Saturday, May 14, 2022

Reflection - Journeying with yourself - Keeping a godly focus

Source (book): "He Walks with Me - Devotions for Your Caregiving Journey with God", PART II "JOURNEYING WITH YOURSELF", Chapter 12 "Keeping a godly focus", Page 36.
Adapted from books by Shelly Beach: Ambushed By Grace: Help and Hope in the Caregiving Journey, and It Is Well with My Soul.


Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. - 1 John 2:6
PHOTO: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. - 1 John 2:6

How does transformation on the caregiving journey work in practice? What can we do in our daily routines to abide (obey) in Christ and allow God to change us, so that we "live as Jesus did" (1 John 2:6)?

Here's one useful way to remember some practical things you can do to give your caregiving a godly focus: the MARIE principle.

Magnify God. Practise the power of praise. Focus your tongue and thoughts on God's goodness, who He is, and all that He has done. When we grumble, what we're really saying is that God is not good and has given us a raw deal. When we magnify Him, we acknowledge His sovereign lordship and affirm that no matter what happens, we can trust in a good and loving heavenly Father.

Appreciate others. Learn to see the blessings poured out around you every day. Too often we choose to see the negative, but we can learn to see the positive and express appreciation to others. Ask God to open your eyes to His blessings.

Reinforce biblical truth. We need to make the Word of God the standard for our thinking and actions, and not our own personality, opinions, preferences, or comfort. This means learning to think, speak, walk, and care biblically. It means submitting our thinking, our will, and all we have to Him. And it may mean having to lay down what we imagine are our rights.

Intercept negativity. As a caregiver, it's easy to slip into negative patterns and speech. We want to vent our frustration and resentment. We want to hear others affirm our opinions and feelings, and say, "Yes so-and-so shouldn't have done this to you." But this can lead us into sin. There is a fine line between sharing important information - like how your mum refused to take her medicine - and details that serve only to inflame. We need to keep asking ourselves: What is my true motive for sharing this information?

Evaluate motives. While all of us truly desire to be selfless in serving and caring for others, it is easy for our motives to become skewed (distorted) in the process. If we are not careful, we can allow greed, self-service, martyrdom, self-protection, and pride to slip into our hearts.

MARIE: Keeping your eyes on God
Magnify God
Appreciate others
Reinforce biblical truth
Intercept negativity
Evaluate motives

A renewed heart and spirit cares for people with God's heart and spirit.
Picture posted by Kathy Martin-Stricker, Kathy's Heart on 22 April 2020
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS0RGrdtPChsgRgIoDdVOOS9Ta4Z9QgzOn8Rx-beLhYDcyF3JzOL0PyMYzA4pzg6Y2a5BsZ_kfek6W3ZTXAt1ZnjjZ2Gf1cbK0ribV1FhBVg_7085ng8DcjrhG7yqvEsOlPQImIzZzlxAarQWH6oce41X9bq3naFzuU6zsIDj2dYuUyjmk-uf3F9Gr/s3000/aac30e64b20b7d9825ad358040c4c1c3-2193x3000.jpg
https://kathysheart.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/aac30e64b20b7d9825ad358040c4c1c3-2193x3000.jpg
https://kathysheart.com/heart-beats/look-right-here/


Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. - 1 John 2:6


Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. - 1 John 2:6
PHOTO: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. - 1 John 2:6
Picture posted by Sammi Schouten
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT8AUx2GORABylypHZbbjZInzccmmwYgLilFDnkN3vx19Wq32ADNY86Du-OWGR1Liz1irI0vNMylnI8h2bN3jIfoU6iZq6zAqVEaDze7bFJhrs3kCMlmNITXwEL00fX_YWp7G--VgsNlEwPswBgns6nYI7snMmeaywUSuFtIxKdHtnwJY5pD_VWdqf/s800/image_processing20210911-8382-27cnxk.gif
https://cdn.dribbble.com/users/786748/screenshots/5273892/media/7de84f673bd43b16897262a59d112aae.gif
https://dribbble.com/shots/5273892-1-John-2-6


How does transformation on the caregiving journey work in practice? What can we do in our daily routines to abide (obey) in Christ and allow God to change us, so that we "live as Jesus did" (1 John 2:6)?

Here's one useful way to remember some practical things you can do to give your caregiving a godly focus: the MARIE principle.

Magnify God. Practise the power of praise. Focus your tongue and thoughts on God's goodness, who He is, and all that He has done. When we grumble, what we're really saying is that God is not good and has given us a raw deal. When we magnify Him, we acknowledge His sovereign lordship and affirm that no matter what happens, we can trust in a good and loving heavenly Father.


