Does God Wnat Me to Enjoy Life?

Far too many people struggle with enjoying their lives. You may be one of those people who does not know how God would like you to enjoy life. I know I have struggled enjoying life and how God wants me to enjoy life, but I am learning and I hope you will too.

God does want us to enjoy life! He does not want us to be discouraged, defeated, depressed and lacking. Oftentimes, our circumstances cause us to lose our zest for life, and we become consumed by how large our problems appear. There are other times we exhaust ourselves copying what other people are doing, whether it is serving in the church or trying to “keep up with the Joneses.” We all go through challenging seasons that can zap our enjoyment of life, but we should not remain in this continual state. Depression whether medical or spiritual can cause you to not enjoy life, but with proper care such as with prayer, dietary changes, exercise, and/or supplements to treat the causes of depression, you should begin to enjoy life once again.

I went through a long season of extreme heartbreaking circumstances, during this time I forgot how to enjoy life. I did not laugh or smile very much during this season. I did not believe there was anything to laugh or smile about. Pain is tough and can change how you view life. I became very serious and “on-guard,” to what was going on around me, just in case there was more “danger.” How can one enjoy life when you looking around the corner for the “next?” You can’t!

You may get judged and criticized by others for not being what they need you to be. People may want you to go and do as before, and when you are not able to, some will judge you unfailrly. A word of caution not to judge why people may not do the things they used to do, pray for them and encourage them. We never truly know what others go through. Do what you can do, but do not feel guilty for needing to pull back and take care of yourself. When the time is right, God will pull back the “doors” that need to be opened in your life.

How does God want me to enjoy life?

·         In the simple things in life-a beautiful garden, birds singing or taking a walk-in nature.

·         Take time every day to unwind and relax. You don’t always have to going and doing.

·         Be still in the presence of the Lord and bask in His presence.

·         Slow down and stop being in a hurry.

·         Enjoy your meals and savor each bite.

·         Have at least one Sabbath day a week and take a nap!

·         Laugh often through comedies or being around people who make you laugh.

·         Stop being so serious about everything-lighten up!

·         Sing and dance around your house. David in the Bible danced before the Lord.

·         Be silly at times (not immature). You can still color and blow bubbles.

·         If you are married, enjoy your spouse and take pleasure in each other.

·         Drink a cup of tea on your porch.

·         Have lunch or coffee with a friend who is supportive and encouraging.

·         Treat yourself to something that you would really enjoy.

·         Be creative-paint, draw, or build something.

What do you believe that God would like you to start doing to enjoy your life?

Counselor's Corner: 23 Strategies to De-Stress God's Way

Would you say that your life is relatively stress-free, and that you know how to de-stress? Many people are living stressed-out lives, and don’t know why they are getting sick frequently, feel tired and have hormonal imbalances. Stress is one of the biggest contributors to many of the ailments our bodies can endure.

►Stress is mainly caused by how you perceive things. Your perception about people, circumstances and yourself largely impacts the level of stress that you have.

Listed below are 23 strategies to de-stress God’s way:

1.      Be at peace with ALL men. I know it is not always easy to be at peace with that difficult or annoying person in your life, but every time you lose your cool with them your stress level goes up. Peace with ALL men DOES NOT mean be a doormat or allow others to abuse or harm you, but not to allow anger and resentment to fester inside you for people who are the most difficult to love. Peace says, “I will choose to pray for them instead of lashing out at them.”

2.      Recognize that everyone has struggles and many people are trying to find their way to God, or what they think is God. Have Mercy on the ones who are totally lost in finding the true way to Jesus, there is much confusion in the world. Pray instead for the lost that they would find their way to the only path to God.

3.      Enjoy ALL things and ALL people. Focus on the good in people not what their doing wrong or even their lack of relationship with God. Enjoy everything that you do, including work, going to the grocery store, and chores. Enjoyment in these things and people is all about perception. CHANGE YOUR PERCEPTION and you will enjoy the not-so fun aspects of your life.

4.      Stop allowing people and circumstances to control you and your emotions. Take charge of your own emotions and life.

