How to Keep Your Joy While Waiting on God

We are all waiting for something - most of the time. Waiting for the kids to get bigger, waiting for that raise. Waiting for a spouse. Waiting to retire. Waiting is a part of life and it is important to we learn HOW to wait if we want to keep our joy.

What Not to Do

Waiting on God is not usually easy, is it? It requires patience, trust, and lots of hope. Some think waiting on God means sitting back and doing nothing, dejected and doubtful their prayers will ever be answered. Dwelling on the thing they are waiting on - making it an idol in their lives - but not taking any action. 

What to Do

First of all, we cannot be double-minded, like it says in the book of James, "But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does." (James 1:6-8)

It means to keep on doing what God has told me to do, with hopeful expectation while I'm waiting for Him to answer my prayers. "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." (Gal 6:9-10).

Exercising our Faith 
A friend gave me a card a while ago, that said "God is always working, even if we don't see it." So true, yes? We cannot always see how God is working on someone or some situation in our lives. That is where faith comes in. We must BELIEVE that God is working all things for our good even if it doesn't seem that way at the time. This is what Faith is all above, believing when we do not see. 

So, while you are waiting for your prayers to be answered, get up and do your part. Trust in God's perfect timing and His great faithfulness. If there is some action you can take, do it. Put out that resume. Go out of your comfort zone. Asl that girl out. Stop waiting for God to do what God is waiting for you to do!

For Reflection

What are you waiting on today, friend? Is there some step you need to take? If you've already done everything you can, the Bible exhorts us to STAND FIRM and let God fight our battle for us. Stay in peace and keep your joy. Don't let the enemy steal them. 

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Until next time, keep looking up and do leave a comment or forward this to a friend!

Stay tuned for more encouraging and inspiring tips to help you IGNITE THE POWER WITHIN! 

Ariel Paz 

How to Draw Closer to God During the Lonely Times

Life can get so busy, can't it? It seems there is an endless stream of distractions and challenges that show up such as taxes, car problems, weather crises, computer problems, relationship issues, sickness, to name just a few.  It is always something. If you are waiting for life to slow down to develop your relationship with God aka your spiritual practice, forget it. It will always be something. We have to prioritize spending time with the Divine, just as we would a significant other. Could it be that the organized church, imperfect as it is, has provided us with a natural season to re-calibrate, reconnect, and discover?

                                        

Lent begins during the last of the dark, cold, days of winter which is a perfect time to slow down, refocus, and reprioritize what really matters in life. As we said, life is full of distractions. How many of us are following through on our New Year's resolutions? What happened? Distractions.

Sometimes God has a way of taking us out of our normal routine just so that he can draw us closer to Him.  Let's take a look at a few biblical examples to understand how God uses times of loneliness to prepare us for our destinies. 

The Life of Moses
Let's look first at the life of Moses. Now Moses, you will recall, was raised as royalty - the son of Pharoah - in the Egyptian palace. After learning his true identity as an Israelite, he decided to leave the luxuries of the palace and go live a nomadic life in the desert where he spent 40 long years. Ever feel like you're in a dry, barren time in life? I have and I bet he did too. It's not much fun but God  has a purpose for times such as these. God uses these desert seasons to prepare us just as he did with Moses. 

What was he doing out there those 40 long years? Or rather what was God doing in him during this time? God never wastes anything in our lives. I think Moses was learning to trust, listen, & depend on God. I bet he did an awful lot of thinking and praying during those forty years. Maybe he even thought his life was over. His executive position at the palace, surrounded by servants and riches, was a distant memory and now he was a nomad surrounded by mostly sheep.

But wait, God had big plans for him, didn't he? Remember the burning bush? God sure has a way of getting our attention suddenly. God's plan was to use Moses in a BIG way, which leads us to the next example, which shows us what not to do in the desert.

A Season of Suffering 

The suffering, beaten, down-trodden people of Israel. These were the chosen ones and look how much they suffered all those years in Egyptian captivity. Have you ever suffered many long years? I have. Numerous times. 