Magnify God.
PHOTO: Magnify God.
Practise the power of praise. Focus your tongue and thoughts on God's goodness, who He is, and all that He has done. When we grumble, what we're really saying is that God is not good and has given us a raw deal. When we magnify Him, we acknowledge His sovereign lordship and affirm that no matter what happens, we can trust in a good and loving heavenly Father.
Picture posted by mint@Gia Vị
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Gc4FlTktK-QGpPYcs76GkfV7iFbObsr0ECMs8gF3stfSMmUlV8ePkorRWJBlfHI0WRfHpDf3EKF-0ejTrQfebCJcxCUd6m2H0TDYlioUsLS9ILYfwsO0Jcgic1F1zs21_0LKgE94rvbX2Fycws-F22aFuj2Q_lyO6tZpmmXNrcCSq-MsE1xKUnlf/s640/29e0ccd6-acc1-11e7-b960-2e995a9a3302.png
https://static.ybox.vn/2017/10/9/29e0ccd6-acc1-11e7-b960-2e995a9a3302.png
https://ybox.vn/gia-vi/cai-gia-cua-nhung-loi-khen-ngoi-tuong-nhu-vo-hai-7qec8i70mn


Appreciate others. Learn to see the blessings poured out around you every day. Too often we choose to see the negative, but we can learn to see the positive and express appreciation to others. Ask God to open your eyes to His blessings.


Appreciate others.
PHOTO: Appreciate others.
Learn to see the blessings poured out around you every day. Too often we choose to see the negative, but we can learn to see the positive and express appreciation to others. Ask God to open your eyes to His blessings.
Picture posted by Erin Smalley, Focus on the family on 20 October 2016
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidNRovm8PZvVntsYOQYA8AA2tRPnPDWWSBknz9NSZ6PKpQuQGgkzzvhumjCBYphncnYV-MoWMZknXGb8Oy9Ck3w3pNPF7Esus03fVgpFqrbvBh4v76Fiv6Tgu2IUg7t_xbe4rXUIvuxoWjb-ZVXGZ2PNSYxBrT6-s_2jezVRnlfMWFAc9ckVp-7YdT/s1063/78EEC0A93E7D4CB7B7C041755BBDD47D.jpeg
https://www.focusonthefamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/78EEC0A93E7D4CB7B7C041755BBDD47D.jpeg
https://www.focusonthefamily.com/marriage/what-scripture-taught-me-about-womanhood/


Reinforce biblical truth. We need to make the Word of God the standard for our thinking and actions, and not our own personality, opinions, preferences, or comfort. This means learning to think, speak, walk, and care biblically. It means submitting our thinking, our will, and all we have to Him. And it may mean having to lay down what we imagine are our rights.


Reinforce biblical truth.
PHOTO: Reinforce biblical truth.
We need to make the Word of God the standard for our thinking and actions, and not our own personality, opinions, preferences, or comfort. This means learning to think, speak, walk, and care biblically. It means submitting our thinking, our will, and all we have to Him. And it may mean having to lay down what we imagine are our rights.
Picture posted by Shutterstock
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZn51pp6YUyLRosp9eE_RmuqCU42_OjYbpEfB-biUovjpf3lPnX8-_U2pm9VJ5IutOfTDZzW4X_oUU6MirLwZML-O-I-vwGJ0iOnMEtjGwoRXheq6HgYaFxyDuRPjP04jhHExXbVfoMy6wPtya5yIAxwlsVIYh7AoMAqiE1Algpf1jIljVwCmfyXKb/s1500/1129721231_1.png
https://image.shutterstock.com/shutterstock/photos/1129721231/display_1500/stock-photo-silhouette-christian-cross-on-grass-at-sunrise-background-with-miracle-bright-lighting-religion-1129721231.jpg
https://www.shutterstock.com/sv/image-photo/silhouette-christian-cross-on-grass-sunrise-1129721231


Intercept negativity. As a caregiver, it's easy to slip into negative patterns and speech. We want to vent our frustration and resentment. We want to hear others affirm our opinions and feelings, and say, "Yes so-and-so shouldn't have done this to you." But this can lead us into sin. There is a fine line between sharing important information - like how your mum refused to take her medicine - and details that serve only to inflame. We need to keep asking ourselves: What is my true motive for sharing this information?


