There was…honey…And he took thereof.’ Judges 14:8-9

Look for the honey! In their book, The Laws of Lifetime Growth, authors Dan Sullivan and Catherine Nomura explain, ‘Continual learning is essential for lifetime growth. You can have a great deal of experience and be no smarter for all the things you’ve done, seen, and heard. Experience alone is no guarantee of lifetime growth. But if you regularly transform your experiences into new lessons, you’ll make each day of your life a source of growth. The smartest people are those who can transform even the smallest events or situations into breakthroughs in thinking and action. Look at all of life as a school and every experience as a lesson, and your learning will always be greater than your experience.’ In an old Peanuts cartoon, Charles Schulz shows Charlie Brown at the beach building a magnificent sandcastle. It’s a work of art. As he stands back to admire it, it is suddenly destroyed by a big wave. In the last frame he says, ‘There must be a lesson here, but for the life of me I don’t know what it is.’ That’s how many of us feel after a potentially valuable experience. We go through it but don’t grow. We attend meetings designed to help us learn, then do nothing with what we’ve heard after closing our notebooks. Don’t get excited about a learning event, get excited about learning! And you haven’t really learned it until you’ve applied it. A few days after slaying a lion, Samson returned to the scene of victory and discovered two things in the carcass: a) bees, that sting and b) honey that tastes sweet. ‘And he took thereof.’ In life, move beyond the pain and look for the hone

Be willing to start small...'FOR WHO HATH DESPISED THE DAY OF SMALL THINGS?...'ZECHARIAH 4:10KJV

DL Moody became a spokesman for God and a changer of nations. But if you'd met him early in life you wouldn't have thought it was possible. Although he was raised in church, he was spiritually ignorant. When he moved to Boston he began attending a Bible-preaching church. In April of 1855, a Sunday school teacher came to the shoe shop where he worked and led him to Christ. A month later, when he applied to become a member of that church, it was clear that he knew nothing about the Bible. One of his Sunday school teacher later wrote, 'I've never met anyone who seemed less likely to become a Christian of clear and decided views, much less fill any place of public usefulness,' So they asked him to take a year of Bible study. During his interview with the membership committee a year later, his answers were only slightly improved. He was barely literate and used atrocious grammer. Nobody on that church committee thought God would ever use him. But they were wrong. And the people who say you will never amount to anything for God,are wrong too! Every oak tree starts as an acorn. Jesus began in a stable but He didn't stay there. David was a speherd boy with a slingshot but he became Israel's greatest king. Joseph was a prisoner but he became prime minister. Understand this: you are a seed capable of producing a harvest for God. So take all that you have and all that you are,place it into God's hands and be willing to start small.

How to handle temptation...'...SUBMIT TO GO. RESIST THE DEVIL...'JAMES 4:7 NKJV

When it comes to emptation, remember these seven things: 1) Never say 'never.' You never become so spiritual that you're immune. 'No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be abble to bear it' ( 1 corinthians 10:13 NKJV). 2) Realise you can stumble on the last lap. Because you haven't blown it yet, doesn't mean you can't. satan is a master of timing, and he's in no particular hurry. 3) Acknowledge your basic drives. St Augustine said, 'There is nothing more powerful in bringing down the spirit of a man the caresses of a woman. ' Your flesh is powerful; once indulged it will always want more. 4) Understand that you are responsible. Sin is a choice. When you chose to abuse God's grace you pay the price, either now or later. 'Do not be deceived...whatever a man sows,that he will also reap' (Galatians 6:7 NKJV). 5) You're not a helpless pawn. You may not be to change what happened yesterday, but your choice,
How to Handle Temptation 6 Audio Tapes (How to Handle Temptation)

