Interest in Healthy Living

I haven’t talked much about my healing journey lately, but I’ve been on a specific journey for about three years. For me, something about growing older sparked more interest in being healthy. Truth is, my interest in living a healthy life began as a child, probably around the age of 10 because that’s when my mom took a deep interest in nutrition because my dad had MS. 

Throughout the decades, I’ve learned a lot about being healthy. This interest hasn’t waned at all over the years. In fact, I’ve learned several things about what it takes to be healthy. 

One important lesson I’ve learned is sometimes no matter what we do, we get hit by things that make us unhealthy. I guess because we live in a fallen world. On the other side of that coin lies another truth: sometimes we make unhealthy decisions and that causes our bodies to become unhealthy.

One-Year Celebration Today! Pursuing Healthy Living

One year ago, I decided to stop doing something that was unhealthy for my body: drinking alcohol. Not because I had a drinking problem, but because my body didn’t react well to it. It was making my body unhealthy.

Another truth, I learned in my forties to enjoy red wine. Unfortunately, sulfites don’t treat my body well, and alcohol was working against my gut and brain health goals. So, I made the decision to just stop for a while. 

One day at a time, I did not drink alcohol. Then the days turned into months. Occasionally friends and family would ask me how long I was going to not drink. My response was always, “I don’t know.” 

Now, here I am one year later, and I don’t know if I will ever drink alcohol again. I may, but I may not. I still have not reached my optimal health goals, and I believe alcohol hinders my ability to achieve this goal. 

Why do I want optimal health?

First, as a Christian, our body is the temple of God, and we are to treat it as such. We each are responsible to not destroy it. Our body, God’s temple, is sacred (1 Corinthians 3:16-17).

Second, I want to be as healthy as I can be so that I can serve God to the best of my abilities (1 Peter 4:10).

Finally, I like being healthy. It feels good to be healthy, am I right? Pursuing healthy living can be hard sometimes, but the results are worth it. 

Self-Control is a Must for Making Changes

Changing takes self-control. There were days during this past year that I was tempted to drink a glass of red wine. Many times, for various reasons. Sometimes because I wanted to join in a social experience with family and friends. Sometimes because I wanted to relax at the end of a hard day or week. Other times because it just sounded good. But I resisted. Why? Because my goal of becoming healthier meant more to me than a moment of swallowing a few ounces of red wine. Saying no to red wine meant saying yes to my health.

One-Year Milestone

I share this because it’s a milestone I never ever would have thought I would ever celebrate. When I was under 40, I basically didn’t drink alcohol. Since my early 40’s though, I began to drink red wine for my health and because I liked the taste of red wine. 

Funny, huh? For my health? Yes, I was told by a medical professional that drinking a glass of red wine a few times each week would help me through the change of life. Guess what? It didn’t. But that was another lesson I had to learn.

Now, here I am not drinking alcohol for my health, and something tells me I have made the right decision. Maybe my lab work has something to do with that. As my doctor says, “Labs don’t lie.”

So, today, February 13, 2024, I celebrate one year of not drinking alcohol. I just wanted to share a little about my health journey with you. Keeping things open and honest. 

In this world we will be tempted and ridiculed for our decisions. But once we reach our goals, we can lift our glasses and say “Cheers to me! I did it!” 

Keep on going, friend. Even when you are tempted. Grab self-control. Be brave to say no to the things that hinder you. Say yes to things that help you reach your optimal health and goals.

Cheers!

Michelle

The post One-Year Celebration Today! Pursuing Healthy Living! appeared first on Michelle Barringer.

Surrounded by Packages

I’m starting to get surrounded by packages. Guess who has been shopping?

This is what happens in my house at this time of year. All packages pile up in my office/writing room. Last year by mid-December, I could barely find my desk. I anticipate this year could be a repeat.

The difference this year is that I plan to organize the packages so that I don’t risk tripping and getting hurt. I may have endangered myself a few times last year. In fact, I know I did. I probably still have scars from banging into boxes and crates.

This year, I’m wiser. I will surround myself in a way that keeps me safe. This is exactly what we need to do with the people we choose to surround ourselves with too. We need to be choosey. We need to be wise.  

