Shift Your Focus

by Kay Heitsch

Praise shifts our focus from the problem to the Problem Solver. ~ Praise Quotes

I heard a message this morning about how important it is to keep a song in our hearts. When we hum or sing to ourselves it opens a door for good things in our lives.

Our Bible verse says, Enter His gates with thanksgiving; go into His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name. Psalm 100:4 NLT

I like to pray, "Thank you Lord for working in this situation. I know that when I give this problem to You that all things will work together for good. You are Love and your loving kindness will last forever."

When we praise we are shifting our focus from our problems to the Problem Solver.

Raise The Rent!

by Kay Heitsch

Don't let negative thoughts rent space in your head. Raise the rent and kick them out! ~ Life Experiences Quotes ~

Too many times we allow negative thoughts to rent space in our thinking. We know they don't do us any good and many times ruin our lives.

Today's Bible verse tells us what we should think on. " Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.." Philippians 4:8 NIV

Life is too short to allow negative thoughts to rent space in our heads. Let's think about things that are praiseworthy. Let's raise the rent and kick negative thoughts out of our heads!

Every Season Serves A Purpose

by Kay Heitsch

Appreciate where you are in your journey, even if it's not where you want to be. Every season serves a purpose. ~ Who's Knocking On Your Door Quotes ~

Last night my next door neighbor posted on FB that someone had tried to break into their home around 2:00 AM the night before. Of course, they called the police. The police didn't find anyone.

I began chatting with them and other neighbors about this unsettling situation. There wasn't too much I could do so I did what I could. I turned on the outside lights, I left a light on downstairs, I locked the doors including the bedroom door, I put the key fob next to the bed by my phone. Now the most important thing I did was ask people to pray and I did the same. After all that I told myself, "Kay, you've done what you can. Trust the Lord, stop worrying and go to sleep." And that I did!

Years ago I was a chief worrier. I let fear and worry control me. I could feel it creeping in. Last night I quoted to myself, "Let not your heart be troubled!" (see John 14:1)

Our Bible verse says, "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done." Philippians 4:6 NLT

We can appreciate where we are in our journey, even if it's not where we want to be. We don't need to worry when we can pray about everything. For me, I'm better than I was but I'm not where I want to be. Every season serves a purpose.

What Are You Looking For?

by Kay Heitsch

What we see mainly depends on what we look for. ~ John Lubbock ~

There are games on FB where you're supposed to find the one object in the picture group that has a flaw. What's interesting is the more you play this game the easier it is to find the flaw.

Very much so in life. It's what we see mainly depends on what we look for. If we constantly look for what's wrong in the world and people that's exactly what we will see. But if we look for what's good we'll see that too.

Our Bible verse says, "If you search for good, you will find favor; but if you search for evil, it will find you!" Proverbs 11:27 NLT

If we search for good we will see it and find favor. What we see mainly depends on what we look for.

Sunny Disposition

by Kay Heitsch

A cloudy day is no match for a sunny disposition. Monday Motivation Quotes

We can be the attitude we want to be around. No matter what the weather we can put on our positive pants and get stuff done.

Our Bible verse says This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

This verse says "This is the day." It doesn't matter if it's cloudy. We can put on our positive pants and be the attitude we want to be around. A cloudy day is no match for a sunny disposition.

Be Free

by Kay Heitsch

Once you become fearless life becomes limitless. ~ Be Free Quotes ~

What is holding most of us back from trying something new and different...fear! We are never free until we stop allowing fear to control us.

This Bible verse is one I have said to myself when I have been afraid to step out and try something new. "For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7 NHEB

God gives us power, love and a strong mind... not fear! Once we become fearless life becomes limitless. Be Free!

We Think We Have Time

by Kay Heitsch

"The trouble is we think we have time." ~ Regret Quotes ~

Yesterday I was with someone who said they didn't regret the time spent with a special person but they did regret the things they could have done but didn't.

Our Bible verse says, "Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom." Psalm 90:12 NLT

The trouble is we think we have time. When we realize the brevity of life we will not put off what we can do today. We do not need to live in regret.

Eating At The Table

by Kay Heitsch

I heard a message today that cause me to rethink the 23rd Psalm. We all know this Psalm and have heard it quoted many times.

The part that caused me to rethink this was "You prepare a table/feast before me in the presence of my enemies." Psalm 23:5 Somehow I knew this Psalm was not talking about the food we eat, but I hadn't thought about what it was really talking about.

Today it dawned on me that the table/feast is a great life that has been prepared for us. A life where we aren't overwhelmed by our troubles. We can rise above the storms and find the sunshine.