Enter Moses, stage right, to lead the people out of bondage. How many miracles did they see? Hint: watch the movie "The Ten Commandments" or better yet, read the book of Exodus. The promise of a better life was before them, but what did they do? Complain, complain, complain; they complained about the food, the water, even the leadership. Sound familiar? FYI, God doesn't like complaining.

So they spent the next 40 years wandering the desert while God patiently waited for them to learn to trust him and accept their circumstances happily. But they didn't, and God said "Trip cancelled". The entire generation died off. But we do have a much better example of how to respond to times in the desert. Let's take a look at the life of Jesus.

The Life of Jesus
He, too, spent time alone in the desert. Forty days to be exact. Notice the pattern of 40 in the Bible. Is it a coincidence Lent is also 40 days long? What did Jesus do during his desert time? Fast and pray, that's what. Commune with God. Get quiet and alone. He wasn't out partying that's for sure.

The disciplines of solitude, fasting, and prayer, draw our attention away from food, drink, and the material distractions of this world. They open the channels to hear from God. The devil tried to tempt Jesus in his weakest moments with the promises of worldly pleasure, power, and significance. His tactics have not changed one bit since then. Have you heard of the acronym "HALT"? Never let yourself get too Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired. These are the times when we, too, succumb to temptation. Many seek fame and fortune, power and luxury, but none of these give us the peace and fulfillment we so desperately crave.

Just as God had a plan for Moses and for Jesus, God has a plan and a purpose for your life, too. As we look at these examples, we see that by removing ourselves from the distractions and luxuries of this world, we can tune into the plan God has for our lives. During times of fasting, prayer, and quiet reflection we can hear that still small voice more clearly. We, too, can conquer the temptations that beset us and learn to trust God more fully. That, dear friends, is what Lent is all about.

For Reflection
Do you want to find your purpose and destiny? Or perhaps just the next step in life, whatever that may be. Guidance starts by learning to tune in to that still small voice and that happens by spending time in quietness, meditation, & reflection. Will you make time for spiritual disciplines this season or will it just be busyness as usual?

If you enjoyed the thoughts in this post, consider joining our community by entering your email address in the box provided. You'll receive my weekly Tuesday posts plus my free e-book entitled "7 Steps to Finding Your Spiritual Path".  Lent is the perfect time to go further in your spiritual path.

Until next time, keep looking up!

Ariel Paz

Ignite the Power Within Step 3: Learn to Let Go

Have you ever lost something you valued? A piece of jewelry? A relationship? A child? A pet? A home? Things and people get taken from us often without our consent and sometimes, quite suddenly. Think of all the people who have lost homes and possessions due to hurricanes and tornados. Now they have a lot to let go of both emotionally and mentally. Today, to help us deal with these difficult situations, I am sharing a skill we all need to learn which is Step 3 in our transformational journey to ignite the power within. 

What does letting go mean?

I thought everyone knew the concept of letting go, but one day a friend asked me what it meant. She had been grieving her dead husband for over 10 years and I finally said to her, "Sounds like it is time to let go." 

"What does that mean?" she asked. I was incredulous.  

So let me explain the idea which encompasses a lot more than we realize. 

Letting go means accepting what is, relinquishing control of people and circumstances, and mentally "letting go" of obsessive thoughts and emotions about a particular person, thing, relationship, or whatever. It is HUGE when it comes to keeping our peace and our joy. 

In order to let go, we need to look for a new perspective, reevaluate our priorities, and most importantly, trust that God has allowed something to happen for a reason, and that there is something better in store for us. Here's a personal story that illustrates this point.

Personal Story about Material Possessions

A few years ago, I lost a beloved opal necklace that had been a graduation gift from my favorite uncle, who has long passed. I looked high and low for it - in the house, the car, the garage. It was nowhere to be found. I prayed and prayed to find it and one day I did - crushed to smithereens next to my car.

"Well, at least now I know what happened to it," I said with finality. The unrest I was feeling was gone. There was no more hope of finding the necklace intact and I was at peace - closure. In the same way, we feel unrest when we lose something we value. It could be a relationship, a job, or a pet. Who knows how the necklace fell on the ground? We don't always understand why unfortunate things happen. We don't even have to. The lesson is in the letting go. 

