Many people live their lives to please others. They are obsessed with what people think of them. They are very cautious about their way of life because they want everyone to praise them. Some even give up on their goal because they feel if they fail, there are a lot of people waiting to criticize them.
Let me put this straight to you – whether you fail or succeed, people will always see fault in you. It isn’t because of your flaws, but because that is the nature of man.
Sometimes, people will lash their tongues because they are jealous of you.
The real purpose of your living isn’t to please others. It’s just embracing that person you are and walking the path where your passion and desire lead!
If you live your life in such a way to avoid judgment and criticism, your journey will be full of aggravating moments. And this will lead to depression. When you start seeing these signs, it means you have put off those things that your soul yearns for.
You should always expect criticism because people don’t understand your journey. The real person who truly knows your life journey is you, and the real person who can be inspired to live it appropriately is you!
Sometimes, some criticisms are good for us. There are times when we need them in order not to forget who we are.
We can’t ignore people’s opinions every time just because we don’t live our lives for them. Criticism can sometimes help us gain valuable insight into our actions and help us see those things we are missing.
Use these 14 tips to confront and overcome criticism
Don’t take criticism personally
Focus on the road, not the wall
Don’t respond immediately
Respond calmly
Assess criticism and the critic
Understand their point of view
Respond on your terms
Are they qualified to criticize you or your work?
Step back to see the big picture
Let go of your ego
Look for the nugget of truth
Shield yourself against unwanted negativity
Practice to ignore criticism
Leave, think, and return
Beat your critics with some proper actions. Get better and get stronger!
The last time you attempted to praise God, did you do it out of emotion, or you did it out of reasoning? You don’t have to respond loudly, but you were likely got caught up with emotion and based your praises on it. Continue reading Should Emotion Drive Your Praises?
If this month is considered as Pastors’ Appreciation month, how would you appreciate your pastor? Does your pastor deserve an appreciation, and how much of it would you offer him? Continue reading How Is Your Pastor Doing?
Anyone who lays a strong emphasis on the word “I” is a proud person. Satan lost his beautiful position in heaven because of “I”. Anyone who intends to satisfy God must be humble; his emphasis must be in “Him” (That is, in Christ Jesus!)
Satan is a prime example of pride. He initiated pride and fell for the sake. Satan lost his position in heaven because of pride.
“And war broke out in heaven… So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him” (Revelation 12:7-9).
Just as Satan is an example of pride so is Jesus an example of humility.
Jesus Christ is the prime example of humility. He humbled himself and was willing to do the will of God at all costs. (Revelation 5:1-4; Philippians 2:5-8). Therefore, God awarded him the highest honor as the king of the entire universe (earth and heaven inclusive).
“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven, on earth, and under the earth…” (Philippians 2:9-11).
God debased Satan to the lowest part of the earth with a promise to eternally condemned him to hell fire on the last day.
Be humble! Aspire to live your life in Christ Jesus; train your mind to declare, “I am what I am by the grace of God!”
Emulate Jesus Christ who is the prime example of humility.
Make humility your lifestyle to enjoy God’s premium benefits in every aspect of your life.
See some questions and answers on Pride versus Humility:
What did Satan lose as a result of pride?
He was instantly judged by God and condemned to a permanent place of punishment called hell fire.
“…The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone… will be tormented day and night forever and ever” (Revelation 20:10).
He was banished in heaven and cast to the earth pending his permanent punishment of hell fire.
“How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!… you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit” (Isaiah 14:12-15).
He became a “Lesser Personality” to all creatures. (Revelation 12:11; Isaiah 14:15).
“Those who see you will gaze at you… saying: ‘Is this the man who made the earth tremble… But you are cast out of your grave Like an abominable branch… Like the garment of those who are slain… Like a corpse trodden underfoot” (Isaiah 14:15-17).
What did Jesus Christ gain as a result of humility?
He was awarded the highest authority in the universe – The King!
“And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: “Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!” (Revelation 5:13).
He became the only channel of salvation for mankind.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).
Paul asked his Christian friends to support him in prayer so that he could have more opportunity to minister the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Paul had done so much for the kingdom of God but still believed the Creator deserves more; therefore, he was determined to dedicate his complete life to propagate the gospel.) Paul needed spiritual help to fulfill his mission. He asked the Colossians,
“Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak” (Colossians 4:2-4).
Prayer Is Effective For Both Spiritual And Physical Exploits
Children of God must cultivate the habit of praying always. Prayer cannot be too much; we all need it to prosper for the kingdom of God.
Every Christian needs prayer! We need prayer in form of intercession to support one another. Through prayers, we can have the strength needed to effectively preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and prosper for God’s kingdom.
Prayers will help a believer valiantly prosper for the kingdom of God! Anyone who desires to prosper in all ramifications of life should explore the benefits of prayer!
Prayer Is Needed For Physical Success
Christians ought to explore the benefits of prayer to receive the miracles of God in our lives. We have the right, as Christians, to request for God’s blessing. God will surely grant the request of his own children. However, despite Christians entitlement to receive God’s blessings through prayer, we must ensure not to centralize our requests on material wealth only. Our primary goal is to make heaven and bring as many people as possible along; therefore, we should consider it important to pray for the empowerment of the Holy Spirit so that we can effectively preach the gospel and prosper for the kingdom of God.
