Category: Inspirational

5 Mental Health Tips for the Holidays

Q'Zion6 Comments

Hello, everyone! My name is Q’Zion, and welcome to The Joys and Trials of a Christian Teen. It’s officially December, and we all know what that means; the Christmas season is finally here! And while the spirit of Christmas is in the air as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, many people find themselves more susceptible to stress and even depression during this time of year.

Let’s face it; everyone wants to feel great inside and out throughout the year, but even more so during the Christmas season. And we can all do that; all it needs is a little bit of work and preparation, and we’re all good to go! Today, I will be sharing my top 5 tips for maintaining mental wellness during the holidays. Let’s get started!

Maintain an ‘optimist-realist’ mindset.

The Christmas season is such a beautiful time of year; especially when it is Jesus’s birth that we are celebrating. And I believe that in our hearts, we all want every holiday season to be better than the last. And is it a good thing to maintain that holiday spirt? Absolutely! But we must also be sure to be realistic about our limits and those of the ones that we love as we work to throw huge family gatherings at the end of the year. This year my not be exactly like the last. People and families change. And financial situations and traditions might, as well. But as long as we keep both the optimism and the realism during this time of year, our holiday season will likely be the best one yet.

Exercise daily and maintain a healthy diet.

I know, I know. You’ve probably read this only a thousand times, and would like to do nothing more than to skip to the next heading. But a huge part of the reason why many people feel stressed or depressed around this time of year is because they aren’t putting the work in to keep their body and minds healthy. As little as 30 minutes of exercise a day (even something as simple as yoga, walking, or hiking) as well as incorporating the necessary vitamins and minerals into your diet with fruits, vegetables, dairy, grains, and protein can cause a boost in your energy and sanity.

Besides, most of us will enjoy a nice break from our diets on Christmas Day, anyway. Just remember, when we do have a craving for something sweet or savory, what matters most is that we eat everything in moderation. ;))

Plan ahead.

What gets most people into a stressed crunch before Christmas and New Year’s Day arrive is they wait until the last minute to buy gifts, prepare Christmas dinners, and put up festive decorations around their home. But in reality, that can only hype up the stress when Christmas is only one or two weeks away. Do yourself and your family a favor by planning a grocery list, putting up most of your decorations for the year, and buying gifts while sales are still here. If you do, it is sure to help your peace of mind, and your wallet.

Volunteer.

One of the best parts of Christmas is that it gives us all another opportunity to look out for one another–meaning ourselves, our families, and those in our communities. God loves a cheerful giver, and if you have the means to give, a great thing to do would be to donate your time and/or money towards an organization that you support. Most of us are blessed by God to be able to afford a fairytale Christmas (or as close to it as we can get.) But everyone doesn’t have that luxury. And it’s important in both God’s will and the spirit of Christmas that we give back to the people and communities that have given to us.

Create a personal budget.

Budgets. Are they most people’s favorite word? Probably not. But are they a weight off of our shoulders during the Christmas season? You bet! This tip kind of goes hand in hand with #1, just because creating a budget requires us to tap into that ‘optimist-realist’ mindset that we discussed.

Sometimes, as much as we want something (for ourselves and/or those we love) it’s important to be realistic with ourselves in how much we can give. So, whether your budget is 50 or 500 dollars, this holiday season, remember that the true meaning of Christmas has no monetary value. Or in other words, a million gifts cannot replace the love that we share during this time of year.

While we cannot control everything that life brings, we can maintain faith in God’s plan for us and do all the preparations that we can for Christmas Day. And I hope that with these tips, your Christmas season will be the utmost merry and bright! Please comment down below some of your productive tips for maintaining mental wellness during this time of year. I would love to hear from you!

Have a beautiful and blessed day, everyone! God bless you all and I’ll see you next time! Peace in! ♡

25 Positive Affirmations to Begin Your Week ♡

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Hey, everyone! My name is Q’Zion, and welcome to The Joys and Trials of a Christian Teen! Today is Sunday, and that means a new week has officially begun. Regardless of what this upcoming week has in store for you, Sundays are a time for us to relax, recharge, and start off our week strong!

