Feeling Stuck?

Been feeling like you're not going anywhere?
Not sure of your future?
Nothing going right or according to plan?
Are you lost...confused...and expect a bad outcome?

Well...who isn't? Didn't expect that response did ya?

Don't worry I mean well...

but think about it. You are not the only one who has a time in their life when trials and tests and negative circumstances will cause you to feel stuck. Stuck isn't always a bad state to be in...you just can't stay stuck because that when negativity creeps in and have you thinking all kinds of mess.

When your plans to do this or that doesn't go that way, you stay in place because you can't see or you don't know what to do...or where to go next. It throws you/us off...

I believe it happens to most of us, but then what happens? What are we to do?

For myself, I go to God and ask for clarity and direction. There has been many times in my life I feel like I'm on the go, things are going well, and I'm moving forward. Then something cause me to either takes many steps back or just stops me in my tracks...and I become at a lost of what to do. I get "stuck" and I'm guilty of sometimes choosing to stay stuck and miss out on a lot of things that I could have taken advantage of to help me get out it. I make excuses, instead of actually doing something about it.

When I get ready to feel "un-stuck", I get quiet and reflect on everything up to that point. I think what might have gone wrong, what I did or didn't do, and how can I get going any again. I soon come to realize that God allowed something to "stop" me where I am and He'll be the one to get me going anything in the direction I'm suppose to in. From the start I should have gone to Him and begin the process to be set free!

It doesn't always have to be something negative to cause me or you to feel stuck (we just make it seem or take it that way). Sometimes God just wants you to do something else. Since He is in control and He has a plan, we sometimes need to get reposition or turn to go another way.
God wants to place us in a new place, give us a new tasks, or maybe embark you on a new journey.

We get stuck especially when it is not what we want to do. We don't want to leave someplace, we don't want to go there, and we don't want to do something new. So we just get stuck...rather stay in place than to go on and embrace what's ahead. Sometimes it could be because of fear (of the unknown), worry, or just plain on stubbornness.

You and I have to get out of feeling stuck because it just keeps us there and that doesn't help us move along like God intended. If you trust Him, then take the next step. Go ahead and know what is ahead is meant for your own good, even if you do encounter obstacles along the way. Those are there to help you become stronger and build your character, but ultimately bring you closer to where you NEED to be and to God.

If you feel stuck because you're discontent or unsatisfied about your current state, I say you still need to be faithful and committed to completing the task(s) at hand until God says otherwise. Don't try to move along with out Him. Don't just quit either.

So next time you feel "stuck", sit down, pray, and listen. You'll either have to wait for an answer to where to go or what to do next or get going right away and wait on the rest of the instructions to be revealed to you. Still do what you have been called to do, unless God says to stop then, but don't just give up or drop everything unless that is apart of the plan.

You don't have to keep feeling stuck...you can be set free!

Making Assumptions

A friend gave me the suggestion to talk about making assumptions. 

Webster dictionary defines assumed as: "to think that something is true or probably true without knowing that it is true"


I will be upfront and honest to say that I have made assumptions. I've learned the hard way to be more careful about what I thought I believe to be true without finding out if it was or not.

Although, it is wrong to assume? What happens if I'm right...or wrong with my assumptions?

Personally I think assumptions are usually based on how someone is FEELING about something or someone without actually thinking it through, which can sometimes lead to issues. This may not be the case all the time, but for some it is.


I used to make assumptions based of what I may have heard or thought without prior knowledge about a person or situation. Can you assume someone is a certain way by how they look/act? Sometimes and you might be right about him or her. Although other times it can be taken too far because without gaining more information or facts, your leading yourself to believe something to be truth without validation.

Now I do my best to not assume something and run with it. I believe it is best to ask questions about what you're assuming, so you don't cause an misunderstanding. Everything seen on the outside doesn't always reveal what is going on inside. Let me reiterate that sometimes you can assume based off what you may see or hear, but I do warn that you must be careful and be ready to back up your assumption of things. If you believe what your assuming to be true, you better have proof.

