Mind – Page 7 – Practical Insights, by Dr. Annette

Confidence…

What is confidence? According to google: “1) the feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something, firm trust 2) The state of feeling certain about the truth of something. 3) A feeling of self-assurance arising from one’s appreciation of one’s own abilities or qualities: Self-assurance.”

Confidence in God is beneficial, for we can place our lives and outcomes in His Hands-He is faithful. Proverbs 14:26 “In the reverent and worshipful fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, and His children shall always have a place of refuge.”

We can have confidence in the Word of God because it has proven to be true archeologically, historically and prophetically. Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Confidence as self-assurance occurs as we learn and develop in our knowledge, gifting’s, and talents. As we study in order to learn a career or position, we grow in confidence. The ability to do anything you are unfamiliar with makes anyone anxious, but willing to try builds confidence.

Kidshealth.org states, “Confidence means feeling sure of yourself and your abilities not in an arrogant way, but in a realistic secure way. Confidence is not about feeling superior to others, it is a quiet inner knowledge that your capable. Confident people-feel ready for everyday challenges.” I like this statement.

We cannot build confidence when we are stagnant. However, we grow confidence while we take steps attempting new things or learning new ideas. Getting trained or teaching helps to achieve the goal of what you would like to learn or do.

Confidence is derived from the understanding in your mind you can, you will, and you will not stop.

Therefore, understanding the way you feel or think about yourself is so crucial. If all your rehearsing in your mind remain negative statements of, “I won’t, I can’t, or I’ll never,” this just beats you down and prevents you from being confident to try. It’s time to say, “I will try, I can do it, I will do it.”

It is time to let God heal the hurt and things that drive you to put yourself down. You can be free to grow in confidence. Begin today to speak truths to yourself. You can learn and develop and build confidence within yourself.Check out the beauty for Ashes page for more information. Lesson Two Beauty for Ashes

Patience, Patience, Patience…

Don’t we all enjoy patience! Well perhaps not all of us. My definition of patience is quietly waiting without grumbling or complaining. Since that is my definition of patience where do you think you are in your definition of patience?

As I waited for my daughter’s goat Kiki to birth her babies yesterday, I looked at my daughter and she said to me, “now we wait we must have patience because they come only when their ready.” I was thinking about the patience it takes to be a rancher. This goat had two dates, so it was a question of which date is correct and the wait began. I had never seen an animal birth, so I was thrilled to wait. Well I do not believe that Kiki wanted an audience because we left and came back later, she still didn’t birth her babies, so we came back home. She started birthing at 11ish we had been was fast asleep. But Kiki as well as her three kids are all in good health and doing great. They are super adorable.

This experience led me to thinking about patience. How essential it is to practice patience as well as what an asset it is to have. Since we must all apply patience during this pandemic, I think it’s suitable to take the time to look at patience. According to the dictionary: “Patience is the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering with out getting angry or upset.”

Patience when anything is delayed. How many times has something been delayed in your life? It may not always feel good to wait on longer than anticipated although it is doable. We can withstand longer in delays by not complaining and looking at the situation in negative ways. The minute we begin complaining our endurance gets affected. Getting angry throughout a delay only affects yourself. Choose to speak the truth to yourself so your waiting will not influence your thoughts and emotions.

The Bible states, James 1:2-4 “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,3-knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience, 4-But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” I may not immediately feel joy in trouble although knowing God is working in the trouble and in me is helping to refocus off the trouble. Choosing to speak truths for example is stating God will help, because his word promises to help his children. Or speaking truth may also be I am growing in maturity in this time of patience. Even if you do not feel like your growing you’re going to be growing.

Patience during trouble is also difficult if your concentrating on the trouble. Choose to speak life into the difficulties. Trouble comes in many forms big and small. Any unforeseen problem financially can be real trouble for many. I find and speak a scripture into the problem. It will help me to refocus onto the Lord and his provisions. God also provides wisdom when we ask him.

Patience during suffering may be difficult also. Suffering comes in all shapes too. Physical, emotional and psychological suffering can all be tough times for being patient. Throughout my ankle recovery I told myself to understand I have never been through this one before and to trust God in the healing process. I knew this was going to be a longer recovery because of my bones being soft. I am still in rehabilitation for the ankle almost finished but not yet.

When we decide to be patient in delays, trouble or suffering we are increasing in maturity. Allow patience to have the full work in you so you become mature and complete.