‘Don’t get worked up.’ Matthew 6:34 TM

Everything that can go wrong has! Your teenager pierced his nose, the dog threw up on the carpet, the toilet’s overflowing, and the car’s leaking fluid. No wonder you’re stressed! When life gets overwhelming remember: (1) God’s still looking out for you. When things look bad, remind yourself that God’s bigger than your problem: ‘Don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.’ (2) Don’t think about quitting! Every time you reach the breaking point it’s a test. You have before you a series of choices that will add up to either quitting or persevering through to victory. Paul was flogged, thrown in jail, shipwrecked and run out of town, but he refused to give in to circumstances and in the end he was able to say, ‘I have fought the good fight…finished the race, and… remained faithful’ (2 Timothy 4:7 NLT). (3) If it doesn’t have your name on it, don’t pick it up! Stress comes from micro-managing others and assuming responsibilities that aren’t yours. Establish healthy boundaries. If you’re not sure what’s appropriate, ask God to show you how much to get involved in the lives of friends and family. (4) Your breaking point can be the start of a breakthrough. Ever heard the expression ‘hitting the wall’? Runners use it when they’re exhausted and feel like giving up. But seasoned athletes know if they push through the pain they’ll get their second wind and experience a ‘runner’s high’ that’ll carry them over the finish line. So keep going; by God’s grace you’ll make it!

Cultivate a thankful heart!‘I will bless the Lord at all times.’ Psalm 34:1

David said, ‘I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.’ A thankful heart should be a way of life for us. But did you know that it can save your life? When Jonah disobeyed God and ended up inside the whale, he told the Lord, ‘I will sacrifice to You with…thanksgiving’ (Jonah 2:9 NKJV). When he did, God made the fish spit him up on dry land. When you’re in the pits and all hell is breaking loose around you, that’s when you need to raise your voice in praise. Nothing demonstrates trust, like thanking God when you’re in the throes of crisis. A thankful heart does two things: 1) It builds your faith. The reason ‘we [can] walk by faith [and] not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7 NAS), is because we know that regardless of the circumstances, God’s working on our behalf (Romans 8:28). David said, ‘Magnify the Lord with me’(Psalms 34:3). To magnify something is to enlarge it. When you focus on God instead of the problem, God becomes bigger and the problem becomes smaller. Plus, ‘Faith cometh by hearing…the word of God’ (Romans 10:17). Hearing God’s promises coming from your own lips, causes faith to rise in your heart. So start talking! 2) It restores life. Before raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, ‘Father…thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me’ (John 11:41-42 NKJV). Something wonderful happens when you start thanking God for saving, protecting and providing for you. Your faith soars. You gain the confidence to command those things in your life that you thought were dead, to live again. So, cultivate a thankful heart!

Forgiveness ( 3 )...‘…could never have made it apart from…mercy.’ 1 Timothy 1:15-17 TM

If you’re finding it hard to forgive yourself for something you’ve done in the past, it may be that you’re reaping what you have sown. And it’s particularly hard (but not impossible) to keep from feeling bad when you’ve condemned somebody else for doing the same thing. Here’s a scriptural truth you need to understand, accept and live by: as long as you’re alive you will have to keep forgiving yourself and others! When guilt and condemnation tell you your sins are too big for God’s forgiveness, remember what Paul said: ‘Jesus…came…to save sinners. I’m proof – Public Sinner Number One …someone who could never have made it apart from sheer mercy…evidence of his endless patience.’ Before his conversion Paul persecuted the church, killing and torturing believers. It’s how he made his living! And if he could learn to forgive himself, you can too! In fact, when you don’t you’re implying that your transgressions are beyond the scope of God’s grace to forgive and Jesus’ blood to cleanse. And that’s a bigger sin – pride! Plus, when somebody always has ‘issues’ with other people, they may be looking for somebody to offend them; that way they can point out how bad the other person is and feel better about themselves. Pride and a judgmental attitude feed off each other the way humility feeds off forgiveness. God said, ‘I am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake. And I will not remember your sins’ (Isaiah 43:25 NASB). When you adopt a humble attitude and work on forgiving yourself the way God has, it’s a lot easier to overlook other people’s mistakes. Give it a try; you’ll be amazed!