Usually when making an assumptions, it is done after a period of getting to know more about something or someone and /or have seen a pattern related to either that leads you to assume what you think.

If you're right in what you assume, especially about a person, I say it is important to still deal with it appropriately.  Let's said you assume a someone to be a thief, liar, mean, etc and that person is really that way. Well what can you do (if you should be dealing with it) to help that person not be that way? Maybe address it what that person? Ask how you can help that person (if  he or she wants help)? There are probably a number of ways to go about it,  but make sure to not make things complicated. If you're right, don't brag about it. If it is true, well alright, you know what you believe was true and can now proceed with what need to be done or dealt with.


Now let's say what you assumed was wrong! Oh no! Well don't worry to much, unless you started to cause trouble or any issues with your assumption. Then you need to fix it right away. First I would ask for forgiveness if you were wrong, especially if others found out. *You already know that when you assume, you end up telling someone else what you think, which most likely lead to gossip or some kind of misunderstanding* If you assumed something wrong about a person, even if he or she didn't/doesn't know, if it is necessary, admit that you were under the wrong impression. You may have believe what someone else has told you or you simply just didn't care to find out more yourself. Sometimes people don't know they come across a certain way, then we can sometimes assume they are that way and addressing it can help make things less awkward or complicated. We've all assume something (usually bad) about someone and sometimes we assume wrong. Deal with it and move on.

So making assumptions can be a fight starter, cause issues, and get you into trouble sometimes. Assumptions could keep you out of those things as well. Just use wisdom. We're human though, so it is easy to think something is truth based off of little to no prior give info or knowledge. Assumptions can lead you all over the place, so know about what you're assuming. Be careful. You can assume someone is a thief if they steal in front of you. You can't assume someone is Christian just because they go to church. You could assume you might drown if you can't swim. You can't assume that someone is your friend if he or she is disrespecting you.

Make sure first!
Get me? I hope so.

Story of My Life (Day 19 of Thanksgiving)

The story of my life will have joy and sadness, good times and difficult ones too, but at the end of each chapter there's victory in Jesus. You'll see my journey from girl to woman, maturing and learning from life's experiences. The love of my life will be one of the best highlights of it. People will have come and go and very few true friends will have remained. Then other key events will have taken place and...
With God being the author of my life, I know the story will end with me being with Him. -CBT

Just thinking about how people when people look at my life I hope they really do see a sweet spirited woman, who is living for God and working hard to achieve her goals. I want to inspire, encourage, and lead by example. Of course I'm not perfect and don't have all the answers, but I can't help being empathic and wanting the best for everyone. Sometimes some don't see it that way.

My actions toward other people are not always reciprocated. They treat me...differently, but I'm used to it now. I'm different and not always understood because I don't do what everyone else does. I express how I feel and that's not always accepted. I don't always agree with them and that causes issues. So this has caused people to distant themselves from me or leave my life completely. Was I at fault at all, to some extent yes, I had my faults, but I'm all about reconciliation and sometimes that doesn't happen.

I care a lot about how people see me, but it doesn't worry me as much anymore. I'm a child of the King, always learning and getting back up when I fall down. If I am to be judge, it is to be by God's standards, not man's. Not everyone will like. Not everyone will be my friend. Although I have God, who has placed people in my life that will always love me for me.

Here's what I'm thankful for today: God being the author of my life. He is the best writer obviously, so I have nothing to worry about. However He chooses to have my life to go, I know it is for my benefit and His glory!

Dealing with Struggle

What do you do when you're having an struggle? Your mind is all over the place. You can't focus. You can't eat or sleep. You are having such a hard time figuring out what's going on around and with you.
We all have those times when it feels like the weight of so much is on our shoulders. You try to smile even though you're discourage/depressed. It just doesn't make sense why you feel the way you do.
What do you do?