Numbering Your Days…

Are you numbering your days? When I keep thinking about accomplishing goals or plans, I usually write them down first. I like lists. I will still make a list of chores for myself. It helps me to get them done. If your struggling in accomplishing things or simply are not where you would like to be start numbering your days.

The bible states in Psalm 90:12 “So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:17 “And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us; And establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands.” In context of the entire psalm Moses was praying the prayer and its basis is in God’s eternal existence, judgements, and God’s returning favor to his people.

But when I happened to be reading this psalm verse 12 and 17 just spoke to me regarding when we want to be productive but are not sure how to obtain the motivation. I self-talk the truth to myself. This will contribute to motivate the accomplishments.

God has a particular purpose for each one of us. We are given talents and gifts that are motivationally within us. Sometimes we do not actually know them because we have not been taught how to identify them.

Your dreams or visions for your life are usually linked to those motivational gifts and talents. I will use myself as an example. When I was a child my mom said my friends and I would be playing school and I was always the teacher. The motivational gift to teach was put in me from birth but I needed to take the necessary steps to learn and use the teaching gift. This occurs naturally although I needed knowledge and learning to number my days through education and practical input through others helped to further develop the teaching gift.

So, learning and applying something that you love to achieve is a way of numbering your days. Following are three areas to help us to number our days.

First, in numbering your days is ‘know your purpose.’ The word purpose means “the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists.”

You were created by God for relationship with him. Your purpose as a child of God is beneficial to your growth and wellbeing. Outside of relationship with God is empty and lifeless. In Jesus is life, meaning, and purpose.

Your purpose is connected to your dreams, aspirations, or vision. It is also connected to your gifts and callings. Which is a part of your motivational giftings.

Look at what you love and enjoy doing. Examples such as, singers love to sing, writers love to read and write. Comics love to make people laugh.

Secondly, to number your days ‘organize.’ Organize means “making arrangements or preparations for.”

Organize your day. Think about what is needed for that day and then choose what will be done.

Organize your workload. This also goes along with organizing your day. Prioritize what is the most important and do those first. Look at what is not important and if it is not accomplished it will not cause a problem.

Organize your time, energy, and fun. Time is the same allotment for each day and can be broken down into ingredients to balance your day with work, rest, and fun.

Thirdly, to number your days prepare. The word prepare means “make (something) ready for use or consideration. Just about everything takes preparing. Cooking, laundry, work, life etc. To achieve your goals in life it is useful to prepare with what is necessary for the goal. Investigate what is necessary to accomplish your dream or goal.

We all must start somewhere preparation includes all aspects of your life. When you are thinking about numbering your days, I believe that symbolizes being purposeful like having the plan or to do list. Organizing is getting arrangements or preparations for whatever needs accomplished or whatever I have intended to accomplish. Whether it is a daily idea or a lifelong dream it will take a vision which is a plan.

You do not need to have the whole plan to begin. Start with whatever you have and prayerfully ask God for the next step. Begin to number your days in which you may have a heart of wisdom.

Do you need clarity?

What is clarity and why is it needed? These are some questions we will answer. Clarity is vital in many aspects of your living past, present, and future. Clarity is also necessary in the decision-making process, pursuing your objectives and even when buying.

According to Webster’s Dictionary Clarity means “brightness (clearness) clear. The quality or state of being clear: lucidity” I have inserted my interpretation of the meaning in accordance with the areas of our life.

The dictionaries meaning for Clear: ‘1)free from clouds, mist or haze’ pertaining to weather or minds

‘2)free from what dims, obscures or darken’ pertaining to vision

‘3)free from flaw, blemish, or impurity’ pertaining to mind/heart

‘4)free from impediment, obstructions, or hindrances: open’ pertaining to life or walk

‘5)plain or evident to the mind: unmistakable’ pertaining to the mind

‘6)easily perceptible to the eye or ear: distinct’ pertaining to the senses.

‘7)discerning or perceiving easily: keen’ pertaining to intuition/spirit

‘8)free from doubt or confusion: certain’ pertaining to faith

‘9)free from limitation or qualification: absolute’ pertaining to faith/God

‘10)free from quilt(a clear conscience)’ pertaining to conscience

How does one become clear in thought and walk in clarity? To me the reply is be a seeker of truth, not in a relative sense but the actual truth based in facts. Also be prepared to examine and look at the circumstances from various angles. Be open and ready to hear about yourself past, present, and future.

