Christmas — A Time to Receive and Release

Christmas is almost here! Can you "feel it in the air"? The holiday season is special for so many reasons, most of which involve the coming of the Savior and time together with family and friends. In this Christmas UPGRADE, I want to help us focus on two things: Christmas is a time to receive and a time to release.

Christmas Is a Time to RECEIVE.

All throughout the Christmas season we receive gifts—not just on Christmas day.

1. We receive the gifts of Christmas cards.

Yes, they are gifts, reminding us of those we love.

The first Christmas card, according to Smithsonian Magazine, was sent out by a British educator, Sir Henry Cole, who had 1,000 copies of a card printed. The card had an artist's design of a holiday table with family members and smaller images of people helping the poor. It said simply: A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year To You." Unfortunately, the card included young children enjoying what looked to be glasses of wine, and some thought Cole was encouraging underage drinking!

In a time when people were used to writing very long letters at Christmas—which were hard for busy people to find time to read—the innovative "Christmas Card" was considered a time-saver choice.

Cards evolve in the late 1800s, spurred on, in part, by card publishers' contests for new designs. Then Christmas cards became valued collector items. The modern Christmas card industry began in 1915 when three brothers published their card at The Hall Brothers Company, which would change to Hallmark ten years later. (You can read more about the history of Christmas cards here.)

2. We receive gifts from our neighbors.

There are many ways we might interact with neighbors at Christmas. Our neighbors tell us they love the gift of our Christmas display—a large, lighted nativity scene—as they drive up the hill toward our house. I know what they mean. After a tough day, seeing that cheerful display as I come home feels like a gift.

It's been our habit to give Christmas treats to our neighbors every year. It's so fun to see the happy expressions as they receive our gift. But, to our delight, we have received goodies from them as well.

Over the years, the neighborhood Goodies Exchange has cultivated friendships far sweeter than the simple treats we share.

3. We receive the gift of kindness.

(Setting aside the nasty shoving and rudeness of some Christmas shopping experiences), the Christmas season—which begins informally right after Thanksgiving—is typically a time for compassion and kindness.

Once we have received the kindness of God through Jesus (Ephesians 2:7), the grateful overflow of that miraculous gift is giving to others. We give generously and cheerfully because we have received so much from God, and Paul said our kind generosity will again overflow—in "many thanksgivings to God" (2 Corinthians 9:11-12).

There are many creative ways to use our spiritual gifts to offer kindness at Christmas. Our Christmas kindness might manifest itself in serving or helping others, like volunteering at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter.  Or taking time to visit an elderly shut-in, and take them a meal. Or writing to encourage a prisoner who recently received Christ.

It might also show up as we take out our checkbook. Ministries often experience a significant rise in funds from financial gifts during the holidays—and it's not only because of tax-deductions. At Christmas, we remember and support the ministries that we feel are doing God's work in God's ways. And we all have our favorites.

4. We receive the gift of music.

We love the Christmas carolers who stroll through our neighborhood, singing "Angels We Have Heart of High" and "Noel." We can attend church Christmas concerts. And the music channel on our television plays Christmas music 24/7. As I'm wearily typing this late at night, I hear "Jingle Bells" in the background and the peppy tune is a gift that energizes me.

But there's nothing like Christmas hymns. My favorite ends with "O Come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord." Let's be sure in this Christmas season we are offering worship that our Father can receive with joy.

5. We receive the gifts under the tree.

This is, of course, is a given in most homes—even if the number of packages has decreased in a tight economy. You no doubt have memories of your Christmas Eve or Christmas Day time of "unwrapping" gifts (after mom spent hours wrapping them).

The seasons of life may change how our material gift-giving looks, but it's always a joy to think about the recipients and try to find an appropriate gift for each one. Planning time together, creating new memories, is part of this Christmas gift.