Don’t Get Entangled

Yesterday, I shared about anger, what it does to us if we allow it to take root. Well, today, I share that others’ anger can trip us up too. In fact, Solomon advised that we “Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.” Proverbs 22:24-25, ESV

In other words, don’t become friends with people controlled by anger. Don’t even associate with them because we risk learning their sinful ways and getting trapped. Exactly like I felt last year in my office surrounded by so many packages. I felt trapped.

On the same note, God also tells us that bad friends will destroy us.

“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.’” 1 Corinthians 15:33, ESV

Don’t be fooled by people with bad character. If we choose to surround ourselves with them, we risk injuring our own character. They may seem fun, nevertheless, it’s a slippery slope to spend time with people who are foolish. They don’t care about our character, but we need to care about our character.

Who Do We Surround Ourselves With?

So, who do we surround ourselves with then? The wise. That’s who. Once again, God lets us know who and who not to spend time with.

“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” Proverbs 13:20, ESV

Spending time with fools only means we will suffer harm. Surrounding ourselves with unwise people, only opens the doorway for us to suffer. On the other hand, surrounding ourselves with the wise helps us become wise.

I read an article recently on the Jesus Film Project called 5 Christians You Should Spend More Time With. I like their list. It includes:

1. The Prayer Warrior
2. The Evangelist
3. The Neighbor
4. The Discipler
5. The Counselor

We need others in our lives to pour good into us, to stretch us, to help us grow. We are to be in community with other Christians. This list is a good list to consider. Do you spend time with anyone on this list?

Be Wise Who You Surround Yourself With

Jim Rohn, an American entrepreneur, author, and motivational speaker said, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”

Who are the five people you spend the most time with? Are they kind or angry? Are they gentle or harsh? Are they encouraging or discouraging? Do they complement or condemn? Are they hard workers or lazy? You get the idea. 

On this last day of the November New Challenge, I encourage you to consider who you surround yourself with. Is it time to spend less time with someone in your life because they are harming you or dragging you down in some way? Maybe it’s time to cut some people out of your life. Perhaps they are only tripping you and trapping you.

Now consider, who in your life brings joy to you? Who encourages you? Who listens to and validates you? Is there anyone who coaches you to be a better you? Choose to spend more time with those kinds of people. 

If you don’t have anyone in your life to encourage you, well, I’m here. That’s one of my God-given purposes in life. Encourage you in faith, purpose, and perseverance. 

One last point. Are you someone’s go-to person? Are you an encourager, discipler, or prayer warrior? Can you be someone that helps surround someone else with wisdom, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control?

Friend, the November New Challenge is complete today, but our work is not done. We have much work to do for the Lord. Part of this work includes being wise who we surround ourselves with and being willing to share the wisdom and strengths God has given each of us with others.

Blessing

May you choose to spend time with the wise. May you be brave to let go of those who entangle you and lead you to sin. And may you share with others your God-given talents. Be someone else’s go-to person.

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Fan the Flame

On this twenty-ninth day of this November New Challenge, I woke with peace. Peace traveled with me throughout the day. What a pleasant state of being peace is. Knowing I must write a blog post at some point today, I wasn’t worried because peace consumed me even though I had no idea what today’s message would be.

Then mid-afternoon, I got angry. Honestly, I could feel its flame ignite and its heat intensify. The power of anger ignites both bitterness and resentment if it is given the fan to flame its fiery wrath. Sorry to say, I fanned the flame.

The good news is, I did not allow the fiery flame to get loose on the person who triggered it. I held it captive and did not respond. Wisdom arrived just in time and reminded me of the most powerful anecdote.

How to Know When NOT to Respond to Someone

When anger, resentment, and bitterness emerge, that’s the number one warning sign for us to know when not to respond to someone. These three emotions cause more damage in relationships than probably any other unpleasant emotions.

Our response to anger must be strategic because “the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” James 1:20, ESV

What are we supposed to do with these powerful emotions then? We are to banish them. As in kick them out of us!

The Apostle Paul put it this way:

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:31-32, NLT

One of the best books I’ve encountered this year is Brant Hansen’s Unoffendable: How Just One Change Can Make All of Life Better. Hansen wrote, “Anger will happen; we’re human. But we can’t keep it…we can recognize injustice, grieve it, and act against it—but without rage, without malice, and without anger.” (p.7)

How do we get rid of anger, bitterness, and resentment?

