MESSAGE to THE MIRROR

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

How is that guy or gal in the mirror doing today?

The one looking back at me looks weary.  You too?

Yet aside from needing maybe needing a little more sleep, how are things looking?

Ready for another day?

Ready for the today’s challenges; it’s triumphs and trials?

I know it may seem silly, but we all need to spend a minute with the one in the mirror because they are going to be with us all day today. There is even an old saying in recovery. “Everywhere you go there YOU are.”

So, true.

So why not take a second to chat with the person staring back at you in the mirror and make sure that you both are on the same page for today. In fact, maybe it would help if you took a moment to remind that person of a few things before you dive into the fracas.

Like what you ask?

Remembering that GOD said…

I’m going to do a brand-new thing. See, I have already begun! Don’t you see it? I will make a road through the wilderness of the world – Isaiah 43:19 (TLB)

Maybe you both need that one because yesterday was a complete train wreck, a real wilderness and a new start is just the ticket.

Or how about reminding that mirror buddy that…

… he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion…Philippians 1:6 (NIV) 

You needed that one, did you? 

Were you considering giving up today?

No need for that now.

The GOOD work is still carrying on!

Say you need one more for your mirror mate?

You are God’s child, and you will receive everything he promised his children. Galatians 4:7 (ESV) 

That should ward off those feelings of discouragement.

You may be saying Pastor this is silly, but I don't think so!

Yesterday while sitting through one of the sessions at this year’s OHIO RECOVERY HOUSING CONFERENCE, George Brault of Brault Consulting, a leader in the recovery community, remarked on several occasions, we should wire ourselves to EXPECT success.  Far too often we set our sights too low about our possibilities and potential.  And while he was talking in a recovery context, that we can EXPECT to recover, we can take that same approach about today; expect it to be fresh, new, and full of possibility!

Lucado once remarked, “Two types of voices command your attention today. Negative ones fill your mind with doubt, bitterness, and fear. Positive ones purvey hope and strength. Which one will you choose to heed? You have a choice, you know.”

Let’s choose the message of success, let’s choose to believe those truths presented from GOD’S WORD!

Unfortunately that person in the mirror often is our worst enemy. We let lies pollute our identity and our potential and that in turn pollutes the day. We enter too many days defeated by yesterday’s mistakes instead of empowered by GOD to make the most of THIS DAY; the day He has made worthy of praise. (Psalm 118:24)

So, rub the sleep from your eyes and look squarely at the one staring back at you in the mirror and say confidently…

“Today both of us are going to remember and be emboldened by that familiar truth, (WE) CAN do all things through CHRIST (Philippians 4:13)!

I love you all!

OPPORTUNITIES for HOPE