After the emotion of losing the cherished necklace dissipated,  I decided to visit a local jewelry store to see how much a replacement would cost. I found a necklace I liked. The saleswoman quoted me the cost explaining that it was a very good price considering the price of gold these days. Now, I have to tell you that I didn't feel very comfortable spending that much money on jewelry for myself. That's just not something I do. 

"If you like, you can put a deposit down and think about it," she suggested.

"That's a good idea. I'll do that."

As she looked my name up in her system, she says to me, "You have a credit on your account."

"Really?" I replied, my eyebrows arching in surprise.

After researching a bit more, the saleswoman decided to go ahead and discount the necklace to less than half the original price. Now that is the favor of God.

"What a deal," I exclaimed. "I'll take it." Needless to say, I was elated. I now had a replacement for the necklace I had lost and God had given me something better at a great price!

Examples of letting go. 
And that is exactly what God will do for you when you let go of whatever is causing you unrest and stealing your peace. Now I am not just talking about material possessions. The practice of letting go involves letting go of anything or anyone we have a strong attachment to. This is why spouses suffer so much when their spouse dies. Or when kids leave the nest, why moms have such a hard time. Or when a beloved pet dies or goes missing. Or when the stock market drops. It is natural to care and love, but we must do so lightly. Don't have too strong a grip on anyone or anything. This what memories are for. To comfort us in our time of loss. And it is normal to grieve, but if it goes on for an inordinate amount of time, like my friend, it is time to let go. You alone will know when that time comes. 

Trusting God

Letting go is a practice. Say "practice." I think life keeps giving us opportunities to learn how to let go until we master the lesson and can do it more quickly and with less emotional stress. This is also a practice in trusting God. God sees our pain, really he does. 

For Reflection

Beloved, what person, relationship, or thing are you holding on to today that is causing you unrest? Trust God, let it go, and wait for the Lord to give you the desires of your heart. Remember, "Seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you." (Matt. 6:34)

Offerings for You 
If you enjoyed this post and would like to join our growing blog community, enter your email address in the box provided. You'll receive my weekly posts, updates when my new books come out, plus a copy of my free e-guide entitled "7 Steps to Finding Your Spiritual Path." And do follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ArielPaz08. On Pinterest check out all the cool stuff I have collected on a wide variety of topics such as recipes, diet and exercise, fashion and beauty, prayer and mindfulness, and much more! 

I hope this post encouraged you and do stay tuned for part 4 on our series on igniting the power within and until next time, 

Keep looking up!

Ariel Paz

5 Steps to Making Decisions You'll Be Happy With

Decisions, decisions. Every day we are faced with tons of decisions. Some are simple such as what to have for breakfast and others are complex like whether to stay or leave a relationship or a job. When we are unsure of what the "right" choice is we can feel stressed and pressured. When we have too many decisions to make we can also feel stressed and pressured. The key is to make good decisions in a timely manner. Since I am facing a big decision myself right now, I thought it would be a good time to revisit what to do when you don't know what to do.

The decisions we make determine our destiny and it can be stressful when we are  unsure of how to proceed. One reason we put off making a decision is because we feel we don't have enough information at hand. Rather than make the decision in the heat of the moment, it is better to put the decision on hold and give yourself more time to think about it. Salespeople love to try to make you make snap decisions, but snap decisions can be costly.

Delaying making a decision too long can be costly as well. How many times have I missed out on concert tickets due to waiting too long? Or wasted too much time in the wrong relationship? The question becomes when to wait and when to act. Today I'll share some tips on figuring out when it's time to make a decision and what to do in the meantime.

1. Resist the urge to make it happen NOW. 
Waiting is tough for most of us.  We like things to happen on our time-table. We want it NOW. Many times we take things into our own hands and try to make it happen which often leads to frustration and burnout. A recent visit to my mom's to help her sell her house was just such a scenario. I was in a dither to get the whole house cleaned up and organized and I wound up exhausted because there was too much to do in a short period of time. When I finally realized the house would sell in "God's timing" not mine, I felt so much more at peace.

