Category Archives: Reflections

Thankful Moments: Seven Things in Life to be Grateful for

Posted on by yolandaberry
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cup of coffee in autumn reading book
Photo Credit: RoonzNL Pixabay

In this fast-paced lifestyle of juggling so many responsibilities and daily tasks, it’s easy to rush through life without noticing the small blessings that we take for granted. When we take a moment to pause, we can reflect and capture unlimited opportunities of gratitude.

women laughing with camera and photo
Photo Credit: Yaroslav Shuraev Pixabay

-One-

Connection with Others

Whether it’s talking long hours on the phone with a friend, support of a mentor or a hug from a loved one, relationships enrich our lives. When we surround ourselves with supportive, healthy relationships it reminds us of the importance of love, compassion, empathy and understanding.

-Two-

Health and Well-being

Health is a treasured gift that is often overlooked until we are faced with physical pain or illness. The ability to wake up each day with energy, strength and vitality makes us look at life from a positive perspective and with a deeper appreciation.

woman in bed

-Three-

Discovering, Exploring, Learning and Growing

man studying with book
Photo Credit: Cottonbro Studio Pexels

Learning never ends as we age. Life is a continuous journey of discovering, exploring, researching, learning, and growing. Life can be our best teacher. Whether a formal education, self-taught, personal experiences or challenges which push us out of our comfort zones, each lesson shapes and molds us into who we are. We are not defined by our circumstances or situations, but we should be grateful for the lessons that will shift our mindset and provide a sense of accomplishment.

mountains and ocean, nature
Photo Credit: Simon Berger Pixabay

-Four-

Embracing the Beauty of Nature

Nature is awe-inspiring. From the white, crescent waves crashing upon rocks to sun-kissed sunsets or early morning sun rises to the solitude and serenity of a walk through a cluster of welcoming autumn leaves crunching under your feet, we can embrace every aspect of God’s creation.

woman boots standing on leaves
Photo Credit: Cori Emmalee Rodiquez Pixabay

-Five-

Random Acts of Kindness

It always feels good to extend kindness to others. It’s also special when others extend kindness unexpectedly. Spreading positivity, compassion, empathy, and a helping hand provides a sense of community and changes the hearts of others. Never underestimate how your behavior can impact and empower others.

baking muffins
Photo Credit: Jeshoots Pixabay

-Six-

woman crying laughing expressing emotions
Photo Credit: Liza Summer Pixabay

Overcoming Challenges

Life will always present overwhelming challenges, obstacles, and struggles. It’s how we react and respond to life’s difficulties that will change our perspectives. When we look back on everything we have overcome, it can provide a strong sense of achievement and gratitude. It demonstrates our resilience, perseverance, and personal and spiritual growth in the face of adversity. Our faith becomes even stronger and our sense of thankfulness to the Lord grows even deeper. We our strengthen from our experiences as we navigate through life’s unknown and unexpected pathway.

woman praying
Photo Credit: Dee Dee51 Pixabay

-Seven-

Relationship with God

Through every moment, the Lord has been the guiding force of protection, grace, mercy, and unconditional love. The intimate moments of prayer, bible study, worship and mediation has provided peace, strength, endurance, provision, and safety during life’s highs and lows. When we dedicate devotional time and honor God with our lives, we will experience a sense of fulfillment that the world cannot provide. It’s the foundation of where a grateful heart resides and where love overflows.

In a world that often emphasizes and indulges in seeking more, taking the time to reflect on our most thankful moments can bring a shift in our perception and perspective. It leads to a sense of contentment. As we express gratitude from our memories of the past, let us carry a fresh mindset into the future, treasuring each moment and finding joy in the little things in life yet profound aspects of life’s journey.

May you have a blessed and joyful Thanksgiving!

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Moments of Mediation and Daily Devotion

Phil 4:11

11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

Psalm 107:1
Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.

Psalm 7:17

I will praise the Lord according to His righteousness,
And will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.

I Thess 5:18

in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Phil 4:6

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

Col 3:15

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

Col 4:2

Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;

Psalm 69:30

I will praise the name of God with a song,
And will magnify Him with thanksgiving

Psalm 111

I will praise the Lord with my whole heart,
In the assembly of the upright and in the congregation.

2 The works of the Lord are great,
Studied by all who have pleasure in them.
3 His work is honorable and glorious,
And His righteousness endures forever.
4 He has made His wonderful works to be remembered;
The Lord is gracious and full of compassion.
5 He has given food to those who fear Him;
He will ever be mindful of His covenant.
6 He has declared to His people the power of His works,
In giving them the [b]heritage of the nations.

7 The works of His hands are verity[c] and justice;
All His precepts are sure.
8 They stand fast forever and ever,
And are done in truth and uprightness.
9 He has sent redemption to His people;
He has commanded His covenant forever:
Holy and awesome is His name.