Intercept negativity.
PHOTO: Intercept negativity.
As a caregiver, it's easy to slip into negative patterns and speech. We want to vent our frustration and resentment. We want to hear others affirm our opinions and feelings. But this can lead us into sin. There is a fine line between sharing important information - like how your mum refused to take her medicine - and details that serve only to inflame. We need to keep asking ourselves: What is my true motive for sharing this information?
Picture posted by Integral Prevention on 24 November 2017
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE2hZHs3x9e_P8QikU817wsDbmROZwx0JAz4rpauuzNxGokRMTeWZDaJeLDvwH3ONRBbfzGRGa5iOVGDOzOlrCHSGWFarIEmunQtPcEKpFLGvYCc0rDyXhSMgyMlddlaQvv0PjwM2yuRSNG121LVCSJNAxWcvW54Vzbx-m_Dek5UFiAzNcPCdu2heF/s2372/21781728l.jpg
https://srvsbniisphp-universitatpolit.netdna-ssl.com/cdn_propintegral/sites/default/files/noticia/40110/field_foto/21781728l.jpg
https://www.prevencionintegral.com/en/actualidad/noticias/2018/02/23/seis-claves-para-ser-feliz-segun-universidad-harvard


Evaluate motives. While all of us truly desire to be selfless in serving and caring for others, it is easy for our motives to become skewed (distorted) in the process. If we are not careful, we can allow greed, self-service, martyrdom, self-protection, and pride to slip into our hearts.


Evaluate motives.
PHOTO: Evaluate motives.
While all of us truly desire to be selfless in serving and caring for others, it is easy for our motives to become skewed (distorted) in the process. If we are not careful, we can allow greed, self-service, martyrdom, self-protection, and pride to slip into our hearts.
Picture posted by Heartlight
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZJ0851zFnvKYIO6g3tc6pY9c5r46m7HW4GvpWcPCE6ZDT3dT5ZlHy0bXC1PwVnxBWsX0MvPwoYyybLPKfGRnOloS-w4haq1InyveVOMiijMeQ_lFqZ_zjhwfXltTMfUow0PYrkR6BbrsYUoQS4Uoo94BnX6WRgo5skeRYtK-Xubf1WYI70tQKY5n/s798/4319_11.png
https://img.heartlight.org/overlazy/creations/4319.jpg
https://www.heartlight.org/spurgeon/0517-am.html


MARIE: Keeping your eyes on God
Magnify God
Appreciate others
Reinforce biblical truth
Intercept negativity
Evaluate motives


MARIE: Keeping your eyes on God
PHOTO: "Gracious Father, please convict me if I am following any false motives or twisted thinking. Help me to see any form of greed, self-service, martyrdom, self-protection, or pride that exists in me. May Your Holy Spirit shine the light of truth into my heart and reveal the attitude that I've hidden from myself. I long for a renewed heart and a renewed spirit.

Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!
Picture posted by jeffjacobs1990, pixabay
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTj-hPFA9DR8hW5E1eZr6VgVg5x9rnDN_NbgiCOrLMp3g3sXO7kFhFAPonaz4udKEqb6ctFBDxemLwZz0AO4uojGkieQVzceKxsSAXnA-A1fdG6q_SZD1tCj1yGcb2PMBYjWbsoCf1r5x5RLskdI-sA4oVi7VsoW1RrrkMfAmtypQmIZkqNcziS4y/s960/jesus-4462589_960_720.jpg
https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2019/09/09/04/17/jesus-4462589_960_720.jpg
https://pixabay.com/illustrations/jesus-christ-god-holy-spirit-4462589/

Reflection - Journeying with yourself - Keeping a godly focus
Source (book): "He Walks with Me - Devotions for Your Caregiving Journey with God", PART II "JOURNEYING WITH YOURSELF", Chapter 12 "Keeping a godly focus", Page 36.
Adapted from books by Shelly Beach: Ambushed By Grace: Help and Hope in the Caregiving Journey, and It Is Well with My Soul.



"Faithful to the end", A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon

'Faithful to the end', A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon<br>
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2017/06/reflection-faithful-to-end-links.html


"Finding rest for the soul" Responding to Jesus' Invitation in Matthew 11:28-29, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/10/reflection-finding-rest-for-soul-links.html


"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-i.html


"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-iv.html 


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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/04/reflection-songs-of-christmas-links.html
 

"Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, © 2019 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part I - III (Links), posted on Wednesday, 09 December 2020
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part.html
 

Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part IV - V (Links), posted on Thursday, 22 April 2021
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part_9.html
 

"Teach Us to Number Our Days", © 2008 by David Roper

Reflection - Number Our Days, Chapter 1 - 40 (Links), posted on Tuesday, 16 November 2021
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2021/11/reflection-number-our-days-chapter-1-40.html
 
 
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2022/03/reflection-number-our-days-chapter-41.html



Reference
[1] From "He Walks with Me - Devotions for Your Caregiving Journey with God", Copyright © 2018 by Our Daily Bread Ministries, PART II "JOURNEYING WITH YOURSELF", Chapter 12 "Keeping a godly focus", Page 36-37.


Links


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