Another Bible verse that came to me was "The thief comes only that he might steal and might kill and might destroy. I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly." John 10:10

As I saw it today when we live the abundant life that Jesus died to give us we are eating at the table that He has prepared for us in the presence of our enemies.

Calm Yourself

by Kay Heitsch

You can't calm the storm so stop trying. What you can do is calm yourself. The storm will pass. ~ Wisdom Quotes ~

We all go through storms in life. We can't calm the storms but we can calm ourselves.

Our Bible verses today say, In this world, you will have trouble. (see John 16:33 NIV) "Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. John 14:1 NLT

Right here in the Bible, it tells us "In this world, we will have trouble." It also tells us "Don't let your hearts be trouble." We can't calm the storms in life, but we can calm ourselves when we trust in the LORD.

Underestimate Overestimate

by Kay Heitsch

Never underestimate your strength, never overestimate your weakness. ~ Strength Quotes ~

I believe we are stronger than we think we are. We should never underestimate our strength.

I love our Bible verse. I have said this over and over to myself when I felt I didn't have enough strength. "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13

We are stronger than we think we are. Let's not overestimate our weaknesses. When we feel weak let's remember where our strength comes from and say, I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

Perspective

by Kay Heitsch

Yesterday my phone slipped out of my pocket and hit the floor. I quickly bent down to pick it up. I noticed a small white spot then I saw a line was working its way across the screen. My heart sank.

As I shared my dilemma with a few people I noticed how kind they were. No one asked how I could be so careless, but even so, I felt half sick.

Later in the evening the phone's screen lit up and went completely white. Now I was really feeling bad and began to cry. I sat back and prayed. After this quick prayer, I had a change of perspective. I started to think of what other people were dealing with. After getting my mind off of myself I could see this cracked phone screen was minor.

I learned something last night that sometimes a change of perspective is all that's needed to see the light.

What Can We Do?

by Kay Heitsch

Kindness is a wonderful way to let a struggling soul know that there is still love in the world. ~ Quotes ~

Yesterday my phone dropped and the screen cracked. I felt terrible as you might imagine. What I noticed is that the people I shared this with were loving and kind to me. This helped a lot.

Our Bible verse says, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:32 NIV

Kindness is a wonderful way to show people that there is still love in this world.

You Just Don't Know

by Kay Heitsch

Today a dear friend of mine's son is having surgery by his brain.
Last week he was in the hospital doing surgery himself. That's right, he's a doctor. This week someone is operating on him.

After doing surgery in the morning he went to the grocery store. While in the store he developed a horrible headache. He walked into the bathroom to throw water on his face and looked in the mirror. He found out he had gone blind in one eye.

I'm writing this for a couple of reasons. We do NOT know what today will bring. If you're waiting for happiness sometime in the future you better rethink that. I'm also asking that you pray for this family. Thank you. 

Time Flies

by Kay Heitsch

TIme flies! Happiness is achieved when you stop waiting for it and make the most of the moment you are in now. ~ Where Did The Time Go Quotes ~

Where did the time go? The older you get the more time seems to fly by.

Our Bible verse says, "How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog--it's here a little while, then it's gone." James 4:14 NLT

We do not know what tomorrow will bring. We won't be here forever so let's make the most of each moment we are in. Time flies but remember you're the pilot.

Change

by Kay Heitsch

If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. ~ Maya Angelou ~

If you don't like the way things are, right now is the time to make a change.

Our Bible verse says, "Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise. Ephesians 5:15 NIV

If we are wise we will be very careful how we live. If we don't like something, we may need to change it. If we can't change it, we can at least change our attitude.

If you don't like your life, you're the only one who can change it.

The Way We See

by Kay Heitsch

Happiness doesn't depend on outward things, but on the way we see them. ~ Leo Tolstoy ~

It's interesting how people see things depending on their attitude. A person who looks for the good in life finds it. The person who is negative seems to see trouble around every corner.

Our Bible verse makes this clear. "The one who searches for what is good finds favor, but if someone looks for trouble, it will come to him." Proverbs 11:27 HCSB

Our happiness doesn't depend on outward things, but on the way we see them. If we look at what's negative in life it will seem that trouble is around every corner. But when we look for the positive we will find favor.

Sleeping With A Mosquito

by Kay Heitsch

If you think you're too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito. ~ Wisdom Quotes ~

This quote is funny, but we don't have to be rich, smart, good-looking, or perfect to make a difference in someone's life. We only need to care.

Our Bible verse says, "Be mindful to be a blessing..." Galatians 6:10

We can all make a difference in someone's life. When we are a blessing we are showing that we care.