How to Banish Anger

We have choices. We can choose to hold onto anger, or we can choose to let it go. God wants us to choose to let it go. In fact, He even provides a deadline for us. 

“If you become angry, do not let your anger lead you into sin, and do not stay angry all day.” Ephesians 4:26, GNT

Looks like we are supposed to get rid of anger by the end of the day.

Did you also notice the risk of what can happen if we don’t let anger go? Sin can happen. And we don’t want to give anger that kind of control over us.

How did I banish my anger today?

First, I waited. I didn’t even share with anyone that I was angry. I knew better than to respond when I was fully fiery with anger. Therefore, I occupied myself with work. Basically, I chose to set aside my anger until after work. Yes, we can do this if we are willing.

However, after work, when I reviewed the issue that triggered my anger, I discovered, both bitterness and resentment had joined anger. That’s not a peaceful place to be and I knew it.

Therefore, I decided to reach out to a trusted person and share my dilemma. What a blessing to be able to share with someone and feel heard, understood, and validated. Yet this person was also able to see the other person’s perspective that I did not want to see. 

And I also shared with my husband, who like me, initially got triggered with anger. We share experiences that others have not and this leads for mutual emotional reactions. After processing with him, I decided to take a break, eat dinner, and talk about other things. 

By the time I returned to my office to write this blog, anger was gone and so was bitterness and resentment. In their place both forgiveness and peace consumed me.

Choose to Obey God

I’ve learned time is one of the most powerful anecdotes to get rid of anger. If we allow ourselves time to process alone, with God, and with trusted people, we can overcome anger. 

When we choose to obey God and get rid of anger before the end of the day, we receive peace. When we choose to not hold on to bitterness and resentment and rather choose to be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving, peace fills our souls.

As Hansen said, we can choose to act against injustice, hurts, etc., but without anger. We can choose to remedy hard situations with others with kindness. 

I still don’t agree with the person who triggered my anger today, but I also don’t feel the need to blast this person with a bunch of justifications. God knows my situation, and He’s providing the best guidance through a difficult problem. He knows my heart. He knows the ultimate solution. I trust Him to reveal the best way forward. 

If I ever decide to approach the subject with the person who triggered my anger, maybe I’ll bring a fire extinguisher along just in case of a fire emergency.

“For every minute you remain angry, you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Blessing

May we choose to be tenderhearted in the tough conversations rather than explode with anger. And may we choose to forgive even if the other person doesn’t know they hurt us. May we stand against the Devil’s strategies to cause disunity and instead embrace the power of peace.

The post How to Know When NOT to Respond to Someone appeared first on Michelle Barringer.

Choosing to Praise Jesus

I woke up weighed down today. As I sat before God, head in my hands, He asked me a question. “What do you do when the Devil is messing with you?” Immediately, I answered, “Praise You!”

So, I got up, turned on some praise music, and started praising Jesus. Did you know the Devil cannot stay in our presence when we praise Jesus? He must flee. 

God’s Word instructs us to take every thought captive. I had some negative, defeating, and condemning thoughts. I put my headphones on, got up, and started moving. Raising my hands, saying out loud the name of Jesus. I praised Jesus.

Soon, my head felt lighter, my body came out of its sluggish slumber, and started dancing. Tears flowed because Jesus is amazing! He came and received my praise. Oh, let everything that has breath praise the Lord. He deserves it!

Praising Jesus is a Christian Discipline

I’ve written about praise a lot over the years. It’s one of the key disciplines for Christians. If we don’t praise Jesus, stones will (Luke 19:39-40). Often, I just set everything down and praise Him. 

Do we need a reason to praise our God? There are thousands upon thousands of reasons to praise Him. Breathing alone is reason to praise Jesus. 

Are we breathing? Then let us praise Him. 

“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.” Psalm 150:6, NIV

Where can we praise Jesus? Anywhere. Everywhere. We are not restricted. Get up and praise the Lord.

When can we praise Him? Anytime, day and night. The four living creatures never stop praising Jesus. Day and night they praise Him (Revelation 4:8). Let us join them.

“From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.” Psalm 113:3, NIV

How do we praise Him? Psalm 150:1-6 instructs us to praise Jesus with music. We can praise Him in prayer, in the good and bad times, in private, and in the presence of others. There is no limit to how we can praise Jesus.

