It's kind of funny that I am the one writing a blog on perspective and attitude. In fact, I guarantee my husband will laugh while reading this because most of what I'm about to write, he's forced to remind me more often than he should. So, I guess in a way, this blog is courtesy of my amazing husband, Justin.
I have to start off with a confession. I am one of those people who some times sets ridiculously high standards for myself, knowing there's pretty much no way I can reach them. You would think I would do that so when I fall short I have an excuse, but you would be wrong. When I don't meet my own expectations, I get extremely down on myself. This is the point where Justin then has to swoop in and be fabulously supportive. This could pertain to anything in life, but I have found it especially true at CrossFit. CrossFit is the most rewarding/frustrating thing I have ever done in my life. One day you walk out of that gym on Cloud Nine because you hit a new PR or you conquered a new skill or you posted a great time on a workout. Then the next day, you feel like you can't lift anything and your moving at the speed of frozen snot. It's usually on the frozen snot days that the person next to me is flying through the WOD. I am a very competitive person, and it's hard to admit that some days just getting through the workout is the challenge or that someone is flat out better than me. I want to be the best, but like my husband reminds me, there's no need to get down on yourself. You can't be the best at everything. But just because I'm not the best at a CrossFit workout doesn't mean I'm a failure at everything I do (rarely do I get that down on myself, but I'm ashamed to admit it has happened a few times.)
I am working on approaching each day with the intention of being the best I can personally be. Not compared to anyone else - just the best I can be. This goes right to the heart of why I started this blog. Each of us were created in a very unique way to be exactly who we are. There is a reason, a purpose. I'm not supposed to be the person next to me - I'm supposed to be Whitney. And when I get down on myself, I'm essentially saying that God made a mistake. God doesn't make mistakes! It's good to push yourself and try to be the best version of you you can be, but don't let yourself push to the point where you put yourself down or doubt your worth or ability. You are fabulous and strong! Just keep that mind set and approach everything in your life with a good perspective and positive attitude.
I came across this blog earlier today, and it really blessed me. It's about CrossFit, but I think you'll see that it easily applies to all areas of life ... Enjoy!
This blog is based on Psalm 139:13-16:
"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous-how well I know it.
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of
the womb.
You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed."
You were created for a purpose, and God made you exactly the way you are on purpose! You truly were created to be fabulous!
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Monday, January 28, 2013
Jesus Loves Me, This I Know
I love church - the praise and worship, that calm feeling of being in the presence of God, the fellowship, the sermon ... well, you get the point. We go to an amazing church, and I feel incredibly blessed. I love listening to our pastor; he just breaks things down so well, and makes the word feel easy to apply to everyday life. And while I love listening to him preach, there are two times during church that really make me smile - when they read the testimonies of the things God is doing and the altar call at the end. I love hearing how God is healing people, restoring marriages, providing financially, etc. It's just a reminder that he still cares and he still works miracles. It builds me up and gives me renewed hope that he's going to answer my prayers and meet my needs. I also love the end of service when you see people coming forward to be saved or to rededicate their lives. It almost always brings tears to my eyes because I know they are about to experience something they will never forget. They're about to meet God, and he's about to become very real to them. I love that we all clap to encourage them and celebrate with them.
While many people probably enjoy the testimonies more, I have often thought during the altar call, "This is the part heaven gets excited about." It's awesome to hear the testimonies, but the bible tells us the angels and all of heaven rejoice when someone gets saved. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure the angels love a good healing miracle and a restored marriage, but it's people being saved that gets them up and celebrating!
I have had the privilege of going on three missions trips to Jamaica with the missionary Terry Mize. He is an incredible man of God who preaches the word to the lost around the world, and if you ever get the chance to hear him preach, GET THERE!! And no matter what the topic is that night, I promise you he will come back to one simple principle - missions is the heart of God. Going into all the world and preaching the gospel to everyone is why we're here. We are here to share the Good News with all mankind. What is the Good News? I think it is as simple and as complex as this - God loves you. He loves you exactly as you are. He knows your faults; he knows your past, and he doesn't care. Romans 5:8 tells us, "But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (ESV). And we all know John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life" (ESV).
This is the message we should be taking to the world - GOD LOVES YOU!! He's not out to get you. He loves you so much that he gave up his only son. Stop and think about that. We all know someone who does not like us, for whatever reason. Now imagine that you, without being asked, give one of your children to save that person. That makes no sense! Yet, God, while we were all still living a life we shouldn't, gave up his Son so that we could spend eternity with him and live a life of heaven on earth. That is so hard to wrap your mind around.
It's then what comes out of that love that leads to wonderful testimonies. He loves us so much that after we make the decision to follow him he just wants to bless us. He wants us to have the best and be prosperous. He does all this to further demonstrate that love, and that's what we have to show the world. Not a God of fire and brimstone, but a God of pure, unconditional love that no human can understand.
This blog is based on Psalm 139:13-16:
"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous-how well I know it.
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of
the womb.
You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed."
You were created for a purpose, and God made you exactly the way you are on purpose! You truly were created to be fabulous!
While many people probably enjoy the testimonies more, I have often thought during the altar call, "This is the part heaven gets excited about." It's awesome to hear the testimonies, but the bible tells us the angels and all of heaven rejoice when someone gets saved. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure the angels love a good healing miracle and a restored marriage, but it's people being saved that gets them up and celebrating!
I have had the privilege of going on three missions trips to Jamaica with the missionary Terry Mize. He is an incredible man of God who preaches the word to the lost around the world, and if you ever get the chance to hear him preach, GET THERE!! And no matter what the topic is that night, I promise you he will come back to one simple principle - missions is the heart of God. Going into all the world and preaching the gospel to everyone is why we're here. We are here to share the Good News with all mankind. What is the Good News? I think it is as simple and as complex as this - God loves you. He loves you exactly as you are. He knows your faults; he knows your past, and he doesn't care. Romans 5:8 tells us, "But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (ESV). And we all know John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life" (ESV).
This is the message we should be taking to the world - GOD LOVES YOU!! He's not out to get you. He loves you so much that he gave up his only son. Stop and think about that. We all know someone who does not like us, for whatever reason. Now imagine that you, without being asked, give one of your children to save that person. That makes no sense! Yet, God, while we were all still living a life we shouldn't, gave up his Son so that we could spend eternity with him and live a life of heaven on earth. That is so hard to wrap your mind around.
It's then what comes out of that love that leads to wonderful testimonies. He loves us so much that after we make the decision to follow him he just wants to bless us. He wants us to have the best and be prosperous. He does all this to further demonstrate that love, and that's what we have to show the world. Not a God of fire and brimstone, but a God of pure, unconditional love that no human can understand.
This blog is based on Psalm 139:13-16:
"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous-how well I know it.
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of
the womb.
You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed."
You were created for a purpose, and God made you exactly the way you are on purpose! You truly were created to be fabulous!
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