God’s Timing Is the Best Timing

No one enjoys being in a certain position for a long time. At one point or the other, there is the desire to upscale and it is only natural to want to be promoted.

 

However, promotion can be external or internal. External in the sense that it is from a person or an institution and internal when it is determined by your actions and the steps you take. There are some instances, that even after doing all things right and tying all loose ends, you might still not be promoted. At times like this, anxiety and a series of queries are very common. You may wonder, what are you doing wrong? Why is God silent? Is it God’s will for you to be stagnant?

 

There is every reason to be restless during this stage. And the questions are understandable, but there should be no doubt about God’s will for you to be uplifted in every sphere of life. God expressed His displeasure for stagnation by personally calling the attention of the children of Israel to how long they have stayed in Horeb, and urged them to match forward:

“The Lord our God spoke to us in Horeb, saying: ‘You have dwelt long enough at this mountain. Turn and take your journey, and go to…’” -Deuteronomy 1:6-7.

 

Surely, God wants you to increase and go forward in life, but there’s a thing called timing. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says there is time for everything. What this entails is that it may not just be the right time for you to be promoted. Life is bounded by a series of times and seasons. This means that no matter how much you try, nothing changes because it is not just the right time. Looking at David, though he was anointed as the King of Israel at a tender age he did not sit on the throne till Saul was dead, simply because that was not the right time.

 

Plus, every new level brings new devils as they would say; God may be telling you to rest for the time being because of possible traps and dangers He is seeing ahead. Trust Him.

 

Promotion comes directly from God and not from anywhere else. He is your Father and you are the apple of His eyes. I know you might be thinking that God has forgotten you, hang on, He cares about you. Your clouds are still gathering and at the right time when they are full, your promotion will come. He cannot withhold anything good from you, you are His child. That child will come

 

Always understand that God knows your every need, He hears your prayers and He sees those tears. Don’t despair, He is the lifter of men, and accordingly, He will raise you when it is your season. Everything is working together for your good.

Signs You Should Look into Therapy

Therapy is an invaluable tool for anyone who is experiencing difficulty in life. From dealing with depression, to navigating through a difficult period in life, to learning to cope with anxiety, to developing better communication skills, therapy can help you make positive changes. In this article, we will explore the signs and reasons why you should consider seeking therapy. We will look at the benefits of therapy, the importance of finding the right therapist for you, and how to know if it is time to look into therapy. Read on to learn more about why therapy could be the answer to unlocking the changes you have been hoping for.

Therapy is a powerful tool for improving mental health, and many people find that it helps them to cope with life’s challenges and access inner strength. But how do you know when it’s time to look into therapy? Here are a few signs that it might be time to consider it:

  • You’re Feeling Overwhelmed – Feeling overwhelmed is a common sign that it’s time to get help. Whether it’s feeling overwhelmed with everyday life, or feeling overwhelmed with a specific problem, therapy can help you to gain perspective and learn coping skills.
  • You’re Struggling with Relationships – If you’re struggling to connect with people in meaningful ways, or if relationships are leaving you feeling drained and unhappy, therapy can help you to become more aware of your behavior and how it affects your relationships.
  • You’re Experiencing Intense or Unmanageable Emotions – If you’re feeling intense emotions such as anger, fear, or sadness that you don’t understand or can’t seem to manage, therapy can help you to better understand and manage these emotions, as well as to develop healthy strategies for coping with them.
  • You’re Feeling Stuck – If you’re feeling stuck in your life, going through the motions but not feeling any joy, therapy can help you to identify and address the underlying issues that are keeping you from living a full and meaningful life.
  • You’re Having Trouble Coping – If you’re having trouble coping with stress, change, or difficult life events, therapy can help you to develop coping strategies that work for you and learn how to better manage difficult emotions.
  • You’re Struggling with Mental Health Issues – If you’re experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues, therapy can help you to gain insight into the underlying causes and develop healthier ways of thinking and coping.

If you’re experiencing any of these signs and are feeling overwhelmed or stuck, therapy can be a great option to help you gain insight and learn how to better manage your mental health. Working with a therapist can help you to identify and address the underlying issues, as well as to develop healthier coping strategies and gain insight into your thoughts and feelings. If you’re considering therapy, it’s important to find a therapist that you can trust and feel comfortable with. It can also be helpful to research different types of therapy to find the best fit for you and your specific needs.

