BITTER OR BETTER

There are times in our lives when the right words spoken at the right moment can transform us. They challenge us at a crossroads, carry us through times of sorrow or dare us to action. Why is it as women we struggle with our silent talk to ourselves about ourselves?

Whenever something hurts us in life, we have a choice to make. Whenever we feel we are up against a brick wall, we have a choice to make. We can become BITTER OR BETTER.

If you've gone through feelings of depression because of circumstances, if someone has hurt you or been taken from you, or if life has just dealt you a bad card, you are still in charge of our choices. We KNOW God is in control, we KNOW He cares, we KNOW he fights our battles, we KNOW He is in charge and has our best interests, we KNOW He has a plan for our lives, we KNOW He has not given us the Spirit of Fear, but of Power, Love and a Sound Mind, and we KNOW all things work for good to those who love God.

Keep in mind "this is Plan A for your life". Too many times we believe we've failed the test, we made a bad mistake, but never forget "This is Plan A". If we get our minds off of ourselves and onto our Source, we can make it. Wherever you are right now, whatever state you are in, you have a choice to make becoming BITTER OR BETTER. You can be satisfied with being bound in chains or you can get out and JUST GET STARTED!

I want to encourage you to pray to God, read and obey the Word, and seek friendship with those who will be an encouragement. There is an old song that says: "WE LIVE OUR LIVES IN CHAINS, AND WE NEVER EVEN KNOW WE HAVE THE KEY." Our choice is to stay bound up in ourselves, or release the chains that are binding.

Love,

Sharon

THE END IS NOT THE PURPOSE IN THE STRAIN AND GAIN.

When I first read that comment I thought I read it wrong. Most of us going through a "strain", feel we are being prepared for something great. But the main purpose in the "strain" is "this is For You NOW". We will lose sight if our eyes are on the purpose, instead of our SOURCE. Our Source, in case you need to be reminded is God Himself. No matter what you are going through right now, don't forget your Source is where you need to focus.

To have a plan is OK, if in line with God's Word. In Mark 6:45-54 we read a great lesson. The disciples were in the boat alone while Jesus had gone to the mountainside to pray. A storm came up, and Jesus saw the disciples "Straining" at the oars, because the wind was against them. Immediately he spoke to them: "Take Courage, It is I, Don't Be Afraid". He then got into the boat with them, and they felt safe when the storm died out.

The main lesson for the disciples and for we who are in a "strain or storm", is for us to learn that Jesus is there for us whether in the storm, in the boat with us, or calming the storm. Can you stay calm during the storm? When I start looking for someone to calm me or the storm, instead of looking to the Source, it doesn't work. Too many times God's plan will possibly become aborted when I turn around and run, drop out, give up or have so much fear that I block everything.

My son-in-law emailed these words to me one day: "The more we do it our way, the less He can work in our lives. He patiently waits for us to submit to His way. If there are times we feel nothing is being accomplished, so be it! But in the spiritual, God is growing us and He often moves in spurts of greatness, even in slowness or stillness".

May God encourage with the words in Mark: "TAKE COURAGE, IT IS I, DON'T BE AFRAID."

God Bless,

Sharon

HOW MUCH STRAIN TO GET TO GAIN?

As we continue looking at "No Strain-No Gain". Have you ever felt trapped in your adversity of strain, and it was almost more than you could endure? One of my "new found" friends has been in a "strain journey" for a couple of years. I've watched this dear lady battle different physical attacks to her body with a determination to win. She will not give in to the STRAIN and PAIN. I've watched four ways my friend practices winning that have inspired not only me, but many others.

1. She goes to the Word and to God as her source and strength.
2. She has become part of a Support Group.
3. She is always looking for ways to reach out to others who are going through
strain.
4. She looks forward to healing each new day.

She may feel herself slipping, but somehow she pulls herself back up. My friend knows where there is "no strain, there is no gain". We don't know how long this journey will be, but we know there is an end. God is in charge and in control, He will be at our side every step of the way. What an inspiration our friend is to us who love, care and pray for her daily. Thank you my friend!

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Encouraging Women Today
Joseph came to my mind while continuing the thought of "No Strain-No Gain". In Genesis chapters 37-46, we read about the life of Joseph. From the time of birth until age 17, Joseph was pretty much a special young man and a favorite of his father. At age 17, we see Joseph going into the stage of "Strain".

At age 17, Joseph was sold into slavery and for 13 years was a slave and at least spent 3 years in prison. Each of us has to get to a place where we are"on our own with God" so to speak. We have to have a personal relationship with Him in order to follow His plan for our lives. Joseph had to take this journey for the next 13 years in order to get to the place where God's divine plan began.

As a 17 year old, he no doubt had great fear, doubt and many questions as to what was happening and where was God. Joseph remained faithful to God and to His laws. Therefore God would never leave him nor forsake him on this journey.