6. We receive and remember the most precious gift of Christmas.

We must never forget that Christmas is a celebration of the coming of the Savior—sent as a gift to us (1 John 4:14; John 3:16). He was not simply a babe in a manger. He was God the Son, come to us for a specific purpose and it was Good News! Jesus would die for our sins—taking upon Himself the punishment we deserve—to redeem us from sin, guilt, and death.

The Bible says of Jesus,

He himself bore our sins" in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness (1 Peter 2:24).

That is the most important gift we can receive—a gift that determines our eternal destiny.

Have you heard and received the Good News of God's gift to us? If not, you can read more scriptures about that here.

Christmas Is a Time to RELEASE.

We certainly have many things to receive at Christmas—and you may be able to think of other gifts I've left out. But I also think there are some things we should release.

1. Release the stress that has built up.

I don't know about you, but from mid-Thanksgiving on, my stress level amps up considerably. Scary news on the TV, the crowd-crazed shopping, holiday preparations and decorating, baking . . . you get the idea.

I have to spend extra time with Father God to help me release that stress. The verse I embrace at this time of year is part of Psalm 46:10 that says "Be still and know that I am God.

The Message version sounds like exactly what I (and maybe you?) need:

Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything.

Take some deep breaths, do some simple body stretches—especially your neck and shoulders where stress can take up residence—and release your stress to the Lord, grateful that He can carry every  burden and give peace and stability in the midst of every struggle.

2. Release any ideas of a "perfect" Christmas.

We all desire a Norman Rockwell Christmas, embodied in the happy smiles of his "Merry Christmas, Grandma . . . We Came in Our New Plymouth" painting (1951).

You know what I'm saying, right? Those homey paintings of people celebrating a perfect Christmas without a care in the world are wonderful, but do they match up with our reality?

The only perfection we'll ever know is the Lord (and maybe a family hug). So give up the "perfect Christmas" drama.

While it's true that at Christmas we have many opportunities to create beautiful things and memories, life also goes on—with babies that spit-up on your holiday sweater right before a party, car parts that suddenly break down, a fall that puts you in a healing "boot," a batch of expensive-ingredient cookies that burn in the oven. . . just crazy stuff. Bad stuff.

Not-at-all-perfect stuff.

And that's OK. Life itself is a beautiful thing. Life is to be savored and appreciated every day.

If you don't believe that, ask someone with a newly-diagnosed terminal disease. They would probably tell you something like: "I'm going to cherish every day I have left!" or "Every day above ground is beautiful and blessed."

Take a moment to look around you at your Christmas decorations. Look at photos of loved ones. Think about a Christmas activity you'll be part of this year—even if it's online. Express your profound gratitude to God for all your blessings.

In that moment, Christmas might even FEEL perfect.

Just remember that it's not;

and if you try to create perfection, you might come close,

but as the Amish say, "Only God makes perfect things."

3. Release the memories that haunt you.

We all have memories. Most are good. But the bad ones, the uncomfortable ones—we need to let those go. Christmas is as good a time as any to release memories that haunt and hinder us, and we can do it as we focus on the Savior and what He did for us.

Every shred of guilt and shame needs to be released; and the Bible teaches that we can let them go when we have God's forgiveness in Christ. His sacrifice on the cross completely covers every sin (Matthew 26:28; Ephesians 1:7) and removes our guilt and shame (Romans 8:1).

Logically, we don't need to "forgive ourselves" either, because He has already forgiven us (Ephesians 1:6-8; Psalm 103:12). We simply need to believe and rest in that truth.

Then, though we are positionally forgiven, we need to agree with God about our daily sins (1 John 1:9) and live in that freedom of restored fellowship with Him.

• If sins have piled up, unconfessed to God, it's hard to walk in complete peace.
• Unconfessed sin creates NEW BAD MEMORIES!"
• So keep short "sin accounts" with God, confessing sins as the Holy Spirit brings them to mind.

Maybe we need to release some anger or bitterness by forgiving others (Colossians 3:13). Lounging in the memories of past sins or offenses—by you or against you—will never do you any favors.

