“Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Nehemiah 8:10

As I was meditating and looking out of my office window, I noticed one little green branch waving in the wind above a batch of brownish, dead-looking brush. It stood out because it was different. It seemed to have life and vibrancy, while the brush around it remained still, dry and dull. I thought, Lord, that is the way, I want my life to be. I want to rise above all the dark, dull, dry and dead things around me. I want to be the evidence that there can be life, even in the midst of what appears to be dead and useless.

This reminded me of the time, I gave my mother a silver tea set. After it was on display for a while, it lost its luster. That is, it turned dull and dark. It had tarnished. My mother said to me, “You might as well throw it away.” I explained to her, that it was natural for genuine silver to become tarnished when it’s exposed to the elements for long periods of time. The tarnish actually proves its authenticity.

Even though the silver looked unattractive and useless, it hadn’t lost it’s value. It could easily look brand new again, simply by polishing it.

Like the silver and dead brush, our lives can lose its luster. At one time, many of us lived exciting, energetic and hopeful days. Now life seems to be ho-hum, just going through the motions, doing what’s necessary to survive another day. We have allowed the vicissitudes of life to knock the wind out of our sails. Instead of being alive and vibrant, we are now as dull and uninteresting as my mother’s unpolished silver.

But, there is hope for every life that has gone dull.  Just like the silver tea set, all you need is a little polish, and you will thrive again.

God doesn’t want us limping through each day. He wants us to be passionate and excited about this precious gift He gave us, called “life.”

Like the green leaf that was waving in the wind, while the other brush remained low and dull, just rise-up and start moving again.

You can regain your joy and positive attitude toward each day! Here are a few tips to get you jump-started…

• Start your day with singing and making melody in your heart.
• Read an inspirational poem; the Bible is full of them.
• Speak declarations over your life.
• Pray over yourself and for others.
• Ask the Lord to help you to see the positive in every situation.
• Watch funny sitcoms and movies and laugh with those who laugh.
• Position yourself around positive and joy-filled people. They are the polish for a dull and dry soul.

You might have looked unattractive for a while, but you didn’t lose your value.  You just needed to be buffed!

“Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).

Declare…

I will go get my life back! I am full of joy and expectancy. God’s plan for my life it too wonderful for me to live a dry, dull and uninteresting life. I will live a vibrant life in 2018!

 

 

 

 

Posted by on Wednesday, January 10th, 2018 @ 12:03AM
Categories: Inspirational