How To Steward Your Relationships

 

How to Steward Your Relationships
Without Losing Yourself
 

With all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:23 KJV

 

Whether it’s marriage, friendships, being a co-worker or acquaintance, it will be to your advantage if you put your relationships in God’s Hands. He will teach you how to be a better person with a strong character. Our feelings can sometimes hinder us, because we all have differing points of view and levels of maturity. When we butt heads with our loved ones or associates, we allow our egos to get the best of us and steer our relationships off course. Arguments are all about who will prevail in getting their point across. Even if we are right, we still deal with the sting of how we feel after a disagreement.

 

In order to manage and maintain good relationships, we have to crucify our egos, that’s our flesh nature, in order to do it. We must be willing to forgive, walk away, and agree to disagree. That’s okay, because even in that, it’s a resolution.

 

 

Let Love Prevail

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself; is not puffed up. I Corinthians 13:4   

Love is the foundation of good relationships. Loving is sharing and caring. When we walk in love, we are imitating Christ’s love for us. He loved us so deeply that He laid His life down for us. We are to pattern our lives after Christ’s example and lifestyle of loving. In order to manage our relationships in love, we must choose to lay down our opinions and pride and allow understanding and compassion to be the cornerstone of relating to others. I’m not saying you must be a doormat and let people walk all over you, that’s where setting healthy boundaries comes in.  Love prevails when you allow others to feel like they matter. Being a forgiving person and using diplomacy in relationships will save you from distressing situations and will keep harmony and peace.

How to Manage Relationships by Setting Boundaries
Set boundaries, Save Yourself

Boundaries are a very valuable and necessary tool in relationships. Without them, you’ll open yourself up to possibly being manipulated and taken advantage of. Unfortunately, everyone may not be mature enough to handle love on love’s terms. And some people may not be aware that they are stretching the limits. Use godly discernment to gauge who to deal with and how much to open yourself up.

 

There’s Balance in Boundaries

If you are a person who loves hard, wanting to be your best to be a good friend, save yourself by setting healthy boundaries. This will protect you from being victimized by predators. Know when to be open and generous, and when to say no. You don’t have to be everything to everyone. There is nothing wrong with perfecting the art of saying no. It will teach others to take responsibility for themselves and release you from feeling obligated to be their savior.

Ask God to give you discernment so that you won’t be victimized by people with unrealistic expectations. Love yourself enough to establish boundaries. You owe no one anything but to love them, even if you have to leave them alone.

 

A Real Life Lesson

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23

I have a friend who had to learn a hard lesson about neglecting to set boundaries in her life. She’s a very loving and caring person who would sometimes go out of her way to do anything for anyone.  Family and friends’ expectations of her caused her undue burdens, and as a result, she stretched herself to the point where it affected her health. She started losing herself trying to save others.

 We began to have conversations about how to get her relief. It took some time, but she learned how to set limits on her time, attention, and money. My friend had to process through feeling guilty for saying no. She realized that instead of helping others she was crippling them and burdening herself. Today she has gotten so much better with establishing healthy boundaries. This had resulted in her being less burdened and has turned her health around.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is Stewardship?

 

What is Stewardship

And How Does It Apply to You?

 

For we are laborers together with God: Yea are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. I Corinthians 3:2 KJV

 

What does it mean to be a steward? That’s a word that is not commonly used these days. The original meaning of steward or the act of stewardship was typically used for a person employed on a plane, ship, bus, or train. They were duties only held by those who assisted passengers. Another meaning for steward is related to one who managed a household, like a butler.

In our modern day, stewardship is synonymous with being a manager-one who has authority given to them by the owner to govern finances, property, or a company.

 

Stewardship is Partnership

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11: 28-30 KJV

We live in a world where ownership is king and being on your grind is a lifestyle. Unfortunately, our boss up/level up culture has resulted in poor sleep hygiene, high blood pressure, mental illness, and a myriad of other issues that plague us in our society.

The bottom line is our comparison/competitive way of life will run you in the ground.  There is nothing wrong with working hard and achieving goals in a healthy balanced way, but it’s wise to count the cost before moving forward in your endeavors. If you’re working hard just to keep up with your neighbor next door who just got a new luxury vehicle or just got a promotion, that’s not a healthy goal. 

