January 21, 2010
Making Life Work! --Issue #010
January 21, 2010
Successful Christian Living brings you monthly information, advice and resources for living a Christ-centered life in every area.
If you like this e-zine, please feel free to pass it on.
If a friend did forward this to you and if you like what you read, please subscribe by visiting the main web site.
A Quick Focus to get your started, then:
1) Setting Boundaries
2) Sometimes it’s easy to forget who you are
3) Declutter
A Quick Focus
No matter how your day has gone so far, no matter how hectic it is, no matter your state of mind right now - Christ is with you.I invite you to close your eyes for just a few seconds. During that time just allow yourself to know that He is present with you. Let yourself know that He loves you, is there with you because He wants to be, and that He has a plan for not only this day but all your days.
If you find something in the way then clear it up with Him right now. If that leaves no time to read the rest of this then don't read it. Your relationship with Christ is THE most important thing in your life.
When you feel at peace - not that everything in your life is perfect - just that you know He is with you, then I invite you now to the rest of the ezine.
Setting Boundaries
The foundation of every healthy relationship is good boundaries. They define who you are, what is yours, what you will tolerate and what you won’t. These boundaries set you apart from everyone else – even your deepest relationships.
In essence, a boundary states that you are an individual and not an extension of someone else. You own your own likes and dislikes and have the right to determine what your life will include or not include.
In every dysfunctional relationship boundaries are not respected and torn down. The other person claims a right to you and your choices. They demand that you think, feel or act as they determine and do not see you as having the right to make your own preferences and limits.
Beginning to set boundaries and reclaim your life starts with reviewing your circumstances. Where are you giving in and giving up for another in an unhealthy way? How is another not respecting what you want? Why have you lost your voice? Spend time with Christ and let Him help you see where you have made someone else god of your life.
When you have taken this inventory you can pick a few areas to begin setting a boundary. Expect resistance but know that you have the right to be you. Remember that every time you allow a violation of your boundaries you give the person the go ahead to walk all over you.
Build good, healthy, godly boundaries and have relationships that are healthy and godly too.
Sometimes it’s easy to forget who you are
You are a new creation. So what? Well, you have an entirely new identity. You are not a sinner saved by grace, as I so often hear Christians say, you are a saint that sometimes chooses to sin. Do you see the difference?
Saying that you are a sinner is an identity statement. If that is who you believe you are but want to be better than you will spend your life trying not to do this or trying to do that. This is called living under the law. But we are saved by grace not the law. The law shows us that we can’t become holy by our own efforts and proves we need a Savior.
Saying that you are a saint (a holy one) is also a statement of identity. Paul did not write to the “sinners” at Ephesus or Corinth but to the holy ones (saints). Seeing yourself as one who is beloved, chosen, holy, forgiven – a saint - changes everything. Now, life is not about controlling your flesh but about being who you truly are. Paul talks about this in the book of Galatians.
He says that if you do the things of the Spirit you won’t do the things of the flesh. In other words, if you focus on the Lord and living with Him then you won’t be in the same neighborhood with the sin you could do.
You are a new creation in Christ. You are a saint not a sinner. God does not look at you and see your sin, He sees you covered in the righteousness of Christ, He sees you as holy. Hold your head up and be who you truly are by spending your life with the One who loves you. Your behavior will begin to match your identity as you do.
Declutter
Clutter sucks the life out of you. Lack of organization brings stress to your soul. There is only one way to fix this – declutter and get organized.
You may look around your home and office and be overwhelmed. Not to worry. You can eat this elephant one bite at a time.
Get a timer, set it for 15 minutes, pick an area and go – declutter and organize. When the timer stops you are done for now. Most of us can find this little bit of time and usually can find it several times a day. That means if you did this three times each day in one week you will have spent 5.25 hours decluttering. What could you accomplish in that amount of time each week?
As you regain some order you will gain a place of peace. Now, I’m not talking about perfection here, just a lack of clutter as you look around. Our God is a God of order and peace and when our homes and work reflect this then that peace becomes part of our daily world. With peace we can more readily feel His presence, hear His voice and find that calm in the storm of life. Now, He can begin to bring peace to our thoughts and emotions give us direction and encouragement.
Declutter, get organized and find more space for God in your life.