Want more guidance? Contact us at selahcounseling7@gmail.com to see how we can help you.

7 Self-Care Tips for the New Year

 

The start of a new year is the perfect time to reflect on our health and well-being. Self-care is an important part of maintaining our mental and physical health, and it can be difficult to find the time and motivation to prioritize it in our busy lives. If you’re looking for ways to practice self-care this year, here are a few tips to get you started:

 

  1. Make Time for Yourself: It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life and forget to take time for yourself. Set aside a few minutes each day for things that make you feel good, such as reading, writing, or listening to music.

 

  1. Prioritize Sleep: Getting enough sleep is essential for our health and well-being. Make sure to get 7-9 hours of sleep every night and prioritize rest when possible.

 

  1. Exercise: Regular exercise is important for both physical and mental well-being. Find an activity you enjoy and make it part of your routine.

 

  1. Eat Healthy: Eating nutritious food is essential to our health and energy levels. Incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your diet and make sure to stay hydrated.

 

  1. Spend Time with Friends and Family: Spending quality time with friends and family can help to reduce stress and lift our spirits. Make time for social activities such as going out for dinner or a movie, or have a game night at home.

 

  1. Unplug from Technology: Technology can be a great tool, but it can also be overwhelming and distracting. Take time away from technology and focus on being in the present moment.

 

  1. Find a Hobby: Find a creative hobby to keep your mind engaged and express your creativity. It could be something as simple as painting, playing a musical instrument, or writing.

 

By implementing these tips for self-care into your daily routine, you can start the new year feeling your best.

Focus on Jesus

Isaiah 26:3

Hebrews 12:1-2

 

So many Christians have a desire to be on fire for God.  Often you’ll hear some of them saying that they want to be like Elijah or David. They want to do great exploits for the kingdom of God. It is great to have that desire. It is godly. But very few of us accomplish that.

 

The truth is while most of us want to know God, we allow other things to take center stage in our lives.  We are not so keen on knowing Jesus on a deeper level than we already do.  We skim through the Bible and spend little time in prayer and yet expect to be like Elijah.  Yes, we have other things to do, like going to school and doing chores, but those things should not hinder us from spending time with the Lord and focusing on Jesus.

 

Honestly, finding balance in life and ensuring that everything is in its proper place is hard. This is more so when you have to prepare for exams, engage in different church activities, and do what your parents want. It can be overwhelming, right?

 

David was a king, and that means he had a hectic schedule.  But he found time to spend with God and focused on him, and that is why he was a man after God’s own heart.  He did not let his position in Israel influence his relationship with God.  Instead, David ensured that his relationship with God influenced his position as a king.  Not that he did not make any mistakes, he did but quickly turned back to God.

 

The same should be true about us if we want to be on fire for God. Other things should not take up the place of God. Know that as a youth, you have all the time in the world to work on your relationship with God and become a great instrument in his kingdom. Yes, you have responsibilities, but they do not take much of your time now as they will in the future. This is the right time for you to deepen your relationship with God.

 

Focus on  Jesus and allow him to be your all-in-all.  Do not just focus on your family and friends. Don’t misunderstand. It is good to love them, but Jesus should be the first in your life. It is only by focusing on Him that you’ll be able to ignite a flame for Christ not just in your life but also in society.

 

 

 

Action:

Find out the things that have been coming between you and Jesus, and then eliminate them if you can. Or give them their rightful position.  Practice putting  Jesus first in everything that you do.  Focus on him even as you go about your studies and other activities at school and home.  Let him be your first priority in all that you do. Surrender every idol in your heart to God and ask Jesus to help you focus on him alone.

Fasting… Right?

Matthew 6:16

Isaiah 58

 

Let’s admit it, most of us struggle with fasting and given a chance, it would be one of those spiritual disciplines that we would never practice. But we are spirit beings living in fallen bodies, and our spirits are always in a battle with the flesh. For the spirit to win and genuinely desire to ignite a flame for Christ, we have to discipline our flesh. Fasting is an excellent way for us to discipline our bodies.

