How Do We Demonstrate Self-care?

Becoming older cannot be avoided. When the first signs of losing the elegance of youth are noticed, an all-out effort may be set in motion to camouflage that reality. When her daughter entered adolescence, her mother began copying her daughter’s choice for clothes.

Negotiating mid-life begins in the mid-to-late thirties and can cause grief, as the reality of losing young adulthood cannot be denied. Trying to avoid this transition is similar to denying the sorrow of a significant loss.

Taking ownership of aging is being accountable for taking care of yourself in a new way. Self-care involves paying attention to your body and mind. Aging has the potential for creating anxiety, but this is not God’s intention. 

When you put your hope and trust in God’s care for you, hope springs eternal as an anchor to hold you firm while allocating to you courage to face the changes life presents. May God bless you.

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You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body. You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculped from nothing into something. Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you. The days of my life all prepared before I’d even lived one day. 

~Psalm 139:15-16 The Message 

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Can Impulsive Decisions Be Corrected?

Have you ever made a decision on the spur of the moment that changed your life permanently? Impulsive acts may take place without any consideration for their positive or negative consequences. On the other side of acting impulsively is agonizing indefinitely over ever minute detail.

King Saul of Israel is an example of being impetuous – making rash, spontaneous statements and reckless decisions without considering future consequences. While Saul had many strengths, he often permitted his weaknesses to dominate his life.

Saul believed in God and often did what was good and right, but when he acted impulsively, he brought condemnation and regret onto himself. Seeking forgiveness from others and making restitution pleases God. 

Restoring fellowship with God is achieved by offering him a contrite and broken heart, and he in return gives you his grace and mercy. 

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My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

~Psalm 73:26 New International version

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What Character Strengths Are Needed to Satisfy Ambition?

Young people dream of being successful so they can reap the joy and pleasure of their future. What is not anticipated is the stress that automatically accompanies success. An issue in this ascension is being accountable to and dependent on a problematic boss or supervisor.

This is not to imply that adjustments cannot be made, but that transitioning from one frame of mind to another can be difficult when compliance is out of place with one’s character. Success in a career or business is dependent on how well a person can adapt and adjust mentally and emotionally to every challenge.

However, faith in God and trust in his faithfulness provide strength of character to survive, as it did for Joseph. 

He overcame so much in his ascent to power, second only to the pharaoh of Egypt. Godly character and values will sustain you in every stressful situation.                  

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My body and mind may fail, but you [O God] are my strength and my choice forever.

~Psalm 73:26 Contemporary English Version

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The Will to Be Strong

 How strong are you? If you were to answer, what would you say? Mohandas Gandhi gave these words of wisdom: "Strength does not come from physical capacity alone; it comes from an indomitable will." Strength refuses to give up when troubles come or failure appears certain.

Strength of character can be either learned or inherited, but it must be nurtured and given opportunity to gain experience, to grow and mature. Listen to Isaiah 40:29-31. "God gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall, but those whose hope is in the Lord will renew their strength."

If your strength needs to be renewed, commit to loving God with all your being. Regardless of your strength now, invest what you possess into God’s care, where it will grow and mature. Your strength can be renewed by faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for “His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He cares for you.”                      

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My mind and my body may grow weak, but God is my strength; he is all I ever need.

~Psalm 73:26 Good News Bible 

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