A word about our enemy. Satan loves to torture our thoughts about past sins (even though the Christian has been freed from his grasp). My counsel is:

When Satan comes knocking to remind you of sins and pile on guilt, ask Father God to remind him where he's going!

Then rest in the truth that God sees and knows, He forgives with great mercy, and He will make all things right when we see Jesus and live forever with Him.

Another way to release past memories that haunt us is to gratefully use them as teachable moments. Ask God what you can learn from them. Extract the teaching and leave the rest behind.

4. Release the dreams of the past.

This might seem like a strange one. Did you have some big dreams that never panned out? Maybe circumstances kept you from fulfilling your dreams. Or maybe God had bigger things in store for you, but you couldn't see that at the time, so you were disappointed and discouraged.

Maybe it's time to release some old dreams and allow God to create new ones for you.

Some dreams are still worth pursuing, even if they require great persistence. Other dreams may have crumbled or not come to fruition for any number of reasons.

I had many dreams before my diagnosis with multiple myeloma, and I thought I had plenty of time to achieve them. The weakness, infections, and side effects from drugs changed all that.

But I can dream new dreams tailored to my current circumstances—receiving those dreams from God because He knows what I can handle and that I can achieve them with His help.

It's important for believers to have God at the center of our imaginings for new projects and ministry because our lives are His and He desires to work in and through us. As it says in Ephesians 3:20 (NLT):

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

The purpose of Christians is to glorify Father God and enjoy Him now and forever. We set goals that help us do that with wisdom and humility, knowing that "the plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance" (Proverbs 21:5 MSG).

So this Christmas, release old, stale dreams and allow God to give you vibrant new dreams for your growth, other's good, and His glory.

Christmas truly is a good time to RECEIVE the blessings that come our way, but also to RELEASE those things that hinder and stunt our growth or our ability to glorify God in the present.

Christmas Blessings, Friends!

Is there something you need to receive with gratitude? Is there something you need to release—again, with gratitude?

Dawn Wilson, founder and President of Heart Choices Today, is a speaker and author, and the creator the blog, Upgrade with Dawn. She is a regular columnist at Crosswalk.com. She and her husband Bob live in sunny Southern California, and Dawn has traveled with Him in Pacesetter Global Outreach. They have two grown, married sons, three granddaughters and a rascally maltipoo, Roscoe.

Graphic of Christmas gift, courtesy of StockSnap at Pixabay.

Graphic of the first Christmas Card from Smithsonian Magazine, article, "The History of the Christmas Card," Dec. 9, 2015.

Graphic of Norman Rockwell's "Merry Christmas, Grandma," in an article at Laura Jaen Art, "Top 15 Christmas Artworks from Throughout History,"

You Have to Finish to 'Finish Well'!

In this Finishing Well UPGRADE, Dawn examines some of the ways we can obey God to finish well, and also why we may not finish projects or accomplish goals.

Many Christians are familiar with the parable of the talents (bags of gold) in Matthew 25:14-30. Jesus told a story about two faithful servants who were good stewards of what they had been given, increasing their master's wealth. Their master praised them, saying (vv. 21 and 23), "Well done, good and faithful servant."

For many years I've heard sermons and conference messages about how wonderful it will be to hear Jesus say that to believers for their stewardship on earth.

But the thought hit me recently, "You have to actually finish in order to 'finish well.'" I'll address that later in this post.

But first, What hinders us from finishing well?

I think the biggest hindrance to our finishing well is a matter of obedience.

When God makes clear to us a command, a responsibility, or some other point of action, we need to obey. My favorite evangelist, Del Fehsenfeld, Jr., said, "Obedience is doing exactly what God says, when He says it, with a happy face."

Obey completely, immediately, and with the right heart attitude.

So why, when God makes it clear He wants us to do something, do we lag behind—or worse, fail to move into action.

In Psalm 119, chapter one, I see at least three ways we fail in our goal of finishing well.

