GOD'S PLAN FOR ME

Here’s my favorite Bible verse regarding God’s plan for me Jeremiah 29:11 tells me, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."


I should have this inspirational Bible verse pasted on my bathroom mirror, refrigerator,etc. so that I will be reminded that I am not in control and to look for God's guidance before jumping in and pushing forth with my own will.


I’m hard headed and don’t always stop to pray about what God’s plans might be. Whenever I have a goal and I fail to reach it there are times when I have immediately set about trying to figure out a way to fix it and when that doesn't work I might take off on another track that would “work”.

And then I might begin to rack my brain to solicit help from a friend or family member who might be able to help me solve the problem. Never mind that the persons help whom we seek may not have any experience whatsoever in solving the type of problem that I'm having; they are available they are willing and by this time I'm desperate so their help is better than nothing at all. Right?

Recently I was going for just such a situation where I had stored a large number of things in a rented storage facility. Realizing that I had no way to lock the door I went in search of a good padlock at my local hardware store. I had to spend a little more money but the lock that I bought was one of the most secure that they had for sale and it serves the purpose as it kept my belongings safe.

My sister was about to move into her first apartment so I invited her to come for a visit and go through my storage unit to see if there was anything that she could use. After she arrived I went to get the key so that she could unlock the unit. I always kept the key on one particular key ring however I had recently given another friend permission to look through the stuff stored inside and when I went to find the key for my sister it was not where I had thought it would be. Apparently when my friend brought key back I had stuck it in a drawer somewhere. Since my sister was only going to be in town for a limited amount of time I had the brilliant idea of borrowing some cutters and simply cutting the lock off.

Long story short, this plan failed so we started to search for the padlock ski once again and luckily found it. We headed to the storage unit once again with key and hand ready to open the padlock only to find that our great idea of using cutters had damaged the lock and key would only partially open it.

A passerby suggested that he could go and get an electric saw and cut the lock off which seemed like a good idea until the lock ate the blade. The lock was still holding tight although it now had several dent in a couple of scratches that the saw blade had made.

I realize that the only option left to us was a locksmith who would charge a substantial fee. It was around this time that I realized if I had not been so impatient, given up and pushed forward rather than continuing the search for the missing key in the first place we might have opened the storage unit with no problems.

It struck me that I often deal with God’s plan for me in the same manner. When He puts a plan or a project in front of me to guide me with the least amount of suffering pain and frustration often questioned the conditions or the timing and end up second-guessing God and sabotaging things.

I often let individuals and circumstances intrude that are not good for me because I become desperate or impatient. Sure, there are times when I do get the desired results but my impatience can create much unnecessary turmoil. When I jump ahead of God’s plan for me just because I'm too lazy to work through things or because I am in a hurry to make things happen I create chaos.


Jeremiah 29:11 tells us”’ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”


God's plan for me is to show me the way to go and if I manage not to get in such a hurry that I try to outguess God it will save me time, frustration and as illustrated in the example I wrote about in this article, money.

INSPIRATIONAL CHRISTMAS STORIES - REAPING THE REWARDS

Feeling the benefits from inspirational Christmas stories seems to get more difficult each year. The sadness and nervousness from the evil in the world is so overpowering that for many Christmas represents little more than crowded shopping malls, financial challenges and dysfunctional family members. Add to that the feeling of pressure from gift obligations and how could we be surprised that many view the holidays with a sense of dread and foreboding.

If you are among the many that view this the most beautiful time of year in this way I recommend that you plan a quiet moment of stillness and repose in order to ask yourself .. when did the true meaning of Christmas escape me? And better yet, how can I rediscover the spiritual feelings of the times when the holidays were filled with positive, joyful experiences, family feelings and happy times? How can I bring back the spirituality that should be part of Christmas?

EXPLORING THE PAST

Once we are adults, each of us has our own memories of Christmases past. When December comes around, we tend to revisit those memories with their joy or its pain as we recreate and relive the season. We take a moment to examine our beliefs, our expectations and touch upon remembered disappointments by ignoring positive inspirational Christmas stories that are uplifting only to wallow in the negative memories of the past. But we are also offered the gift of new consciousness with each yearly rebirthing of our spiritual selves. We have the option to accept and make good use of this gift or to practice the mulling of old experiences that hinder our soul’s growth.

CHOOSE THE POSITIVE RATHER THAN NEGATIVE

Focusing on the stressful aspects of the holidays will snuff out the power that the magic of Christmas can work in your life. if you allow yourself to be manacled by the power of negativity instead of the power of positive thinking, you are insulating yourself from what what is good and holy. In this season we are reminded by the birthing Christ that we have a choice about priorities and where you choose to place your energy. Will you focus on seeking inspirational Christmas stories and accept the boundless love that this holiday offers you or be left feeling alone and lacking. Make a promise to yourself to search for uplifting moments or better yet create and share them with others.

WHERE TO LOOK FOR INSPIRATION

Finding inspiring images and acts often takes nothing more than to train yourself to see the good in people and your surroundings. Tune out the evening news and read a book filled with inspirational Christmas stores that will allow you to escape the turmoil of the day rather than to bring it into your home. Join a charity group that offers aid to those less fortunate to see good works in action. Form a shell around your spirit that only allows positive thoughts to grow and prosper.


REAPING THE BENEFITS

To create a visual promise, perform a personal candle lighting ceremony to commemorate the promise that you are making to yourself to eliminate feelings that keep you from your joy. Immerse yourself in meditation and a moment of quiet prayer to query your higher self on ways to offer your loved ones inspirational Christmas stories that are personal and real. While deep in prayer, affirm the courage to be open to a new way of thinking about gift giving and the holidays. The illumination of spirit you experience from this simple exercise may amaze you, but they will also bless you. Where your mind goes, often the condition of the body follows. The magic may bring peace to areas that were previously tender and aching. By embracing the inner peace this season offers, you invite the magic of Christ’s love to lift you up.

Return to Motivational Inspirational Christmas Stories, Posters, Poems and Quotes to find stories that focus on what's good in human nature.