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!

We should be praising Him every single day.

Today, let’s praise God. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!

Friend, today, take notice. Praise God. Things change when we praise Him. There’s almost a full year’s worth of verses that mention praise in the Bible. It’s that important. Every day, we should be praising Him. Are you? Are you intentionally praising Him? I mean, praising Him. 

Today is a good day to get up and praise the Lord. 

If you need some help getting started, I encourage you to turn on “Praise” by Elevation Worship. 

Instead of a blessing today, I’m sharing David’s prayer of praise from 1 Chronicles 29:10-13.

May we all praise the Lord!

David’s Prayer of Praise

David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly, saying,

“Praise be to you, Lord,
    the God of our father Israel,
    from everlasting to everlasting.
Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power
    and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
    for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, Lord, is the kingdom;
    you are exalted as head over all.
Wealth and honor come from you;
    you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power
    to exalt and give strength to all.
Now, our God, we give you thanks,
    and praise your glorious name.

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As a writer, I constantly jot ideas down on post-it notes. After a while, they take over my desk or purse, so I collect them and put them in my desk drawer. Occasionally, I read through them. This morning I remembered one I wrote last year. So, I searched. Sure enough, I found it inside my desk drawer.

I guess today is the day I pull this one out and write about it.

Don’t Fight the Stretch; Embrace the Discomfort!

Got to give credit where’s credit is due. I first heard this great advice from a BODi (formally BeachBody) yoga instructor name Vytas. I was doing a stretch video because my muscles were so tight. Let me just say, while these stretches were basic stretches, they caused discomfort.

When Vytas coached, “Don’t fight the stretch; embrace the discomfort” my mindset shifted from complaining to something positive. While feeling the stretch’s discomfort, I realized there are a lot of things in life we can apply this advice to. If we just don’t fight the stretch, and we allow ourselves to feel the discomfort, we can settle in and let discomfort help us grow.

But when we feel discomfort from being stretched, and then we decide to give up, we lose the reward of the stretch.

Spiritual Growth Causes Discomfort

This November New Challenge is stretching me. It’s not easy writing every day and not knowing what each day’s topic will be. Plus, all the extra things that go into publishing a blog post such as editing, creating an image, preparing links, and making sure the SEO and readability are good. 

It’s challenging me, but it’s also stretching me. I’ve almost given up a few times, but instead of fighting it, I’ve decided to embrace the discomfort.

The same goes for our spiritual growth. Jesus wants us to grow and mature. Therefore, sometimes the Lord stretches us through trials and suffering. While we are in the suffering stretch, He’s coaching us to embrace the discomfort. Don’t give up the fight. Keep walking forward.

Listen to the words of Isaiah.

^“Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:20-21, NIV

And James coaches us in the same way. Don’t fight the stretch; embrace the discomfort because there is a reward.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4, NIV

Friend, whatever trial or suffering you may be experiencing, don’t fight the stretch; embrace the discomfort! God has a reason for this trial. Let discomfort finish its work so that you may receive the reward Jesus has for you. No matter how long it takes. 

Blessing

May you embrace the discomfort the Lord has placed in your life. May you be willing to stretch and not give up. May the Lord bless you abundantly for your perseverance. May Jesus be glorified because of your faithfulness.

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Tired and Weary Bodies and Souls

Do you ever just want to be done with the day, but you have one more task to do? You ponder if the task really needs to be done or if it can wait for another day. But you already know the answer. Yes, the task must be completed today.

How do we find the energy necessary to complete an important task at the end of the day when we don’t have much energy left? 

Or how about when we are in a long battle, a trial that seems like it’s never going to end? We are tired, and we wonder if we should just give up and give in. 

Where do we get the strength to complete the task, to continue with our day, and to keep holding on during hardships in life?

Maybe the question is not where, but rather Who?

God Gives Us Strength

Time and time again, I’ve personally felt like I had nothing left to give at the end of the day, but I knew I must complete a task. I remember when my children were babies, and I could barely keep my own eyes open to feed them at the end of the day, but I needed to feed my baby. They depended on me for their food. Likewise, I’ve been in long life battles that have zapped me flat, and I couldn’t imagine going on. 