1. We fail to Submit to God's Word (Psalm 119:1-2a, 4)

The psalmist says,

"Blessed (happy) are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD. Blessed are those who keep his statutes . . . You have laid down precepts that are to fully obeyed."

God gives us commands, instructions, and rules guiding behavior. When we are not diligent to submit God and His Word, it will be harder to and keep His laws, statutes, and precepts—the responsibilities He places upon His people.

We can be in utter rebellion against something we read in the Bible, or subtly resisting it.

The devil doesn't care which it is.

Finishing well requires that we yield to the Word of God, and allow the Holy Spirit to use the Word to teach, guide, and correct us.

2. We Fail to Seek God with Our Whole Heart (Psalm 119:2b)

The psalmist tells readers to seek God "with all their heart," not part of it.

Partial, unenthusiastic love leads to partial, unenthusiastic obedience.

Deuteronomy 6:5 exhorts us to love God with ALL our heart, soul, and strength. No room for half-hearted love there.

Loving God extravagantly is how we obey Him "with a happy face."

Perhaps our lack of genuine love for God comes from not recognizing Him as the "first love" of our lives. We forget what it was like to be a new believer and our pledge to follow Jesus anywhere and obey Him in all things.

Truly loving God motivates us to want to obey Him. 

"Love the LORD your God and keep his requirements, his decrees, his laws and his commands always" (Deuterionomy 11:1).

Finishing well is more than doing all the right things; it is being right with God—in a vital, loving relationship with Him.

3. We Fail to Walk in God's Ways (Psalm 119:3)

The psalmist says of those who are blessed, 

". . . they do no wrong but follow his ways."

Our many sins hinder us from obeying God completely and immediately: selfishness, pride, fear, unbelief, giving in to ungodly peer pressure, love of people rather than God, greed and coventousness, anger, lust, etc.

King Saul disobeyed God because he was "afraid" of what people might say (1 Samuel 15:1-3, 12-29), and it cost him his kingdom. He did not finish well.

Finishing well requires the desire to walk with God in purity, and persistence in keeping short accounts with God concerning our sin.

The Goal is to Obediently, Faithfully Finish!

Certainly God can redirect us to new goals—which might include abandoning old ones.

And some people die before "finishing" their goals; but God weighs our success in terms of obedience and faithfulness to His goals for us.

But here's a practical point to ponder. In a November 22, 2021, motivational podcast "Finish More Goals by Asking 1 Surprising Question," Jon Acuff, author of Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done, said if we are not finishing our goals, we should ask,

"What am I getting out of NOT finishing?"

He explored three possible responses (summarized here):

• By not finishing, we control the outcome.
• By not finishing, we get praise for being a martyr, for being noble.
• By not finishing, we have lowered expectations from others—rather than building up a reputation of faithfulness and success that we have to live up to.

I have seen all three of those responses activated at certain points in my own life. Even worse, sometimes I don't even begin because of fear of failing or fear of others' opinions.

Acuff said,

"If what you gain by not finishing is greater than what you get out of finishing, you'll always be stuck."

If we are going to finish well—especially in the spiritual realm—we need to obediently begin and faithfully finish what God has asked us to do, regardless of our own fears and inadequacies, regardless of others' opinions, and regardless of the consequences.

To summarize, we finish well by loving and submitting to God and His Word, and then walking in His ways—keeping in mind that we can not only hear the Father's "well done," but there are also crowns to be won!

What is keeping you from finishing well? What is keeping you from finishing at all—or even not beginning? What can you do, starting today, to change that?

Dawn Wilson, founder and President of Heart Choices Today, is the creator the blog, Upgrade with Dawn. She works part time at Revive Our Hearts, and is a regular columnist at Crosswalk.com. She and her husband Bob live in sunny Southern California, and they have two grown, married sons, three granddaughters and a rascally maltipoo, Roscoe.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Joshua Hoehne at Unsplash.