Positive affirmations are the perfect way to make sure your week is productive. And if Thanksgiving is coming up where you live, I’m sure we could all use a little bit of self care before the holiday season comes around!

Here are 25 fun, relaxing, and positive affirmations to help you start your week! Let’s get this party started!

25 Positive Affirmations to Begin Your Week

1. This week will be better than the last/ the best one yet!

2. This week, I will take time to recharge.

3. I am grateful for today, and I look forward to the week ahead of me.

4. I chose happiness today.

5. I am confident in the abilities that God has blessed me with.

6. This week, I will achieve my goals.

7. I am positive and creative.

8. I am enough, this week and forever.

9. I can handle whatever this week throws at me.

10. I am blessed.

11. My self-confidence is at an all-time high!

12. God is with me: there’s nothing I can’t do!

13. I will not allow anything to disturb my peace.

14. Many good things will happen, this week.

15. I am capable of doing great things!

16. I choose success and the work that will get me there!

17. This week is my time to shine!

18. I am unique, and proud of it!

19. I am exactly who God made me to be, and I will let my light shine, this week!

20. I will grow stronger every day, this week!

21. Today, I’ll take time to take care of myself.

22. Today is the new day that God has made!

23. My life has a purpose and a meaning.

24. Today, I chose healing.

25. This week will be a blessing in my life and the lives of others.

Whether or not it’s actually Sunday, for you, these positive affirmations are a great way to boost your energy level and make your week even more productive! And saying kind things to ourselves is one of the key factors to doing great things! I encourage you to try out these affirmations for yourself, and see just how positive your week can be!

Please tell me down below in the comments, which one of these encouraging and inspirational statements did you like the most? I would love to hear from you!

Have a happy and healthy rest of your day and/or night! God bless you all, and I will catch you next time! Peace in! ♡

Our Diets are More Than What We Eat — Words of Wisdom #23

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For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

1 Timothy 4:8 New International Version (NIV)

What’s the first thing that pops into your head when you hear the word “diet?” Is it fruits and vegetables? No pasta or bread? A real-life nightmare? Due to the world that we live in, diets have been defined as food restriction plans that are meant to help you loose weight. But I’m here to tell you that our diets are much more than just what we eat.

In today’s episode of Words of Wisdom, I’ll be discussing the reason why food is far from the only thing that makes up a diet. Without further ado, let’s get started!

What is a Diet?

As I’ve stated before, when most of us think of a diet, it is cutting back on the types and/or amount of food that we put into our bodies. But our physical health is only one aspect of a healthy (and happy) person. Therefore, the answer to the question “What is a diet” is not only about our bodies; it’s about our spiritual and emotional health.

While the food that we eat is important, it’s not the only thing that we consume. What about the shows that we watch or the music that we listen to? What about what we do and say when everyone’s watching? Does that correlate to how we act behind closed doors or by ourselves?

As followers of Jesus Christ, and human beings, our diet is what we eat, see, do, hear and think. Why, you ask? Because all of these things are in relation to the type of environments that we allow ourselves to be in. And whatever type of energy that is, whether it is of God or not, will likely rub off on us over time. That’s why it’s important that we use the guidance of God–both through prayer and studying His Word–to make decisions that are healthy for every single aspect of us (meaning our bodies, minds, hearts, and spirits.)

Our diet also has a huge effect on our mood; the better our diet, the healthier, happier, and spirtiually in-tune with God we are. And if there’s anything that we can do to deepen our relationship with God, it’s to show ourselves approved by how we spend our time. And I think that as children of God, that’s something that we could all work on in our daily lives.

As you all can see, our diets are more than just the food we eat. Is nutrition important? Absolutely! In fact, taking care of our bodies can also have positive effects on our mental health. But everything that we consume–whether it’s food or what we allow into our spirits–is a huge part of the people that we are today. And that, my friends, is a lot deeper than food.

Have a beautiful and blessed day, everyone! God bless you and I’ll catch you next time! Peace in! ♡

Daily Habits for Mental Wellness as a Christian – PT. 1

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Hey, hey, everybody! This is Q’Zion, and welcome to The Joys and Trials of a Christian Teen.