How did I muster up the energy to continue?

I called on God for help. God gives us strength.

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” Isaiah 40:29, (NIV)

It seems surreal that we can muster up energy that is not there or increase courage to continue a battle when we feel drained and weak. But when we call on God, He does exactly that for us. 

When we call on God, He will answer (Zechariah 13:9). He strengthens our tired bodies and souls. When we are weak, and we reach out to Jesus, then we are strong (2 Corinthians 12:10).

I don’t know how God does it; I just know He does. Throughout my life I’ve experienced hundreds of times not having the strength to continue. Whenever I’m in this situation, I know God is faithful. When I call on Him for help, He delivers. Always!

Call Upon the Name of the Lord

If you find yourself in a similar place today, call upon the name of the Lord. He will answer. He will strengthen you. 

Here are just a few Bible verses that we can go to and pray when our souls and bodies are tired, and we need strength.

• “My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.” (Psalm 119:28, NIV)
• “The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” (Proverbs 18:10, NIV)
• “The Lord is my strength and my defense.” (Exodus 15:2, NIV)
• “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10, NIV)

We’ll never be without help when we call on the name of the Lord. And we will never be without strength because God gives us strength to endure.

Blessing

May we call on the name of the Lord when we are tired. May He bless us with strength through our days and through our hardships. May we remember to thank Him for His faithfulness.

The post God Gives Us Strength to Endure Challenges appeared first on Michelle Barringer.

Life is a Puzzle

Today, I shopped for Christmas gifts. I found a puzzle for my youngest grandson, who by Christmas will be nine months old. It’s a tactile puzzle with forest animals. When you lift a puzzle piece, you can feel the animal’s coat. Simplicity. Five puzzle pieces, nothing to fit together. Just lift, touch, and place back.

Don’t we wish our life was that easy? Unfortunately, life is a puzzle. Most of the time, our lives are far from simple. They can be as complex and complicated as a 1,000-piece puzzle. And with that many pieces to put together, we get frustrated.

When we can’t find a piece, we often try to cram puzzle pieces together attempting to make them connect, but that never fixes the problem. We must search for the right puzzle pieces to fit together. That is the only way for the puzzle to be completely whole. 

So, it is with our life puzzles.

Jesus is the missing piece to life’s puzzles.

Jesus is the missing piece to life’s puzzles. He came so that we could be made complete. 

“For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.” Colossians 2:9-10, NKJV

Moreover, Jesus is the only way for complete unity. Jesus said in John 17:22-23 (NIV),

“I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” 

There is no other way for complete unity in our lives without Jesus. 

Every problem, every trial, every burden we have, the missing piece is always Jesus. Jesus brings the solution. Now we must do our part too, but without Jesus, life’s puzzles remain incomplete.

Just like a puzzle, once we find the right pieces, they snap together easily. We continue connecting pieces together until the puzzle is complete. So, it is with our life’s puzzles. We will find the right pieces to connect together only when we have Jesus as the Connecter.

As we continue with the November New Challenge and as we enter Advent season, let’s remember there is one puzzle piece that came into our world to save us because He loves us. Jesus is the missing piece to life’s puzzles.

Blessing

May we find our completeness in Jesus and may Jesus bind us together in unity.

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Student of Asking Good Questions

I’ve been a student of learning to ask good questions for a long time. If I were to grade myself right now, I’d say I’m an average student. Oh, I’ve gotten better. How do I know I’ve improved? I started out as a failing student, that’s how.

Thankfully, God has placed specific people in my life to help guide me, remind me, and coach me so that I can continue to improve in this area of my life.

I’ve also intentionally studied how to ask good questions. In fact, I seek out books, articles, and experts on the subject so that I can continue to learn how to ask good questions.

Being coachable and teachable provides a great foundation to developing ourselves and others. And staying humble allows for one to be coachable and teachable. In fact, the Bible has a lot to say about this matter.

“Do not be wise in your own eyes.” Proverbs 3:7a
“He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.” Psalm 25:9
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” James 4:10

Humility must be the starting point for us to have a teachable and coachable heart and mind. Learning to ask good questions also starts with humility. In fact, just recently, someone I respect evaluated me leading a group of people, and the most important point made to me was to ask more questions.