Renewing Joy and Vision: A Matter of Decision

Author Dianne Barker is wise and practical. In this Choices UPGRADE, she reminds us that in difficult days, we need to make intentional decisions to be joyful and renew our vision if we want to bring glory to God.

“The science-fiction year 2020 is in the books,” Dianne says, “but pandemic living has robbed us of joy and vision. Have you lost your joy and vision?”

I (Dawn) know what Dianne's talking about. I had a couple of weeks early in 2020 that sent me into an emotional tailspin. Nothing changed until I took my struggle to the Lord (Psalm 42:11). He made the difference in my spiritual and emotional health.

Dianne continues . . .

Life is still unsettled, the future uncertain. If we’re depending on favorable circumstances to renew our joy and vision, we may have a long wait.

Could renewal simply be a matter of decision? Consider this.

I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord (Psalm 116:17).

Did you notice the words I WILL? That’s decision.

Today, whatever the circumstance, I will offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord… and nothing can stop me.

From the phrase sacrifice of thanksgiving, I get the impression that offering thanks is essential, even when life is difficult.

I choose thanksgiving when I don’t feel thankful, presenting my thanksgiving as a sacrifice to the Lord.

When life goes according to plans and expectations, my heart overflows with gratitude and thanksgiving. It’s easy to rejoice and sing praise—the spontaneous response of feeling.

But when I’m derailed by detours and disappointments, can I offer thanksgiving and praise by decision? Yes, because no matter my experience, God is worthy of honor and exaltation.

In Psalm 116, calling on the name of the Lord is a recurring thought.

The writer begins,

I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live (vv. 1-2).

Encountering difficulties, distress, and anguish, the Psalmist called on the name of the Lord (v. 4).

What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord (vv. 12-13).

He repeats his determination to call on the name of the Lord (v. 17) four times in twenty verses.

Calling on the name of the Lord suggests crying out.

Likely you’ve been there.

• Crying out in your pain, fear, or sorrow.
• Crying out when someone you love encounters unspeakable heartbreak.
• Crying out when you’ve lost your joy and vision.

This Psalm gives a precious picture of our Lord.

He heard my voice and my pleas for mercy… he inclined his ear to me.

I see him bending down, giving his full attention to the cry of his hurting child.

One of my favorite Bible-study practices is underlining every reference to “I cry, he hears,” along with the action that follows—what God did in response to the cry for help. The study convinces me our God is not a distant God. He’s personal and a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).

I cry. He hears.

Whatever His response, knowing He’s heard satisfies me. I rest, assured He’s working for my good and His glory.

My friend Freda is a woman of great faith and confident prayer. I’ve shared countless concerns over decades of friendship, knowing she would talk to our Father on my behalf. Always, she comforts my anxious heart, saying, “I can’t wait to see how God works this out!”

Life is still unsettled, the future uncertain.

But we needn’t wait for favorable circumstances to renew our joy and vision. We can begin living by decision!

Choose to:

• Offer to the Lord the sacrifice of thanksgiving.
• Call on the name of the Lord.

All my cares are in the mighty hands of God. And I can’t wait to see how He works things out!

Are you ready to renew your joy and vision?

Dianne Barker is a speaker, radio host, and author of 11 books, including the best-selling Twice Pardoned and award-winning I Don’t Chase the Garbage Truck Down the Street in My Bathrobe Anymore! Organizing for the Maximum Life. She’s a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Christian Authors Network, and Word Weavers International. Visit www.diannebarker.com.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Ben White at Unsplash.

Consider 'IT' All Joy!

When I think of Kolleen Lucariello, I think of the word "joy," so I'm delighted she wrote about it in this Joy UPGRADE, a fresh approach to a verse many Christians need to examine more closely.“Count it all Joy. The words came as a whisper and dropped straight into my heart early one morning as I sat conversing with the Lord,” Kolleen says.

“Well, to be fair, the conversation was more like a complaint session; asking for His intervention for many I know in difficult circumstances.”

I (Dawn) experienced such relief in my spirit as I read Kolleen's article. It gave me a new appreciation for what God is doing in my circumstances.