There are so many aspects to being healthy . . . not just how much exercise you get or how healthy you eat. Are those things important? Absolutely! But a healthy body is not the only factor of a healthy spirit. That’s where mental wellness comes in. While this is a major topic on my blog, I realized that I’ve never directed a post about positive mental habits for fellow Christians. But that changes today.

As followers of Christ, there are so many ways to please God. And one thing that I know God wants is for us to be healthy–mentally, physically, and spiritually. And implementing healthy, productive habits into our daily lives to boost our mood and gain a sense of self worth is perfect for maintaining mental wellness and deepening our relationship with our Heavenly Father, in the process. Today, I will be listing a few ways that we can do so, with a scripture representing each point. So without further ado, let’s get started!

Practice Gratitude in all Circumstances

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

– 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

For me, showing gratitude as a Christian is not simply just being thankful. It’s showing appreciation–through our actions, thoughts, and words–that God has loved us enough to bless us with salvation (eternal life) and all the other people and blessings that put the icing on the cake. While anyone can practice gratitude, it’s even more critical that we practice this lifestyle as followers of Christ.

By acknowledging the things that we are blessed to have, even in the moments where everything isn’t going our way or we don’t feel our best, we can build on our relationship with God as we give Him glory for all that He’s blessed us with. And the best part is, when we show God that we are thankful, He can (and will) bless us with even more than what we have now. What an amazing Father we serve!

Communicate with God through Prayer

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

– 1 John 5:14-15

Praying should be a no-brainer for all followers of Christ. Some people say that they are happier when they spend time with their family and friends. And while our loved ones are all wonderful gifts from God, it’s important that we take time everyday to communicate with the Lord, as well, with the power of prayer.

One of the most common questions that I see about prayer is simply “How do you pray?” Well, the simplest answer to that is have a conversation with God. That could be in the form of thanking Him (another great way to express our gratitude), asking Him for what we need, asking for forgiveness, and even using memorized scriptures to strengthen our conversations. Praying doesn’t have to be difficult, in fact. Even “Thank you, Lord” is a prayer.

Instead of thinking of praying as a daunting task (particularly for new Christians) think of it like this: God has given us the gift of being able to speak to Him whenever we’d like. We can get to know more about Him and better our spiritual and mental wellness while doing so. And when we decide to take that opportunity, we are taking a huge step towards becoming the best people that we can be; both as people and most importantly, God’s children.

Get Your Exercise

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

– 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Although they are most often separated as two different topics, our physical and mental health are more connected than some may realize. For example, if you eat an apple everyday, you will most likely have lower hormone fluctuations (meaning less mood swings) and a boosted mood. While on the other hand, too much stress can suppress one’s immune system and make them more susceptible to diseases.

Our bodies are yet another blessing from the Lord. And the functions of our bodies that seem as simple as walking and breathing are miracles. And because our bodies are such gifts, we’ve got to do what we can to keep them healthy. Exercise (preferably 30-60 minutes a day) is the perfect way to release happy hormones (therefore making you feel more relaxed and accomplished) while keeping our physical health in check. But, even if you get bored during your next jog, you can always play some of your favorite gospel tunes to add worship to your workout!

Understand Who You are In Christ

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

– John 14:27

Having a sense of confidence is something that anyone can struggle with, including God’s children. But the thing is, when we take a look into God’s Word, we notice that throughout the entire book, He is constantly telling us who we are to Him: the apple of His eye, forgiven, loved, saved, strong, made with a purpose, wonderfully made, and worthy to have a happy, eternal life.

While self confidence is something that can take time to build, we can’t help but be grateful when we receive all that God has called us to be. So whenever you need a little bit (or a lot) of encouragement, take time to study who God says you are. Because at the end of the day, that matters WAY more than what anyone else thinks/says about you.

Mental health is critical in our day to day lives, and we should all take time to make sure that we are taking time out of each day to maintain a happy, healthy, and godly state of mind. Hopefully, these simple yet life-changing habits will help you do just that. Please tell me some of your healthy habits (as a Christian) that you do to maintain mental wellness. Also, were any of these tips eye-openers for you?

