Faith/Christianity

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If you find yourself complaining a lot…read this!

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If you’re complaining about your life, your job, your relationship status, etc…

…You’re likely dissatisfied with your life.

Dissatisfied: : expressing or showing lack of satisfaction : not pleased or satisfied; discontent; not happy.

We all go through seasons of dissatisfaction.  Whether or not we stay in a season for an extended period of time is all about how we respond to the feelings of frustration, unhappiness, and discontentment.

A typical response to dissatisfaction is to look around at others we deem as happy, and copy whatever we think they’re doing right in their life.  If it’s a coworker who seems fulfilled by working late hours, taking on all the projects, and giving her all to her job then we might try to do the same.  If it’s a friend who seems fulfilled by a dating relationship we might think that’s what we need to be truly happy.  Maybe it’s a mom friend who is able to manage working from home, three kids, household chores, and all the other mom duties with joy and grace; we might think that’s what we have to do to be satisfied.

The problem with trying to do what everyone else is doing, is that you miss the opportunity to discover what will bring YOU satisfaction, joy, and fulfillment.

This January I’m giving women the opportunity to pause once a week for an hour and a half, reflect on their current life, discover the ways they have been trying to find fulfillment, tune into who they were created to be, and make a plan to actually find the satisfaction they are craving.

I’m doing this through a 5 week course called Return to You.

Romans 12:2 says “Do not conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

There are SO MANY patterns of this world that we fall into on a regular basis and we need God’s word, the support from others, reflection, and stillness to renew our mind.

Comparison is one of those patterns.

Others include…

Self deprecation, or convincing yourself that you’re selfish

Believing you are unworthy of love, healing, joy, or fulfillment

Pushing down your emotions in the name of accomplishment and achievement

Allowing fear and anxiety to drive your choices, actions, and views

What are the patterns ruling you? 

How long have they been ruling you?

How much longer are you willing to let them rule you?

You do not have to live complaining and dissatisfied any longer.  God is calling you to NOT conform to the patterns of this world, so don’t.  Join us this January to be transformed by the renewing of your mind, and in doing so return to you.

Join us here to Return to You- the woman you were always intended to be.

 

Who Do You Say I Am_

Who Do You Say I Am?

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Have you heard the song “You Say” by Lauren Daigle? I want to encourage you with her words and God’s words today.

In our society we are bombarded with lies, discouragements, words that tear down, comparisons, and negativity. People make hurtful comments to one another to make themselves feel better. It’s easy to lose sight of who we are because we have so many people trying to tell us who we should be. 

There are a few questions I want you to consider today. The first is a deep one…

Who am I?

I know, I know. It’s a loaded question but one we need to meditate on! Who you are is different from who your best friend is, or your coworker, or the barista at the coffee shop. You were knit together in your mother’s womb and were created to be uniquely you. Make a list of the qualities that make you, you. Start with titles: I am a sister/brother, I am a mother/father, I am a daughter/son, etc. List as many as come to mind. Then move on to positive characteristics that describe you: I am kind, I am joyful, I am thoughtful, etc. Again, write as many as you can think of and don’t feel guilty for the list of attributes. Remember you were created by God who is himself good, so you must be good as well.

The second question to consider is…

Who do You say I am?

“You” being God. If you believe God is the creator of the universe, a truth teller, a father, a forgiver, YOUR creator then knowing who He says you are is of utmost importance. Lauren Daigle did some of the grunt work for us and tells us who God says we are. In her lyrics she sings, “You say I am loved (1 John 4:8) when I can’t feel a thing. You say I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:10) when I think I am weak. You say I am held (Psalm 34:18) when I am falling short, and when I don’t belong, oh, you say I am yours (John 1:12-13), and I believe.” These lyrics just scratch the surface of who God says you are.  Isn’t that crazy?! There is so much more He wants us to know about who we are, and the way to discover that is by learning more about who He is. 

I have two recommendations for you as you seek out the answer to “Who do You say I am?” The first is spend some time reflecting on this question. Ask God to reveal who He says you are. Write about it, pray about it, listen for answers to it. While there are general truths in His word, there are unique truths about YOU that you need to hear directly from Him. The best way to hear them is by writing or journaling about this question often. 

The next recommendation I have is to study out the character of Jesus. The four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) tell the story of Jesus’s life and ministry from four different perspectives. I would start by reading through these and then turn to a book or devotional. A few that have been recommended to me are: Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis, A Case For Christ by Lee Strobel, The Jesus I Never Knew by Philip Yancey, Stop Calling me Beautiful by Phylicia Masonheimer, The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning, Desiring God by John Piper, Beautiful Outlaw by John Eldridge, and The Burden is Light by John Tyson to name a few.

If we don’t know who we are, or who we were created to be, we will begin to believe the lies thrown at us every day.  Find confidence in the truths that God tells you, and in the truths you know about yourself. Hang in there friend, and remember that you are loved.

Peace, love, and truths about you,

Hala

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Copy of Questions to Ask Yourself When You Feel Stuck

Don’t Just Give Something Up This Lent Season, Do This Instead

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It’s Ash Wednesday which means Lent is upon us!  Lent is a season where Christians choose something to fast from, sacrifice, or give up for 40 days just as Jesus fasted and was tempted in the desert for 40 days.  It is a time where Christians are supposed to reflect on Christ’s ministry, death and resurrection. Unfortunately, for many, it has turned into a season of testing one’s will power.  Can I really give up sweets for 40 days!?

I have a challenge for you this season.  Don’t just give something up to say you did, find a replacement behavior instead, and make it something that will draw you nearer to Christ.  For example, if you are giving up some type of food or sweet (many people give up dessert or candy), every time you crave sugar, say a prayer.  Pray for friends and family. Pray for your current situation. Pray for wisdom. Pray for a deeper faith. Pray for our country. Pray for other countries.  Pray for a cause that is close to your heart. Pray that you will understand God in a new way this lent season. Replacement behaviors are important while we are learning a new habit or routine, and it is no different when we are fasting.  Choosing a replacement behavior that will bring you closer to God is what this season is all about!  

Another replacement behavior you could use is to memorize scripture or read your Bible.  Let’s say you have chosen to give up social media for 40 days. Each time you pick up your phone to scroll, because let’s be honest you will do that absent mindedly, retrain your finger and your mind to click on the Bible app.  You can choose a book of the Bible to read through, a devotional to check in on, or one scripture to go to over and over again until you have memorized it. It is possible to retrain your mind, but it will take time. Maybe even longer than 40 days.  It actually takes 60 days to turn something into a habit. Who knows! Maybe you will be inspired to keep your fast going until it has become a new spiritual practice for you.

So don’t just give something up to test yourself.  Do it to know God on a new and deeper level. Fast to draw nearer to Him, and to feel his love in a greater way.  “…Return to the Lord your God for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love…” Joel 2:13.  

Happy Fasting!  

© HRS Life Coaching 2023
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