Month: December 2023

Sue’s Views 

One of the major causes of stress is time pressure. When we feel like we have too much to do ….. and too little time to do it! Eccles 3:1 says “There is ….. time for every purpose under heaven”. Ask yourself ….. “Is what I’m doing initiated by God ….. or is it because of other people’s expectations ….. or my inability to say ‘No!’ He is not obligated to bless the stuff He didn’t purpose! Food for thought!

Sue’s Views 

One of the major causes of stress is time pressure. When we feel like we have too much to do ….. and too little time to do it! Eccles 3:1 says “There is ….. time for every purpose under heaven”. Ask yourself ….. “Is what I’m doing initiated by God ….. or is it because of other people’s expectations ….. or my inability to say ‘No!’ He is not obligated to bless the stuff He didn’t purpose! Food for thought!

Sue’s Views

If you are feeling ‘blue’ today ….. I want to remind you that sometimes our lowest seasons are our most productive. It doesn’t feel like it at the time ….. but in hindsight ….. those seasons are when we are the most real. We become aware of our weaknesses and failings. That’s when we need to call upon God who is near to the broken-hearted ….. and comforts those who mourn. He can make your saddest day become the most beautiful turning point. Don’t allow the voice of the enemy to take you down further. Look up ….. and see your situation through God’s eyes.

Sue’s Views

It’s celebration season with graduations and end of year break ups. Some will receive certificates or trophies ….. the majority won’t. Most of us fall into the ‘average’ column! But whether you pass with honours ….. just scrape through ….. or even fail the exams ….. God sees you and has a plan for your life. Don’t let your school reports determine your future ….. and don’t let your awards ….. or lack of ….. determine your value or potential. Seek to be the best ‘you’ you can be ….. and ask God to show you how to fulfil His purpose for your life. Congratulations on finishing what has been a challenging year! You did great! 

Sue’s Views

According to James 3:16-17 ….. there are two kinds of wisdom. One that comes from bitter envy and selfish ambition. It’s the kind that has to prove itself right even if that requires some dodgy dealings. 

“For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.”

Then there is Godly wisdom. Look at the qualities listed here. 

“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”

It’s a wisdom that only seeks the truth. It’s willing to submit ….. considers other opinions ….. and above all seeks to make peace. We have the choice of reaping a harvest of disorder and division ….. or a harvest of righteousness and unity.

Sue’s Views

Do you see yourself as a victim or a victor? Are you focussing on all the terrible things that have happened to you ….. or on all the things you have overcome? The strongest people are not the ones who have not failed ….. but the ones who have got back up again and continued the race. They are not the ones who have no fear ….. but the ones who ‘do it afraid’! Life can be like an obstacle course ….. but obstacles are to be overcome. If you are alive and breathing you are an overcomer! Here’s a prayer I pray often when facing a challenge. ‘Lord, I thank you that there is nothing I will face today that you and I together can’t handle!’

Sue’s Views

How do you feel when you wake up in the morning? Is it ‘Good morning Lord!’ …… or is it ‘Good Lord! It’s morning!’ For some ….. a new day is a new opportunity. For others ….. it means another day of facing the same old challenges. The Bible assures us that God’s mercies are new every morning. Each new day offers a fresh perspective ….. and new hope. Expect Him to show you a new way ….. a greater understanding ….. and a closer walk with Him. God paints a different ‘skyscape’ every morning! He only has to speak and new things are created. Ask Him to speak some new things into your life! Have a blessed day everyone!

Sue’s Views

No doubt your year is beginning to rev up and the stress levels are a little high? Remember to breathe ….. and don’t be pressured by the dates on the calendar ….. the ads on the tv ….. or the expectations of others. Each day has 24 hours ….. we all have the same amount ….. and it’s up to us how we spend them. Have a blessed day everyone and be safe ❤️

Sue’s Views

My theme song at this time of year is ‘One day at a time’! And sometimes even ‘One step at a time’!  Jesus warned his disciples not to worry about tomorrow because today has enough to focus on. Much of our stress and anxiety is based on stuff that hasn’t happened yet ….. and may never happen! Have you noticed how the media sensationalises things to make you feel like you are living through something that hasn’t happened yet? Our minds and bodies can’t cope with that. We must learn to live in the present ….. and do life in bite sized pieces! Reading back through my journal ….. I can see that much of what I feared never happened ….. or help came just when I needed it! Commit each day to the Lord and He will determine the outcome!

Sue’s Views

Disappointments come in many different forms ….. but they are most often due to our expectations not being met. We expect people to keep their word ….. but they don’t. We look forward to an event ….. but it gets cancelled. We worked really hard all year ….. but someone else gets the promotion. You can add your version to the list! But what if our disappointments are God’s  appointments? There’s a story in the Bible about the Israelites ….. after their amazing escape from Egypt via the Red Sea ….. came to a pool of water. After 3 days of travelling they were very thirsty ….. and were so relieved to be able to have a drink. But only to discover the water was bitter and undrinkable. They groaned and complained ….. completely forgetting what God had just brought them through! But Moses prayed and God showed him a tree and told him to throw it into the water. The water became sweet! So much we can learn from this story ….. but I believe the main point is that God used a disappointing situation to prove to them His supernatural power and ability to take care of them in any circumstance. When we put our trust in Him ….. He can make our bitter pool sweet!