How IS Fear Related to Anger and Hostility?

Success is a prize for which both men and women strive, as if in search of a valuable treasure. Being blessed with a career, a home, a spouse and children who love and respect each other are the highest mark of success. One issue is encountering others with equal ambitions competing for the same success.

One surprise women experience in ascending the steps to success is the hostility directed toward them, if not directly then subtly, by men who fear they might lose their position to a woman. Another surprise is the hostility directed toward them by other women competitors.

Hostility is not new. It exists in all areas of life simply because fear is impossible to avoid. A solution to hostility is believing you are where God has placed you. 

Remember, everything eventually will be turned over to others, but in the meantime it’s important to be the person God created you to be.  

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The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged.

~Deuteronomy 31:8 New International Version

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A Step to Healthy Change

Hindrances to your happiness and well-being, whether personal or relational, will eventually arise. Changes that require attention may go back decades or may be recent arrivals. God gives you wisdom and knowledge to sense when change is needed, and then he provides help to ensure it happens.

Still, we become burdened down or even enslaved by our thinking patterns, infirmities, and habits. Making a commitment to get beyond these is the first step to health and freedom. The key to successful change is being firm in your commitment and taking predictable steps that are absolutely doable.

Virgil, the Roman poet, noted one practical step that ensures change will succeed: "I shall not hesitate to ask for help wherever help can be found." The Lord Jesus Christ is your source for strength and wisdom for keeping focused on your objective. Jesus promised to send the counselor to encourage, guide and comfort you, so take advantage of his help.                    

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Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.

~Deuteronomy 31:8 New Living Translation

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Subscribe to the Attitudes Answers podcast on your favorite podcast platform to hear this and other 2-minute features 3 days every week.

Productivity vs. Boredom: Sowing and Reaping - Part 3

Popular books have been written about mid-life, that space between thirty-five and fifty-something. One author described this phase of life as an emotional resurgence of adolescence when the need to break away or separate from what is familiar resurfaces. In the worst case everything familiar, including career, family, and God, becomes the enemy.

What drives this painful life-changer? One explanation is the tendency to become so obsessed with a career or family that little time exists to nurture your-  self or a spouse. In some instances, a restrained loneliness forms that can't be contained beneath a facade of busyness. Feeling empty in spite of all the outer trappings of success has to be a consideration.

What's to be done? Choose to face down the crisis. God will not forsake you even if life seems hopeless. Give Christ Jesus time to heal you, to change your thoughts, and forgive you. Ask God to give you a new vision and purpose for your life. Connections with family and God can be restored. This is a choice you can make.