Have a beautiful and blessed day, everyone! God bless you all and I’ll catch you later! Peace in! ♡

The Difference Between Being Lonely vs. Being Alone – Words of Wisdom #21

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Two words: alone and lonely. While the two adjectives sound fairly similar, they also hold two completely different meanings. You see, a lot of people believe that “being alone” is the same thing as “being lonely.” But despite this common misconception, it remains very common for certain people to feel at peace when being alone, and others to feel lonely in a room full of people. Why is this? And moreover, what exactly does this mean?

In today’s episode of Words of Wisdom, we will be diving into the subject “How does being lonely differ from being alone?” a little further.

To begin, let’s review the top definition of each word of this comparison in the Oxford Dictionary. Take a look.

First, lonely’s definition.

Now, the definition of alone.

Do you see any difference? If not, try reading both definitions one more time, and see if you can detect it. Then, check your answer down below.

While the true meanings of alone and lonely may seem the same at first glance, I think the more you read them, the easier it is to understand why they’re so different. So the answer to today’s question is, being lonely represents an emotional longing to have a companionship, of some sort. Meanwhile, alone is just the physical state of being unattended by another person.

Many times, people mistake the word alone as a bad thing. But when we think about it, almost everyone enjoys a few minutes a day doing something that they love in solidarity, whether that something is listening to music, spending time with God, or even working up a sweat in the gym. In fact, I believe that the times in which we are enjoying the moment in solidarity are likely some of the most peaceful moments of all. That’s why it’s possible to be happy when we’re by ourselves, or lonely even when we are in the presence of others.

Really, identifying the difference between the two is all about our state of mind.

So, today’s final words: being alone is not the same as being lonely. Instead, it’s a great way for us all to practice self-care and come to a place where we can simply enjoy our own company–and develop a closer relationship to God, in the process. I challenge anyone who is willing to take some more time in solidarity, and find ways to enjoy moments of solitary peace. We all need them, every once in a while.

Have a fantabulous day, everybody! God bless you all, and I’ll catch you later! Peace in! ♡

I attempted to make TWO positive affirmation collage boards . . . ♡ [REPOST]

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A/N~Hello, everyone! It’s Q’Zion here and welcome back to my blog. One of my favorite posts on my blog is the one where I show you all the process of how I created these two positive affirmation collage boards. Considering that a lot of students have gone back to school, or will be going soon, I know that there are many kids out there who are in need of some encouragement. Hopefully the positive messages on these collage boards will do just the trick. Enjoy this repost! ♡

I have completed about four craft kits by Creatology, all of which I purchased at Michaels, my favorite craft store. As my older followers probably know, I have fallen in love with the craft kits by this particular brand, and I make sure to buy a new one every time I get the chance. Approximately 2-3 days ago, me and Goodmommy saw some more cute Creatology kits right before we got to the registers.

The kit that ended up catching my eye was these two ADORABLE positive affirmation collage boards!

The way that this kit in particular differs from the other Creatology kits that I’ve purchased (and loved) is that it doesn’t include any paint. Instead, it has tissue paper and decorative stickers as the main mediums, which I was a little skeptical to work with for the first time, mainly because of the translucent paper. However, you’ll see later on that I was pleasantly surprised!

Least me say that this kit is LOADED with nice quality supplies. It even came with a ‘supplies included’ list on the back of the box. Overall, it provides 2 card stock boarders, 2 pieces of chipboard, 4 acetate sheets, 1 mirror sticker, 10 paper stickers, 3 glitter foam stickers, 2 colors of yarn, 35 adhesive gems, 180 pieces of tissue paper in a multitude of colors, and an Instruction sheet.

All I needed to complete the project that was not included was scissors and a glue stick, both of which were easily accessible.

Obviously, the kit gives you more than enough supplies, which I found really helpful, especially if you want to give your piece some extra details. I was even able to save some for a possible future project like this one.