2. Consider all the factors. 
Big decisions are more complex and require more in-depth analysis. I had a single friend once who has a hard time making decisions. She wanted to move closer to work. I gave her the same advice - consider all the factors. She talked to me about the utility  bills, the gasoline, the commute. It sounded like she was covering all her bases. After she moved in to her new apartment, she calls me.
"I'm not happy here."
"Why not?" I asked thinking she had done due diligence in her research .
"I don't like the location."
Now isn't location like the number one thing to consider when you're thinking about moving? Don't overlook the obvious.

3. Get comfortable with uncertainty. 
The answers don't always come immediately. Sometimes weeks, months, or even years go by. Yet, we must learn to deal with the feeling of not knowing. It is better to wait for clarity than to make a decision while we're still unclear. This is the tough part for me. I don't like feeling the weight of a decision hanging over me. I like to make the decision and move on but sometimes it takes me a while to get clear. Often, past negative experiences impact how we feel about a current situation. We need to learn the lessons from the past while not allowing fear to make our decisions for us today so we can evaluate a situation objectively.

4. Practice the pause. 
The practice of the pause seems to have been lost in the hustle and bustle of today's fast-paced culture. When we learn to pause, we give ourselves time to reflect. We give God a chance to work,to intervene, to speak. Good decisions are not made in a hurry. Give yourself the time you need to feel at peace. If you don't have enough information, ask questions and wait until you do.

5. Wait for the strong "Yes".
Rest assured the answer will come. One day you will have an "Aha!" moment and the answer will become clear. This is why meditation and solitude are so important. We need to tune out all the distractions of the world so we can hear that still small voice within. When you hear that strong "Yes!" you will know exactly what to do and when to do it. Don't be like Sarah and Abraham who got tired of waiting on God to give them a child, and decided to take things into their own hands by having hubby sleep with the maid servant.

What decision are you unclear about? If there is doubt in your mind, apply some of these tips. Take time to pause. Give it to God and wait for an answer. It may be a phone call, a knock on the door, or simply that still small voice inside that speaks to each of us when we quiet ourselves enough to listen.

If you enjoyed this post, please click the +1 icon and if you'd like to join our community, enter your email in the box provided. You'll receive my bi-weekly posts and also a copy of my free e-guide entitled "7 Steps to Finding Your Spiritual Path". 

Until next time, stay tuned for more insights on finding healing, wholeness, and harmony so you can discover YOUR destiny!

Keep looking up!

Ariel Paz

Ignite the Power Within Step 4: How to Enjoy Life While Waiting on Your Dreams

We all have goals and dreams we want to see come true, situations or people we want to see change. Sometimes, they take longer than we'd like to materialize. In this month's Ignite the Power Within series, we're talking about making our dreams a reality by never giving up. But what to do in the meantime while we're waiting?  Today, I'm sharing 3 techniques to not only make the waiting easier, but to keep you full of  joy in the meantime.

So, what is it that you have been waiting for? A boyfriend or girlfriend?  A new job?  A baby perhaps? Maybe you're waiting for your business to take off, to get that promotion you've covetted or to finally retire from the whole grind. Most people are waiting for something. Life has seasons of waiting and sometimes they can be pretty long. As I explained to my youngest, who has been job hunting for several months, waiting is a big part of life. The key to not giving up is to learn how to wait.

Over the years, I have learned there are a few techniques that help during my periods of waiting so here there are:

1. Wait in EXPECTANCY.
In other words, we need to have faith  and  believe that what we are waiting for is going to come our way.  This attitude is a requirement to receiving. If I doubt, I slow down or pretty much cancel the flow of good things into my life.

2. Learn to SURRENDER
Secondly, and I know this might seem counter-intuitive, but it is true, I must surrender or let go of the desire for whatever it is I am waiting for. When we want something we tend to think or talk about it constantly. This is known as obsessing and is NOT conducive to receiving because we have made whatever it is an idol. 

