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For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
(Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV)
The above scripture is one of my favourites.
It reminds me that God has a purpose for my life and has thought about and carefully planned my future. So no matter what challenges I face, or what obstacles stand in my path, with God’s help I can get to where I am aiming to go, I can achieve what I’m destined to do.
However, life sometimes seems to be shouting a big fat “NO” to my ambitions, dreams and goals. When this happens, if I am not careful, it can be too easy to become negative about my prospects and entertain the idea of giving up hope, giving up on pursuing those goals.
For anyone out there, who may be feeling discouraged about their current circumstances or their future prospects, I’d like to share an extract from an old *UCB Word for Today devotional. It goes as follows:
We all face challenges and difficulties in life. You might allow yourself to think thoughts such as ‘I just can’t take any more,’ or ‘If one more thing happens I’m going to go over the edge!’ or ‘If things don’t change soon – I’m giving up!’ That kind of thinking prepares you to be defeated before you even encounter a problem. There is nothing strong, powerful, enabling, or victorious in thinking you will ‘go over the edge’ or in deciding to quit. Those are losing attitudes, not winning attitudes. Instead you should think, ‘If the attack is this great, then the blessing that lies beyond it is greater.’ Or, ‘If Satan is attacking me this hard, God must have something good in store for me!’ Become a person who is spiritually, emotionally, and mentally prepared for any challenge that crosses your path, and don’t allow yourself to be easily discouraged or defeated. And you do that by ‘the renewing of your mind’ with God’s Word.
(Bob and Debbie Gass)
*Free postal copies of UCB Word For Today (UK and Republic of Ireland only) are available from: FREEPOST RLTX-ABUL-GRAR, United Christian Broadcasters, Westport Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 4JF
For the online version visit:
Purpose-driven believer and dream-achiever are you maintaining your stamina for your life’s journey? Are you being diligent in renewing your mind?
When you make the effort to change defeatist thoughts or negative thinking, you not only possess the power to change your life but you also have the capacity to encourage and change the lives of others.
So, be a life-changer!
With love,
Carol (aka Lady Cee)
“…If you love what you are doing, you will be successful” – Albert Schweitzer
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What’s your response to this post? I’d love it if you would share your thoughts in a comment box below. Do you know anyone that would benefit from its message? Then please don’t hesitate to share it. Thank you.
A Purpose-driven achiever 
Loved Your Post! Just what a Strong girl needed to read today!
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Thank you so much for reading and leaving me your encouraging comment. I’m glad to hear it was a timely message for you and appreciate you stopping by. Have a great weekend! 😃
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Good morning Aunty C,
Thankyou for sharing a wonderful blog on positivity and renewing of the mind in order to maintain the stamina to fulfil a purposeful life.
I read your blog three times. Once, yesterday and twice this morning. 🌄
Your blog is a reminder that we must continue to guard our hearts and minds against negativity.
To be honest, it seems to have taken me just forever to truly understand the impact that thoughts have. I am still learning!
One day, it ocured to me one day that thoughts and feelings are just as they are! Thoughts and feelings. After all we are human beings.
However, if we/I do not guard our hearts and minds against negative thoughts, this practice then becomes a way of living.
What is wonderful, is that we don’t have to let negative thoughts dictate or seep their way into our mindsets as they have a tendency to show up in our behaviours and attitudes. And don’t I just know it!
It’s such a pleasure to read your blogs Aunty. Please keep writing and inspiring.
Love. Sheri
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Thank you so much dear Sherileen. I’m truly glad you have started following my blogs because whilst my heart’s desire is to reach out to women and have an impact on their lives, I don’t want my own family members and loved ones to be left out of the equation.
I am so blessed to hear that you enjoyed this post and that it is speaking into your life. I love what you said here: “we don’t have to let negative thoughts dictate or seep their way into our mindsets as they have a tendency to show up in our behaviours and attitudes.” So true!
Thanks for adding to the discussion and sharing your valuable comment. It is so appreciated! Have a blessed day! 🙂
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Dearest Carol, I LOVE this post. I don’t know about you, but I am entirely guilty of allowing my ‘what if’ scenarios, perfectionist poison and toxic thinking to stop me from pursuing my goals. Creativity dries up when we allow those old, unhelpful patterns to run rampant without challenge. Renewing our minds is absolutely critical to seeing the manifestation of the promises of God. It’s a never-ending process of growing in and with Abba Father.
My favorite line is this one: “When you make the effort to change defeatist thoughts or negative thinking, you not only possess the power to change your life but you also have the capacity to encourage and change the lives of others.” — Wow, what a powerful truth! That’s what it’s all about. Someone is always ahead of us and behind us on their journey in life. If we can glean wisdom from those ahead of us and share our own truth with those behind us – what a world we’d live in! I believe it is how God intended. None of us know all there is to know and no one has ‘arrived.’ It’s a beautiful piece of art when all of our incomplete puzzle pieces form the completed work of God’s Creation.
I’ve shared your post, as always, in hopes that as many people as possible will come and read your words straight from the heart of our Father. You are an inspiration, a joy and a light in these dark times. Keep up the amazing ministry you have, Carol. God & I are SO proud of you! ♥
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I always feel so embarrassed by your wonderful, affirming and generous comments Holly. I am blessed indeed to have such support. I do appreciate you sharing my posts and for you taking the time to read and comment.
😃💖
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