The very first step was to add your multi-colored tissue paper in a mosaic design along one of the acetate sheets. I found this step really interesting, considering that you had to work with the rectangular shape, and the arrange the colors to get them to match the border color.

Considering that the one above was for the pink border, I tried to use more hot pink, yellow, and orange to make the color pop!

For the blue boarder, I used more blues, whites, and light pinks to give the piece a more mellow and relaxed feel, since that’s the emotion that I tend to associate with the shade of the blue boarder.

It’s really cool how the two color schemes of the collages have a different vibe about them, despite the fact that I used the exact same colors, LOL.

Afterwards, I glued the side of the acetate paper without the tissue paper on to a piece of chipboard. On top of the tissue-paper-covered acetate, I glued the card stock border of the desired color.

For the final step of assembly, I punched out the two holes at the top of the piece for my string.

After the assembly of each collage was complete, I added the positive affirmation stickers to each. For the pink, I used the 3D sparkly stickers. For the blue, I used the huge star mirror sticker. As the finishing touch, I applied the jewels along the cardstock boarders of each college. And voila! These two masterpieces were complete in only 120-150 minutes.

What can I say? I’m a fast learner! 😋💖🎨

I honestly don’t know what to say about these except that I AM IN LOVE!!! What I appreciate the most is the amount of short positive affirmation messages. Me and Goodmommy decided to hang them up in my room so that I can see them every morning and remember to believe in the princess that God has called me to be.

Every finishing detail was spot on, and I can’t wait for my next kit by Creatology! Each one is getting better and better! To see my other Creatology kit posts, please click HERE.

LET’S CHAT~Have you ever hand made a collage? If so, what did you use to make it (photographs, digital photos, newspaper, etc.)?

Have a beautiful and blessed day, everybody! May God bless every single one of you! Peace in! 💖

A True Friend – Words of Wisdom #20

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Proverbs 18:24 -- New International Version (NIV)
One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

There are many precious relationships that we develop in our lifetime. But one of the most precious of them all are our friends. Although no friendship is perfect–and like all relationships, have their ups and downs–true friends are there when you need them. They’re people who make us laugh, who we go to when we’re feeling down, stay with us through thick and thin, build us up, and bring us closer to God through their everlasting love.

Sometimes, it can be hard to evaluate whether our friendships are truly genuine. What is a good friend? And furthermore, what can we do to be a good friend? Well, the Bible covers everything that we need to know in life, and the subject of friendship is no exception.

August 7th, also known as National Friendship Day, is a day for us to celebrate some of the most special people in our lives. Therefore, today’s episode of Words of Wisdom, we will be discussing the subject, “What does the Word of God define as a true friend?” Let’s get started!

The Bible says that true friends:

  • Stick closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24)
  • Pray for their friends (Job 42:10)
  • Encourage and build up one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
  • Do not associate with gossip. (Proverbs 16:28)
  • Forgive one another (Colossians 3:13, Proverbs 16:28)
  • Love each other at all times–even through conflicts. (Proverbs 27:10)
  • Are a positive influence (1 Corinthians 15:33)
  • Bring out the best in each other. (Proverbs 27:17)

As you can probably tell, true friends are very hard to find. Therefore, it can be tricky for some people to tell who their real friends really are. Keep in mind that we shouldn’t create unrealistic expectations when looking for a friend–like us, they are people who make mistakes. That’s why sometimes, breaks are needed in a friendship.

But at the end of the day, as we continue to study what the Lord says in His Word, as well as seek Him for help when we need it, then the people who are our real friends–and how we can be better friends–will begin to become clearer.

So my final words are, friendships are one of the most precious gifts from God. And friends come in many shapes and forms–take family members and pets, for example. But we should absolutely never forget that there is one friend of ours that we have that never makes mistakes.

And that person is God himself.

I encourage you to take some time today to thank God for being a friend, and for considering us a friend of his. Also, please reach out to the people in your lives who have been true friends to you. Let’s all strive to be a better friend after the reminder of National Friendship Day.

