Friday, January 27, 2017

Daily Encouragement: Counselor’s Corner by Stephanie R. Reck, LMSW, LBT, BCCC January 27, 2017


Do You Want to Be an Eagle or a Chicken?

Eagles are known to fly above storms with a steady glide. The eagle can remain balanced during a storm because they know how to rise above uncertain weather patterns. Eagles know when storms are approaching and they immediately begin to descend higher above the clouds. They don’t wait for the storm to come and then try and go higher, at that point it would be too late and they would be caught in the storm by the strong air currents that come with changing weather. However, above a storm the air is more stable and the eagle can remain secure and fly more effortless.

When you see an eagle flying they don’t fly in different directions, and they never fly frenzied. Eagles soar when they fly, which means they find an air current and ride with the air current, in turn that causes the eagle to fly straight, smooth, and calmly. The amazing thing about that is they don’t even have to work by flapping their wings, they let the air current keep them soaring. Not a lot of effort the eagle has in flying, unlike a seagull which continually flaps their wings for flight and fly’s in all sorts of patterns.

Eagles are generally social with their kind. Rarely if ever will you see an eagle flying around with other birds. Eagles usually stick with eagles. You will never find an eagle hanging on the ground, unless it is to quickly gather his prey.

Chickens by contrast are noisy, dirty, and never get off the ground. In fact, they eat their own poop! Chickens can become quite hysterical when storms approach, and instead of being calm they run around in panic. I can almost “hear” what a group of chickens would be saying during this time,” What do we do, what do we do.” Chickens are fearful, not like the eagle who is known to be fearless. Chickens really don’t mind if other birds hang out with them, they don’t seem bothered if a couple of pigeons lounge around with them. Chickens are killed for food by humans and other predator-types of animals. Eagles are protected by law and cannot be harmed.

Reflect and ponder: Would you rather be an eagle or a chicken? Eagles stand-out, their unique, strong, and fearless. Chickens are dirty, fearful, and never can fly. (note: I’m not really asking you if you really want to be an eagle or a chicken, but asking you metaphorically to see the similarities).

Counselor’s Corner: If you answered yes that you would metaphorically want to be an eagle, here are a few tips:

1.      Be careful who you hang out with. Eagles fly with eagles. That is not to say you can never hang around “chickens”, but be careful you are not spending a lot of time with “chickens”, otherwise you may begin to smell like poop. People who are whiners, complainers, excuse makers, filled with self-pity, judgmental, negative, and faith-less are “chickens.” (I’m I judging “chickens,” nope used to be one myself!). You have to want to get out of that dirty chicken coop that you are in, and the filth from the familiar surroundings. Filth and familiar surroundings could be unconfessed sin and/or repeated patterns of sin, hanging out in ungodly environments/people, and not filling yourself with the things of God (such as reading God’s word, prayer, and worship).

2.      You may have to “fly” alone for a while. God may remove those “chickens” from your life (so don’t go chase after them), and for a while you may feel alone-but it is only temporary until God brings a few “eagles” along your path. Don’t get impatient as you wait for your “eagle” companions, think about how many chickens there are and how many eagles there are. Eagles are rare birds and “eagle” people are rare. Why? Because becoming an “eagle” is not always easy, flying alone at times, be different (unique), and not going along with the crowds can be challenging at times. I mean who doesn’t want to follow the crowds at times? Easier in the short-term but fighting to become an “eagle” will be worth it in the long-term. “Eagles” are leaders, they are driven, they are fighters, they are determined, and they are destiny-driven. “Eagles” fulfill their calling on their lives, while “chickens” just talk about what they should have or would have done, if only____________ (you fill on the blank). “Eagles” know they are different, and they are okay with that. “Eagles” do not fit the status quo, and believe for the impossible.

3.      To be an “eagle,” you must learn to rise above your “storms.” You don’t stand around and look at your problems, and you don’t talk about your problems incessantly. You CHOOSE to FOCUS on what God’s promises are and you CHOOSE to live by faith and complete trust in Christ despite what your circumstances may be.


4.      You must “think” like an “eagle.” You must get laser-focused on what God has purposed for your life, otherwise the “chickens” WILL come along and “poop” all over your vision. As an eagle spots his prey, he becomes laser-focused on obtaining that prey and does not allow anything to obstruct his view until his food is clasped tightly with his mighty talons. Talons on an eagle are like vice-grips, you must get that type of grip on your destiny.

MEDITATE ON THESE SCRIPTURES:

Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired. They will walk and not become weary. Isaiah 40:31

Who satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle. Psalm 103:5




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