At the age of 30, as a result of Joseph's faithfulness, God honored all of these "straining" years, to years of "gain". Proverbs 3:5-7 says: "TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, LEAN NOT TO YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING, IN ALL YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM AND HE WILL DIRECT YOUR PATH."

Joseph didn't become bitter, angry or unforgiving, he just remained true and faithful to His Heavenly Father. In Genesis 50:20 he said to the same brothers who sold him into slavery: "YOU INTENDED TO HARM ME, BUT GOD INTENDED IT FOR GOOD, TO ACCOMPLISH WHAT IS NOW BEING DONE, THE SAVING OF MANY LIVES."

Don't give up on God, allow Him to direct your life in His time and way. Stay faithful to God in prayer, the Word and fellowship. Look up to the one who created you and has a plan for your life. If you are going to "gain", you will no doubt have to go through the "strain".

In thinking further on the subject of No Strain-No Gain, I recall one of our daughters desiring to show horses. Our neighbor, Mr.Dutter, just happened to be an Arabian Judge and took an interest in not only selling us one of his Arabian horses, but to also give our daughter riding lessons.

The whole family was excited and got into the act. We watched our daughter progress in riding, practicng for an hour every night helped greatly. Of course there was pain in muscles, hands, feet and about every part of the body. After a couple of months we thought we were ready for our first small horse show. We had the horse, gear, trailer and costume. As we unloaded the horse, we thought we were very prepared for our first show. Well when the ribbons were handed out, we didn't get one, and were so disappointed.

We went back to Mr. Dutter, our trainer, and he told us we did as much as could be expected for our first show. Now the strain began, he worked one whole month on keeping the heels down, sitting up straight, eyes straight ahead, then holding hands just right. Of course this brought more strain and pain, but we were determined. Another show, another disappointment, last place ribbon. Our daughter got the picture by now that if she was going to be a winner, there was a price to pay.

Mr. Dutter was not one bit disappointed because he knew this was a process. Only a little at a time could be learned, these practices were vital to becoming a winner. Next Mr. Dutter told us we would need to upgrade the costume, and horse. We never dreamed the process of winning a blue ribbon would be so costly in every way. But after a year, one judge saw a winner in the ring, and that winner was our daughter, Tami. When her name was called out for a Blue Ribbon, our joy could not be contained. We had done it! It cost and the strain was almost too much at times, but the Blue Ribbon was the result.

This life is a little like this story, the process of gaining our way into heaven requires commitment, discipline and for some of us the strain of staying on track. But if we take the steps a day at a time in making adjustments, reading and practicing the Word, the Holy Spirit will lead, direct and guide us toward the prize.

No Strain-No Gain

If each one of we WIM would be honest with ourselves, our past STRAINS brought us:
TO OUR KNEES AND TO GOD
TO SUBMISSION
TO GROWTH
TO OBEDIENCE
STRAIN IS TO STRETCH. We all want comfort, but comfort comes after STRAIN. The old saying if there were no clouds and rain, we wouldn’t appreciate the Sunshine. It’s not fun to work-out, at least for some of us, but it brings amazing results in our looks and health. It’s not always fun to practice, but practice makes perfect.
I remember a time when I had totally lost my joy. I was a miserable WIM because the JOY OF THE LORD IS OUR STRENGTH and I had lost it. This went on for several months and sorry to say into years. I had come to the place where I thought I would have to endure this for life. This mentality brings on self-pity, worthlessness and depression. I had gone to my KNEES AND TO GOD. Nothing seemed to help!
One day I was sitting in our family room reading the Word, and my doorbell rang, it was my neighbor. She brought a piece of dropped mail and asked if I was a pastor’s wife. She went on to ask if I was a counselor. I told her I only did Spiritual Counsel. To make this long, beautiful story short, she came into our home, I led her to the Lord, and we met every Friday for prayer for several years. I came out of my state of worthlessness, self pity and depression.
From this experience I found out where there is NO STRAIN, THERE IS NO GAIN. I stretched out of my comfort zone in reaching out to others, and stopped concentrating so much on MYSELF. This one event helped lead me into a ministry of COACHING and ENCOURAGING.
2 Peter 1:3-10 – Read this entire portion of scripture and study it and practice it.
“HIS DIVINE POWER HAS GIVEN US EVERYTHING WE NEED FOR LIFE AND GODLINESS THROUGH OUR KNOWLEDGE OF HIM WHO CALLED US BY HIS OWN GLORY AND GOODNESS….THEREFORE, MY SISTERS, BE ALL THE MORE EAGER TO MAKE YOUR CALLING AND ELECTION SURE. FOR IF YOU DO THESE THINGS, YOU WILL NEVER FALL AND YOU WILL RECEIVE RICH WELCOME INTO THE ETERNAL KINGDOM OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.”


Love,

SHARON

Sharon Lebsack
sharonkaylebsack@yahoo.com