The heart-breaking truth is that every day tragedies happen.
Around the globe, in our neighborhoods, and even directly to us. And what are most people’s gut-check responses?
Fear. Hate. Revenge. Discord. Violence. Distrust.
Do any of these responses ultimately solve the problem? Do any of them change the world or the situation for the better?
I love this quote from Maya Angelou:
but it has not solved one yet.”
I wanted to encourage you today, that despite the evil that still lurks in this world, and despite the horror of real tragedies that occur, we cannot let fear rule the day.
We cannot let fear win the battle in our hearts.
We cannot let fear dictate or hinder who we are and the light we have that God has given us as Christians to shine in the darkness.
Jesus prepares us in John 16:33:
“…Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
>>Final thoughts: How strong are your faith muscles to let go of the initial fears that may grip you when life is unfair? How much do you truly trust that God’s words are true and that He will ultimately hand down the final judgments to those who inflict injustice? Take heart today, sister.
God is on the throne and Jesus has already overcome the world.
~Dr. Melody
P.S. I had the honor and privilege to be interviewed on Empowering Ourselves Together Talk Radio show yesterday and if you’d like to know more about my mission and how I serve you at Fit+Faith plus get easy and actionable tips to improve your health, fitness and grown your faith, listen to the interview here and share with a friend. 🙂
George Michael’s catchy tune popped into my head today and I couldn’t shake it! Lol
Even though in his song he’s not specifically talking about a religious faith, it’s faith nonetheless. And something we all need.
It takes faith if we ever intend to reach higher, achieve bigger dreams and make any sort of leap or change in our lives. Just the faith that things can change, or that we can change or that circumstances can change, all take faith. The belief, without the accompanying evidence, that something will happen.
I want to encourage you today to take a quick self examination–What obstacles are in your path or circumstances that are not what you would like them to be, that you’re needing to have more faith that not only will you make it through, but that you will actually improve and grow because of them?
If it’s hard to imagine a beneficial outcome, you know you’ve gotta up the faith factor.
It is your faith in the unseen that God is looking for and encouraging you to have.
He’s got your back. He sees your current obstacles, but also your future on the other side.
>> Final thought: Do you trust He will see you through? How strong are your faith-muscles today?
Your sister in Christ,
~Dr. Melody
P.S. Want more encouragement or inspiration to grow in your faith-walk with God? Head on over to the Fit+Faith blog and I’ve got a whole section for your reading pleasure.
Have a beautiful day. If you have any prayer requests you’d like prayer for, just comment on this blog post and we can chat. It would be my honor to pray for you.
I love technology. I love books. I love my Kindle. I love my phone apps. But above all else, I love my Bible.
Ever heard this children’s song?
The B-I-B-L-E. Yes that’s the book for me!
I stand alone on the Word of God, the B-I-B-L-E!
So funny to reminisce when that song just popped into my head! But as much as technology has advanced with e-readers, reading articles on your computer or with apps on your phone, there’s just nothing like a good printed book…especially THE “Good Book.”
Over the years I’ve lost touch with reading my physical Bible, and although I see it almost every day on my nightstand next to my bed, picking it up and reading in it instead of my Bible app on my phone, is almost foreign!
Btw, I LOVE my Bible app, and if you don’t have one, I recommend the YouVersion app. It’s so incredible with countless translations and reading plans and so easy to use. (just a little side endorsement for a second) 😉
But something feels like it’s missing when you can’t run your fingers over a page. Bibles seems to have the thinnest, most unique paper. I wonder what the weight is…but I digress. I’m sure it has to be thin to fit over 2500 pages in one manageable size, but there’s just nothing like it.
When I picked up my Bible tonight (confession: haven’t physically opened it for over a year maybe?) and flipped it open, it’s like 15 years of memories came flooding back across the pages.
Actually, I’ve had this Bible for almost exactly 15 years, as this one was a High School graduation gift from my church. In the picture, notice the engraved name…my maiden name now. Lol
I’ve had this beauty through my college years at Point Loma Nazarene Univ. in San Diego, through getting married and moving all over southern California, through grad school and eventually moving back to San Diego to open my own business.
I might not pick it up and read from it on a daily basis like I might like, but it’s always been there. A steadfast reminder of God’s presence in my daily life – all of ours.
As I leaf through it’s a crazy time warp with highlights and notes from various speakers, sermons, teachers, events, classes and personal insights. What a treasure and a special trip down memory lane!
If you don’t have a physical paperback or hard cover version of a Bible in your possession, then treat yourself ASAP! There are so many themed Bible’s nowadays for any age group, gender specific, study Bible’s, commentaries, various translations to suit your reading style and the list goes on.
Why not grab a piece of 2000+ year old history to have in your home. Let alone the only book that lives and breaths truth into our lives even to this day, and all the days to come until Jesus returns.
But if you don’t have an actual Bible in possession, then a Bible app on your phone or tablet is the next best thing. 🙂
Whatever way works best for you to start digging in, learning, reading, questioning, growing and LIVING daily in the Word of God. Get to it! 😉
~Melody
