FLOUNDERING FORTITUDE!

STRENGTH diminishing! Why? What's the Source.....other than age or too much "me"?

Is it discouragement? Disappointment? Depression? Disease? Irritable-heart 

syndrome? 

Acceptance is the key.

This morning, the mirror on my chest clearly reminded me. "In my Face!"

Then, Scotty Smith's words for today re-emphasized the truth God already had  for me.

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

Two “I Am’s” + Three “I Will’s” = Deep Peace

S. T. R. E. N. G. T. H.

S.

T.

R.

E.

N.

G.

H.

T.

In order to follow my newest medical protocol of keeping physically active and intellectually challenged, I will be working on an acrostic for S.T.R.E.N.G.T.H. A spiritually inclined acrostic. 

STRENGTH being our Women's Ministry word for next year is spot-on...as is the verse, Psalm 59:16.

 I shall sing of Your strength; I will sing of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress. 

If anyone has some strength verses or strength acrostics to share I would appreciate the info.

*Crickett, our Women's Ministry director, used S.T.R.E.N.G.T.H. to show the attributes of God.
S tronghold
T trustworthy
R efuge
E verlasting
N ourishment
G ood
T triumphant
H elp

CHOOSE: UPWARD SPIRAL

Noticing this downward spiral stair case inside the new Church Health Center at the Crosstown Concourse started me thinking.

In my thinking, spiraling usually has a downward connotation.
In one's thought life, is it just as easy for something to spiral upward?

I assume bad choices and stressors in life can have tremendous negative impact---a downward spiral of sorts. But....can there be a positive spiral, one with an upward motion?

Recent marginalia sent me on this pursuit of understanding positive and negative emotions. Are there benefits to both?

Negative emotions can help us survive. Positive emotions help us thrive.

If a downward spiral is a metaphor for deterioration (negative) then upward spiral must be a metaphor for growth. (positive) Yet, both have momentum. 

For sure, too much of any spiral can be dizzying. Upward spiral is directed towards a higher place. But what happens if a downward spiral in one's  thought life has them bottoming out emotionally? Physically? Spiritually?

Can a successful turnaround occur just by choosing the "thought" direction of one's spiral? 

According to Rosabeth Moss Kanter’s book, Confidence, an upward spiral focuses with confidence. Certain resources that accompany this confidence could be trust, accountability, knowledge, or any asset that helps a business, community or individual thrive.

If so, I choose today to think on and "thrive" with an upward spiral focus.

STRENGTH FOR THE WEARY

3/28/11 GLUED TO THE BED. That’s what my body has felt like these last few days. I’ve reset my alarm from 4:14 to 4:24 and now tomorrow it might well be 4:34. (I know the numbers are odd. Remember, I’m time compulsive.)

I’ve slept a lot in the car while sweet hubby drives Miss Dotsy. Friday night I tried to stretch out on the hospital bed in room 2019B. No rest there, I set off an “escape” alarm that was set for Daddy. Saturday I even slept on the workout platform in the therapy gym on the 2^nd floor at the Vandy Rehab Hospital. I just can’t seem to get my “energy” legs back.

God had answered my Job 4:4 prayer for Daddy that the Lord might “help(ed) the tottering to stand, And….strengthen(ed) feeble knees.” I’ve even prayed for His strength and might and praised Him to others for His provision. Yet, here I was battling fatigue again this morning. So………..more strength verses (KJV) for meditation. Hope you join me whether you need emotional or physical strength or you are praising Him for the strength He has already provided.

Psalm 31:24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

Psalm 59:16 But as for me, I shall sing of Your strength; Yes, I shall joyfully sing of Your lovingkindness in the morning, For You have been my stronghold And a refuge in the day of my distress.

Psalm 71:9 Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.

Psalm 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Isaiah 57:10 "You were tired out by the length of your road, Yet you did not say, ' It is hopeless.' You found renewed strength, Therefore you did not faint.