Panache Living for Women

Our days are not all “Sunshine and Roses.” Growing pains are a part of life. A field must be torn up and plowed to receive new seeds. Often the old things must be removed to make room for the new things in our lives. It does not mean the old things are necessarily bad, but that it is time to acquire new strength and direction. Change is one thing I like intellectually but dislike in a practical sense. I like being comfortable. When I’m offered a new path I often become so fond of the old path that I hate to change. New paths may include some “Tough Times.” Our God does not waste Tough Times if we give them to Him. God will always use all of our time to bless and enhance our lives if we allow Him to lead and direct us in and through those very Tough Times. Friends, if you are in the midst of a tough, hard-to-understand time, I am so sorry for your struggle, but I would encourage you with the assurance that our God is at work. He has a beautiful way of comforting and encouraging us every step of the way. He will encourage us to use this tough time to move us higher up the mountain into a closer walk with Him. Please remember Psalm 23 and be encouraged!

It’s possible for even mature Believers to become stuck on the trail. Perhaps there is a choice at the crossroad. Perhaps there is fatigue and the desire to continue is faltering … or perhaps our imagination has conjured huge difficulties on the trail ahead. All Believers are Pilgrims. Our God continues to invite us to climb higher up the mountain. The prospect of a wonderful new view on the trail is enticing. There is no question but that it will take effort to make the climb. Our God is a very good teacher. He knows the exact time to offer the steeper grade; to encourage us to lighten our pack for the new uphill effort and to stir our hearts and minds in anticipation of what lies in store beyond the next uphill turn. We may be puzzled, and we may hesitate, but our Good Teacher - knowing the blessings and benefits that lie ahead - will support us as He gently leads us on. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways.” — “For you will go out with joy and be led forth with peace.” (Isaiah 55:8 and 12) What a wonderful privilege to be on the trail with the Master. Today, stop and look around and then ask God to show you the trail that leads UP … Up to a better way, a better attitude, a better goal. I love knowing our God is always at work in our lives to bring us to a better place. What is your challenge today? Take heart. God is always at work to guide and direct our steps. I’ll see you on the trail.

How difficult is it for us to admit we’ve made a mistake? Some of us work so hard to avoid mistakes it is almost impossible to acknowledge that a mistake has happened! We waste time in justifying. We list all the reasons we are justified. We mention others who have done worse. We almost become hostile rather than admit the mistake and say simply, “I’m sorry.” Saying these words does not immediately assume all the blame (if that is not the case) but it does express our regret and sadness over the situation. Believers want to empathize with those around them. We want God to help us “weep with those who weep and laugh with those who laugh.” (Romans 12:15) It is also important to take responsibility for wounds we have inflicted (perhaps unintentionally). Wounds hurt and although words cannot always heal wounds, they can help. Dear ones, please become those who are quick to say, “I’m sorry.” When we say these words we want to ask God to help us to be genuinely sorry. We want to ask Him to help us avoid hurting others in the future. It’s the big, generous person who works to avoid hurting those they encounter but it is an even bigger person who quickly admits when they have hurt or offended and honestly say, “I’m sorry!”

Believers have it made! Our God is always at work—doing good things. I love knowing He never says, “Well, that is about good enough,” as we often say. He has this amazing perspective for our lives that keeps Him always doing new, wonderful, beneficial things … things that will enhance our lives, equip us for more effectiveness, and expand our capacity for love. How can we not get excited and encouraged by such an understanding? I must admit, some of the training and conditioning processes that are necessary for my journey do not seem desirable. I’m sorry to say I sometimes want to pull out of the training, molding, and shaping process and move into a holding pattern. Let’s just leave things the way they are. However, our God never stops helping us to become all that He dreams we can be. So, take a deep breath and enjoy the process. Look forward to the opportunities He will bring when we are ready; rejoice over the excess baggage He will remove and anticipate the blessings He has in store. “For it is God who is at work to will and to work for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13) So … anticipate it all and smile!

“ … In the world you will have tribulation, but TAKE HEART, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33b) What wonderful encouragement are these words. Much like the coach, the employer, or the leader who chooses us for service and honestly alerts us to the challenges ahead, they also assure us that we will be accompanied by a Helper and the assurance of a meaningful result! To take heart we need to take a deep breath, place our hand in His hand, turn our face into the challenge, and move forward with His enabling power. Our God is able to help us face every challenge. The mountain top is not reached on every day’s journey but with His help we make progress. Take Heart, my friend. Our challenges are varied. One person’s mountain is another’s small bump, but moving forward takes courage and effort for the journey no matter the size of the obstacle. We are also told, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:8) Take Heart! Our God is with us and will use us to make a positive difference in the world for Him!

