I Don't Like Being Squeezed!

As I begin this journey into the unknown of cancer treatment, I'm finding things I don't like. I don't like feeling so tired and lifeless. I don't like wondering how the next round of chemo will affect me differently. But, what I'm really learning is that I don't like being squeezed!

I recently read that just as there is a condition known as "post-traumatic stress", researchers are now talking about "post-traumatic growth." One line of thinking is that adversity can lead to growth. Another is that the highest levels of growth cannot be achieved without adversity.

But adversity doesn't automatically bring growth. Much of the outcome depends on how you respond to adversity. Just as you find out what's inside a tube of toothpaste when it gets squeezed, adversity reveals what you're made of. Sometimes we say, "I could never go through what that person went through." Then we go through it and realize - our heart keeps beating and our world goes on.

You don't know what you're capable of until you have to cope.

As I continue to be squeezed, I pray what comes out will be an encouragement to others. A message of hope that good and growth can come from adversity. A realization that rising to a challenge reveals hidden strengths within us that otherwise would have remained dormant.

More importantly though is that I, along with others being squeezed, recognize that the key to post-traumatic growth is in seeing God in all things, drawing close to Him when we can't understand the situation, and knowing He only has our best interests at heart.

"Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity....No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us."
(Romans 3: 35a,38)

My Prayer Was a Hazard to My Health!

Have you ever prayed for something, then wished you hadn't? I recently read (and highly recommend) The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson. It opened my eyes to the purpose and power of prayer. I came to realize (what I already knew in my heart) that I was tired of being a witness to other people's "only God" experiences. I wanted my own. I wanted to know that God was willing and able to prove Himself real in my own life. I wanted to experience my own miracles. So I prayed a dangerous prayer....


I prayed that God would do whatever He needed to do in my life in order for me to see... That He was real. That He was in control. Specific things He wanted me to know about Him. Things that needed to change in order for our relationship to be stronger. Things I needed to let go of. That He held my future in His hands. A "God only" experience that couldn't be explained by coincidence and that would ultimately bring Him glory.

On June 18, 2013 I was diaganosed with Stage 2 Breast Cancer. My dangerous prayer had been answered. My response was not "Why me?" but "This is really going to mess up my plans for the next six months!" Then I remembered what I had prayed. I realized this was God's way of getting me to let go of my plans and follow His. This journey is just beginning for me. I had surgery on July 1 to remove the cancerous tumor and had 20+ lymph nodes tested. Three came back positive, so I will begin chemo treatment on August 13 for the next 20 weeks.

I share all this with you, not for you to feel bad for me, but to invite you to follow this journey with me. For those who know me best, I'm not one to talk a lot about personal things in my life. But now may be the time I change that. My desire is to continue to be an encouragement to those who follow me (I hate that term) on Facebook, Twitter and my blog. Everything else has been set aside and put on hold for this "bump in the road", as my doctor calls it. I will continue to post as often as I can.

Have you ever prayed a dangerous prayer? I'd love to hear your story. Don't be afraid to. Don't settle to just be a spectator of other people's "God only" experiences.

Thanks for joining me on this new adventure! Tonia

Is Your Focus on Feelings?

God's top priority for you is more about chasing holiness than pursuing happiness!!

God desires you to turn the focus from the way you feel to what you should do. Too often, people abandon good work that pleases God - a marriage, a career, a ministry - because they don't feel like doing it anymore. They don't feel like they are in love. They don't feel fulfilled. They don't feel like they are making a difference.

If you tend to act hastily based on the way you feel, it may be time to examine the ways your emotions influence your decision-making. Ask God to arrange your actions today according to His will rather than according to your feelings.

CHALLENGE: Pray that God will give you strength to carry out His purpose in your life, even if you don't feel like doing the tasks required!

Be purpose-FULL in all you do! Tonia

(From:101 Ways to Find God's Purpose For Your Life by Natalie Gillespie)

Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.  - Helen Keller



 

WHERE are you headed?