Kolleen continues . . . 

As I pressed on in prayer, the words whispered again … count it all joy.

I paused to ponder and then noticed there seemed to be an emphasis on the word "it"—almost as if the word had been highlighted and appeared to me as: count IT all joy.

Okay, Lord. You have my attention. It? What exactly are you trying to tell me?

You want me to count the “it” as joy?

I began to review my list:

• COVID-19,
• Cancer,
• Hospitalizations,
• Despair,
• Disruption, and
• Political division and unrest.

I prayed for those suffering from chronic illness, depression, a marriage crisis, financial struggles and great loneliness. The list was long and intense.

“Lord, what if there are too many 'its' to count? It feels insensitive, not to mention nearly impossible to ask for a painful circumstance to be counted as joy.” 

Impossible?

Instantly, that thought flipped right around in my thinking with a reminder that there was a time when:

Jesus looked at them intently and said, "Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible" (Matthew 19:26, NLT).

If God says it is possible, then HOW?

James wrote, Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace] (James 1:2-3 AMP).

In other words:

• “It” is the [name of your trial].
• “It” has a purpose.
• "It" is a test—a test TO our faith that produces endurance IN our faith.
  

The word "testing" comes from the Greek dokimion and is “that by which something is tried or proved” (Strongs Concordance).

Think genuine. Without anything artificial or false.

“The aim of testing is not to destroy or afflict, but to purge and refine.” (Nelson’s NKJV Study Bible)

Could we possibly view our “it” differently simply by changing our perception from, “Why are you doing this to me God?” to “Thank you, God, for this 'it' in my life. Use this trial to purge me of impurities so that my faith can grow and I may become more like Jesus.”

Allowing the testing of our faith to produce patience is what enables us to stand firm under the pressure of “it.” 

Years ago, my sister’s family called Hawaii home while her husband served in the military. We recognized this was a perfect opportunity for our family to experience Hawaii, so we went to visit.

The day we went to Nuuanu Pali State Park, the winds were so intense. They pushed against us in such a fierce way it took effort to take steps forward. We walked pressing forward in such a way that if the wind had suddenly stopped we’d surely have fallen flat on our faces!

I imagine this reflects how we must brace ourselves when we encounter intense testing of our faith.

If we are to remain standing under the pressure of “it,” then we must view the test as a tool God will use to draw us closer to Him and mature our faith.

When we recognize that out of our “it” a deeper, stronger faith was produced, we consider the “it” a joy.  

Upgrades in life happen when we determine to believe the purpose of every trial is AN OPPORTUNITY to press us closer and closer to the heart of our loving Father. 

Unpack the Opportunity

1. Consider—This word means "regard, take into account, reflect on, or suppose."
2. IT—Did you know“it” can be defined as a lifeless thing? How often do we allow trials to overtake us as if they had a life of their own? 
3. Joy—"Joy" is from the Greek chara meaning "the cause or occasion of joy."
   

Suppose you regarded the lifeless trial in your life as an occasion for joy because God used “it” to do what Peter wrote:

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:6-7, NKJV).

In my own strength, I will never believe there is joy to be found in any hardship or test.

However, my reliance on God, my trust in His care, and the overwhelming evidence that He is Sovereign and good, begs me to come to a place of gratitude for every trial that produced a greater faith. 

What is your "IT" today? Can you thank God for it, believing He is working in your life in ways you may not see right now? Can you reframe your "IT" as an opportunity to trust Him?

Kolleen Lucariello, #TheABCGirl, is the author of #beYOU: Change Your Identity One Letter at a Time and is the Co-Director of Activ8Her, Inc. She is passionate to every woman realize her identity in Christ and live accordingly. Kolleen and her hubby, Pat, make their home in Central New York. She’s the mom of three grown children and Mimi to six incredible grands. For more information about Kolleen, visit www.speakkolleen.com.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Timo Volz at Pixabay.