Forgiveness ( 2 )...‘People insulted Christ, but…He let God…take care of him.’ 1 Peter 2:23 NCV

A little boy who'd been rude to his Mum started sneaking off upstairs. 'Where you going, young man?' she asked. 'To my room to talk to God,' he replied. 'Isn't there something you want to tell me first?' she said. 'Nope,' he said, 'You'll just get mad. God will forgive me and forget about it.' Long after you think you've forgiven somebody you can still be harbouring hard feelings. Here are some clues that you've still got work to do: you get angry thinking about what happened; you give the offender the cold shoulder; you rehearse the incident mentally and in conversation; you seize every opportunity to remind the offender of what they did. Refusing to forgive and forget is just another way of justifying an unforgiving attitude. The Bible says there are two things God won't share: (1) His glory (See Isaiah 42:8); (2) His right to settle old scores. He said, 'Vengeance is mine; I will repay' (Romans 12:19). Don't usurp His authority by trying to get even; take your hands off the situation and let Him work it out. When 'People insulted Christ…he did not insult them in return…He let God…who judges rightly, take care of him.' A grudge shackles you to the offender and you become the hostage! Dwelling on something your parents did, or on how an associate took credit for your work, or on what someone said about you, makes you, not them, miserable. You walk around in turmoil and they don't even know you're upset! Why give somebody that kind of control over your life? What's important is what happens in you, not to you. So forgive, forget, and move on!

Forgiveness ( 1 )..‘Forgive –only then ll ur heavenly Father wipe ur slate clean.’Mark 11:25 TM

How heavy is a glass of water? That depends on how long you have to carry it. A minute is no problem and after an hour your arm might ache. But after 24 hours you'll probably be in bad shape! In each instance the glass weighs exactly the same, but the longer you carry it the heavier it feels. And it's the same with a grudge; it can get so heavy it stops you from living. People will hurt you; that's the reality of sharing this planet with others. Sometimes it's intentional, other times they've no idea they upset you, far less broken your heart. Does that mean you should go around pretending nothing's wrong? No, the first step is to confront your feelings. And when the hurt is deep, it's even harder to forgive. That's when you need to pray, 'Lord, change my heart and heal me.' Jesus said, 'Pray for those who mistreat you' (Luke 6:28 NIV). When you do that something unexpected happens; your heart softens and you start seeing them through God's eyes instead of your raw emotions. Jesus said, 'If you have anything against someone, forgive – only then will your heavenly Father…wipe your slate clean.' When you sow unforgiveness you reap unforgiveness, even from God! Isaac is a prime example of practicing forgiveness. During a drought he dug wells that his enemies moved in and claimed. But instead of retaliating, he moved on and dug new ones. As a result God filled Isaac's empty wells and promised to bless him and his children too! (See Genesis 26:22-23). And He will fill the emptiness in your life, when you forgive those who have hurt you.

Stay Focused ( 4 )...‘Forgetting the past.’ Philippians 3:13 NLT 'Forgetting the past.' Philippians 3:13 NLT

Notice: (1) Focused people don't live in the past. Too many of us yearn for the past and get stuck in it. Instead we should learn from the past and let go of it. Elbert Hubbard wrote, 'A retentive memory may be a good thing, but the ability to forget is a token of greatness. Successful people forget. They're running a race. They can't afford to look behind. Their eye is on the finish line. They're too big to let little things disturb them. If anyone does them wrong, they consider the source and keep cool. It's only the small people who cherish revenge. Be a good forgetter… success demands it.' (2) Focused people don't think about the difficulties, but the rewards. If you dwell on the difficulties too long you'll start to develop self-pity instead of self-discipline. As a result you'll accomplish less and less. By focusing on results you'll stay encouraged. Make Christ your example. 'He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterwards' (Hebrews 12:2 TLB). (3) Focused people choose their friends carefully. Here are five types of people you'll encounter: (a) Refreshers; who strengthen your faith and energise you. (b) Refiners; who sharpen you and clarify your vision. (c) Reflectors; who mirror your energy, neither adding to nor subtracting from it. (d) Reducers; who try to diminish your goals and efforts to their comfort level. (e) Rejecters; who don't understand you or what God's called you to do. So, remain focused and you'll stay grounded; the praise of others is less likely to go to your head, and the negative impact of your critics will be minimised.