Motivation

by Kay Heitsch

People often say motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily. Zig Ziglar

It would be great if every day we got up we felt motivated right away to do what we needed to do.

Today's Bible verse says, "For this cause, I remind you that you should stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands." 2 Timothy 1:6

It's wonderful when someone else helps to motivate us. However, there are times when we need to 'stir up' or in other words motivate ourselves when motivation is lacking.

People often say motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing--that's why we recommend it daily. Even if we have to stir up ourselves.

Magic Of The Moment

by Kay Heitsch

There are magical moments in every day. We just have to take the time to see them. ~ Magic Of The Moment Quotes

What are we looking for? Our Bible verse says, "If you search for good, you will find favor; but if you search for evil, it will find you!" Proverbs 11:27 NLT

If we are searching for good we will see it. We will see the magic of the moment. It's up to us to take the time to see them.

Why Smile?

by Kay Heitsch

Smile! Why? Because it makes you attractive, it changes your mood, it relieves stress and helps you stay positive. ~ Smile Quotes ~

Now, if these aren't good enough reasons to smile I'll add a couple more. A warm smile is the universal language of kindness. Smiling is infectious. Your smile may change someone's day. A smile is the key that fits the lock of everyone's heart. There ya go.

Our Bible verse says, "A happy heart makes the face cheerful." Proverbs 17:22

When we have a smile we certainly have a cheerful face. Let's smile today. It will not only help us look better, but it just may change someone else's day too.

Weapons Against Stress

by Kay Heitsch

The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another. ~ William James ~

William James also said, "The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook."

Our Bible verse says, "Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts." Proverbs 4:23 GNT

When we are wise we will know what to overlook. We will also be careful what thoughts we entertain. Both knowing what to overlook and choosing our thoughts carefully, I believe, are weapons against stress.

A Sound Mind

by Kay Heitsch

Today I watched a program on TV. People were asked to stand up if they ever worried about getting dementia or Alzheimers. I was surprised that nearly every person there stood up.

I remember years ago feeling so stressed that I started to sweat and my nose began to bleed. As I was bent over the sink, with blood dripping out, this Bible verse came to my mind, "For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7

I thought about this verse when I saw all of these people standing. I would lie if I said I never thought about getting dementia or Alzheimer myself.

Seeing all these people standing I knew I would be one of them. I thought about how God does not give us a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind.

Whenever a fear thought of getting dementia or Alzheimers enters my mind I'm going to remember this verse. For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, and love and of a sound mind!

Look For Something Positive

by Kay Heitsch

Today I will look for something POSITIVE in all situations. ~ Look For The Good Quotes ~

Are all situations positive? No! But if we look for something positive in it we will find it. Even if some days we have to look a little harder.

Today's Bible verse says, And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28 NLT

Even if a situation doesn't look good we can look for the positive in it. we can do this because we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love Him.

Grow Through

by Kay Heitsch

Something will grow from all you are going through. And it will be you! ~ Strength Quotes ~

We all go through difficult times in life. Our strength grows from overcoming things we never thought we could.

Our Bible verse says, Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. Hebrews 12:1

Since we are surrounded by a huge crowd of witnesses in the heavenly realm, cheering us on, lets run with endurance the race set before us. Let's make sure we grow through what we go through and make them proud!

Be Happy For Others

by Kay Heitsch

"Supporting another's success won't dampen yours." ~ Be Happy For Others Quotes ~

Yesterday I was asked to come and see a new condo a friend was thinking of buying. I was excited to see it and happy for her.

What's interesting was something I heard her say to another friend. She told her she asked me to see the condo because she knew I would be happy for her. This really got my attention.

Our Bible verses say, Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Romans 12:15 Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. John 13:34

When we are happy with another's success it won't dampen ours. One way to show love is when someone else's happiness is ours too.

It Is Not A Coincidence

by Kay Heitsch

It is not a coincidence, you were meant to see this: God LOVES you! ~ God Loves You Quotes ~

When I saw this quote today I thought it was a great reminder to all of us that God loves us!

You may have had a rough week, but always remember that you are braver, stronger, smarter and loved more than you know.

Our Bible verse tells us, "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness." Jeremiah 31:3

God's love for us is everlasting. It doesn't come and go. It's not a coincidence that you are seeing this. God wants you to know He LOVES you!

Let Your Emotions Subside

by Kay Heitsch

Feelings are just visitors. Let them come and go. Let your emotions subside, then decide. ~ Quotes ~

We all have feelings. Some are positive and some are not! When we get in a stressful situation we can sense a feeling starting from the pit of our stomach and moving on up!