My Wellbeing Upgrade

I've grown to admire Kathy Carlton Willis through the years not only for her professionalism and writing expertise, but also for her authenticity and honest approach to life. In this Health UPGRADE, she invites us to ask questions that can help us be better stewards of our lives.

“This year more than ever, I’m looking for something to change,” Kathy says.

“With so much outside my control, it’s nice to find a few ways I can make a difference, especially starting inside myself.”

I (Dawn) agree with Kathy's approach. It's so easy to make excuses for our lack of progress because of circumstances. But this is not transformative, because God still gives us many choices in our circumstances.   

Kathy continues . . . 

God seems to really be impressing on me to focus on personal stewardship through seeking wellbeing and being well.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying if I do my part that God is going to heal the things outside my control. He does heal, but He often uses us broken.

Regardless, He desires that I take care of the only body, soul and spirit I get on this earth.

I realize some of you have irreversible conditions that will only recover with a God-given miracle. I’m not promising that all your health problems will go away. But we can all experience better wellbeing, and in doing so, we might see an improvement in being well, too!

Oftentimes, it’s a reduced intensity of a physical symptom, or an improved mindset, that gets us through the day.

I believe God wants each of us to do those things within our means to be healthy, such as eating good nutrition and getting exercise. He also wants us to occupy our minds with what is good and virtuous instead of what makes us feel defeated and discouraged.

By taking an active, educated part in our wellbeing, we will show God we’re willing to be responsible to take care of the resources He’s given to us and in us—that’s what personal stewardship is.

At the beginning of 2016 I started a self-improvement program that was so successful I’ve lost and kept off 50 pounds, have gone off of insulin (which doctors said would never happen after being on it so long at such a high dose), and have seen other major health benefits. I still have more weight to lose.

I had a couple years since then with health flares and weight-loss plateaus. Now I’m reevaluating where I’m at, and I wanted to share those questions with you, in case you are working to UPGRADE YOUR WELLBEING this year, too.

Questions I’m asking:

• What does optimal physical health look like for me, even if God doesn’t heal my “chronics”?
• What are “sure things” to help with physical health that are non-negotiables toward physical wellbeing? What have been my excuses for not taking care of these things?
• What are some other ideas that might help with progress?
• What will help me have the “want to”? How can I find joy in it?
• What can I reduce timewise in my schedule to give me more white space and energy to focus on wellbeing?
• What can I do to jumpstart my new dedication?
• What worked before that I can implement again? Why did I stop it? What can I do to make sure I keep with it this time?
• What worked before that I can’t do now? What can I substitute for it?
• What are my challenges to success?
• What would make me feel my best?

Questions to Ask Nightly

Think about your choices.

• How did today’s choices affect my spiritual wellbeing?
• How did today’s choices affect my emotional/psychological wellbeing?
• How did today’s choices affect my physical wellbeing?
• Did I honor and glorify God with my choices?
• Is there something I want to do better next time?
• Is there something I learned from today that will help me moving forward?

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence (2 Peter 1:3 NLT).

We may feel inadequate, unworthy or unprepared, but God will never abandon us where He leads us. His PRESENCE will be with us and His POWER will equip us.

This includes our focus on wellbeing.

God—with His divine power, which is superior to our insufficient human power—has given us everything we need to live a godly life of wellbeing.

What is God leading you to do as you upgrade your wellbeing efforts?

Kathy Carlton Willis is God’s Grin Gal. She writes and speaks with a balance of funny and faith—whimsy and wisdom. Over a thousand of Kathy’s articles have been published and she has several books in her Grin Gal brand. Her most recent book is 7 Trials Every Woman Faces. Kathy is active as a book industry pro, and her coaching group, WordGirls, propels women toward their writing goals. She graduated with honors from Bible College and has served 30+ years in full-time ministry. Check out her Grin & Grow Break video devotions on social media. For more about Kathy, visit www.kathycarltonwillis.com.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Spencer Davis at Unsplash.