" When you pray in the calm of your life, you are able to withstand when the storms come (Pastor C. Jerome Lynch)." The more I think about this statement, the more I realize how much truth it actually contains. I say this because in the times of calm in my life, I should have adapted the practice of talking with God, and praying to Him, so that I was better prepared or more prepared for when the storms or dark times (in life) came. When I think about the many times I let the negative feelings and thoughts from/of distractions, discouragement, and disappointment enter my mind, setting myself back from my purpose, I realize just how much time I really wasted.
I think about how much time I wasted on refusing to improve myself for my life's journey, because I was too busy wallowing in self-pity to engage in or emerge myself in self-improvement and self-development, in order to continue building me for the calling that was on my life.
If you ask me now though, in this stage of life, I would have to say that actually, I have learned that distractions, discouragements, and disappointments lead to decisions. I say this because when we are faced with these negative emotions, circumstances or situations, we have to make a decision on whether or not, we allow them to dictate our moods, behaviors, thoughts, and attitudes. We have to decide if we will wallow in them; further hindering us from becoming greater and more useful to the Kingdom of God. This, in turn, allows us to make the choice or decide, to chase peace more, in the midst of the negativity that may be surrounding us. At this point in my life, I have learned that distractions, discouragements, and disappointment are merely gateways into a deeper fellowship with God. But we miss the opportunities to do so because we allow them to take us down so far, and so low. So, in speaking about the impact of correct thinking and decision-making, I want to encourage anybody today. Make the decision today, to allow the storms and hard times in/of life that so often come in form of distractions, discouragements, and disappointments, to draw you closer to Thee. Instead, decide to allow them to position you right where you need to be, in order to be used by God! "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9)."
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