Embrace the Within no. 189

“Do not be overcome and conquered by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21). Simple BUT never easy. That is one of my ongoing motto these days. The Word is always simple BUT rarely easy. A lot of the complications come from me making it complicated. I mean there are plenty of things I can blame for making life more complicated BUT ultimately I choose to make life complicated. I choose to adapt to this world a lot more than I should. I choose to be a lot more comfortable than I need. I choose to be a lot more settled than I should. And comfortability leads to a rut and then things get really easy. Then I get settled in my sin and evil and I give it all the power to conquer me.

And that is one reason I started with a routine that sets me up for success daily. Every morning I pour a glass of water. Every morning I take my supplements. Every morning I physically work out. Every morning I spiritually work out by reading The Word and praying. Every morning I mentally work out when I sit here and tap out some thoughts about what I have been reading. Daily routine of goodness to lay the foundation of success.

It wasn’t always like this. I used to wake up to coffee and nicotine. I used to wake up feeling worn down and turned out. I used to wake up already defeated. And those days were a battle to be successful. Setting the tone in the morning has been a crucial part of changing for the better. And I feel that a lot of us don’t give ourselves a fighting chance. I can get so caught up in making myself a physical, mental, and spiritual mess just because a lot of people are a mess too. And misery does love its company. If you don’t believe that, then look at how many folks gather for a fight or to complain and how few are gathered in prayer.

BUT, courage is choosing to change. I need to make a daily decision to work out my faith by choosing to be faithful. I need to daily choose where my faith remains. And I make those choices by my actions. I may not be able to control every thought that forms in my brain, however, I can choose how I act on those thoughts. I am my choices. And I need to choose goodness and righteousness and grace and mercy and peace. My life should be an example of all the fruits of the Ruach HaKodesh, “'. . . love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23 AMP).

I pray that I choose goodness daily. I pray that I set a routine that leads me to be successful in denying myself, taking up His cross, and following obediently. I pray that I make better choices in my actions so that those actions portray the reflection of His Way. I pray that my daily decisions make me a better Ambassador of His Kingdom.

Grace and Shalom to your home.

I love you. I forgive you. Have a blessed and abundant day!

#ThinkBetter #BeBetter #NoKingButChrist #EmbraceTheWithin #NotMyWayYHWH