 

Understand that fasting is not a means through which we ask God to become close to us. God is already with us. He promises in his word to never leave nor forsake us. God loves us unconditionally, and he is willing and ready to help us. So we do not fast to coarse God to draw close to us or answer our prayers. God has already blessed us through his son Jesus Christ.

 

But as we’ve already seen, we are spirit beings in a fleshly body. It means that there are times when we are going to draw away from God. There will be times when we shall sin against him and even want nothing to do with God. Fasting helps us keep in check and keep the fire burning in our lives so that we continue to grow spiritually.

 

Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:16 when you fast, not when you feel like fasting. It means that God expects believers to fast. Fasting is challenging, but it will help you to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, and this will enable you to continue communing with God.

 

Making fasting part of your discipline will enable you to grow more spiritually as you’ll be sensitive in the spirit and be able to discern the things of God. There are different forms of fasting that you can practice.  You can do a dry fast for three days like Esther, a Daniel fast, or a 1-day fast. You can even choose to fast from things that distract you from God, like social media.

 

You can also do a group fast with your friends or join corporate fasting done by your church. Before you start to fast, make sure you prepare psychologically, especially if you are doing longer fasts or a dry fast. Avoid doing vigorous activities during this period, and ensure you follow the doctor’s instructions if you have any complications or are under medications.

 

Action:

Ask God to show you the kind of fasting that you should do and then follow through.  Use the fasting period to study and meditate on the word. Also, spend quality time in prayer and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you in all that you do. Please don’t fast just for the sake of it. Make sure that you’re following the leading of the Holy Spirit.

 

If fasting is something that you have never done or you struggle with, look for someone that is fasting or planning to and fast together. Do not announce to the whole world that you’re fasting. Keep it between you and God and the person you’re fasting with if it is a group fast.

Love Lost Souls

Matthew 5:14-16

James 5:20

 

Loving lost souls is a great way for us to ignite a flame for Christ.

 

But let’s be honest:

 

It is hard to love people who make fun of your faith and don’t want anything to do with you. It is challenging to show grace to people who mock and persecute you. Those that bully you at school or in your community because you’re a Christian. Yet God expects us to love them anyway. The word of God tells us to love one another, including those who despise us.

 

But what do you do when you want to ignite a flame of Christ in your society? When God is telling you to reach out to such people and share the gospel with them? You will have to rise above the hate and the kind of treatment you get from these people so that you can be able to love them just like Christ loved us while we were yet sinners.

 

We should not look down on such people like the Pharisees did. We should be like our Lord Jesus, who showed love and compassion to these people. It is the goodness of God that leads us to repentance.

 

It is through his compassion and acts of kindness that Jesus was able to draw these people to himself and to the kingdom of God. We need to be like our Savior if we want unbelievers to accept Jesus as their personal savior. We need to love the lost instead of judging and condemning them.

 

Is there someone in your family that has not given their life to Christ?  How are you treating that person?  Know any students or youth in your church that have not given their lives to Christ?  Do you show them love, or are you busy judging and condemning them?  Do you show them acts of kindness, or do you point out bible verses about hell to them every chance you get?

 

The Bible says love covers a multitude of sins.  It is only by loving these people that you’re going to be able to do great exploits for the kingdom of God and transform your life and the lives of others around you. See, sometimes you don’t need to preach to people. Most unbelievers are drawn to the kingdom by our actions.

 

That is why we are called the light of the world and are encouraged to let our light shine in the world. Unbelievers may not listen to you as you preach to them, but they will hold you up to a certain standard and be drawn to you when they realize that you practice what you preach, so be vigilant.

 

Action:

Find someone in your community or school that does not know Christ, and with the leading of the Holy Spirit, befriend this person.  Try to draw that person into the things of God without sounding preachy or judgmental.  Ask God for guidance so that you can do it in a way that will cause them to surrender their lives to Christ. Love them by helping them with a problem they have, sharing something they need, or just listening to them as they talk.  Sometimes the only Bible some people will read is your actions.

