dailydatewithgod

When we find ourselves in a situation that we had not planned on, we are given an opportunity to choose how we want to respond.  We may have an immediate reaction, but we do not have to act on those first thoughts that pop into our mind.  Maturity is having a pause between situation and reaction. Because of the firmly worn grooves of survival in our head, our first thoughts are limited by what will ensure our survival in the moment.  This is not a bad thing, but we may not be in need of survival.  We may be in need of creating possibilities, of creating a situation in which we can thrive and grow. If we take time to breakdown what is happening we will notice that we are experiencing familiar thoughts and feelings, even if the “situation” is different. This means, we are being given an opportunity to transform our “reaction” to the situation.  A “do-over” of sorts.  This is why being in the present, not reacting from the past, is so crucial to our growth in life.  How many times have you found yourself reacting in a certain manner after you told yourself that next time it would be different.  Why is it that every time a relationship ends, the thoughts I have about myself are the same, no matter who I was in the relationship with? Why is it that when my boss calls me into his office, I feel like I did the first time I got called into the principal’s office?  These “problem” situations are simply opportunities for growth and transformation.  These “hassles” are moments of creativity in waiting.  In order for me to see them as opportunities I have to remember who I am and who has my back and where I am centered.  If I rely on the situations themselves to tell me who I am and how I am to be, then I will spend my whole life reacting instead of utilizing the opportunities to create the life that I want.  My prayer for us today is that when we find ourselves presented with a similar situation, that we have the courage to stop, pause, reconnect with who we are in God and seize the opportunity to create something new.  Make it a great one!  Peace~Colleen