Do not run from your past walk through the hurts and traumas with God and if need be seeking a Counselor who will take you through the healing to the other side.

When we get trapped in the pain, it does not remain down it rises in every area of our life. Guilt, shame, and bitterness are deep-rooted in something and they will power all types of unhealthy behaviors, reactions, mindsets, and self-talk. Clarity begins when we admit we have a problem.

You do not break free when you hold onto the thing which is hurting you. Past pains which are unresolved do continue to do us harm and blind us. But God can and will help anyone who calls on Him.

The healing starts with admitting there is a problem. Lucidity comes in many forms. Yes, at the start facing things might feel painful but being freed from the pain is worth a temporary discomfort.

When we look at hurts or issues from our past it is not to put blame on someone its objective is to see what your viewpoint was and to heal from the pain. You are not healed from a hurt if that hurt is yet being played in your head. You are also not healed from a hurt when there is bitterness in your thinking and heart. Those are just prison walls we build to protect ourselves from the hurt, but the truth is that those walls are just shutting yourself off and it is not real freedom.

With clarity comes liberty. Freedom to choose your replies instead of reacting. Freedom to choose the health and life over bitterness as well as resentment. Freedom to choose health as well as wholeness over guilt and shame.

Ask God to show you today where you need clarity.

The Darkest Time…

The Silence

The crucifixion was yesterday, I’m afraid they’ll find us. He’s gone! They killed Him, the earth shook when he died, and the veil was torn. What does all this mean? I’m sad so extremely sad. I cannot believe He’s gone. He healed people I saw it with my own eyes he raised Lazarus from the dead! I saw it but now he’s gone…

What they must of have felt and thought…? Their hopes and dreams of a better future crucified… laying in a tomb guarded by soldiers. It must have felt so devasting, the sorrow and pain of seeing him tortured and dying. Oh, my heart is breaking they must of thought.

But what now? The longest period in the history of humanity from his capture, death and subsequently silence. The quiet is deafening the silence is terrifying, horrifying and but then to think one of the disciples betrayed him.

The silence of not actually knowing, he stated that he would come back so how, he’s dead…. the world’s darkest moment in history.

But what was happening in the silence. In the spirit realm Jesus went to get the key to death and hades. He conquered Satan and made a display of it. He preached good news to people who never knew and set the captives free.

But in the physical world on the earth there remained silence an eerie deafening quiet. Mankind had no indication that the victory was won on the cross. People weren’t thinking about his return because the anguish, horror and sorrow remained consuming no more hope or joy just silence.

As I have written this from my mind, I was imagining how they must have felt without knowing what tomorrow brings. We know what tomorrow represents His resurrection, but they didn’t and in their silence was sadness, but joy was going to come in the morning for themselves and us.

Own, Express and Release

Own, Express and Release is one way in which I like to think about our emotions. One cannot reject their emotions regarding circumstances, world events or relationships without it triggering future troubles.

What are our emotions? They are defined as “A natural instinctive state of mind deriving from one’s circumstances, mood or relationship with others.” Similar words for emotions are “feelings, sentiment, sensation, reaction, response, passion, intensity, warmth…” God gave us emotions for a good reason. We don’t follow our feelings in decision making but a person must recognize their feelings to process circumstances.

What I mean by that declaration is one should recognize how you feel so you’re not be led by a feeling in your circumstances. But you’ll have the ability to process how your feeling to ensure that your decision making isn’t compromised.

First how do we Own it? To me this means plainly ‘admit’ to how you are feeling sad, frustrated, scared, fearful, can all be emotions along with happy, joyful etc. Anger is another feeling which is what some describe to as a secondary emotion because anger is a feeling that signals there is something going on within you such as hurt, fear or frustration. Once you step back from the anger and have a look at how you’re really feeling you will get a more accurate picture of yourself. So rather than being angry you’ll be able to admit what’s really going on inside of you.

Which then leads to expressing your emotions. Expressing emotions can seem scary to someone who is not used to it. Even if you’re not use to discussing your feelings now is the time to try. Start with someone you feel safe to talk to. Sometimes we just need people to listen to us.

Here are a few ways to express emotions 1) talk about them with someone you trust 2) write out how your feeling 3) cry it out 4) use the emotion in a way that isn’t harmful to someone else. 5) Draw what your feeling…

When your expressing your feelings it ‘releases it’ from your mind and body. Releasing it also is like letting it go. It means you’ll be living in a way that those feelings are no longer fueling your day.

