Our Give-Away for Today!
Are You Teetering on the Edge...Desperate for Change, for Direction, for Purpose?
We all know what it's like to feel dangerously close to the edge at times. Maybe you're already there. On the edge of doing something desperate if something doesn't change. As women we are passionate individuals...traveling down a road desperately seeking something.
Whether we're desperate for love, change, fulfillment, significance or accomplishment, the road of desperation can lead us to devastation - if we follow our own pursuits - or it can lead to liberation - a life full and freeing - if we funnel our passion toward a desire for God and live on the edge for Him.
Whether we're desperate for love, change, fulfillment, significance or accomplishment, the road of desperation can lead us to devastation - if we follow our own pursuits - or it can lead to liberation - a life full and freeing - if we funnel our passion toward a desire for God and live on the edge for Him.
Are you ready to start living to your potential and glorifying God? As you do, you'll experience the freedom of living on the edge for God - and loving it!
Cindi McMenamin is an award-winning writer and speaker, helping women discover strength for the soul. She has more than 20 years experience ministering to women and inspiring them to let God meet their emotional needs, grow stronger through their alone times, and pursue their dreams with boldness.
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Why We G.R.I.P.E.
Continuing our exploration of the 5 goals of complaining+ (via the acronym G.R.I.P.E):
E = Excuse Poor Performance
Complaining is a natural language for coming up with excuses.
Have you ever asked someone, “How are you?” and immediately regretted it because they went on and on about what a bad night they had, how they got no sleep, how terrible they feel, etc., etc., etc.?
They basically served you notice: “I’m not planning to be pleasant or productive today; expect nothing from me!”
Some days, my students come to class sounding like they’re mad at me: complaining about me, criticizing my teaching style, and talking about how much they hate the class.
And for so many years, I took it personally, wondering what on earth I’d done wrong!
Then I started paying attention to what days they walked in complaining about me. Any guesses what is happening in class on those days? A test or a major assigment is due!
Their complaints aren’t about me as a person but about the fact that their lack of
preparation is about to be exposed. Thus, the mad scramble for excuses!
Complaining is a classic Phlegmatic “Get Out of Today FREE!” card.
Battlefield Life
Do you ever feel as though your life is just one battle after another?
You feel this way way for a reason:
It is.
Our lives are battlefields.
After all, we live in the midst of a war.
I.D. the Enemy
I’m no expert on battle plans or strategies of war. But one thing seems obvious:
It’s mission critical that I correctly identify the enemy.
I’ve got to know exactly who are the “good guys” and who are the “bad guys.”
Or I could make some deadly mistakes.
Making Enemies
Like many teenagers, I thought my parents were “the enemy” for all the things I wanted to do but they wouldn’t let me do.
Then I got married at 21, and quickly labeled my exact-opposite-PURSE-onality husband, Daniel, as “the enemy,” fighting him at every turn.
Once I started teaching, parents who called me at dinnertime and were still chewing me out at bedtime became “the enemy.”
Students who defied me were “the enemy.” So were students who talked too much. Talked too little. Forgot their homework. Didn’t work during class time.
Of course, I’m my own worst “enemy” when I have a cart full of groceries but no wallet, stub my toe for the tenth time, can’t get my hair to do anything, put another dent in the bumper, and forget an important birthday (all on the same day!)
Even inanimate objects turn into “the enemy” when the printer jams, my GPS updates too slowly, and the toaster oven dies after just three weeks.
Public Enemy #1
When I quit demonizing others long enough to take a step back, I remember, “Oh, yeah! We’re all on the same side, here!”
We all have the same enemy. He’s goes by many disguises and names. One of his favorites is The Accuser.
- “You are such a terrible daughter for the things you said to your parents and for your disobedient spirit.”
- “You are the worst thing that could ever have happened to your husband. You bring him dishonor.”
- “You are a complete fraud of a teacher. Your students hate you and talk behind your back. None of them learn anything.”
- “You are completely pathetic. You can’t do anything right. Everything you attempt is ruined because you are defective.”
Silencing the Enemy
On our own, we have no hope against The Accuser.
He can take our strengths and smash them into shards of shame.
Remember how Jesus responded to the enemy: Did he look around for someone else to blame?
No.
He went straight to the Word of God: “It is written…”
Our Don't-Keep-Him-a-Secret Weapon
(Can't see the image? Click here to download Romans 8:37)
When I started to complain, I’d tell myself, “No. Stop that!” Sometimes, I’d get so frustrated with myself, I’d scold myself, “Cheri, stop that negativity right now!”
I came out ahead in a few small battles. But that was all.
Last year, when I started turning to God’s Word to replace my words of complaint, criticism, gossip, and sarcasm, the war took a turn.
An obvious turn. Astonishing turn. Miraculous turn.
It clearly had nothing to do with me. And everything to do with the power of God’s word.
Now I say, “Jesus, I choose to trust you when you say…” prior to reciting or reading scripture. For me, it’s powerful to interrupt a complaint with the name of Jesus–the Word made flesh–followed by the Word.
Victory in Christ
But thanks be to God!
He gives us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ.
He gives us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ.
(1 Corinthians 15:57)
Try this today: listen to or read the lyrics to Petra’s “The Battle Belongs to the Lord” and Don Francisco’s “Jehoshaphat”.
(If you can’t see the embedded video, click here to view “The Battle Belongs to the Lord”)
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To enter today’s drawing, leave a comment
- responding to today’s blog, and/or
- sharing your Day #1-8 experience of replacing “baditude” with God’s word and gratitude, and/or
- about anything else on your heart!
All drawing winners will be announced ASAP!
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(Catch up on any "Warm-Up Week" Blog Posts!)