Guard Against Emotions

Philippians 4:6-7

Galatians 5:16-17

 

At times you may feel the tangible presence of God. But there are also those times when you feel God is far away from you. You may be very excited one minute but become sad the next minute when someone tells bad news. You may be happy when your favorite teacher comes to class but be sad and withdrawn when you have to study your least favorite subject.

 

You may enjoy spending time with God and reading his word today, but wake up the next day and find yourself struggling to say a short prayer and read a verse in the Bible.  At times you may feel like you are moving to new levels spiritually, but there are also those times when you find yourself struggling with a particular sin or weakness.

 

Our emotions are not always steady. Sometimes they are up, and other times they are down. Why is that? It is because our feelings are influenced by other factors.

 

But the thing is, our commitment to God should not be determined by our emotions. We should serve God and put love and reverence for Him. Our relationship with Him should not be determined by external factors.

 

Jesus left the comfort of heaven and came to earth, where he was rejected by the very people he created. Our Lord did not enjoy going through crucifixion. He knew how painful it would be, but Jesus did not focus on the pain and humiliation he was going to go through. He focused on the purpose of him going to the cross, which was saving us from eternal damnation.

 

To ignite a flame for Christ in your life and others, you need to be willing to understand and not allow your emotions to control you like Jesus Christ.  Our feelings can lie and confuse us.  But when we learn how to rise up above our emotions and focus on Jesus, we end up doing great exploits for God’s kingdom.

 

Learn how to serve God when you are happy and when it is the last thing that you feel like doing.  Trust God when things are working for you, and even when things are working against you.  At the end of the day, our Christian walk is not about how we feel but about what God says about himself and us.  Remember, we walk by faith, not by sight, and definitely not by our feelings.

 

 

Action:

Have you been avoiding praying because you don’t feel like it?  Or maybe you know that you need to preach to someone, but you haven’t. Today choose to rise above your feelings. Do what God is telling you even though you do not feel like praying, reading the word, or spreading the gospel.  Find someone that needs encouragement and share the gospel with them even if it is the last thing you want to do.  Let them know that God loves them so much, and he is there for them no matter what.

Let Go of Christian Traditions and Religion

James 1:26-27

Matthew 23:23

 

You have probably heard this Christianity is not a religion; it is a relationship with God. And rightly so. Jesus did not come to talk about religion. He preached about the kingdom of God, which starts when we accept Him as our Lord and savior.

 

A look through the gospels and you will realize that Jesus was hard on the Pharisees? He did not sugarcoat things when he spoke to them.  These were religious leaders and teachers of the law. They knew the law and were committed to the things of God, or so it seemed.  But Jesus called them snakes and vipers. But why was that?

 

While the Pharisees knew the law well, they didn’t practice it fully. They turned the things God intended for good into traditions and religion.  They were using the law to fulfill their own selfish desires and to control others.

 

If you want to be on fire for God, you need to be a follower of Jesus and not just a religious person. Religion will blind you from the great things God has done and is doing in your life and the lives of other Christians. When you focus on religion, you find yourself straying away from what God expects you to do.

 

The truth is you cannot be on fire for God and religious at the same time.  In order for you to ignite a flame for Christ, you need to be willing to do things that may not go well with religious people.  Jesus healed on the Sabbath and dined with sinners. That did not go well with the Pharisees because a holy and learned person was not supposed to associate with sinners.

 

Christian traditions and religion will block you from spreading the gospel to the world effectively. You will be so keen on observing traditions that have been set in place instead of doing things God’s way.

 

For example, Christian tradition may tell you not to associate with people who have tattoos or have colored hair because they’re not fit to be Christians.  Maybe you have been made to believe that some things ended in the Old Testament. They don’t apply to us today. But imagine if Jesus was here today. Would he send these people away if they came to listen to Him or seek healing?  If you want to ignite the flame for Christ, especially among the youth in your school or church, you need to forgo some things and do exactly what God is telling you.

 

Action:

You may have to befriend some people that do not fit in the Christian Community.  Yes, you may feel out of place or uncomfortable doing it, but since it is God telling you to do it, go ahead and befriend such people to ignite a flame for Christ in them. God may put a particular song in your heart, and it may not go well with religious people but sing it anyway because, at the end of the day, you have to glorify God and not man.

