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It’s Been a Tough Year

Belinda Payne • Dec 03, 2020

I do not believe you would get much of an argument from anyone if you were to say 2020 has been a tough year! Many of you are still grappling with significant changes that have impacted your life or the lives of others dear to you; all of which was out of your realm to control or fix. And guess what 2020 is not over. We have no idea what the Lord has in store for December.

Change happens.

We understand change happens, just not that it happens so fast and in so many different ways at the same time. How have you processed all the changes that have taken place this year? Did you run, scream, cry, drink, sleep, pray, or what? I prayed, exercised more, sat still, and at times I turned the television and every other device around me off! I did not want to hear or see any more sadness, grief, destruction, chaos, and confusion. I knew that would not change what was happening all around me, but I recognized separating myself from everything for brief periods before these changes overwhelmed me was what I needed.

How should we embrace change?

One of the most important things we can do for ourselves is to recognize when we need to step back from others and sometimes from ourselves in the face of change. Change impacts each one of us in different ways. For myself, when involuntary changes impact my routines, I start misplacing things, forgetting what I should be doing, becoming anxious and easily irritated. That’s when I know I need space and time to adjust so I can better adapt.  

In His infinite wisdom, God is even more detailed when it comes to making changes concerning humanity. God applies what we may consider extraordinary measures when it comes to changing us into His image. God goes so far as to RENEW our mind! In other words, He replaces that which is broken or worn out. He gets rid of our distorted or broken way of thinking; by making a complete and dramatic change in our belief system; and our psychological framework. By His Spiritual (supernatural) power working on the inside of us, we go through metamorphose. We wholly change! A remarkable spiritual genetic alteration has taken place on the INSIDE, giving us a new holy; and spiritual appearance on the OUTSIDE.  

I believe God is working to change (transform) us during this season. No matter what you believe or whom you believe in, you will not emerge from 2020 unchanged! Like it or not, God is performing a tremendous spiritual genetic alteration inside of us. Be careful not to interrupt the process. God is changing you by renewing your mind for better days ahead because He loves you!

Romans 12:2  

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Letting Go and Moving On

By Belinda Payne • 31 Dec, 2020
Feelings of guilt can work for us or against us. This sense of remorse or self-condemnation that guilt can bring may plague our mind to the point where it seems catastrophic, causing us to lose sleep and our peace. However, guilt can also affect us, acting as a catalyst, compelling us to clear our conscience […]

Do You Still Feel Like Praising God?

By Belinda Payne • 24 Dec, 2020
Let’s be honest there are times in our lives in which we do not feel like praising God. Perhaps you are feeling that way today. You are not alone. But understand you cannot stay there!  What should you do when you do not feel like praising God? The Bible teaches us to offer the sacrifice […]

How Are You Doing?

By Belinda Payne • 17 Dec, 2020
When we greet one another, we ask, how are you doing? We say it so often it has become like a rhetorical statement, not a genuine question of concern. If you are on the receiving end of that question – you know we tend not to give an accurate response.  After all, no one wants […]

Complete Your Goals

By Belinda Payne • 10 Dec, 2020
Have you accomplished your 2020 goals? Oh yeah – you forgot all about them, didn’t you! You have been distracted with homeschooling, working remotely for the first time, the news, and so much more. Let me encourage you! Don’t throw away the goals that you set out to achieve this year. You still have time. […]

Thank you, Lord!

By Belinda Payne • 26 Nov, 2020
You lost your job!  You need surgery!  Kids are driving you crazy!  On top of that, your loved one is ill and getting worse. How are you to cling to this word of hope in the face of disappointment? We never know how and when God is going to answer our prayers. But one thing […]

Identification But No Classification

By Belinda Payne • 19 Nov, 2020
When you enter a room, and everyone knows you, it’s a great feeling and maybe even a distinguished honor. You do not need to show your ID with your name and picture to make you official. After all, you’re a renowned person. That sounds all well and good. However, you need more than identification to […]

There Is a Speed Limit Change Ahead

By Belinda Payne • 12 Nov, 2020
November 12, 2019 There Is a Speed Limit Change Ahead…  November 12, 2019 There Is a Speed Limit Change Ahead…  The million-dollar question today is, how are you doing these days? Are you still moving at 100 miles per hour, or has your pace changed? How are you sleeping; better than ever or not at […]

Rations Reasons and Remnants

By Belinda Payne • 05 Nov, 2020
More and more people are finding themselves trying to live off of rations. Have you ever had to make do with the remnants of what others have left behind? In today’s modern society, with convenience stores on every corner, food delivery services, all you can eat buffets, and much more, being told you are only […]

Active Recovery

By Belinda Payne • 29 Oct, 2020
Just because you don’t like the truth does not make it not a truth. There are what some call “hard sayings” of the Bible. These hard sayings are not defined so because it was difficult for the individual to speak the words. It is a hard saying because those who hear it have difficulty receiving […]

At The End Of The Day

By Belinda Payne • 22 Oct, 2020
Once you weighed all the options, considered all the risks, measured the outcomes, and evaluated the condition you face, you must make a choice. Perhaps your primary concern is to make an educated decision; you want to have full knowledge. You need to know you are moving in the right direction. You want to understand […]
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