Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7 NLT

Resolving unexpected life events with God

When challenged with an unfamiliar circumstance, is it best to “go with what you know,” in order to quickly resolve the problem? Is falling back on previous resolutions really a good idea, even if it worked for that particular problem?

During a job interview, it is inevitable that you will be asked to identify your strengths and weaknesses. The purpose of this thought-provoking question is to assist the employer in determining your skill set as related to the right fit for the position. Utilizing the process of self-evaluation to identify your qualities is also helpful when trouble comes your way.

When faced with adversity, how reliable are your problem-solving skills? How strong is your relationship with those in your spiritual network? How would you rate the strength of your prayer life?

Our reaction to adversity is dependent upon how we feel about our strengths and weaknesses. Reflect on past decision-making: If confusion and spur of the moment resolutions have resulted in negative outcomes, then acknowledge the need for guidance. Even though we may have strong problem-solving skills, we can only approximate the outcome; none can predict the future, with the exception of God. We must not let past successes or failures keep us from acknowledging that we require divine intervention for a victorious outcome.

Once we have acknowledged our dependence on God, then we are ready to network. Simply ask God in prayer for help. It is impossible to be an overcomer without involving God in all aspects of our daily lives. Utilize the assistance of a spiritual mentor who will also approach God in prayer for guidance, and will provide an objective viewpoint on the presenting difficulty.

Stepping outside of your comfort zone can be a disconcerting experience; however, the times that we live in demand motivation, determination, perseverance, and spiritual networking if we are to overcome our challenges.

As created beings, we will always possess weaknesses; our strength comes from God, and God alone. And God’s strength is the answer to becoming an Overcomer.

Prayer for today: Dear God, We come to you asking for your divine intervention and guidance in the problems that we are facing today. We have tried to make it in life without you and now we face the consequences of excluding you. We ask forgiveness and for your help in resolving our dilemma. Thank you for hearing and answering our prayer. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Sonya Johnson Ruiz

 

Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit. 3 John 1:2 NLT

Annually, we are required to participate in an insurance health screening and assessment with a given deadline of August 31st. The screening assesses four metrics: BMI, Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, and Hemoglobin A1C. In June, I received the postcard indicating the 30-day warning notice: the health screening/assessment was due by July 31^st. As I reflected on my sedentary lifestyle, an increase in fast food intake, I begin to dread the assessment and rationalized that the insurance company was utilizing tactics for failure. I needed that additional 30 days.

I started a mental debate on how well I had done within the past 6 weeks and consoled myself by focusing on a recent 10 lb weight loss. I resolved that I would have to deal with my poor choices, and suffer the consequences. Nevertheless, I still had 30 days and could make the needed changes. Realistically, it was very hard to break the fast food habit. I was accustomed to ordering at the drive-thru, and my taste buds craved the high-calorie delicacies. In fact, on the night of July 4^th, I was still eating a midnight snack at 2am. At that point, I determined that I was totally out of control, and prayed for God to help me overcome the desire for unhealthy food.

With three weeks left, I was determined that I would make healthier food choices, and increase my activity. Kudos to me, I purchased a Fitbit and ate close to veganism for two of the three remaining weeks. I scheduled my online appointment with Quest lab on July 27^th, four days prior to the deadline. What I did not realize is that my recent efforts would not erase a year of poor choices. When I received the results, I had failed all four of the metrics. The parameters for the metrics were lowered to reflect an optimal level of wellness. I reviewed my results repeatedly. The level of disappointment that I felt was so overwhelming that I cried. Fast food had led to an increase in my triglyceride level of twice the level of the previous year. My HDL (good cholesterol) was still good, but my LDL (bad cholesterol) was really bad.

The impact of my lifestyle stared back at me. So, I pulled myself together and realized that I am not helpless in this situation. How important are my health and well-being? It is now my top priority. I am thankful that I have an insurance company that cares enough about their subscribers to require annual assessments. I am still facing the daily struggle of not choosing fast food chicken nuggets that were designed especially for me. However, I have made the decision to decrease unhealthy choices to once a month. I have replaced fast food with well-balanced meals. Not only do I feel better, but I have also lost an additional five lbs within two weeks.

