Change Is Possible
I firmly believe that if a person truly wants to change, they will find a way to make the needed changes in their lives. It might take a situation where the person reaches rock bottom before they finally make that much needed change, but I believe that everyone has it in them to do so if they set their mind to it.
There are addictions of all kinds (i.e. drugs, alcohol, food, sex, etc.). It can be hard to get out from underneath the grip that these things may have on you, but I know that all things are possible with Christ! You don’t have to try to do this alone. He will help you if you only ask. I’m sure you are filled with remorse for having let yourself down as well as your family, but if you ask forgiveness and truly show that your heart and ways have changed, you will slowly gain the trust back from those that you love and who love you.
I have encountered a lot of negativity when I have been supportive toward someone close to me that has just within the past few months admitted that they were addicted to one of the above mentioned things. I will not call the person out, identify them in any way, nor will I state which addiction they have as they deserve privacy and respect. I will, however, say that I have had to endure countless “lectures” on how this person is never going to change, how they don’t believe that this person’s heart has been changed, and how they don’t believe that this person truly wants to make a lasting change. They feel that this person is talking the talk but is not walking the walk. They are standing in judgment of the individual to the point that it angers me. Why such strong emotion? Because this is someone that I love, and whether I’m considered naive, “in denial,” or just plain stupid, I still have faith in this individual. Why? Simply because I know that this is not truly who this person is nor what they are about. I have faith in this person because I know that they have the strength within them and through God to conquer this and squash this addiction once and for all. I know that this person is better than this, they just have to think more of themselves than to allow this cycle to continue.
This person has had a “rock bottom moment” within the past few months so much so that I truly believe the change that they have made for the better will be a lasting change. Sure, in the past it has only lasted two weeks at the max before things reverted back to the way they were before. However, I don’t see that happening now. I see a person that is in recovery. I see a person that has sought help all on their own for their addiction, and I see a person that desperately wants to recover and live a different life. I see a person striving to do so every day. Sure there will be struggles and temptations along the way, but this person can draw on the strength that the Lord provides so that when they are tempted God will deliver them from evil.
The sad thing about this is the ones talking negatively are the ones that were addicts at one point or another in their lives. They sought help and recovered, and yet they doubt this person’s heart and ability to fully recover themselves. How would they have felt in the mist of their recovery process if they had heard such negativity from people that simply did not believe in them? Would it have helped them thrive and continue on in recovery, or would it have caused them to relapse.
People can change. Change is possible if the person is sincere. No one knows their heart but God. However, I choose to see the good in them and will encourage them on their road to recovery.
This post was inspired by the Five Minute Friday prompt word: Change.
Inspire Your Soul
If you’ve been with Light Love Hope for a while now, you know that we love Joyce Meyer and Joel Osteen. I have read several of Joyce Meyer’s books, and I have her daily devotional on my phone with the Bible App. I also have a daily devotional book written by Joyce Meyer as well. My husband is a big Joel Osteen fan, and while we have many books written by him, my husband reads Joel’s daily devotional every morning. It doesn’t take long to read through what the devotional has to offer for that day, but the message stays with you throughout the day. You find that with both Joyce and Joel, you meditate on their words throughout the day. You find ways to apply what they’ve said to your life. I especially love the bible verses referenced and how it is biblically based. Some have argued about these two Christian speakers, but I have not found anything in my reading or in seeing them live in person that has not been in line with the Word of God.
With that said, imagine our excitement to learn that not only does Joyce have a new book to add to our collection, but Joel does as well! I can hardly wait to get my hands on a copy of Living Courageously by Joyce Meyer and You Can You Will by Joel Osteen. I enjoy reading their words of wisdom and how they speak the gospel. Having seen both Joyce and Joel in person at their events, I can almost hear them speaking with such power and conviction as I read the words in their books.
PreBuy Living Courageously by Joyce Meyer for just $14.97
at FamilyChristian.com!
PreBuy You Can You Will by Joel Osteen for just $14.97 at FamilyChristian.com
Speaking of daily devotionals, Aaron Tabor has a 365 Interactive Devotional entitled Jesus Daily. While I have not read Aaron Tabor’s work before, I am excited to see what he has to offer to inspire and uplift as we prepare to greet the day.
PreBuy Jesus Daily: 365 Interactive Devotions by Aaron Tabor at FamilyChristian.com for just $9.97
If you are looking for a good Christian Fiction book to read, you may be interested in AD30 by Ted Dekker. While I have not yet read this book, (as I tend to lean more toward self help type books, devotionals, and Non-Fiction), I may just give this book a try. From what I understand, it takes place in the year of our Lord, AD30. Wouldn’t that be an interesting read? I think so!
PreBuy A.D. 30 by Ted Dekker for just $14.97 at FamilyChristian.com
If you’re wondering where we found these jewels, it’s at a little store called Family Christian. You can shop online, or you can visit their various locations. We have two within driving distance that we frequent. I could spend hours in that store (and have … just ask my husband!). From Bibles, to candles, jewelry, prints, music, even performance tracks … they just about have everything you can think of to inspire your soul right there in their store! Check them out! They are sure to become a favorite of yours as well.
We Care Wednesday: Distraction
There has been a lot of talk about depression since we lost one of the most loved men in the world this past week. I would guess that anyone reading this post has at one time or another suffered from some sort of depression with varying degrees of intensity. As many have said in articles this past week, there is not any single thing that can break a person out of this. However, there is a little thing that you can do for someone that may temporarily break them out of their funk; a distraction.
What do I mean by a distraction? I will use myself as an example. I am currently in a very difficult situation at my place of employment. The owner fired 25% of the workforce the beginning of the year. I have been given the privilege of taking over another person’s position as well as having to do my own without any additional compensation. I am completely overwhelmed at the moment. At first, I was able to handle things but as the months have worn on I find myself getting further behind. I feel that I am in an impossible position as there are no jobs in my area for me to apply for to remove myself from this situation. I come home at night to an empty house. I don’t have anyone here to talk to about how I feel. Put all these things together, and I have the perfect recipe for a severe bout of depression. I feel trapped with no way out. However, there is something that helps pull me out for a while which helps to give me a new perspective; distraction.
What do I use for distraction? I find a song that speaks to me and touches my heart in a way that brings a smile to my face. I may play that song over and over again. I have been known to set my iTunes to do a single repeat of a song for hours. If a song makes me feel good, then I play it all the time. It is my way to help pull me out of my funk.
Each of us has something that can be used as a distraction for when we are feeling down. You can touch a person by a small gift. Bring them some ice cream or chocolate. Any little thing can help to bring a person out of the depths of despair. Think of a little something that would bring a smile to each of your family members, then go out and do it for them. It may not resolve their problems, but it will show them that they are loved and help to give them a little different perspective on their current issues.
If case you are wondering what I am using for my distractions of late. Here are the songs / artists I am hooked on:
Lindsey Stirling – everything by her on her two DVDs.
Lindsey Stirling – Lindsey Stirling
Shatter Me – Lindsey Stirling
50 Ways to Say Goodbye – Train
50 Ways to Say Goodbye – California 37
Country Girl – Luke Bryan
Country Girl (Shake It for Me) – Tailgates & Tanlines
Lightning in a Bottle – The Summer Set
(warning: this song has a single bad word in the chorus)
Lightning In a Bottle – Legendary