So, see? I’m still learning. And I still need the reminder. In reviewing my facilitation on my own later that evening, I agreed with the evaluation. I didn’t ask enough questions. Rather, I taught more than I should have.

Jesus Asks Questions

A new motto of mine:

“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1, NIV

Jesus asked a lot of questions. 

• If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? (Matthew 5:46)
• Why do you worry about clothes? (Matthew 6:28)
• How many loaves do you have?  (Matthew 15:34)
• What do you want me to do for you? (Mark 10:51)
• Where are they? Has no one condemned you? (John 8:10)

In fact, often Jesus would answer a question with a question. Have you ever had someone do that to you? I have. I even have tried that strategy a few times myself.

One time, my son had a big decision to make. He asked me a question. I asked him a question in reply. This went on for a while. He gained insight. And the process challenged him. But ultimately, he got frustrated and finally said, “I don’t want you to ask me any more questions. I want to know your opinion.”

So, there is a balance too, friend. We can ask too many questions and that frustrates others. That was a great learning experience for me. I’m thankful my son was honest. I provided my opinion, but I didn’t want to give mine before I heard his own. And I wanted to make sure he had done some deeper thinking about his decision first.

Asking questions is one way we can be like Jesus.

Good Questions Create Benefits

Why do you think Jesus asked so many questions? Well, one of the benefits of asking good questions is that they cause the person to focus and stretch. Another benefit is that they create deep reflection. A third benefit is helping the other person to better view the situation.

Here’s an example from Matthew 15:1-3

“Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, ‘Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!’ Jesus replied, ‘And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?’”

Powerful question wouldn’t you agreed? Jesus’ question creates an opportunity for deep reflection too.

In the book, Leading with Questions: How Leaders Find the Right Solutions by Knowing What to Ask, author Michael J. Marquardt says, “They [great questions] are generally supportive, insightful, and challenging. They are often unpresumptuous and offered in a sharing spirit” (p. 87). I would say, that is exactly the kind of questions Jesus asked.

If we follow Jesus’ example, then our questions should also be supportive, insightful, and challenging, and offered in a sharing spirit. I think I forget sometimes that by not asking questions, I can come across as not having a sharing spirit. And friend, that is never my intention. 

But if we want to follow Jesus in this is an area of continued growth and development, we can. Learning how to ask good questions at the right time takes practice. But I believe it’s a skill we can all learn. Plus, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks.

Learning How to Ask Good Questions

Do you struggle asking good questions? If you do too, I highly recommend reading the Gospels. Observe Jesus. What key questions does Jesus ask when people ask Him questions? How do His questions make you feel? Do you gain insight? Are you challenged by Jesus’ questions? Do you gain a better view of the situation?

I also recommend reading some books on learning how to ask good questions. Marquardt’s book mentioned above is a wonderful book. He covers the power of questions, asking questions effectively, and he provides a guide for leaders on when and how to ask powerful questions.

One other resource I recommend is Leading with Questions with Bob Tiede. Personally, I signed up for his blog. He shares great content for learning how to ask good questions. 

We don’t have to do this on our own. God has blessed many people with the ability to come up with great questions. Let’s tap into the plethora of questions available and learn how to ask good questions.

Blessing

May we humble ourselves, follow Jesus’ example, and learn how to ask good questions. May our questions be supportive, insightful, and challenging. May we develop a sharing spirit.

The post Learning How to Ask Good Questions appeared first on Michelle Barringer.

Today, we celebrate Thanksgiving Day in America. Most Americans are familiar with the Pilgrim’s Thanksgiving Feast of 1621. The harvest was plentiful. The celebration lasted three days. Four hundred years later, we still celebrate. If we Americans celebrated Thanksgiving Day for three days now, we’d all be wobbling around like turkeys. 

I love celebrating, and I plan to celebrate today with family and friends. But first, I celebrate with God and give thanks to Him. Reading His Word this morning, He reminded me this is exactly what His will is for us.

Give Thanks in All Circumstances

It’s easy to celebrate and be thankful when the harvest is plentiful and when things in life are going great. But what about when our harvest is not plentiful, and life’s trials erupt? 

Well, God gives us instruction what to do. 

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18, NIV

No matter the circumstance, we can be thankful for God’s presence and all the good He continues to do in the good times and even in our distress. 