Resolving Unexpected Life Events with God

Refer to Devotionals: Healthy Bites, 5/13/19 and Healthy Bites: Making Improvements, 5/16/19 for Health Updates

 

 

Don’t store up treasures here on earth…Matthew 6:9

How many times have we heard, “You work hard for your money, enjoy your life, buy what you need?” Buying what we need usually translates into what we want by fulfilling our self-indulgent desires. In fact, we are being manipulated everyday by “Big Businesses” who utilize psychologists to develop marketing strategies to feed the beast of buying. Personally, I have never had anything to drink that would make me feel as if I were on a Caribbean beach with my toes in the sand; diamonds are not my best friends, and the list goes on and on. If you want a reality shock, start attending a few Estate or Moving sales-there is often an excess that would furnish 2-3 homes. The sellers are often functioning in the panic mode by the last day of the sale, slashing prices by 50 to 75%, or an offer to just take it.

How do we break the habit of “just buy it?”

Practical Methods for Breaking the Spending Habit:

1. Use the envelope method of a pre-determined amount of cash for food, shopping, and other expenses.
2. Organize your closets-donate or sell items you are unable to fit or have not worn in six months or longer.
3. Make a list of your assets; clothing, shoes, accessories, and household items.
4. Volunteer to help those in need. It helps to see life from another perspective.

Identifying our overabundance provides a reality check as to how blessed we are. Ask for help from God. It will take prayer and perseverance to change pleasurable behaviors. But, we can be overcomers in all things.

Resolving Life Events with God
Sonya Johnson-Ruiz RN

There are many barriers to obtaining permanent employment for 50 + females.

1. High productivity standards.
2. Constant technological advancements.
3. Employer Health insurance penalty of higher premiums
4. Lack of certification/evidence of continuing education.
5. Appearance of being middle-aged., gray hair, etc.
6. Possess fewer cutting edge skills than younger counterparts.
7. Ethnicity or racial background.
8. Job offered is not the right fit.

Perhaps in your experience you have faced other issues. However, the middle-aged woman (if hired) is often the last hired-out of desperation-just to fill position.

Despite our unexpected stormy trials, believers are never alone.  “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Trials, sorrows, and difficulties are designed to give us spiritual growth and increase our dependency on God. We were not created to live without God’s divine intervention. It’s normal for our emotions to intensify when we feel our hardships are drowning us. If we allow our emotions to control us, our faith diminishes and we risk losing our confidence in the love and strength that God provides.

Take the time to separate yourself and pray for help. Pray an honest prayer. “God, I am feeling overwhelmed and disappointed. I need your help. I know that you love me and will bring me victoriously through this situation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.” Praise God and thank Him in advance for His Divine Intervention. Prayer does not take away our trials. Consistent prayer allows us to receive strength and guidance from the Holy Spirit.

Study the Scriptures every day. Include time for quiet meditation. The Holy Spirit is our Comforter. As believers, we can hear God’s voice through different means such as our thoughts, reading scriptures, listening to sermons, or hearing another believer’s testimony of victory. Sometimes, God communicates through spiritual dreams or a fellow believer who may not even know our situation. However, it’s important to note that God’s answer always aligns with the Holy Scriptures. Through daily worship, we learn to recognize the voice of God.

When the disciples were in the boat, fearing for their lives, Jesus appeared to them by walking on the water. “Be of good cheer! It is I, do not be afraid” (Matthew 14:27). Remember, we are never alone. Jesus is with us in every stormy trial. The human effort of faith and trust along with Divine intervention always ends in victory! During the challenges of the raging storm, Jesus says, “Come to Me.” Take the giant leap of faith and “Go Ahead! Walk on the Water.”

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