THE PACKAGE

Today as I was walking and meditating, I kept thinking about unwrapping packages that I receive as gifts. Sometimes we expect one thing, and get something else. Have you ever been disappointed with a gift? Did you stop and think that "The Giver" planned it, purchased it and presented it to you because they cared?

I then thought of the "Packages of Life", whether a spouse, children, a home, a job, relationships or circumstances. They are all gifts that have come to us in a package that has been inspected by God. Like the actual gift packages we unwrap, do we show disappointment, are we disillusioned, is it unfair and did the gift come without instructions.

We are to accept these gifts with appreciation and thankfulness. Life is a series of "gifts". I'm sorry to say I don't always display appreciation and thankfulness for all of the "gifts" that come my way. I often look at these gifts as a hinderance, and fail to thank the giver.

We are commanded to be content and thankful for what we have in life. Life is a series of gifts, let us try to be thankful for what we receive, even if it isn't what we have chosen, wanted or ordered.

Dear Father:

I know your ways are not my ways and I don't see things as you see them. Therefore I want to ask your forgiveness for failing to thank you for all things in life. I want to start looking at "gifts" you've sent my way differently. I know with your help and strength, I can become a thankful person for all things in life. I know as the "Giver", you know what I need much better then I do. You created me and are molding me in your image, therefore I will put forth every effort to accept YOUR gifts and learn to love them.

In Jesus' Name, Amen

DEPRESSION IS A COMMON BOND
JUST LET ME SLEEP

One day I awoke after a good night sleep. I laid there for a few minutes, when all of a sudden I said: “Self, what was it you were worried and distressed about before you went to sleep last night?” Immediately, I remembered (of course). My heart sank as I started the worrying and distressing phobia. I wanted to stay in bed and go back to back to sleep because that was the only PEACE I could find.

The next day, I started reading about Elijah in I Kings (read the entire chapter). Elijah was depressed and wanted to sleep, while begging God for death.

Oswald Chambers said: “A HUMAN IS CAPABLE FOR DEPRESSION, OTHERWISE THERE WOULD BE NO CAPACITY FOR EXALTATION.”

God told Elijah to keep doing the ORDINARY things in life:

1. Arise, get up 19:5
2. Eat 19:5
3. Exercise 19:8
4. Look to God 19:10
5. Gather HOPE and a POSITIVE outlook, making moves toward the POSITIVE.
6. Start the journey with God in charge.19:8
7. Don’t let the NEGATIVE circumstances get you off track.. 19:11-12

THINGS NOT TO DO:
OVERSLEEP
DRUGS, (Unless prescribed by your Doctor)
ALCOHOL
CRYING (continually)
PITY (This cancels out HOPE)
REINFORCING WITH COMPLAINING
LISTEN TO NEGATIVE COUNCIL

I have found if I keep on with my regular, ordinary things of life, this keeps my BODY, SOUL AND SPIRIT exercising - depression doesn’t overtake me. If I give in, change my routine, complain, and give into depression I have no chance of survival. God’s plan is for me to START THE CAR, and HE MAKES THE ENGINE DO WHAT IT’S SUPPOSE TO DO. Then the CAR moves on down the pike.

If we RISE AND SHINE, DRUDGERY BECOMES DIVINELY TRANSFIGURED.

Love,

Sharon