March 2020 was unsettling for all the people in America and around the world. Other countries were infected by the virus before March but now each nation has been plagued by the Covid-19 virus. It has altered our views and resources. This remains unsettling times for everyone. So yes, it’s ok to express your feelings and allow yourself time to mourn. I recommend that you read my post ‘Grief Work.’

So that your able to comprehend your feelings currently. Grief is a gift to go from loss to healing. Our eldest granddaughter is a senior in High School and as of this day there has been no news about graduation or prom etc. All graduating grades have students in limbo, so we need to let them grieve.

People all around the world have lost loved ones alone which is an awful situation and it makes mourning even harder. These people and families need time to heal still after the Covid-19 virus is gone.

I’m writing this to tell you that if your emotions are all over begin to own it as well as express them in healthy ways. This will help you to release pressure and an assurance that your able to cope throughout these unsettling times.

Own, Express and Release

Fearful or Fearless…

In this season of everyone’s life fear has tried to grip the hearts of many people. A healthy fear gives you wisdom during the Covid-19 pandemic to social distance, wash your hands for 20 seconds and be mindful when you must go the store for supplies.

Being fearful may be causing you to stay in a stressed manner. Which then may cause your body’s immune system be compromised. Anxiety and worry constitute a form of fear. We cannot afford to allow our minds to dwell on the worries because it only causes you to remain focused on it. It is vital to speak the truth to yourself.

Like for example ‘I have faith God will bring me through this.’ Find a scripture which speaks to you and recite the scripture to build your faith. We must speak the Word of God to build our faith.

“Perfect love casts out fear.” What does it mean? This means to have a better understanding of the love God has for you will push out any fears of what has been happening or what will happen. This isn’t naive this is about the guarantee in who God is.

Fearless means that you’re not dwelling on terror or allowing yourself to be controlled by fear. Fearless means your living in wisdom but not arrogance. Your deeds are courageous, confident and bold.

Yesterday I was reading in Psalm 32:7 it states, “You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance.” It doesn’t say he takes you out of the trouble but he ‘preserves’ you from the trouble. Preserve according to Webster’s Dictionary means, “to keep safe from injury, harm or destruction; protect. Keep uphold, save, sustain.”

We can be fearless in a time of uncertainty with out being arrogant. I read a Facebook quote that said “I trust God, but I wear my seatbelt…” Trusting God doesn’t mean we arrogantly touch stuff and act foolish. That is just goofy.

I was speaking with my friend about this scripture and as I was talking, I sensed the anointing that God is creating over us through songs of deliverance. Sometimes you’ll wake up with a song on your heart, that is God pronouncing over you through songs of deliverance. When God speaks, he creates. He creates over you with songs of deliverance.

Zephaniah 3:17(NLT) “For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”

Allow the songs to birth courage and confidence to trust Almighty God in this uncertain time. Choose being fearless over fearful.

Walk in peace…

While this is a time of uncertainty we yet can walk and live in peace with each other. Psalm 31:14 states, “Depart from evil and do good, Seek peace and pursue it.”

But now greater than ever we need to give one another grace. Fear is attempting to grip our cherished one’s hearts. Though you may not be scared it doesn’t mean some are not.

Trying to find the blame right now just leads to tension. It is a time to pursue peace within our homes and lives. Each person in the World has been adversely affected by Covid-19 virus in one way or the other. The best action is maintaining your peace and pursuing peace.

The word ‘pursue’ in Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary means “to run after” “follow after” in the Ps 34:14 passage and ‘seek’ in this passage means “to tread or frequent, usually to follow (for pursuit or search) for impl. To seek or ask, care for diligently.”

The Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary for the word ‘peace’ in this passage means “Shalom i.e. fig. safe, well, happy, friendly, also (abstr) welfare, ie health, prosperity, peace favor.” Peace has many sides to it. How fitting that peace in this passage means safe, well, happy, and friendly.

The reason we want to pursue and seek after peace is since it can easily be lost. The sensing of God’s peace can stay with us every moment of each day. The peace we are walking in with each other is being tested at this moment. Most people will not be used to being restricted to their homes; they go continuously this is going to cause more stress in conjunction with the uncertainty we are currently experiencing in the World today.