Stay Focused ( 2 )...Proverbs 4:27 NIV 'Do not swerve to the right or the left.' Proverbs 4:27 NIV

Focus does three things for you: (1) It keeps you on target. We find ourselves pulled in a dozen different directions, spending much of our time and energy on things we don't really care about. Author Don Marquis put it this way: 'Ours is a world where people don't know what they want, and are willing to go through hell to get it.' The Bible says: 'Let your eyes look straight ahead…Do not swerve to the right or the left' (Proverbs 4:25-27 NIV). (2) It increases your energy. Attempting everything, like attempting nothing, will suck the life out of you. Focus gives you energy. Admiral Richard Byrd, the Polar explorer, said, 'Few men come anywhere near exhausting the resources dwelling within them. There are deep wells of strength that are never used.' One of the reasons those wells go untapped is lack of focus. The mind doesn't reach toward achievement until it has clear objectives. (3) It lifts you. It's been said that 'the world stands aside to let anyone pass, who knows where he or she is going.' In a sea of mediocrity, just knowing what you want to do and making an effort to pursue it, distinguishes you from almost everybody else. Henry David Thoreau asked, 'Do you ever hear of a man who had striven all his life faithfully and singly toward an object, and in no measure obtained it? If a man constantly aspires, is he not elevated?' Just by striving to become better than you are, you become elevated even if you don't accomplish what you desire, and even if others don't step aside for you. By trusting God and aiming higher, you move to a higher level.

Stay Focused ( 3 )...Proverbs 3:6 'Acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.' Proverbs 3:6

When it comes to staying focused, keep in mind: (1) Focused people always look for a better way. What got you where you are won't necessarily get you where you need to be. A family who moved into a new neighbourhood got a late start one morning. As a result their six year old missed her school bus. Though it would make him late for work her father agreed to take her to school if she gave him directions. After 20 minutes of going in circles they finally arrived at the school, which turned out to be only a few blocks away from where they lived. Steaming, her dad asked why she drove him all over the place when the school was so close to home. 'We went the way the school bus does,' she said. 'That's the only way I know.' (2) Focused people concentrate a little harder and a little longer. Hall of Fame baseball player Hank Aaron says, 'What separates a superstar from the average ballplayer is that he concentrates just a little bit longer.' Focused thinking is the ability to remove distractions and mental clutter so that you can concentrate with clarity. (3) Focused people make commitments, not excuses. A sign on the desk of an officer at the Pentagon read: 'The secrecy of my job does not permit me to know what I'm doing.' It's a cute joke, but not so cute when it's true. When you don't know what you're doing, you become frustrated and end up failing. That's why praying and getting direction from God is critical for your life. 'In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.'

Stay Focused ( 1 )...Philippians 3:15 TM 'Let's keep focused…those of us who want everything God has for us.' Philippians 3:15 TM