A Christian should daily ask God to give him (or her) the strength to effectively communicate the word of God with unbelievers and lead them into receiving the salvation of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Our continuous praying exercise will incapacitate Satan and diffuse his influence in unbelievers’ lives. Our prayers will ignite God’s fire in unbelievers’ minds to be receptive of the gospel and take the step to surrender their lives to Jesus. In other words, the more a Christian prays for spiritual strength, the more opportunity he (or she) will have to lead others into Christ’s salvation. In a simple language, our effective prayers will aid evangelistic efforts to bear some good fruits for God’s kingdom.
Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I ask you to please make me a prayerful person! Do not let me be a selfish person; let my efforts lead to the salvation of others. Please, help me to pray (intercede) on behalf of my fellow Christians so that they can be successful in their evangelistic efforts.
I am using this medium to pray for myself and my fellow Christians throughout the world that you please anoint and empower us by the Holy Spirit to effectively preach the gospel! Help us to prosper for your kingdom as we endeavor to spread your good news throughout the world.
Also, please enlighten the unbelievers’ minds to overcome their limitations; repent of their sins, and surrender their lives to Jesus Christ. For I have made this prayer request through faith in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen!
I give you my life oh Lord! I give it to you in all situations.
I give you my life though rain may not fall!
I give you my life though war may surround me!
I promise to trust and serve you in every circumstance because I’m fearfully and wonderfully made by you!
Some people bow their heads in sorrow thinking life has no value because of their present circumstance. The only reason anyone would entertain such thought is because he has forgotten that God owns his life.
If you truly understand that God owns your life, you will care less of your present circumstance and care more about God.
Dare to verbalize the fact that God owns your life and he is in charge! Declare your identity with God and state,
I owe my allegiance to Jesus Christ
God you’ve gotten my attention
I will give everything I have to serve you
Some people turn from God (or at least give God a lesser attention)
Because of problem
Because of enjoyment
Because of persecution
Learn How to Verbalize Your Faith In God
Declare it again and again until your spirit agrees:
God owns my life even though rain may not fall
God owns my life even though war may surround me
God owns my life whether there is food on my table or not
I am certain that God who owns my life is able to take care of my situation
People ought to be thankful for every blessing they receive from God. In as much everyone will agree with this fact, most people still find it difficult sometimes to give God their heartfelt praises. We drag our feet and wait for the happy moment to come so that we can express our gratitude to God. Meanwhile, the practice of giving God conditional praises is insufficient to satisfy God. In fact, the practice of offering God conditional praises shows how much ungrateful we are to God who blesses us with undeserving benefits.
This post will not only scold the readers, but it will also teach us how to retrain our minds to do the due diligence – Offering God an unconditional appreciation!
Indeed, God deserves our praises. He has done so many things for us that deserve us honoring him at all times. Everyone ought to give God his or her best thanksgiving to God at all times. That is, we must consider it a matter of importance to give our unconditional quality praises to God whether we are in the mood to do so or not.
Everyone (myself inclusive) has the tendency to drag our feet when things don’t go our way. Meanwhile, over time, I have learned to settle with a simple slogan crafted for myself, “If you can think, you can thank!”
My slogan: “If you can think, you can thank!” can also be rephrased as “Someone who can reflect on his past will be motivated to thank God.”
There are so many benefits to derive from cultivating the attitude of specially thanking God.
Thanksgiving Is Vertically Effective
Thanksgiving is a service rendered to God. It is an exercise that put us in a position to offer something to God – which is rare!
Prayer positions us to request something from God, while thanksgiving positions us to offer something to God. What a remarkable opportunity!
Thanksgiving exercise brings pleasure to God. It also brings a blessing to us. That is, God sends down his blessing to us to compensate our efforts. (Meanwhile, we should not praise God with the aim to manipulate and receive his blessing; we should praise God for who he is.)
You Must Overcome Discouragement To Truly Thank God
Thanksgiving, as much as it pleases God and leads to our blessings, requires a significant effort from us. A person must be ready for it before it can be effectively done. Satan will attempt to interrupt the process.
To overcome any odd and bring God some dedicated worships, note the following factors:
Don’t allow your problem to consume you. Shift your mind from your problem and focus on God. (You can’t centralize your mind on a problem and still expects to have enough motivation to praise God .)
Don’t wait till the feeling of thanksgiving comes; take a personal approach and set some times aside to praise God!
Make it a point of duty to reflect on your past success; let your discovery motivate you into praising God.
Don’t be condemned of the past; don’t be anxious about tomorrow; praise God for today!
Don’t compare yourself with anyone – simply thank God for who you are!
Life sometimes throws a curve ball at people, but don’t allow anything in this life to steal your joy! Don’t let any stressful situation take away your right to praise God.
Don’t dwell on your emotion to tell you when to praise God. Be proactive to create the moment yourself. Understand there is no rule requires; just start to think positively about God and count his blessings in your life.
To create an atmosphere of praises, ask yourself the following three questions:
Has God added anything positive to my life between then and now?
Has God protected me from any danger in the past?
Has God done anything for my family deserving of saying “Thank you God”?
If your responses to those questions are affirmative, then you are all set to begin sending God your heartfelt praises.
Verbalize your appreciations to God. Say it out loud, “Thank you God!”
You Are Very Important To God!
Last But Not The Least: You’re a VIP!
Understand that your life worths more than a sparrow. God owns your life; he is able to care for you more so that you can have more reasons to praise him.
Understand that you are a Very Important Personality (VIP) of God. Raise your head high and walk tall – with full assurance that all shall be well!
If you can make thanksgiving your routine practice, God’s angels will soon deliver some new packages of blessing to your life. Be assured that God will compensate your appreciative efforts!
I hope you can take a deep breath now and say, “Thank you Lord!”
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