5.      Forgive others from your heart. Let go and release all resentment, bitterness, unforgiveness, offense, anger and revenge. Most people do not even realize how they have hurt you. For the ones who intentionally hurt you, release them to God and forgive them, not for them but for you.

6.      Let go of all stubbornness, pride and haughtiness. You don’t know everything and you don’t know always know why people do what they do.

7.      Let go of all unrealistic expectations for yourself and for others.

8.      Live in the moment, the present. Don’t live in the regrets of the past or fear of the future. Be present-focused.

9.      Laugh, play and be silly and do things you enjoyed as a child. If you enjoyed swinging or coloring as a child, incorporate those activities into your life.

10.  Have an unshakeable trust in God and believe that He will protect you and will work out ALL things for your good.

11.  Cultivate a heart of gratitude daily. Focus on your blessings not your lack. As you focus on your blessings, your lack will shrink. What you focus on most will grow. CHANGE YOUR PERSPECTIVE.

12.  Focus on what you can do, and not on what you can’t do. FOCUS on your strengths, not your weaknesses.

13.  Don’t allow others stress, heavy burdens, and unrelenting problems become yours. Let others take ownership for their lives as you are doing with yours. Emotionally and mentally detach from others problems, and instead cast their cares upon Jesus and allow Him to carry their heavy loads-NOT YOU!

14.  Let go of ALL that you cannot control. Basically, you have control over your life and your emotions, and that’s about it.

15.  Don’t take what others do to you personally. Most of the time people are not aware of what they are doing to you. CHOOSE to believe others are not intentionally trying to hurt you.

16.  Think the best, not the worst about others. This one goes along with #15.

17.  Do not judge others who are not walking with God, those that are “supposedly” walking with God, and those that are living a destructive lifestyle.

18.  Don’t be in a hurry or a rush. Walk slower, listen more than you talk, breathe slower, and drive slower. If you have 20 items on your to-do-list, that’s way too many. Having too many things to do each day will make you feel rushed and stressed! Cut back all the non-essentials.

19.  Take time everyday to enjoy God’s beauty whether through nature such as sunsets, sun rises, beautiful flowers in bloom or the many different arrays of stunning birds.

20.  Don’t blame others for how you feel. Take ownership for how you feel.

21.  Stop dreading whatever you do. Dread creates stress. Even if you have to do something that is less than pleasant, look for the good or the positive in the situation before allowing yourself to dread.

22.  Forgive yourself! As important as it is to forgive others, it is most important that you forgive yourself. Let go that you are not perfect and that you have and will make mistakes.

23.  Love yourself and be good to yourself. Self-hate and self-loathing are major contributors to stress. Stop comparing yourself to others. Accept that you are unique and you were created that way. Stop trying to fit into the world’s standards and be who you were created to be.

Your overall health, energy, relationships, peace, and level of contentment will significantly improve if you begin implementing the above strategies to de-stress God’s way.

Counselor’s Corner: Enjoying Life in the Middle of Difficult Circumstances

Chances are if you have been going through a difficult circumstance that is unrelenting, you have had difficulty enjoying life. Depression can loom over you as you trudge through the muck and the mire of your adversity. Some mornings you just feel like pulling the covers over your head and would rather stay in bed until the calamities have passed. It is one thing to have a difficulty come through your life and leave, but it is entirely different when a difficulty parks and stays a while. Grief hits you smack in the face, and you begin to sink further and further like you were in quicksand. You don’t share with a lot of people what you are experiencing, because you are afraid the weights of what you carry will sink them as well.

It is possible to enjoy your life in the middle of your deepest and darkest pain, or what I like to refer to as, “the dark night of the soul, however, it won’t come easily. You will have to become a resilient fighter. You will have to decide one day when you have had enough of the enemy stealing your life, to choose to get up and live again. If the enemy cannot take you out physically, he will use your pain to turn you against God and rob you of the joy that is your inheritance.

