in to gift-giving, so I buy less. Saves me time, money, and effort as well as not being disappointed.

Tip #5. Remember the promises of God. 
One year, not too long ago, it was only my youngest son and myself together on Christmas Day.  As I settled down to open my gifts, my youngest son points to a large box under the tree.
"That one is for you," he says as he gets out the video camera.
"Now what could this possibly be?" I ask as I dig through the huge pile of styrofoam packing.

To my utter surprise and joy, there in the box were six cups and saucers from my Lenox china pattern I selected when I got married. Somehow when I moved to my new home years ago, the cups and saucers were lost in transit. These six cups and saucers would restore what I had lost and complete the set. As I gazed upon the beauty of a simple china cup, I noticed the name of the pattern -"Promise".

"You know, people may break their promises, but God never does," I said to my son with a quiet peace. "God promises to restore the years the locusts have eaten" (Joel 2:25).

In the same way my beautiful china collection was restored and made complete, know that God is still in the process of restoration and completion in each of us - to make us whole, complete, and like new. Whatever pains, losses and hurts we have endured, God knows about all of them and He is faithful to heal us and make us whole once again. But He doesn't stop there.

God wants you to go higher - to reach new levels, to do bigger and greater things. Jesus himself said, "Whoever believes in me, will do greater things than I" (John 14:12). Catch the key - "Whoever believes in me".  We have to believe - in God, in others, and in ourselves. You have been gifted in many ways; some gifts may not have even come to the surface yet. You are not meant to settle for a just-get-by life. You are meant to SOAR to new heights and fulfill the purpose you were created for!

Just as Christ came to earth as a little child, let us, too, become as little children filled with awe and wonder as we usher in the New Year. Let us let go of any hurts, unforgiveness, and mistakes we may have made and look forward to a new year filled with  healing, wholeness, and harmony. Let us use our gifts and talents to make this world a better place.

For Reflection

As the New Year begins, what do you need to let go of? A habit? A relationship? What is it that you truly would like to accomplish in the New Year? 

If you were encouraged by this post, and would like to join our community and receive my weekly posts, enter your email address in the box provided. You'll also receive a copy of my free e-guide e, "7 Steps to Finding  Your Spiritual Path". We're all on a journey so we might as well travel together.

Stay tuned for more practical and positive wisdom on igniting the power within and discovering YOUR destiny!

Until next time, keep looking up!

Ariel Paz

How to Walk in Abundance - Part 3

We've been talking about receiving the promises of God. What are they though? Joy, Peace, Abundance, Provision, Guidance, Wisdom, Love, Strength, Prosperity, Health to name a few. First, we talked about expecting God's best in our lives. Then we talked about the power of speaking out God's word and what you want to see show up in your life. Today we will finish up this series with the third step to walking in abundance. 

The first two steps set and energize our desires and call in God's help and power. These are crucial to seeing the life we dream of materialize but there is one more step which is just as powerful.

In order to see our dreams materialize, we need to take disciplined action. In other words, we need to develop habits that move us toward our goal. We cannot keep making excuses for why we are where we are in life. We have to DO something about it if we are unhappy.

Here's a personal story. While raising my two sons as a single mom, we lived in an aging townhome. The place always needed fixing up, repairs, and replacing things like the windows and the carpet. I'd get home from work, take care of the boys, and then start working on whatever the current house project was. I remember pulling up old carpet and tack nails in my living room, on my hands and knees. I remember painting the wood paneling in the basement to give it a fresh look. I remember painting the stairway and hall and ripping down awful wallpaper scrap by scrap.

My mom always wondered why I kept "putting all that money into that house". Well, because when one owns a home, one has a responsibility to maintain it, that's why. One day, while painting the dining room, I heard God speak to me "Go see the condo". I had seen an ad for a condominium complex in the newspaper recently. I put the paint brush down and decided to go visit. Long story short, it turned out to be the home of my dreams. God gave me a huge new kitchen, a luxurious bathroom with a lovely garden tub for soaking, and a built-in fireplace. I sold the family home for a good price because it was in pristine condition to a young man starting off on his own. I never looked back.

I share this story to illustrate the fact that when we do our part, God will do his part in his timing, and often, his timing is unexpected. What dream do you want to see come true? What steps are you taking to make it happen? The promises of God are a team effort.

I hope this series was encouraging and helpful. Consider joining our blog community and enter your email address in the box provided. You'll receive my bi-weekly emails to encourage and inspire you to ignite the power within and discover your destiny! You'll also receive a copy of my free eguide "7 Steps to Finding Your Spiritual Path" for you or a friend who is seeking.

Until next time, stay tuned for more positive and practical wisdom.

Keep looking up!

Ariel Paz 

How to Receive the Promises of God - Part 2

What is it you would like to see show up in your life? A spouse? A child? A new job? How would you like to show up today? More peaceful? Patient? Less frustrated? More joyful?

Last time, we talked about our expectations. What we expect in life is what becomes our reality. If we want good things to show up, we need to change our thinking to expect that they will show up in the right way and in the right time. Today, I am going to share the second key to receiving the promises of God.

As a single mom raising two teenage sons, life was quite a challenge. I had to deal with rebellion, addictions, cutting school, the police, expulsion, DUIs, alcohol, smoking... well, you get the idea. Through it all, I was a praying mom. Isn't it interesting how we don't usually call on God till we get in a pickle?

Now you know I am a firm believer in the power of prayer, but let's not stop there. There is one more weapon in our arsenal against things that try to come against us and that is OUR VOICE. First, we need to become comfortable with praying out loud. That's right. Not the meek quiet whisper some of us are used to. We need to speak out boldly and confidently. Here's a story that happened just today.

My sister and I were on the phone with the real estate agent who is trying to sell my mom's house. Let's just say there has been a tremendous amount of strife the past year between my mom and my sister. After not being around each other for forty years, living together is quite the adjustment. After going through all the different issues, sans Mom, who decided she was not participating, the real estate agent launches into prayer - not some lengthy, preachy-type prayer, but prayer just the same. I was like "Now, why haven't I thought of that?" She closed "In Jesus' name, amen." Poof! Powerful! The change in the atmosphere was palpable.

That's what I'm talking about using our voice. When we declare God's word out loud, God's ears perk up. All of heaven comes to attention (Rev 8:1-4).There is power in the Word of God. Instead of the usual "I'll never lose this weight" how about "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil 4:13). Instead of "I'm so tired, I don't know how I'll get through this day" try "The joy of the Lord is my strength" (Neh 8:10). Instead of "I'll never break this addiction" declare "Who the Son sets free is free indeed," (John 8:36).

Not only will our thinking be transformed, our faith will be strengthened and God will come to our assistance and work the supernatural. Give it a try and see what happens. You will be amazed AND transformed.

Now you know the first two keys to receiving God's promises. Stay tuned for next time when we'll discuss the third and final key.

If this post was helpful, consider joining our community. Enter your email address in the box provided. You'll receive my bi-weekly posts and a copy of my free eguide "7 Steps to Finding Your Spiritual Path". 

Until next time, keep looking up!

Ariel Paz