If you aren't getting my Bling from the King Online Encouragement, email me at lindanewtonspeaks@gmail.com and I will put you on my mailing list. Each month I send out my Gems of Encouragement from God's Word to nearly 1000 peeps all over the world. I love it, and I'd love to add your name:) Here is my Bling from the King for January~
There is power in a Positive Perspective. If you are looking for a paradigm shift for the New Year, you’ve found it! I shared these principles with a wonderful group of single parents during a family camp and they asked me to put these tools into print. Perhaps they will help you keep looking up as well.
1. Write what’s right and read it regularly!
Write a Blessed List! If you have known me long, you know I am big on the idea of counting your blessings! After you have written the list, I recommend you read it 3x a day for 3 weeks. It takes 21 days to change a habit. It will become the programming you hear in your head, the truth that sets you free.
If you have a tendency to see the cup half empty, try this for 3 weeks and see if it doesn’t have you singing a tune rather than circling the drain!
2. Recognize the right in everyday, and record it! Add daily to your Blessed List. May not have gotten the promotion you desired, but you have a job! That is saying a lot in today’s economy. Your son may be in trouble for throwing a rock on the playground, but he’s not pushing drugs in a crack house. Your teenage daughter may continue to steal your hairbrush and your mascara, but she’s here and not a runaway on the streets.
I’ve written 2 books of stories, I call them my Bling from the King books, Better Than Jewels and Sapphires from Psalms each full of stories from the God’s blessings that I have recorded, great blessings that I would have forgotten about if I had not recorded them to reread. Like this story from 25 years ago:
It was my oldest daughter, Sarah’s first day in dance class. She was only 4. She didn’t know anyone in the class. We were new to the area, and these kids had been dancing together for months. One of the little girls fell and everyone, even the teacher just stood there staring at her. Without a second thought, Sarah filed out of line, walked over and helped the little girl to her feet. I journaled that blessing and it continues to make me smile every time I think of my compassionate little girl who now is a grown up people-helper in the United States Air Force as I write this.
3. receive YOUR COMPLIMENTS
Years ago I had a terrible time receiving good things people said about me. Then I heard my ol’ pastor say: Compliments are bouquets thrown from the hand of God. When we don’t take the compliments given to us, it’s as though we are ripping the heads off the flowers God has given us, throwing them to the ground, and stomping them. Compliments are God’s way of telling us who we are. When we receive them it builds our confidence in the qualities and gifts He’s given us. But when we don’t, we remain static and self-critical.
If you think about it, even if the person’s motives aren’t that honorable, the compliment is. They can’t say you’re pretty if you’re ugly as mud fence, and they can’t say you’re smart if you’re dumber than a box of rocks!
I took my ol’ pastor’s words to heart and stopped dismissing compliments some twenty years ago. In that time God has had the opportunity to remake my self-esteem. Before that I had to climb a ladder to look an ant in the eye!
When you receive a compliment, look the giver of the compliment in the eye, and respond with a legitimate and heart-felt—thank you! As you say the words, see your self receiving a breath-taking bouquet from the Lord. Shove your face in the flowers and drink in their fragrance. Examine the exquisite beauty of each blossom. Now take the words that were offered in the compliment and see them permeating your being. Let them soak into your soul. Believe them. Recognize that they are God’s words to you reinforcing the good He created in you.
4. REALIZE THE BLESSINGS IN YOUR RELATIONSHIPS
With those you love, remember what’s wrong is always available, so is what is right. We can focus on all of their short-comings, and (they can return the disfavor) or we can choose to see what is right in the relationship.
We have the opportunity for the best relationship we could ever have with Jesus Christ who loves us warts and all, and who walks beside us to daily give us strength (Philippians 4: 13). Acknowledging that power on a daily basis will float your boat into the new decade!