There's an old proverb that goes, "Though a bird may fly over your head, let it not make its nest in your hair." Thoughts and feelings may come into our minds, but we don't have to let them make a nest. Especially if they are negative.

Our Bible verse says, "Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts. Proverbs 4:23 GNT

We need to be careful what thoughts and emotions we entertain. They will come and they will also go! In any situation we're in, it's best to let our emotions subside, then decide.

It Set You Free

by Kay Heitsch

Holding a grudge doesn't make you strong; it makes you bitter. Forgiving doesn't make you weak; it sets you free. ~ Forgiveness Quotes ~

There is a lot written about the harmful effects of unforgiveness. One quote puts it this way. "Unforgiveness is like taking poison, but expecting someone else to die."

The Bible has plenty to say about forgiveness. Today's verse says "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:32

If we think about all that God has forgiven us for we will forgive others. Holding a grudge makes us bitter. Forgiveness sets us free!

Freedom

by Kay Heitsch

Freedom is not getting everything you want, but being happy when you don't get what you want. ~ Quotes ~

If we can't be happy unless everything is going our way we are in big trouble.

What freedom we have if things don't go our way and we can keep a positive attitude anyway. We can choose to not live by negative emotions!

Our Bible verse says, "This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24 NLT

I like how this verse says, "we will." We have the freedom to choose how we want to live. We have the freedom to be happy no matter if things don't go the way we want.

Don't Go With Them

by Kay Heitsch

When things go wrong, don't go with them. ~ Quotes ~

It's interesting how we are at times. When things go wrong, we think about the thing that went wrong over and over. In other words, we go along with them.

Our Bible verse says, "No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. Philippians 3:13 NLT

To keep from going with the things that go wrong we can stop thinking about those things. We can forget the past and start looking forward to what lies ahead.

P.U.S.H.

by Kay Heitsch

When all seems dark P.U.S.H. Pray/Praise Until Something Happens!

There's a quote that says, Pray Until Something Happens, but I like to pray prayers of praise until something happens.

When we pray prayers of praise we are thanking God that He is working and we are waiting expectantly for the answer. This keeps us positive while we're waiting.

Our Bible verse says, "Enter His gates with thanksgiving; go into His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name." Psalm 100:4

When all seems dark we can pray prayers of praise! We can thank the Lord and keep a good attitude knowing that He is working on our situation.

Count Your Own Blessings

by Kay Heitsch

Jealousy is when you count someone else's blessings instead of your own. ~ Quotes ~

Jealousy is harmful to our health. Our Bible verse says. "A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones." Proverbs 14:30 NLT

Pretty obvious jealousy is very harmful to our health. Let's do our part to have a peaceful heart and count our own blessings instead of being jealous of someone else's.

Challenge Yourself

by Kay Heitsch

When life gets harder challenge yourself to be stronger. ~ Inspirational Quotes ~

We never know what a day will bring. It would be great if every day was easy, but that's not how life is. Sometimes happy and other times rough. When life gets harder we can challenge ourselves to be stronger.

I love our Bible verse today. "I have strength for all things in the One strengthening me." Philippians 4:13 BLB

When life gets harder we can challenge ourselves to be stronger because we know the ONE who gives us His strength.

A Positive Attitude

by Kay Heitsch

A positive attitude gives you power over your circumstances instead of your circumstances having power over you. ~ Attitude Quotes ~

There is little difference between people, but that little difference makes a big difference. The little difference is attitude and the big difference is whether it's positive or negative. ~ W. C. Stone ~

Our Bible verse today helps us to know what kind of attitude we should have. "You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had." Philippians 2:5 NLT What kind of attitude did Jesus have? It was loving and kind. I'd say that is a positive attitude.

Our attitude whether positive or negative in life makes a big difference in how we live. When we keep a positive attitude we have the power over our circumstances instead of our circumstances having power over us.

Your Journey

by Kay Heitsch

Not everyone will understand your journey. That's fine. It's not their journey to make sense of. It's yours. ~ Wisdom Quotes ~

Life is a journey. We meet people along the way. Some are with us for a reason, season or they may be with us for a lifetime. Some may understand our journey or some may not. It doesn't matter. It's not their journey, it's ours.

We may not completely understand ourselves, but today's Bible verse helps us to know what to do. "Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take." Proverbs 3:5&6

Not everyone will understand our journey. We may even wonder sometimes what's going on. But when we trust in the Lord with all our hearts and seek His will in all we do, He will show us the path to take.