Believing In Yourself

So lately I've been chatting with a lot of my students about themselves. Each of them all had one thing in common. The root cause of why they were feeling the way they were is because they didn't believe in themselves. I can totally relate to all of them because I've been in that place before and often times I still struggle with who I am because the enemy is always bombarding my mind with so many lies about myself. This is exactly what is happening...the enemy continues to fill our heads with so much junk and lies. He often tells us were not good enough, not pretty enough, not skinny enough, not smart enough and we'll never measure up to anyone or anything. I think the list can go on and on. Once these lies come, we continue to believe these lies and then it becomes our reality. We first start believing these lies internally and then before we know it these lies effect us externally. We start making the wrong decisions because we don't think we deserve it. We don't think we can do a certain job or take an opportunity, so we past it up, or fail before we even begin. We don't think we measure up to our friends our those around so we treat them differently, or become jealous and let bitterness well up inside of us.
As I sat here thinking about all of this, I realize how destructive "not believing in yourself" really is. It really determines who become in the long run if we don't change the way we think of ourselves.

So what do we do with such an easy 3 words to say, but not so easy to put into practice??

For one I think we need to take a second and look within and recognize the lies that we are believing. Two, i think we need to write down a list of things about ourselves, or make a mental list of the things that are true and positive...like our gifts and talents and the things that make us...us. The verse Psalms 139:13-14 has really helped me when I am doubting who i am. It's a great reminder of who God made us and reminds me that "we are wonderfully made". The other verse that sticks out is the verse that God knows how many hairs are on our head. That is a HUGE reminder that God made us just the way we are.

Lastly, guard your minds. Philippians 4:8 is a great scripture verse to help you stay focused on the positive instead of the negative. i think its easier said then done to believe in yourself. It is a process, but we need to take control of our minds and let God in and let the lies out!

Stop focusing on everyone else and all that they are and have. Stop focusing on the negative. Start believing in yourself, that you are worth it. God made you just how he wanted to. He made no mistake with who you are. So believe in yourself, set aside what your feelings and chose today that you will believe in the truths about yourself.

Enjoy the moment

I decided to stay in tonight with my kids. It was a night filled with popcorn and Disney movies, playing house, pretending I'm Wendy from Peter Pan, reading stories and playing games with them. After I put Alexia and Cayden down to sleep I went into their rooms to put some clean clothes away and I just stood beside both of their beds and really just enjoyed the moment. Being a parent is difficult at times, but it is one of the greatest jobs in the world. After I prayed for them and left their rooms I couldn't help but think of how my life gets SO busy and I often don't just take the time to enjoy the moment. Life gets too busy with going here and there and doing our daily things and we often forget to stop and enjoy the moment. Tonight was such a huge reminder for me just to SLOW DOWN and don't look ahead and worry about tomorrow, but just be grateful for all the many blessings God has given to me. So my challenge to you is, stop, slow down and enjoy the moment that God has placed you in. Even in the hard times know that there is a reason why you're there and learn what God is trying to teach you in that situation. Lastly, cherish the good times and don't become too busy to recognize all that God has blessed you with.

Parenting

Being a parent is one of the best jobs in the world but often one of the hardest jobs in the world. I'm reading this really great book called "The Power of A Positive Mom" and it is very challenging. Tonight I read a chapter that hit my heart in a huge way.
I guess I will start here, just a couple of days ago I was at Walmart doing my shopping with both of my kids. I had to get one of those big oversized, embarrassing carts (mom's you know what I'm talking about) Anyways, my kids are at a stage where some days they love each other and other days that don't like each other. So I made it all the way up to the check out lines and as always I picked the WRONG line!!! Seriously I really complain about this all the time. (I think God's trying to teach me patience) Anyways, I standing in line for over 10 minutes now and my kids jump out of the cart and grab at all the candy and gum, basically anything they can get their hands on. They start bickering about what they got and who's is better, you know great stuff to fight about. So the wait gets longer, my kids start getting louder, I'm getting more and more angry. Then, I turn my back to unload my cart and Alexia pushes Cayden and he falls flat on his face. Yep, crying louder then you can imagine, people staring and I'm wispering in Alexia's ear how she's going to get a spanking. Now, their both crying, Alexia is yelling out I don't want to get spanked!! Everyone now thinks I'm a child abuser!! Then the stupid, im mean wonderful cashier makes a comment, "oh it must be naptime" I was thinking NO, maybe if you would stop working so SLOW maybe I wouldn't have had any issues at all. Believe me i know it was the wrong attitude. Once again I left Walmart frazzled and stressed out!

So I said all that to say this, the chapter I read was talking about our lives are like lesson books. Our kids may read books all throughout their lives and may not remember any of it, but our lives are like books and they are learning everyday what's in it. How do we handle situations? Do we yell? How do we treat others? Are we givers? Do we gossip? How do we act in traffic towards other drivers? Do we yell out? call names? Are we negative and have attitudes? How do we act in grocery stores? How do we treat our spouses? All these questions I had to ask myself. I can honestly say that I fail at some of these at times. I think this chapter hit me so hard, because I want to be like Christ and be a Godly example and handle situations the right way. I think with God's help we can recognize our weaknesses and change our ways and be the parents that God called us to be. So just a last thought, Like it or not our life is an open book, continually read by our little ones at home.
Trying to be an example in our own power leads to eventual failure, but abiding in Christ is the answer. We need to stay connected to Christ daily. Without his power and strength and Him being the center of our household we will fail. The cry of my heart is that I will be a Godly mom that will train up my children in the way of the Lord. I think we can all do that will God's help!

Philippians 4:13
I can do ALL things through HIM who gives me strength