I try to walk out of my pain by walking into the pain of another,
but the pain changes into hope and with the hope comes purpose!
I give until I think I can’t give anymore and then I discover an
abundant supply of more than enough and then some!

Just when I think I have this thing figured out,
something comes along to show me that I am not even close!
I keep living, giving and trying to make a difference,
only to discover that nothing is what I think!

This is why I must trust, have faith in ONE greater
than myself, what I know and what I don’t know!
The stuff of my wishes, the proof of what I can’t see,
It’s all real and life makes it so!

Here are some simple things that help me to make it through the day!

1.) Daily Devotion Time – it does not have to be long or sophisticated!  Just taking a little time at the beginning of the day to spend a little time in talking and listening prayer with my Creator, helps to set me on the right path.  I will step off of this path many times during the day, but will get back on, because of my morning devotion time and the focus that it helps to establish!  I try to read the Bible or some devotional to help me listen for He has to say to me and then I like to journal (write down) my prayer – what I said back to Him!

2.) Continuing Prayer – I know that I have a Creator and I believe that He is active in my life.  I start talking with Him in the morning and I continue all throughout the day.  Sometimes I talk out loud and sometimes with just the thoughts in my head, but they are always directed higher!

3.)  Positive, Encouraging And Fun Thoughts – There is plenty of negative floating around in our world.  I try to take away from the negative by adding positive and uplifting thoughts into my life and the life of others.  If it does nothing more than change my thinking for just the moment of my reading, then it has the power to change my life.  I look for and collect these thoughts and share them to try to help others make their days better too!

4.)  Friends – The thing that makes life fun for me is the people who God allows me to interact with on a daily basis.  I try to meet at least one new person a day.  Even if it’s just a stranger that looks like they are having a bad day.  I take the time to speak and look for an open door to make a difference, which usually ends up making a greater difference in me!  I really do like people – people from all walks of life!

5.)  Service – I don’t see what I do as a job – if I did, then I would probably quit every other day.  I love getting to serve others and if I can help to make someone’s life better, then I really feel like I am making progress.  My work can often be frustrating, but the rewards of when it is right far outweigh the demands.  I need something to do with my life and I am glad that I have the something that I have!

These are just a few of the things that help me to keep from going totally crazy.  I hope that they will help and be a blessing to you.

4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.  II Corinthians 10:4-5

The enemy attempts to build strongholds in our lives, so that He might have a place to launch attacks from whenever he feels good and ready.  A good way to recognize a stronghold in your life, is to watch for those situations and circumstances that attack and bring you down in your spirit.

You know when something is not going right, or when things around you just don’t feel right.  When things start to spiral out of control you can feel it and you know that you need to do something about it, but you are not sure what that something is!

You need to use the weapons that God has given you and attack that stronghold that is attacking you!  When you begin to feel your spirit slipping, seek God.  He created you, loves you and has given you all you need to get back what belongs to you!  If you have a negative behavior, thought are action that seem to keep repeating itself, then you know that the devil has or is building a stronghold in your life, and you need to respond as quickly as possible by attacking that thing with the strength and wisdom that your Creator has provided you with!

The enemy may build strongholds in your life, but you don’t have to allow him to keep them there!  Take him on and take the strongholds out today.  Enjoy walking in right direction and living in victorious power!  G3!