So how can we walk, pursue and seek peace. Most importantly, renew your faith by the word of God. Talk to God and receive his peace ask for grace to be restricted to your homes in this unsettling time.

Secondly, give others in your own home forgiveness. If they are on your nerves go and do something in a separate room if necessary. Grab ahold of the ‘we are in this together mindset.’ Give one another space to make any mistakes to say things that do not make sense you will be able to defuse tension with grace and laughter. Learn to communicate with one another through asking what had been meant and listening to hear not to talk.

Laughter is a gift it does our hearts and minds good. Start discovering humor inside your situations and add smiling at your homes and pursue and search after peace.

If at the present time you’re having a difficult time with the social distancing speak the truth towards yourself this is just a short time in your life, and it is going to over, life is going to go back to the way it was.

Peace in the storm…

Today is a period in our history where nearly all nations have been affected by the corona virus. How can we keep our peace and continue to be vigilant in all our social distancing?

One way to do this is to trust Almighty God for the responses to our issues. I once heard Joyce Meyer say, “Trust requires unanswered questions.” Basically, we’re all in a wait-and-see mode until this is over and life has returned to the normal daily routine. I personally trust God for every day through his word and peace. I have been living by this ‘if you do not have peace don’t do it’. In Philippines the fourth chapter is tells us His peace will surpass our understanding. So, don’t waste too much time trying to figure out what will never get to know.

Secondly, now the time has come to get in touch with the people in your house through conversations, board games, e-learning, free virtual tours of museums, card games, dice games, electronic games. Have meals together at the table and then let the kids have the chance to discuss their thoughts and worries if necessary.

Thirdly, practice patience with your household members. Give each other grace because we are all faced with this situation. Tempers could get ruffled easier in accordance with the anxiety give each other mercy. Provide each other with the space needed. Pray as a family, practice stress reducing breathing, get exercise at home or get outside when the weather allows. It’s a great time to do the spring-cleaning chores make up a list check it off at the same time as you get it done.

Before this virus lives as usual had the meme of people simply looking at their phones. Now is the moment to change it to people connecting via conversations and family activities at home.

If your single-and are staying alone at home call someone, reach others via emails, texting, social media. Play solitaire games, download mind games, do a puzzle, watch a movie. While it may seem like your all alone to recall the world is going all through this together.

If Jesus can sleep through a substantial storm in a vessel filling with the waves so can we through the Covid-19 storm. This post has been written to encourage everyone of us we are in this together even though we are in our own homes. All around the globe we are fighting against the same thing. May you sense God’s peace in this storm. My heart and the prayers go out to the people who have lost their loved ones due to this terrible virus.

The COVID-19 Tactic

The COVID-19 tactic is ‘social distancing.’ Are you reacting with faith and obedience or fear?

This is the scripture I read today in Psalm 34:4 “I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.”

And this verse of scripture has been on my heart for a few days Romans 13:1-2 “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2)Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.”

Today March 15, 2020 we chose to remain at home from the church building. I thank God for his knowledge to observe the “social distancing” are President, the CDC and health care community has advised.

I have been reading some goofy stuff on Facebook relating to the Covid-19 pandemic and it concerns me.

People who believe this is a hoax are not taking the fatalities and sickness to be serious and they are propagating lies. It’s not a hoax our President and his team wouldn’t make a request for the U.S. citizens to stay at home, close schools etc. if the situation wasn’t serious.

I’ve also heard political commentary on this as though their own opinion was fact founded and it’s not. Stop blaming the press for the virus maybe they did spread fear, but at the same time they didn’t make a virus.

I’ve also noticed jokes some hilarious particularly about the toilet paper stockpiling and some straightforward disturbing.

I’ve also noticed panic grip the minds of individuals to the point of not worried if they purchase everything and nobody else gets the supplies they require. Panic is fear and worry gripping the soul into extreme behaviors.

My spouse and I have been prepared, praying and then we will be using the wisdom of God to stay at home. Please understand that this is not a hoax, wash your hands and maintain some distance to ensure that you don’t become sick. And if your immune system is strong you don’t transmit the virus to others.

Schools are closed for a reason not a hoax. It is a novel virus which means that it’s a new virus, there is currently not a vaccine and they’re not sure what’s next.

So, let’s hear the Medical professionals such as the CDC, take into account COVID-19 task force and do what is necessary to help our communities through social distancing and not circulating the COVID-19 virus.