It’s a strange thing but we so often warmly praise the people around us - to other people! Some of us use the excuse, “Well, they know I think they are great,” etc. You may be a verbal, warm hearted person who finds it very easy to acknowledge the good people around you. You may easily find the words to say and are able to identify the characteristics of others that are a blessing to many. There are many of us, however, who do not feel skilled in choosing words to compliment or praise. We may also find the right words but we use the excuse of “never finding the right time.” As Believers, we must drop both ways of behaving. In a world filled with those who are quick to criticize and are excellent at noticing faults and mistakes—there is a huge need for the “heart lifters.” Those who go out of their way to give honest, genuine praise and thanks for the good deeds around them. Ephesians 4:15 says, “Speak the truth in love.” Saying, “I appreciate you,” can warm many hearts.

Friends, it is amazing the way most of us are able to “expand” the time when the issue concerns something we want to do. We are able to juggle priorities. We can justify shortcuts. There is, however, a very strong instruction that we need to heed. 1 Tim. 5:8 says, ”If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” This is a wake-up call for those of us who, perhaps, give sacrificial time to the church, do good deeds, and in general help others out. Our God puts a very high priority on our need to invest our time and talent in the family He has given to us. Often there is more praise and honor delivered from outsiders than from those on the home front; however, in God’s eyes, those assignments to our home and family are a priority. Everyone and everything clamors for our time. Dear friends, we must take notice of our priorities and ensure we are on God’s page with our Time Management.

There are those among us who have a great “self-image.” They don’t have to pull in their stomachs or wear baggy clothes. They quickly offer their “correct” opinion on almost any topic. These dear people may have issues to deal with that the great mass of us know nothing about, but they don’t seem to deal with those things that are very common to most of us. Oh, sometimes in a rush of bravado, we toss out a strong opinion or even dare to disagree (but it’s generally the exception, not the rule). Our God has a wonderfully encouraging word for us. “You are fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Psalm 139:14) Our God specializes in variety and uniqueness. So, my dear Friends, you are LOOKING GOOD! Our God seems to insist on variety and uniqueness. No two fingerprints are alike. So please agree with your Heavenly Father and learn to be glad about who you are, for He has a beautiful plan to use that very uniqueness, and you are Looking Good!

“Do not judge and you will not be judged and do not condemn and you will not be condemned; pardon and you will be pardoned.” (Luke 6:37) This is one verse many of us would like to erase. We seem to have perfect freedom to pass judgment on others. We often act quickly and without complete information. It seems strange but we are most judgmental about issues and behavior in others on the very things that are the biggest problem in our own lives! We do have the assignment to correct those who are in training or those who ask for our help, but we also have this very clear instruction — we are to resign from the arrogant attitude that thinks we are equipped to judge all behavior that comes into our worlds. Unfortunately, sometimes we Christians have a poor reputation for critical judgment of brothers and sisters in the church down the street who do not worship exactly as we do. Friends, God is at work in the hearts of all His children and we may be excused to move out of the court of judging into the courtyard of loving support for fellow travelers along God’s way. Our God will lead us in a better way.

Friends, with God’s help we can do so many things that without Him might seem impossible. We can “go the second mile” when it doesn’t seem fair but God is showing us the need. We can try again when we are tired and annoyed. We can ask Him for the strength, insight, and heart for this difficult task. Dear Believers, Christ wants us to be difference-makers. He may ask us to do difficult things but He never asks us to do them without His strong presence and help. “Do nothing from selfish or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourself. Do not merely look out for your own personal interests but also for the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4) This challenge will definitely pull us to higher ground and put some muscle into our character, but we can do it. We can choose the better way. We can do it and our God will help us.

What a year it has been. Believers look back and recognize God’s hand impacting so many situations. We cringe at our failings and smile at the victories. This is a very good exercise at the end of the year. It’s an excellent idea to take time to see if our investments of time, talent, and treasure have been profitable. The discoveries we make in this assessment are a great tool as we look forward to the amazing new year that is our gift. This is also a valuable time for us to close the books on the year we traveled. This doesn’t mean we necessarily abandon projects or assignments but it is important to evaluate where we are in each situation and close the books on this year’s efforts. Thank God for it all … the victories, the misses, the challenge, and the joy of the journey. Our God is at work and will lead us to new pastures of opportunity. A fresh start and fresh perspective will bring new life to assignments that God may once again place in our lives. Close the Books and picture our God taking them into His care. Wait quietly in His presence and hear His words to us, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble of heart and you shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28) Close this year’s books to be ready to embrace the books waiting in the New Year.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
God is with us, He is at work, and the future is bright!

“For unto us a child is born …”