For example, if I am waiting for a boyfriend, let's say. And every time I go out, I size up every male that walks by and worry about how I look. This behavior falls into the obsessing category. I know many women who do this. Their entire conversation consists of talking about this or that guy. By surrendering my desires, I am saying, in effect, "Lord, I trust that you know what is best for me. I trust you to bring good things into my life in Your perfect timing and I will be content in the meantime and happy with what I have in my life today."

3. Live to SERVE. 
 I can't just sit back and bemoan my state. No one likes complainers or whiners, not even God, as evidenced by the Israelites who never made it to the Promised Land because of their griping. We have to get out there and do something of service to help other people. To paraphrase Christian author and speaker Zig Ziglar, "If you help enough people get what they want, God will make sure you get what you want".  This is a philosophy I adhere to and one of the reasons I write this blog.

I hope these techniques give you some ideas on how to enjoy your life while you wait and work on your dreams. Write and share with me what you are waiting for and what you are doing while you are waiting.

If you'd like to join our community enter your email address in the box provided. You'll receive my bi-weekly posts and also a copy of my free e-guide entitled "7 Steps to Finding Your Spiritual Path".  

Stay tuned for more practical advice on making your life the one you dream of.

In the meantime, keep looking up!

Ariel 

Is it Really Luck?

About three few weeks ago, I went for a hike at the park near my home. My cell phone rang and apparently, as I was taking it out of my pocket, my prescription sunglass overlay fell out of my pocket, unbeknownst to me. When I discovered the loss, I was quite perturbed. I circled back on the trail to try to find my glasses, but it was getting dark and the park was ready to close. No luck. The next day, I came out again to retrace my steps in hopes of finding the glasses - still, no luck.

I prayed and prayed. I decided to let the issue go and not fret over it. What was done was done, and it was my fault for not paying attention anyway.

So this past sunday was a lovely day and I decided to go for another hike. Something told me to stop in at the Nature Center. "Do you happen to have a lost and found? I was on the trail a few weeks ago and lost my prescription sunglass overlay. I was wondering if anyone had found them," I explained to the young lady at the desk.

"Wait here and I'll check," she said. Now, after 3 weeks, I didn't want to get my hopes up that the glasses would be there. I decided to remain calm and wait it faith while she checked.

The young lady emerged looking pretty solemn. Then she raised her hand which held - guess what? My prescription sunglass overlay! Now what are the chances of that? They were intact and not even scratched. I burst out with joy and thanked her profusely.

Now, some call this fate, some call it luck; I call it God. I was teary-eyed as I left the Nature Center. To me, it was God's grace in action once again. He cares about everything we care about, everything that troubles us. "Cast your cares on Him, for He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7).

What is it that you are fretting about, dear one? Is it a job situation, a loss of some sort, or perhaps a financial issue? Rest in His loving arms, because He does care for you, more than you can ever imagine. When we have done all we can about a situation, it is best to give it up to God and let Him handle it. He can and will!

Drop me a note and let me know what you think of this story and if anything like this has ever happened to you. In the meantime, trust God and keep looking up!

Keep it Simple

Sometimes I think I make life too difficult for myself. After being a single parent for so many years, and being responsible for everything, I still have the occasional tendency to take on too much, do too much, and fret too much. Can you relate?

Think of the story of Mary and Martha. Jesus was visiting their home and Martha was running around doing all kinds of hospitality things and complaining that Mary wasn't helping. Boy, have I been there. Mary, on the other hand, was enjoying the company of their esteemed guest. Instead of "doing", Mary was "being".

This past fall, I was dealing with a health issue and didn't have much energy to do much of anything. Then one day I heard His voice. "Be still and know that I am God." (Ps. 46:10) I realized it really doesn't matter to God how much I "do" anymore. I can only "do" by His grace anyway. "Seek ye first the kingdom of heaven and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33).

Living a life that pleases God is simple. It boils down to two words which I am sure we have all heard before: "Trust and obey." That's it. Trust God and do what he says to do. Now that doesn't mean forsaking all my responsibilities, but when I feel anxious, overwhelmed, or overtired, I know I am doing too much.

How about you? What signs show up in your life that remind you to "be" instead of "do"? What are a few ways you can simplify your life? Write and let me know and

Until next time, keep looking up!

Ariel Paz