If a young whale were to lose its sense of direction, it might end up on the dry, sandy beach.

If migrating flocks of birds were to lose their instinctive sense of direction, they might end up in harsh Alaska instead of sunny Florida.

When people lose their sense of spiritual direction, they often reach a lonely dead end - in their jobs, relationships and families.

My husband and I just returned from a weekend trip to an area of our state that we were unfamiliar with. Half way to our destination my husband realized (and slightly paniced) that he had left his GPS in our other car. He has become quite dependent on this little device to keep him headed in the right direction.Yes, our i-phones would have helped us if we needed, but my stubborness wanted to get to our friend's cabin just fine using old-fashion, hand-written directions - and that we did!

How is your sense of direction? Are you depending on your own map or are you using God's GPS in order to uncover God's purpose for your life? We can spend a lot of time following what we think is the right road and eventually find out it was leading us in a totally different path than what God had planned for us. Ask God to get your life pointed toward Him!

CHALLENGE: Picture yourself navigating an unfamiliar city without maps or directions. Imagine hitting dead end after dead end. Thank God for the direction He gives us and ask Him to lead your ways.

From 101 Ways to Find God's Purpose for Your Life by Natalie Gillespie

What's NEW with You?

As a child, do you remember the joy you felt when you tried something new and accomplished it for the first time? Whether it was as simple as learning to snap your fingers or as complex as riding a bike or tying your shoe, the joy and satisfaction felt in the first-time victories were unsurpassed!

As an adult, have you felt that thrill of discovery lately? Or have you packed your life full of the familiar and the routine? Trying something new can re-energize your life and reveal an aspect of God's unique purpose!

What have you always wanted to do but never took the first step? Don't spend your life "wishing" you had, go out and do it!!

CHALLENGE: Make time to pursue something you've always been interested in! Sign up for a class, join a group, learn something new! Then....

SHARE your exciting adventure with us here...

Uncover the Joy of You!

#2 - Uncover the Joy of You (from 101 Ways to Find God's Purpose for Your Life by Natalie Gillespie)

You are the only one who can do exactly what God Has planned for you! There is no one else just like you and God designed you for a specific purpose! Let that sink in for a minute....

Queen Esther was an orphan, and yet she was put in the right place at the right time to save a nation. Albert Einstein had behavioral problems, dyslexia, and was a poor speller, yet he formulated the theory of relativity.

Value what God has given you. Creating home-cooked meals that are nutritious is a gift. Balancing roles of employee, parent, grandparent, spouse and friend is a gift. Loving those around you is the ultimate gift.

You have talents and abilities that are uniquely yours. Uncover the joy of you and thank God for them! God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.  - I Peter 4:10

CHALLENGE: Look at yourself in the mirror today without finding faults and flaws. Recognize and accept your uniqueness. Notice the difference when you smile! :)

Be purpose-FULL in all you do! Tonia

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You're Stronger Than You Think!

Today begins a new series of Motivational Memos -101 Ways to Find God's Purpose For Your Life by Natalie Gillespie


#1 - Discover Your Strengths

Think back to when you were a child. What were some of your favorite things to do? Did you care for injured animals, love to draw pictures or delight in playing with friends? Now think of the ways those traits manifest themselves in your life today. Do you still collect "strays" - animals or people? Do you express yourself artistically through decorating and creating? Do you love to fix broken things / people? Do you enjoy opening your home to family and friends?

God's purpose for your life can be found in the passions and dreams He gave you. Use them to the fullest by devoting time and energies to the things you already enjoy and are good at doing.

CHALLENGE: Make a list of your strengths, gifts and talents (and you DO have them!) Write down the ways you are using them in the tasks you perform daily.

Be purpose-FULL in all you do! Tonia

** Don't Miss: 40 Days to Your Best Life - A Spiritual Journey to Contentment
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