Have a fantabulous rest of your day everyone! God bless you all and I will see you all next time! Peace in! ♡

Who’s Ready for Highschool? | How to Get Prepared — Reblog

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A/N~ Happy Saturday, everyone! Let. me. tell. you. Today was a busy day, for me. Still, I decided to reblog this super fun post of mine to help out 8th and 9th graders to prepare for high school, since most schools are already/almost back in session. I hope you all enjoy it!

When you’re in 8th grade, it can be a lot to think about your future. It’s the last year of middle school, a.k.a. the time in your life where you start thinking about college and what career you want to pursue, all while trying to find out more about yourself and how you are changing. I know that it can seem like a lot sometimes. However, as a soon-to-be-freshman myself, I’m here to tell you that everything will be okay! We just need to get prepared. And here’s how!

1.) Make Sure You Have a Consistent Schedule to Better Suit the Upcoming Changes ~ Highschool is nothing to be afraid of. Still, it’s a new chapter of our lives that requires preparation. And that means a schedule that will better suit the changes. In high school we will have new classes, teachers, peers, schools and our grades begin setting deeper footprints. This means that we need to make sure that we have routines that will give us plenty of time to stay productive during weekdays.

2.) Pay Attention to Academic Areas that Need Improving ~ Most of us have at least one favorite subject. And along with that, there might be some subjects that you feel like you could improve in. Now is the time to put those feelings into action. If we go through the process of getting more comfortable with the subjects that we need help in, we are setting ourselves up for success in the future and in life.

3.) Maintain Good Study Habits ~ One of the biggest differences in high school vs. middle school is the amount of work. High school is when we really start to prepare for our future, so why not start early? Maintaining positive and stable study habits will help prepare us for what’s to come, making the load lighter when high school is in session.

Recommended Post: How to Stay Organized as a Virtual Student

4.) Ask For Help If (and When) You Need It ~ At one point or another, we’ve all had to ask for help, whether it was from God, a parent, a teacher, a friend, or even our communities. And if there’s any stage in our lives that we need to ask for help, it’s probably now. New stages can be exciting, but for others they can be nerve-wracking. So, whenever you need a helping hand to lay on your shoulder during this time of transition, don’t be afraid to ask for it. Asking for assistance is a skill that we will need to use in all stages of our journeys as people and individuals.

5.) Create an Organized Workspace ~ While study habits are important, the only way that we can study effectively is if we have a constant place to do so. When you come home from school (or when you do your work if you’re homeschooled, like me) it makes it much easier to focus when you have an effective study space to get the job done.

6.) Get Your Priorities in Check ~ Prioritizing what we find the most important in our lives is crucial to preparing for grade 9. Peer pressure is just about everywhere in most public schools, so make sure that you are in check with what and whom you should spend your time. High school is all about preparing for adulthood, and while we still have time left before then, making priorities are a must for another successful school year!

7.) Relax~We Got This! ~ No matter what, remember that as long as you give it your all, you’ve got it together! You are capable. You are smart. You will succeed. You are getting better every day. You got this! Don’t forget to say these things to yourself whenever you need some words of encouragement. We can’t overlook mental health! <33

This guide for How to Prepare for Highschool was such a blast to create! I’m super excited for what high school has in store for me, and I hope that now you are, too. Don’t forget that with effort, the willingness to ask for help, positive affirmation, and academic preparation, high school will be smooth-sailing. All we need to do (besides these tips) is relax and enjoy what’s soon to come!

For more amazing content like this, please follow my blog for notifications every time I post another masterpiece.

Thanks for reading! Have a beautiful and blessed day, everyone! Peace in! ✨

5 Tips for Overcoming Your Fears

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Hey, everybody! This is Q’Zion, and welcome back to my corner of the Internet! ♡

Let’s talk about fear. It’s a word that we have all heard once or twice, at the very least. And while for some, it’s just another word in the dictionary, other people may suffer from anxiety on a much more regular basis. While fear is not a bad thing, it’s important that we don’t let it take control. The only thing is, that can be a lot harder said than done.

This being said, conquering our fears is an amazing way to help us become more compassionate, confident, brave, and wise human beings. Plus, it’s a big help when it comes to checking things off of our bucket lists. And since July 26th is National All or Nothing Day, it made perfect sense to talk about just that.

