What Do You Do When You Don't Feel Like It?

Have you ever had one of those days when you "just don't feel like" doing whatever it is that you have to do? Maybe you just don't FEEL like cleaning house. You don't FEEL like going to work. You don't FEEL like having to deal with crabby people. You don't FEEL like going to church. Or, you just don't FEEL like smiling and being nice to people.

I was having one of those moments recently when I just wasn't FEELING like anything. Nothing was going may way and I dared someone to press my emotional buttons. But then I encountered someone who I could tell was having the same kind of day, except his was much worse.

In passing him in the hallway, there was a heaviness that permeated through him. I stopped and asked how everything was going to try to start a conversation. He shared how his daughter was set to go through her last round of chemotherapy and while the prognosis was looking good, he had to get a loan to pay for the treatment. As he explained the red tape that was involved in getting her treatment, he shared how his 401-K wouldn't allow him to borrow more money until he paid back a sizeable amount from his daughter's previous chemotherapy treatment. When he shared the amount, a lump settled in my throat. God has blessed me immensely through my business venture and I knew what I needed to do. But I had been preoccupied by having an "I don't FEEL like it" kind of day. That didn't bother God.

2 Corinthians 9:7 says, "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

If we want to be a victorious Christian, we don't get to do what we FEEL like anymore. Victory is not letting your emotions control you. Why do we let our mind and our feelings control our life so much? Romans 12:11 says, "Never be lacking in zeal (enthusiastic diligence, desire), but keep your spiritual fervor (earnestness of feeling), serving the Lord." In other words, stay filled with wonder and astounded by what God is doing in your life.

If you want to increase the power of God on your life, see how many times a day you can give. God is not looking for ability, but for availability.

(Barbie will be away for a while and will return August 10).

Move On

We've all been faced with a seemingly large decision at some point in our life. You know what you need to do. You know the road you're supposed to take. The choice is clear. But your fear is much bigger than your faith. "What if something happens? What if it doesn't work? What if I'm not thinking this through thoroughly? What if I'm just going on a whim? What if I lose everything I have?"

For me personally, I've had those decisions in the past. Now I find myself face to face with "it" again.

While I've read the account of God's deliverance of Moses and the children of Israel out of Egypt numerous times, I discovered a Word spoke by God that I've never noticed before.

As the Israelites saw their backs were to the mountains and the Red Sea churning before them, they realized they were physically trapped. God had told them what they needed to do: trust. But that's so much easier said than done for Christians. It's even harder when you over-think what's before you. I can only imagine what the children of Israel were thinking, "We can't climb those mountains behind us. Pharaoh's army is too strong. And we can't wade across the Red Sea either. We'll all drown!" But God would not have brought them to a point of trust if He wasn't serious about His plan for them. His plan was freedom. His plan was more than they could've imagined for themselves. His plan was to have a kingdom impact on the land of Canaan.

Moses told them in Exodus 14:13, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you, you need only to be still." Do not fear. Stand firm. Have peace that God is in control.

But notice what God said in verse 15, "Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on."

Often times, we cry out to God "Please tell me what I'm supposed to do! Please make this decision easier for me. Just make your will known to me!" All the while, God is saying to you, "Move on."

You may be leaving a secure place behind with this decision you're faced with. God has already paved your path. He's already ahead of you. Although it may be difficult for you to trust Him, God is telling you right now "Move on" with the next step of faith He's wanting you to take.

Your Dream

If your dream is only as big as your surroundings, that dream isn't from God.

In Genesis 37:7, Joseph shared his dream with his brothers: "We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it." Joseph had another dream in verse 9: "This time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me."

We all have dreams for our life and what we would like to have one day or perhaps where we would like to go. But notice Joseph's dream had nothing to do with fancy cars, a mansion, lots of friends and social circles or money growing on trees. God was showing Joseph there was a higher purpose for him and it was to include leading others to God's saving grace.

How do you know if your dream was given to you by God? If your dream is linked to the harvest, then that dream is from God. If your dream is linked to the flesh and the lusts of this world, it is deception; not a dream. God doesn't give flesh-focused dreams. Those types of dreams come from the devil because the devil wants you to abort your destiny. Only you can stop what God's ordained for your life.

After Joseph's dreams, he was thrown into a pit by his brothers. Have you ever felt like your dream has been thrown into the pit? Things just aren't coming together the way you thought they would? Pits are often allowed by God for Him to test your character to see if it matches up with His standards.

Joseph received his dream in a field. His dream was about the harvest and how God would use him for a kingdom impact. God gave Joseph power when he was elevated in Pharaoh's government. Power will only come from God for His purpose; not for our own purposes.

Each stage, obstacle, or "pit" is intended not to block your dream, but to help you break through to the fulfillment God promises. The only way you and I can find true fulfillment and become all that God created us to be is to go through some pits along the way and have a kingdom impact through your dream.

Viewer Emails

It's now time for another edition of..... "Viewer Emails".

 

I've decided to leave all misspellings/grammar as they appear in the emails.

 

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I am appalled at the fact that you do not understand the image that you portray to upcoming young women who are affected every night concerning how you look. These same Young Women might want to be a broadcaster. Trust me; I am not the only one with this opinion.

I spoke with you last week and I started the conversation with “I am not trying to hurt your feelings.”  Well hear I go again. You are the only Weather Newscaster that represents your station in a very disappointing and negative manner. I have been watching channel 16 and 12. I just turned on the news and here you are again with those white pants and the tan pants. Depending on your size I would like to offer some beauty suites for free to clean up your image. As a replacement for you looking at my comments in a negative way, you should have taken it as a concerned viewer. I have work in many leadership positions over the years, and I would not clean my house with the clothing that you were. I’m of the opinion that just because you have been in Mississippi most of your life, it is not an excuse for the poor image that you portray when you represent the Weather Broadcast for WLBT. When you are bringing the news (Weather) in our homes every night it is difficult to over look what you are wearing. YOU LOOK TERRIBLE, and I am truly sorry if this email gives you a negative view of me, but I had to let you know that I am not someone that means you harm, however, from one professional to another, I do mean you well. You indicated to me that you were a Christian, if you are, LOOK; don’t take my word, if you want to be technical about it look in the book of Leviticus 6:10 “Is it wrong for a woman to wear pants." It is also in Deuteronomy 22:5. You do this publicly. “A woman must not wear men's clothing, nor a man wear women's clothing, for the LORD your God detests anyone who does." Read your Bible Barbie!
There are more references in the Bible that speak to this matter. I am a worrier of a praise team that one person can share with another to help represent your image in Christ. Don’t take this Negatively, just look at how a so called Christian is suppose to represent themselves not only as a child of Our Lord Jesus Christ, but upcoming young leaders who might want to be a Chief Weather Meteorologist.
You appear to be a sweet person, but you are not a cheer leader, I cannot let my personal opinion go back to your old ways of thinking knowing that you can do better, and help WLBT News get back to number one news station in Mississippi.

Christine Bowden

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Barbie,

You are such a bright spot in a lot of people’s days; beautiful eyes too. Never, ever wear those glasses again that you wore the other day. I debated about writing and I’m very happily married, so I’m not trying to hit on you. You just look so much better without them.

Raymond Dougherty

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Barbie,

My two grown daughters and I were watching the news tonight when you came on with the weather. All three of us made the same comment about the blouse you wore tonight, you really do not ever need to wear that blouse again. You should actually throw it away asap. I truly am trying to be honest and sincere when I say this. I am not trying to hurt you in anyway, but the blouse is in no way flattering to you. Please take this as constructive criticism.

Sincerely,
Patty McDaniel