Your pain is real and there is a time to grieve what you have endured or lost, but deep mourning should not be a continually theme in your life. Yes, it is hard to let go of people you love or accept the reality of a situation. When you place those seemingly impossible heartaches into God’s care, peace can rule in your heart. An exchange takes place when you say to God, “I can’t do this anymore, take it from me.” This exchange can open up the channels to begin enjoying your life again. Surrender is key to enjoying life again.

Reflect and ponder: How can you enjoy life when just getting out of bed is a chore? What do you do when your pain overshadows every blessing in your life? Are you willing to fight to get your life back and enjoy what is good in your life? Remember, this won’t come easy if you have been enduring the same difficulties for years. The enemy has enjoyed you being in the pit with no way out, and don’t be surprised as you are climbing out of the pit, he tries to kick you back in. This is where a “don’t give up, no matter what” stance must come over you. If you get kicked back in the pit, quickly get up and out, don’t look around that familiar pit that you are used to. Have a set mind that you will enjoy life again, no matter what!

Counselor’s Corner:

Practical tips for enjoying life in the middle of difficulties:

1.      Let go of everything that you cannot change. Accept what you cannot change. If you have tried over and over to change a situation or person and it has not worked yet-let go!

2.      Limit your “talk” time about your difficult situation. It is okay to share with trusted people, but not 3-4x a week. Run to the throne more than the phone. Opening your mouth and spewing out to other people your woe’s continually or without just cause, can open you up for more problems. Be careful who you share your personal information with. It can bring you true joy to find like-minded people who can walk beside you, and you know they got your back. It is another thing to deal with people who bring you more pain than gain. To enjoy your life again, you will need to stop allowing drainers, whiners, complainers, and manipulators into your life.  

3.      Simplify your life, cut out all non-essentials. Going through difficult times can deplete you of energy. Learn to say, “No,” and say it as often as needed. If someone complains or makes you feel bad about saying, “No,” just ask them if they would like to “walk a mile in your shoes.” Get plenty of rest and take as many stay-cations as you can. Enjoy the simple things in life, a stroll around your block or breakfast in bed.

4.      Learn when you need to pull away from the “crowds.” There are times being with other believers is good and fellowshipping with them, but there is also times where solitude can render inner peace and times of reflection. Being still with God can only happen when you are quiet. There are many times that God will call you to the “still waters.” I am called to these still waters often and I no longer fight these times, but accept that God wants to speak to me and bring me comfort.

5.      Protect your “sanctuary.” My sanctuary is my home, it is the place I have peace the most. This is why I guard my sanctuary carefully. I am very careful who comes in and out of my place of peace and rest.

6.      No more living bound in guilt. Guilt and condemnation are straight from the enemy. If God wants you to do something, He will give His grace, strength and peace. Guilt steals all joy.

7.      Make it a daily habit to bring all your worries and concerns to God. Take a few minutes and pray over your worries and then consciously leave them with God.

8.      Take good care of yourself. Eat balanced meals, exercise, sleep at least 7-8 hours every night, take a multivitamin, and spend time with God as often as you can (daily if possible). The presence of God can bring you much joy. When you feel good physically by taking care of yourself, you can enjoy your life more.

9.      Do something that brings you pleasure or happiness at least 2-3x per week. Maybe a movie and popcorn, planting flowers, painting, or taking a bike ride bring you pleasure. Enjoy the simple pleasures in life as well such as bird watching or swinging on a swing.

10.  Encourage someone or cheer someone up. Be a blessing to someone.

11.  CHOOSE to focus on what is good in your life, and say out loud daily or write down at least 5 things that you are thankful for.

12.  Stop asking, “Why me.” No more being a victim and feeling sorry for yourself. Being negative drains you, instead speak life, blessings and the Word of God over yourself.

13.  Learn to laugh again. You did as a child when you had no worries. Watch a funny movie or comedian (clean though).

Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s learning to dance in the rain.

Vivian Greene

Is it time for you to dance?

MEDITATE ON THESE SCRIPTURES:

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Proverbs 17:22

The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy. I came that they might have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the fullest, overflowing).

John 10:10