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
A good understanding have all those who do His commandments.
His praise endures forever.

Psalm 100:1-5

I will praise the Lord with my whole heart,
In the assembly of the upright and in the congregation.

2 The works of the Lord are great,
Studied by all who have pleasure in them.
3 His work is honorable and glorious,
And His righteousness endures forever.
4 He has made His wonderful works to be remembered;
The Lord is gracious and full of compassion.
5 He has given food to those who fear Him;
He will ever be mindful of His covenant.
6 He has declared to His people the power of His works,
In giving them the [b]heritage of the nations.

7 The works of His hands are verity[c] and justice;
All His precepts are sure.
8 They stand fast forever and ever,
And are done in truth and uprightness.
9 He has sent redemption to His people;
He has commanded His covenant forever:
Holy and awesome is His name.

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
A good understanding have all those who do His commandments.
His praise endures forever.

Psalm 30

I will extol You, O Lord, for You have lifted me up,
And have not let my foes rejoice over me.
2 O Lord my God, I cried out to You,
And You healed me.
3 O Lord, You brought my soul up from the grave;
You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.

4 Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His,
And give thanks at the remembrance of [b]His holy name.
5 For His anger is but for a moment,
His favor is for life;
Weeping may endure for a night,
But joy comes in the morning.

6 Now in my prosperity I said,
“I shall never be moved.”
7 Lord, by Your favor You have made my mountain stand strong;
You hid Your face, and I was troubled.

8 I cried out to You, O Lord.
And to the Lord I made supplication:
9 “What profit is there in my blood,
When I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise You?
Will it declare Your truth?
10 Hear, O Lord, and have mercy on me;
Lord, be my helper!”

11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing.
You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,
12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.

Navigating the Twist and Turns of Life’s Unpredictable Moments

Posted on by yolandaberry
1

A few weeks ago, I was crossing the street and my hairbrush fell out of my bag and landed in the middle of the street. I crossed the street just in case a car was coming and then I went to pick up my brush after the last car passed. When I stooped down to pick it up, I lost my balance and fell backwards and landed straight on my back – staring straight up at the sky. It happened so fast that I didn’t even realize what happened.

It took me a minute to gather my thoughts and then I realized I was lying in the middle of the street and had to get up! I looked to the left and a car was further down directly coming towards me. I had a difficult time getting up and realized I had to get both of my bags that was lying in the street. Fortunately, nothing dropped out of my bags which was overflowing with my personal belongings. Although, I hurt my lower back, it could have ended much worse.

Another mishap I had a few months ago, still has me wondering how it happened. I was waiting for the bus in the rain holding my umbrella. Due to damaging winds, my umbrella had a few broken spokes. As I prepared to close the umbrella to get on the bus, my hair got caught in the metal spoke and I couldn’t loose my hair from the umbrella! I started to laugh nervously even though it wasn’t so funny. I got on the bus with the umbrella open as I was bent down trying to loose my hair. I screamed out, “HELP ME, I’M STUCK!” The passengers on the bus just looked at me while I began to laugh as the umbrella spread wide rolling droplets of water in the aisle. I said, “This could only happen to me!” The driver was smiling as a passenger helped me untangle my hair from the umbrella. My hair was tightly coiled within the spoke of the umbrella and it took a few minutes for the passenger to untangle my hair. It was a moment in time that I will never forget.

sidewalk

The last unexpected incident happened when I was walking down the street. I decided to take a shortcut through the grass. Suddenly, I dropped down so fast I thought I was falling into a sinkhole. I screamed so loud as I fell forward, and my bags flung out from the sides of me. I had fallen into a ditch which was the depth the height of my kneecaps. The ditch was covered with grass. I climbed up out of the ditch and shook the dirt off my pants. I was left feeling astonished and a bit irritated. Although these are little, minor mishaps that could have ended badly, when you encounter unexpected occurrences in life, it can throw you a curve ball.

Life is a journey filled with ups and downs, twist and turns and unexpected incidents. These incidents range from minor inconveniences to life-changing events which can catch us off guard. How you respond to life-altering events affects your well-being.

How to Deal with Unexpected Occurrences and Turn Them into Opportunities for Personal Growth and Resilience

Stay Calm and Assess the Situation

It’s important to remain calm because panic and stress will cloud your judgement. Try to evaluate the situation and determine the resolution of the situation. Clear thinking will help you understand the next steps going forward.

Be still and know that I am God.

Psalm 46:10

Embrace Your Emotions

Allow yourself to feel your emotional response when encountering an unexpected incident. You need time to process your emotions. Don’t judge yourself for your initial reactions.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Phil 4:6-7

Seek Support

Talk with someone you trust who can share a different perspective and offer emotional support and comfort.

A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will ]attain wise counsel.

