HANDLING FRUSTRATION

I want to share an acronym that can help you when you are dealing with a frustrating moment, day, situation, person, etc. If you choose to follow these suggestions (an act of your will is required/a choice), the frustration will begin to dissipate and you will begin to feel better and will be able to think more clearly. Here it goes:

Forgive others (so u too can be forgiven)

Release others (don't carry baggage)

U look at yourself & examine u, forgive u, etc.

Stay in God's Presence (He will never leave but we at times leave Him)

Talk openly, honestly & freely to God (Psalm 142)

R est in the Lord (maintain His peace/engage in Sabbath)

Always praise & worship the Lord

Tell of God's goodness, faithfulness, love- (His character)

Implore God (as much as you need to-this means to seriously call upon Him)

O bey God's Word (even if it kills you/Romans 8:13; Col. 3:5-10

Never give up (don't quit)

Doing these things will carry you and me through tough seasons, save us from defeat, and protect us from hard heartedness.

(c)2009 Rosalind M. Stanley

ENCOURAGE YOURSELF in 2009

As we close out 2008 in our checkbooks, our activities, our hearts and minds, let’s remember our God who has brought us through to 2009. As I reflected on several of my years on this earth, I couldn’t help but remember some really difficult times, and yes, a number of them occurred in 2008. But as the song sung by the Kurt Carr singers pronounces, “God’s mercy kept me, so I wouldn’t let go.” And I am grateful to Him for His grace and mercy. Hopefully you are, too. When I think about some of those difficult moments and how God carried me through and out of them, I am humbled to tears. You may not be in any way like I have tended to be. Sometimes I whine or pout. Other times I have found myself in a depression. At times, just through. But, “only because of His grace” I am here to testify of His goodness. I know that he has been good to you, too. We tend to keep our focus on the negative or on the difficult situation or circumstance. However, just as Paul admonished Timothy, there are times when you must “encourage yourself” as the song sung by The Donald Lawrence singers suggests. My plan for 2009 is to grow deeper in my relationship with the Lord, meaning to rejoice in all circumstances knowing that God will never leave me helpless. He has taken me a mighty long way (as the old saints used to say) and not to leave me, but to bring me right into His will on a daily basis. What about you? What do you plan to do? As you decide, just remember that wherever you go and whatever you do, if you choose God as your means of support and not yourself or anyone else, your progress will be greater than what you could have ever accomplished yourself. So, don’t let go, don’t quit and as much as you need to, encourage yourself. You can do it! God is on your side. Just make sure that you do what he has for you and not just seeking what you want or want to do. If you follow God, your joy will be greater. Try it and see. I plan to. These are the songs that I mentioned. Take a few moments to listen to them and let them minister to you: I Almost Let Go by Kurt Carr Singers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4W5G1kt3pY&feature=related Encourage Yourself by Donald Lawrence http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6yhgFxDQMw&feature=related