Achieving healthy goals requires a realistic mindset towards what you want to go after. Be patient with yourself and go through the process knowing that you may not be on point all the time, but if you remain consistent, you will achieve your goals.

The good news is that we have the power to change that toxic existence for a better life. We have a loving Heavenly Father that wants you to relax, humble yourself and to partner with Him in this thing called life. That’s the real goal.

 

 Stewardship Defined

 The Biblical definition of stewardship is being a collaborator with God, recognizing Him as the Creator, Owner, and CEO of the universe and our lives. Psalm 24:1 KJV states: The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world, and they that dwell therein.

God needs you on His management team. He wants to meet with you and share all His plans for you and help you to find purpose in your life. When you surrender every area of your life to God and become His steward or manager, you are allowing God to open a whole realm of peace and blessings. He is willing as the owner of all creation to share what’s His with you with no sorrow. The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and He added no sorrow with it. Proverbs 10:22 KJV

That means you won’t have to stress yourself out, striving for what is already yours in Christ. Take my yoke upon you and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light. Matthew 11: 28-29 KJV

 

How Can You Be a Good Steward?

Surrender is the key

Deuteronomy 30:19

 

Anything you surrender to; you are giving up control and trusting that you will receive a favorable outcome. When we surrender our lives to God, we are trusting God to bless and keep us. At times we can be willful and find it difficult to give our lives over to the Lord. Our egos have a tendency to play tug of war with our decision making. We must take a stand in our choices and do it God’s way. He knows what’s best for us.

I remember my mom told me whenever she would pray, she would give me to God, only to take me back. I admired her honesty, because that’s how we humans are sometimes. In our minds we may feel like if we are in control of it all, nothing unfortunate will happen. In reality we don’t have that kind of power. It’s better to turn everything over to God, instead of trying to control with uncertainty people, places or circumstances. That’s a lot of weight to carry and it will burden you down.

 

 

How to Surrender to God?

 

Here’s a short list that may help you in your quest in surrendering to God:

·        Acknowledge that you don’t have all the answers

·        Pray and ask God to help you to relinquish control

·        Write down everything and everyone you worry about

·         Each day make it a practice to give each person and issue to God

·        Thank God for giving you his peace

 

 

 

 

God is Our Present Help

Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon Him; for He cares for you. I Peter 5:6-7

 

Let’s keep it real. It’s hard to surrender to God. Lord knows I struggle with it all of the time. Isn’t it wonderful that we don’t have to do it on our own? We’re not alone in this folks. God is patiently waiting to take all of your burdens and cares. He doesn’t expect you to give it all to Him overnight, it’s a process of trusting God, giving Him one thing at a time, one day at a time, until it gets easier.

 

 

 

God the Master Collaborator

Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6 KJV

Noone knows you better than the one who created you. We came into this life not by chance, but by the will of God. He wants you here, He needs you here to fulfill what He has called you to be on earth. Noone can help you steward through life like God can. God is a Master Collaborator, and we are called to enter into covenant with Him and to manage our time, talents, and resources that He has entrusted to us. Yes, they are at our disposal, but we can’t adequately manage what the Lord has given us without His help.

To collaborate with God requires humility and a dying to oneself because we tend to take pride in ownership and being the master of our lives. Because He’s given us a free will to do as we please with what He’s given us, some of us abuse that right and as a result, we create situations that can bring dire consequences. But God is so merciful, He will love and nurture us despite our mistakes.

 

 

 

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank you for being so loving and patient toward us. Enable us to be productive colaborers in managing every area of our lives.  Help us to be mindful that being stewards of your grace produces blessings in our lives.

In Jesus Name, Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Laughter is Like Medicine Because Joy is Your Strength

A few weeks ago I went to one of our favorite restaurants to pick up an order. While I was waiting, I noticed that the chalk board where they usually list their daily specials was replaced by a familiar scripture. Nehemiah 8:10b: "For the joy of the Lord is your strength." I immediately thought of this scripture, Proverbs 17:22a, "A merry heart doeth good like medicine." 