Well, first do a self examination. Sometimes you can get too caught up in yourself and everything is about you.You're feeling some type of way, but you're not trying to do much about it. People should be coming to your rescue and comforting you. If you're being prideful or selfish, you won't come out of struggle easily.
On the other hand, life does hit hard sometimes and shakes you up a bit so then all you can think about is how it's affecting you. In this case, you do need think how you're going to take care of yourself, but also rely on God help you do so.

The next step is to pray, which may actually go along with the self examination. Pray that God reveals your heart, reveals what is going on. You're confused, lost, and need some kind of clarification or answers in your life. You may not get understanding right away, but prayer can lead to some peace of mind if you believe and trust that God will help you endure what you're struggling with.

Another way to get through your struggle is to read the Word (the Bible). By reading it, you will answers and guidance. Read, meditate, and apply it and you're on your way to being ok.

I really don't have all the answers, but this can get your starting on dealing with that struggle you may be having right now.

Remember, God won't give you too much to handle and there is always something to take away and learn from your struggle(s). Stay faithful! Be Strong! Hold On! Don't worry! Trust God...COMPLETELY!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySkca7UtnZA&feature=share

Selfishness

So I talked about love...let's talk about being selfish.
Have you ever thought of yourself being...selfish?

Well if you only care about yourself more than others, avoid doing things for others, think about what's best for you...

I think you get where I'm going here.
If it's about about you, your problems, your opinion, your time, and so then you are or have been selfish.
I'm not trying to say don't think about yourself. You should and make sure that you're taking care of yourself.

Although...are there times that you feel like you're the only one struggling and/or dealing with a difficult situation and you want someone to have pity on you?
Or do encounter people you choose not to interact with for the simple fact their "different", "weird", or just not like you? Both situations make you selfish as well.

Why are we so selfish? Well it is apart of our sinful nature. We like to think about ourselves and have no consideration or compassion for others. Hence, why selfishness is the opposite of love. Love is about caring, being kind, patient, etc, while selfishness is being prideful, hurtful, inconsiderate, etc.
It's so easy to think about our needs, times, and likes.

It doesn't matter if someone else who is in pain needs my comfort because I'm hurt too, so someone should come comfort me!
I can do whatever I want and it doesn't effect anyone. I don't have to care if does affect anyone else or not. It's not their business/problem.
I don't want to talk to him/her because he/she is not like me. I don't talk to those who creep me out or just seem different. I don't want to be bothered.
I could on, but you know what I'm talking about, so now what?
What are you going to do so you're so so selfish? Again it is so easy to think about you and your circumstances, there's no need or time to think about anything/one else. You don't care because it's all about you.

If you're a follower of Christ, He(God) has called you to be better than that and it is all throughout His Word! Start taking the time to think about the someone else. Think about how you can used in another person's life. You may find that be helping someone else out, your own issues get resolved.Also think about the things you do that could affect others. When you sin that doesn't just affect you, but all those you are around.

Pray to the Lord about helping you not focus so much on yourself in a way that causes you to shut out other people and make you further away from His presence. Start praying for others and not always about yourself. Put the needs of others before yours.

You can do it. Start to love!

Philippians 2:3 

Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

James 3:14-16 

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice

Proverbs 18:1 

Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.

Art Revelations

My art classes this semester have helped me really evaluate myself as an artist. As with any other artists, I have my own style, outlook, perspective, etc...
I really love and enjoy what I do. I really can't see my self doing anything else but art. I love to draw, paint, design, take/edit photos, sculpt, and so on. I praise God for blessing me to be an artist. I get to express myself in ways I can't say in words. I am allowing to "bring to life" what I or other people want to convey through artwork.

Even though right now my primary focus is graphic design, I think it is still important for me to stay active in the fine arts. I still need to sketch/draw out my concepts. When I paint, I get a better perspective about colors. I could go on...

Anyway, I can't wait to see where God will place me in the art world. I know I have a spot there and when the time is right, I'll be ready to make my mark and SHINE!!!

By the way please check out my website www.CharmsArtisticExpressions.webs.com