Question for you. What does the White City and your life have in common? Of course, you’ll remember the White City is straight out of J. R. R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy. Interestingly, between the White City and another city, Osgiliath, there’s a lot in common with your life. Let’s look.
I remember a time when I made a plunge I didn’t intend to. Nor did I want to. Matter of fact, it surprised mewhen I realized where I ended up. Interestingly, I found myself in the very place a guy in Scripture landed. When life gets hard, it can knock the wind out of you. Also, you feel exhausted. Things pile up over your history. Then, you can plunge – and slip from the comfortable place you normally enjoy.
When life gets hard, it’s critical to pro-actively do certain things to re-enter a comfortable, healthy place. Incidentally, that’s what God wants for you. So, let’s look at some helpful action points.
Last article/podcast, we explored “A Positive Mindset Works.” Actually, there’s nothing more critical to your success as a Jesus follower. Why? Simply, because a person’s mindset propels them forward into response. Essentially, into action. Subsequently, let’s look at more healthy mindset action points today, with the goal of building character like Christ.
In our last article/podcast, “Refuse To Refuse,” we talked about living with hope. Since hope is so critical, it’s worth a look at how God tethers you to hope. Actually, it’s challenging to be a Jesus follower in today’s world. Equally, to live without hope is tragic.
Let’s explore how God tethers you to hope – and exactly what a tether is.
I don’t know about you, but the words – “It’s for your own good” – conjure up numerous memories. Think back to your childhood. Surely, you had adults and various others who had influence in your life . . . and said – “it’s for your own good.” Chances are, most of those folks were trying to cast a purposeful vision forward into your life. Plus – don’t you sometimes say the same thing now as you attempt to influence someone you care about? Whether or not youdo – God does. In case you didn’t know, that phrase – “for your own good.” – is straight out of Scripture.
Now, let’s explore exactly “what” is supposed to be for your own good.
You might be surprised to know Christmas sadness is a real thing. It hits when people go through difficulties that stretch into the Christmas season. Or with unexpected bad news. Sometimes, it’s an on-going, unhealthy relationship or life situation. Interestingly, Christmas sadness can sometimes appear though everything is going fine. Unexpectedly, something rises inside you without permission and surprises you. In fact, you may even wonder why it’s there because there’s no identifiable reason.
Whatever the scenario, you are not alone if you experience Christmas sadness.
Subsequently, the kindest thing you can do for yourself is to learn how to manage Christmas sadness.
Some years back, we published an article called “The Sin List.” About a year later, we published another article – “The Skinny On Sinning.” Recently, we published “When You’re Down.” In that content, we mention two modern sins.
Oddly, people are always curious about “what’s on the serious sin list.” Additionally, folks are interested in how to get “Relief and Hope” in hardships. So, people flux between –
Living good lives.
Being encouraged.
Underneath this flux is the reality of two modern sins.
In a previous article, we shared a fun excerpt from the movie, “The Kid.” Bruce Willis plays Russ Duritz, a grown-up under stress. He regresses to a comfort when he was a kid – a sandwich. As he makes one, he says – “There’s safety in a sandwich!” He grips his almost finished sandwich and flips it around while stressfully raving. Alfalfa sprouts fly everywhere. Then, lettuce flips out. It’s not much of a sandwich any more. Certainly not a perfect sandwich.
So, let’s take a few minutes to explore the perfect sandwich in your “on-the-go life.” Afterall, you need to fill the hunger in your soul.
How much can a person take? It’s hard to keep going when the onslaught just won’t stop! Nevertheless, no matter what you are going through, there’s a very “special something” that links you to reliefand hope. Incidentally, you and I both know we often need reliefand hope. In fact, more frequently than we might wish. So, what is that “special something” that links you to reliefand hope? Let’s explore.