I know we haven't had much to laugh about these days, but true laughter comes from a joyful heart, and true joy comes from God. This kind of joy is not dependent upon circumstances, but upon the report of the Lord, which is His Word.

When Was the Last Time You've Experienced Joy?

Joy is much deeper that a feeling, it's an experience that transcends your senses. It comes from deep within through having a relationship with an Eternal God who makes all things possible. That's why  it's a great benefit to walk by faith and not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7  When we see through the lens of faith we are moved by what God said and not what we are seeing with our natural eye. Our senses can play tricks on us and have us thinking the worst, when God has the best ready to manifest in your life. We can't conjure up a feeling of joy, but we can redirect our focus from the circumstances of life to meditate upon God's Word and build our relationship with Him.

The Virtues That Birth Joy

 

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

In Paul's letter to the Philippians, he closes out with this encouragement. Basically he admonished them to have a change of mindset. I call this verse the virtues that birth joy. In order to have a change of mindset, we must redirect our focus from negative outside influences and be intentional and consistent with focusing on:

Truth

Honesty

Purity

Loveliness

Good Report

 The best place to begin our focus is in the Word of God. It is a mind changer. It gives us a fresh new perspective on life. As you meditate on God's beautiful promises and apply it to every area of your life,  not only will you experience joy, but a renewed sense of being. If you make God's Word a daily priority your negative lens will be continuously cleansed by the Word of God. 

 

 Choosing Joy is Choosing Life 

 Maintaining a heart full of joy is a treasure trove of benefits. Experts have documented proof that being happy, which is a byproduct of joy maintains good health and keeps a healthy balance in your emotions and mental state. Couple that with some hearty laughter, it will release endorphins to relieve stress and elevate your mood. Here are some additional tools and strategies to manifest joy in your life.

 

Have a grateful heart

Smile more often, even if you don't feel like it  

Encourage someone in word or deed

Journal

Have a day out with friends

Take a break from the news and social media 

 

 

 Whether you choose one of more of these, or bring your own ideas to the table, you deserve a heart full of joy and laughter. It will change your life. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Immune System The Armed Forces of Our Body

 

 

 

 

 Various countries in our world are blessed to have a strong military presence to protect and defend from enemy attacks. In the same manner, our bodies are armed with an immune system. A healthy, strong immune system is our overall defense from harmful invaders. Without it, our bodily systems will be susceptible to attack. These attacks may be a threat to our survival.

 

Some of these invaders are:

·         Environmental Toxins (Pollution)

·         Bad Bacteria and Viruses (Pathogens)

·         Indoor and Outdoor Allergens

 

Our Immune System serves as a combative force against all that physically ails us. It also has intelligence that recognizes healthy and unhealthy cells and a memory that keeps record of any past attacks.

 

Our Immune System in Action

 

 

Do you remember ever getting a cut that became infected? Or maybe you’ve had a zit or boil and couldn’t resist “the squeeze”. I’m sure you noticed the white pus that oozes out. (My apologies to those who have weak stomachs.) That white stuff is our white blood cell defense going to work to fight the infection and promote healing.  This is an example of Innate Immunity. Innate Immunity is our frontline defense against pathogens. 

Our next level defender is called Adaptive Immunity. This level is developed over time as we are exposed to certain diseases. It seeks out and destroys any pathogen that bypasses our Innate Immunity. Both types of defenses are seek and destroy weapons. This is called the Immune Response. I like to think of the Immune Response as our snipers and sharp shooters against disease.

 

 

Keeping it Strong

Our Immune System is spread strategically throughout our bodies by healthy tissues and lymph nodes. It also has a strong presence in our bone marrow and gastrointestinal tract. A healthy immune system is a proactive, protective guardian of our bodily processes, but in order to keep our immune system functioning optimally, we must take it upon ourselves to do the following things:

 

·         Eat right

·         Exercise

·         Take supplements as needed

·         Drink plenty of water

·         Get plenty of rest and quality sleep

 

 

Now I understand that even in the best scheme of things, life happens, and we can’t always hit the bull’s eye with all of these suggestions.  But don’t worry, if you are doing your best to take care of yourself, your Immune System will still do its job in keeping you protected. As we continue to keep Covid-19 in our awareness, the importance of maintaining a strong immunity is of utmost importance.