You become effective by being selective. It's human nature to get distracted. We're like gyroscopes, spinning around at a frantic pace but not getting anywhere. Without a clear purpose you keep changing directions, jobs, relationships, churches, etc., hoping each change will settle the confusion or fill the emptiness in your heart. You think, 'This time it will be different,' but it doesn't solve your real problem; lack of focus. The power of focusing can be seen in light. With a magnifying glass the rays of the sun can set paper on fire. But when light is focused even more as a laser beam, it can cut through steel. Nothing is as potent as a focused life. The men and women who make the greatest difference in life are the most focused. For instance, the Apostle Paul said, 'I am bringing all my energies to bear on this one thing' (Philippians 3:13 TLB). Paul's obsession was to make Christ known. So if you want your life to have impact, focus it! Stop dabbling. Stop trying to do it all. Do less. Turn away from even good activities and do only that which matters most. Never confuse activity with productivity. Poet William Matthews wrote, 'One well-cultivated talent, deepened and enlarged, is worth a hundred shallow faculties. The first law of success in this day when so many things are clamouring for attention is concentration – to bend our energies to one point, and to go directly to that point, looking neither to the right nor to the left.' Does focus come easily or naturally? No, it's a discipline that must be practiced every day

WORK HARD SO YOU CAN…RECEIVE HIS APPROVAL.’ 2 TIMOTHY 2:15 NLT

Moses spent 80 years preparing for a job that would last 40. That’s a two-to-one ratio of preparation to execution. The greater the goal, the greater the preparation! Much of your life can be spent getting ready for what seems like a brief season and assignment. But to be able to say at the end, ‘I have finished my course’ is to have lived successfully, and that’s the same whether you are called to run a marathon or a 100-yard sprint. Before passing the torch to Timothy, Paul says, ‘Work hard so you can…receive his approval.’ Who does God use? People who prepare well. Whether you’re called to business, education, politics, art, medicine or ministry, this principle remains; God uses prepared people. The price tag required for long-term success cannot be lowered. We all want what successful people have; we’re just not all willing to pay the price they paid to achieve it. You must be prepared when your opportunities come. Abraham Lincoln said, ‘I will prepare and some day my chance will come.’ Benjamin Disraeli said, ‘The secret of success in life is for a man to be ready for his time when it comes.’ When the fate of the Jews hung in the balance, Mordecai told Esther that her experience in the king’s palace had prepared her, ‘For such a time as this’ (Esther 4:14). She responded and the Jews were saved. All these people had talent, prepared themselves and made the most of their opportunities when they arose. So your greatest challenge is not lack of opportunity, but being ready when it comes.

‘IN ALL THY WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM, AND HE SHALL DIRECT THY PATHS.’ PROVERBS 3:6

One of the most important questions you must ask yourself is, ‘What am I supposed to prepare for?’ You don’t want to be like the Miss America contestant who recently told a late-night TV talk show host, ‘My goal is to bring world peace – and get my own apartment.’ Ask God what you’re supposed to do and keep asking until you get clear instructions as to your next step (or for that matter, your first step!). There are timeless principles in the Bible that work, whether you’re walking with God or going your own way. So be careful that you are not using God, rather than allowing God to use you. ‘In all thy ways acknowledge [consult, listen and submit to] him, and he shall direct thy paths.’ What ultimately matters most will not be what others say about your life but what God says. The humbling truth is, all achievements will eventually be surpassed, records will be broken, reputations will fade and tributes will be forgotten. In college Dr James Dobson’s goal was to become the school’s tennis champion. He felt very proud when his trophy was prominently placed in a display cabinet. Years later someone mailed him that trophy; they had found it in a trash can when the school was remodelled. Dobson says, ‘Given enough time, all your trophies will be trashed by someone else.’ Living to create an earthly legacy is a short-sighted goal. You weren’t put here to be remembered, you were put here to do God’s will and to prepare for eternity. If you’re wise you’ll keep that in mind!