Prov 1:5

Be Adaptable to Change

Being flexible is so vital to dealing with life-changing events or occurrences. No matter how hard we plan, life can shift in unexpected ways.  You should be pliable and open to shift accordingly to change. Sometimes, you will need to change or adjust your schedule, goals, and expectations. Sometimes, new opportunities are hidden in uncomfortable situations and unexpected setbacks. Although you must be adaptable to change, the Lord does not change. He is our hope in times of difficulties.

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my [a]strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the [b]horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:2

Psalm 18:2

Develop a Plan

Identify a solution and multiple options by weighing the advantages and disadvantages of your plan. Remember, do not be hard on yourself if you must try several options before finding the right solution. There is a lesson in every decision and it’s a valid part of the personal growth and self-development process.

“Write the vision
And make it plain on tablets,
That he may run who reads it.
3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time;
But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.
Though it tarries, wait for it;
Because it will surely come,
It will not tarry.

Hab 2:2-3

Take Note of the Lessons Learned

Reflect on the experiences and what you’ve learned. These lessons can help you become more resilient and better prepared for uncertainty and unexpected incidents.

Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

1 Peter 5:7-8

Maintain a Healthy Routine

When dealing with overwhelming life occurrences, your health is priority to combatting stress levels. Engage in activities that keep you motivated and relaxed. Take care of your body by eating healthy meals, getting enough rest and scheduling regular exercise into your daily routine. You can never be fully prepared to the unexpected occurrences that life can bring but you can build resilience to face life’s uncertainties.

My son, give attention to my words;
Incline your ear to my sayings.
21 Do not let them depart from your eyes;
Keep them in the midst of your heart;
22 For they are life to those who find them,
And health to all their flesh.

Prov 4:20-22

Do you react or respond to life’s circumstances or unpredictable situations? How you handle your emotions in any given situation can be crucial to the next steps or next season in your life. Let the Lord lead you in wisdom as you take two steps back. Pause for a moment. Exhale and move forward. You got this!

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How to Trust God in Difficult Times

Posted on by yolandaberry
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“Blessed is the man that trusts in the Lord and whose hope is in the Lord.”  Jeremiah 17:7

 As we entered 2014, we also entered into one of the coldest weather conditions in U.S. history. Meteorologist explained this strange weather patterns as, “The Polar Vortex.”

It’s a very thought-provoking term, “Vortex” which is defined as a “Whirlwind” which includes a second definition meaning, “A condition that you can’t get out of.”

depressed man

Have you ever been in a situation or circumstance that you just don’t know how to escape? It’s like you’re wrapped in a spider’s web of confusion, fear, despair, isolation, discouragement,  hopelessness, depression, frustration, pain, or worry. You don’t have the answers and the future looks bleak. You have tried to consult friends, family possibly even professionals with no resolve.

It’s very hard to trust the Lord when you’re life has flipped upside down and turned inside out. It’s even harder if you don’t know God,  his promises, or His character. “That I may know Him, and the  power of his resurrection” Philippians 3:10

Your life may have exploded and you’re left to pick up the pieces. When facing challenges, it’s hard to focus on the positive or have an optimistic attitude. I’m not going to lie but it’s a struggle we all face. The only difference is those who have experienced the Lord and those who have not. People tend to believe in coincidences, luck, or happenstance without acknowledging the spiritual forces at work in their lives. We are living in very dangerous times in which it will require the power of God to overcome problems, situations, and circumstances.

praying hands

You may not feel like God is listening to your prayers but God is working behind the scenes. You may not understand why it is taking so long for your prayers to be answered but God is not under our time table or calendar. He is working things out according to His will and plan for your life. You were designed for a special purpose. The Lord wants a relationship with you not just sudden requests when things go wrong in your life. “And we know that all things work together for good to them  that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

The Lord allows certain things to happen in our lives to prepare us and shape us for His purpose. Of course, not all of the things we experience is God’s will, but He will turn things around for our good.  We must develop faith and patience in prayer and our daily lives. “That you be not slothful, but f    followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. And so, after he had  patiently endured, he obtained the promise.” Heb 6:12, 15

Back to the “Polar Vortex,” The snowstorms have caused major disasters, increased depression, stress, isolation, and unfortunately roadside deaths.

All activity was frozen for a period of time. People were either stuck in their homes or on the roads. Somehow, I feel God was slowing us down so we would do absolutely nothing so He could get our attention! We were stuck, isolated, and frustrated! But, we still did not pay attention. It was time to yield and cease all activity. However, we continued to go about our business and let the weather stress us out.

Once we release the stress of dealing with cold, miserable weather and other things that we can’t control, we will free ourselves of things that we simply can’t change. By coming to this acceptance, we enter into peace. In the process, seasons change, and flowers bloom. It’s through this process, we gradually come through whatever storm we may be dealing with in life. Unfortunately, the whole process may be postponed, delayed, or slowed down. Although it may be an inconvenience or an uncomfortable situation, we will get through it and obtain victory in the end.