To help you start your journey, here are a few tips for conquering your fears. Let’s get started! ♡

Start Small

When we learn how to swim, we don’t just dive right into the deep end; instead, we learn the basics and build on our progress. Facing fears is a very similar process. Instead of diving into the things that make you nervous head on, sometimes its better to take baby steps. This not only helps prepare you for the time when you face your fear, but it also helps to build your courage and confidence, in the process.

Realize That The Only Way You Can Fail is If You Quit

One of the biggest obstacles that can get in the way of facing a fear is the thought of failing your mission. But in the scenario that you try and things don’t immediately go as planned, that is only a bump in the road so long as you keep giving your all to succeed. But the journey only stops if we give up. Remember that the bumps in the road are just another part of your road to victory.

Be Kind to Yourself

While doing our best is of utmost importance in life, making sure that you’re taking care of yourself is, too. Therefore, if you ever do encounter one of those bumps in the road, give yourself some time to recoup with a short session of mindfulness. Whether that is taking some deep breaths, taking a nap, or reading a book, never punish yourself for making mistakes along the way. After all, love is one of the gems of life. We should never take it for granted.

Turn Your Fear into Fuel

Life is filled with a handful of trials, and fear is one of them that we all have to conquer at one point or another. But instead of ignoring our fears until they multiply, try to use it as a drive to make every effort to conquer the anxiety. A lot of times, it’s the trials in life that can make us stronger than ever. All we have to do is turn our fears into fuel.

Acknowledge Your Achievements

Even though there are some trials in life, we mustn’t ignore the endless list of joys. During every journey, there tends to be some type of achievement or growth that occurs along the way. Therefore, make sure to give yourself positive rewards for the things that you’ve done to achieve your goals. These celebrations serve as an extra push in the right direction of facing a fear.

I know that facing a fear is a process, but I hope that these tips will help make it easier for anyone on their journey. Keep in mind that as long as we keep the faith that we can and will succeed, there is nothing that we cannot achieve. Thank God for victory!

LET’S CHAT~What are some of the tips that you have for facing fears? Feel free to share your responses in the comments!

Have a wonderful day everybody! God bless you all, and until next time, peace in! ♡

Freedom Follows Forgiveness – Words of Wisdom #19

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Luke 6:37 New International Version (NIV)
37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Forgiveness is more than just an action. Sure, you have to do something to forgive, but that something comes from the inside. Some of you may be wondering, what is exactly is forgiveness? When we forgive in Christ, it means that we are handing over the situation to the Lord in faith, as we continue to walk forward with love towards the one who hurt us. Forgiving sets us free from the shackles of bitterness and anger, as we trust God and put the situation in His loving hands.

Trust me, I understand that sometimes, forgiving can be much harder said than done. When someone has hurt us deeply–especially someone who we trust and love–it can be tough to simply move on from something that can imprint such a deep stain. We may even think that they don’t deserve our forgiveness.

But the thing is, do we deserve to be forgiven by God when we fall short of His Glory?

Moving on in life while forgiving those in the past isn’t always an easy thing. But as followers of Jesus, we should make an effort to be as much like him as we possibly can. And considering how many times God has forgiven us for our sins, it’s only right that we take the initiative to forgive, as well.

I also want to touch on the subject that forgiveness doesn’t necessarily mean forgiving another person. Because the truth is, forgiving ourselves for our mistakes is just as important–remember, the Bible says to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:39).

If God–the Lord of lords and the King of kings, can forgive us for our sins, then we’re worth cutting ourselves a little slack for things what we’ve done in the past. What matters most is that we pray and do all that we can to prevent repeating those mistakes.

All in all, the purpose for today’s Words of Wisdom is for us to keep in mind that we need to forgive in order to be forgiven. Also, if God can forgive us all for our sins, then He can give us the strength to forgive one another. Freedom follows forgiveness.

So, who will you forgive today?

Have an amazing rest of your day or night! God bless you all, and don’t forget to take some time to rest; we all need it. Laters! ♡