'HOLD ON TO INSTRUCTION…GUARD IT WELL, FOR IT IS YOUR LIFE.' PROVERBS 4:13 NIV

'HOLD ON TO INSTRUCTION…GUARD IT WELL, FOR IT IS YOUR LIFE.' PROVERBS 4:13 NIV
It's not enough to get prepared, you must stay prepared. We're being told that knowledge is doubling every five years. So if you don't keep growing, you'll end up with coping skills that no longer match the challenge you face in the world you live in. It's estimated that many doctors are so busy taking care of patients, they are years behind the latest developments in their field. If you or a loved one gets ill, that could become a real concern for you. Preparation doesn't begin with what you do; it begins with what you believe. If you believe that success tomorrow depends on what you do today, you'll treat today differently. A wise sailor studies the weather before he goes to sea because he knows that avoiding a storm is easier than getting out of one. Howard Coonley of the American National Standards Institute stated, 'The leader of the future will be rated by his ability to anticipate problems, rather than to meet them as they come.' Preparation is not merely an event, it's a perspective. Abraham Lincoln said, 'If I had eight hours to chop down a tree, I'd spend six sharpening my axe.' As a young man Lincoln had split rails with an axe, so he knew the value of staying sharp. Wisdom always prompted him to prepare; whether he was getting ready to cut wood, study law on his own to pass the bar or lead the nation. This is why your Bible says, 'Hold on to instruction, do not let it go. Guard it well, for it is your life.'

The way up when life get you down...( 2 )..JAMES 5:17 NIV

'ELIJAH WAS…JUST LIKE US.' JAMES 5:17 NIV
What was God's prescription for getting Elijah back on his feet? A lecture on the prophet's faltering faith? No, just rest and nourishment! God recognises our limitations, even when we don't. 'A bruised reed he will not break, and a smouldering wick he will not snuff out' (Isaiah 42:3 NIV). When we neglect our own legitimate needs, it shows up in our attitude. God understands that being down is a 'perspective' problem, and getting back up requires adjustment in four crucial areas. So: 1) He adjusted Elijah's God-perspective. 'Get in the presence of God and he'll meet with you' (1 Kings 19:11 NIV). The One who gave Elijah victory on Mount Carmel, could also sustain him in the desert of Jezreel. But first Elijah had to spend time with Him; otherwise he was running on an empty tank. Hello! 2) He adjusted Elijah's world-perspective. Elijah said, 'God's covenant is broken, His altar destroyed, His prophets murdered, and I'm the only one left' (v14). But God showed Elijah that He still had the necessary resources and strategies to accomplish His purposes, even in a hostile environment 3) He adjusted Elijah's self-perspective. The prophet saw himself as helpless and inadequate: 'Lord, let me die, for I am no better than those who preceded me' (v4). But God showed him there were still kings to anoint, battles to win, and that Elijah had an important role to play (v16). 4) He provided a helper. He sent Elisha to minister to him (v21). You're not supposed to carry it all alone! Allow yourself to need help, and watch whom God puts in your life to support you.

The way up when life get you down...( 1 )..JAMES 5:17 NIV

There are times in life when we all feel down. But God's Word shows us the way to get back up. Look at Elijah, who 'was just like us.' How come he got so far down? 1) It happened on the heels of a great victory. He didn't start out in the doldrums, and he didn't fall into sin. No, he'd just called down fire from heaven and slain 450 false prophets (1 Kings 18:22-39). But that's hard work! So he went from exhilaration to exhaustion. Weary, defences down and vulnerability up, he fell into a natural depression because fatigue strips us of our courage. 2) Fear caused him to lose perspective. The man of God who'd just faced down an evil multitude, ended up running from one woman, Jezebel (1 Kings 19). Fear made him forget God's power; it skewed his perspective and left him feeling suicidal. Exhaustion coupled with fear is a dangerous combination. It invites hopeless, wrong thinking, and creates the illusion that your options are gone. 3) He became isolated. Elijah left his servant at Beersheba and journeyed into the wilderness alone (1 Kings 19:3-4). When you most need support, anxiety, a sense of inadequacy and fear of failure, will push you into isolation. At that point you're in the worst possible company; your own. Elijah thought, 'I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me' (vs10, 14 NIV). Translated: 'It's bad and I can't see it getting better!' When you're down, it isn't the time to isolate. That's when you need to reach for God and the people who love you, who can help you back up.