So today, friend, if you are going through a difficult time and it seems hard to be thankful, I recommend give thanks anyway. Give thanks in all circumstances. We can do it. 

I think of a song I’ve sung many times during stormy days and seasons. Casting Crowns’ “Praise You in This Storm.” I encourage you to listen to this song. It has helped me numerous times to get my heart, soul, mind, and body praising Jesus and thanking Him. Here’s just a snippet of the lyrics that always cause my spirit to soar with thankfulness to my God.

And I’ll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

Yes, I will choose to praise Jesus no matter where I am.

Gratitude is a Choice

Friend, gratitude is a choice. It is possible to give thanks in all circumstances. I know because I do it. I’ve mentioned so many times throughout the years that joy and sorrow travel together in this world. So, if we only give thanks during joyful times, well, that means at least half of our life we aren’t giving thanks at all. 

So, choose to be grateful in the good times and bad times. If you are going through a bad time right now, give thanks to God for His loving kindness. Give thanks to Him for never leaving you. Give thanks to Him for understanding your situation. If anyone can understand, Jesus can.

Today, let’s give thanks in all circumstances because this is God’s will for us.

Happy Thanksgiving, friend. I’m grateful for you. And thank you for supporting me during the November New Challenge.

Blessing

May we lift our hearts upward and thank Jesus, no matter what’s going on today or in this season. May we choose to be grateful when the harvest is plentiful and even when it’s not.

The post Give Thanks in All Circumstances appeared first on Michelle Barringer.

In my quiet time with Jesus this morning, I got convicted. I’ve been slowly working my way through Susie Larson’s devotional book called Prevail. By slowly, I mean, I started this book on January 1, 2022. Friend, that is nearly two years of slow. Remember though, we can live unhurried. 

Now, I don’t believe in coincidences. I believe God leads me. This week, I’ve picked up Prevail again and started reading where I left off. I’ve read it consistently four days in a row this week, which is saying something because most of this year, I have not even opened this devotional book.

Today, I read Day 222. Don’t you love that? This is Day 22 of the November New Challenge. Coincidence? I think not!

Do We Sow Generously?

My husband and I have been consistent givers to God’s work all the years we’ve been married. Consistent yes, but not always generous. Over the years, like most people, we’ve had seasons of financial struggle. It’s so easy to either not give or to reduce the amount of money we give to God’s work when we are financially struggling. I know because we are guilty of using that designated money for other things.

But Malachi 3:10, NIV says,

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”

It’s clear by God’s Word that we are to tithe. Now, I’m not going to lecture if the tithe is based on our gross or net income. Jesus is not legalistic, and neither am I. But the fact remains that we are to give. 

In Susie’s devotional, she shared a frightening stat. 

“Approximately 95 percent of Christians today still refuse to trust God as their provider. Ministries are trying to function on 5 percent of the resources God intended. If you’re in the 95 percent, I dare you to trust Him.” (p. 234)

Wow, that stat shocked me! No wonder some ministries are struggling. God’s people are not obeying Him. Do we sow generously? Do we even sow? Meaning do we give any of our blessings from God to others? 

The Check is in the Mail

For quite some time, God has been nudging me to donate to an old friend and her husband’s ministry. We used to donate monthly, but for some reason we stopped. I’m embarrassed to say years have gone by that we have not supported their ministry.

Another friend’s ministry we regularly donate. However, in the last year, we have not been consistent. I own it! Some months I forget to send the check.

And there’s a new ministry I’ve been thinking about financially supporting. I love babies and children. I am pro-life. And I’ve been challenged by some when I share this publicly. “What do you personally do about it, Michelle?” I admit, I get convicted. And while we’ve donated periodically to some organizations who support families in need, specifically regarding abortion, it’s not been consistent.

This new ministry raises money for adoption so that forever families don’t have to pay for the adoption. How cool is that? Guess what I did this morning? I finally donated money to this ministry. 

And the other ministries mentioned above, I wrote a check to each and put them in the mail this morning. 

We’re in the November New Challenge. Now is a good time to try something new. Trust God to provide. If you don’t give as much as you think God wants you to, increase what you give. Even if you increase just a little, that’s a step in the right direction.

Blessing

May we trust God to provide for us. May we begin to sow generously. May others be blessed because of our generosity.

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