Stop Comparing Yourself to Others

2 Corinthians 10:12

Galatians 1:10

 

In the world of likes, followers, and comments, it is easy for us to get caught up in the trap of comparison. You may be comparing yourself to your friends. You spend time following their lives. You want to know how many people they have led to Christ, what their prayer life is like, and whether they are living in secret sin or not.

 

At school, you may find yourself in the web of comparing your performance with others. Competition is good. It helps you to put in the work so that you can get good grades. But as children of God, we need to understand that there is such a thing as bad competition.

 

If you are cheating, lying, and slandering people so that you can be loved by others and they can be hated, then know that you’re not only sinning against others, but you’re sinning against God. We are supposed to love one another, and our loved ones should be a source of encouragement.

 

The word of God says that those who compare themselves to others are foolish.  If you want to ignite a flame for Christ in your life and in the body of Christ, you should not make the mistake of comparing yourself to others.  Yes, other people might be spiritually mature than you.  Your friend might be at a higher level in spiritual matters than you.

 

Or maybe the Christians you hang around live double standard lives, but they seem to be doing okay. They are drawing more lives to Christ even though they’re living in known sin, and you keep wondering why you should be different.  Why should you be on fire for God when others are not even trying, and they seem to be so comfortable?

 

Well, remember that God will judge you alone.  Come judgment day, God will not ask you whether the group you belong to obeyed him.  You will stand before the throne of God alone and give an account for your own life.

 

The Bible uses silver, gold, and wood to show our differences and how God uses our uniqueness to accomplish his purposes in life.  That means that you don’t have to be like every other person for you to ignite the flame of Christ.  You do not have to pray for one hour just because someone else prays for one hour.  You do not have to spend three hours in the Bible like your youth leader.  You have to relate to God in a way that works for you.  Follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and let him show you how to connect with God so that you can be able to ignite a flame that will never be put out with the things of this world.

 

Action:

Find out how God speaks to you and which way is he telling you to go? Does he talk to you audibly, through visions and dreams, or any other way? Ask God to show you how he wants you to ignite a flame for his Son Jesus and then follow the steps he tells you.

Check Your Heart

Jeremiah 17:9

Proverbs 27:19

 

Why do you want to ignite a flame for Christ? Is it because you have seen other people doing it? Are you doing it because you want a particular position in your Youth group? Do you want to ignite a flame for Christ because you care about others and want them to know God so that they can have eternal life? Or are you doing it as a way of getting right with God so that he can forgive you?

 

We need to check our hearts from time to time to know what is driving us to do certain things. The Bible says that the heart is deceitful. Meaning that you may think that you are on the right path when doing certain things but later find out that your heart was not in the right place concerning that issue.

 

There are times we may want to do things, but the intention behind it may not align with God’s will for our lives and his kingdom. But I want to ignite a fire for Christ, isn’t that good enough, you may ask? Well, it is good, and God wants all his children to do that to advance his kingdom.

 

However, just because you want doesn’t mean that you should not check your heart. See, there may be things that will hinder you from igniting the fire of Jesus. You may have hidden issues in your heart like anger, fear, pride, and bitterness that may hinder you from accomplishing that.

 

Checking your heart first before taking this critical step will help you discover hidden things you need to deal with first. For example, if someone hurt you in the past and you’re still bitter towards them, you need to deal with that first. If you don’t, the enemy may use the bitterness in your heart against you to ensure that you fail in reigniting a flame of Christ not just in your life but also in the lives of others.

 

You may be working towards igniting a fire for God for yourself. You want others to glorify you just like they do a particular preacher that you admire. We need to be careful. Our fallen nature causes us to have misguided motivations when serving God. On a surface level, it may seem like we have a desire to advance the kingdom of God, but our hearts may be craving attention. Or maybe you really want to ignite a fire for Christ, but your heart is full of doubt and fear.

 

Check your heart and make sure that your desires and actions are motivated by your love for Jesus.

 

Action:

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you anything in your heart that may be holding you back from igniting a flame of Christ.  If you’re already building intimacy with God, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you wrong things in your heart that may open up doors for the enemy to come and block you from moving forward with your relationship with God. Tell God to cleanse your heart from bitterness, anger, and pride so that you can serve Him faithfully.