When you are on Overload...( 3 )...‘Don’t get worked up.’ Matthew 6:34 TM

Everything that can go wrong has! Your teenager pierced his nose, the dog threw up on the carpet, the toilet's overflowing, and the car's leaking fluid. No wonder you're stressed! When life gets overwhelming remember: (1) God's still looking out for you. When things look bad, remind yourself that God's bigger than your problem: 'Don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.' (2) Don't think about quitting! Every time you reach the breaking point it's a test. You have before you a series of choices that will add up to either quitting or persevering through to victory. Paul was flogged, thrown in jail, shipwrecked and run out of town, but he refused to give in to circumstances and in the end he was able to say, 'I have fought the good fight…finished the race, and… remained faithful' (2 Timothy 4:7 NLT). (3) If it doesn't have your name on it, don't pick it up! Stress comes from micro-managing others and assuming responsibilities that aren't yours. Establish healthy boundaries. If you're not sure what's appropriate, ask God to show you how much to get involved in the lives of friends and family. (4) Your breaking point can be the start of a breakthrough. Ever heard the expression 'hitting the wall'? Runners use it when they're exhausted and feel like giving up. But seasoned athletes know if they push through the pain they'll get their second wind and experience a 'runner's high' that'll carry them over the finish line. So keep going; by God's grace you'll make it!

When you are on Overload...( 2 )..‘‘I’m awake all night.’ Psalm 77:4 TM

You can't escape stress, but you can learn to cope with it by taking control of your life in small but important ways. Here are two: (1) Think about someone other than yourself. David was so frazzled that he was awake all night. Ever been there? That's when you need to 'Let…praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down' (Philippians 4:6 TM). Elijah was depressed and suicidal when God showed him how to help himself. How? By leaving the cave he was hiding in, and going out and ministering to others. Focusing on something other than yourself gives you perspective. Paul says, the 'God of all healing counsel…comes alongside…when we go through hard times…and…brings us alongside someone else…going through hard times so…we can be there for that person…as God was there for us' (2 Corinthians 1:3-4 TM). Do you need help? Reach out to others. It's in 'connecting' that we are made whole! (2) Don't get bitter. Life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you respond to it. Archbishop Fulton Sheen said, 'Nothing creates more deep-seated anxiety, than the false assumption that life should be free from anxieties.' When somebody you trust betrays or disappoints you or you're struggling financially after tithing faithfully for years, it's easy to feel hard-done-by. But 'Don't…become bitter' (Hebrews 12:15 CEV); it destroys relationships and cuts you off from God's presence. The answer is learning to 'thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you…to live' (1 Thessalonians 5:18 TM).

Learn to walk away! ’MARK 6:31 NIV... 'GET SOME REST.'MARK 6:31 NIV

One of the hardest things to do is 'take a break'without feeling guilty and selfish;or worse,feeling like a failure because everything on your 'to do'list didn't get done. Here's a news flash;there will always be more to do!One of your biggest challenges will be learning the difference between setting high standards for yourself and setting unrealistic,impossible onces.
We claw our way to success then discover we don't like the presures that go with it.So what should we do? Learn to walk away!Jesus did.'The Jesus did. 'The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done...Then,becuase so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat,he said to them,'come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.'So thgey went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place'(Mark 6:30-32 NIV). Jesus understand that if you don't take a break,you'll break! So: (a) make a lisst of the things that only you can do,then delegate the rest or let them go;(b)learn to take small steps and celebrate small accomplishments for that's what life is made of;(c)don't allow the stuff that's undone,to undo you.(d) strive for balance;don't become addicted to what you enjoy;(e)don't allow overachievers to put you into overdrive.You're in for the long haul.You win when you pace yourself;(f)take time for the people who matter,otherwise you'll lose them.Busyness is a destroyer of relationships.All the sucess in the world won't compensate for the joy and treasure of your family and your loved ones!