When It Looks IMPOSSIBLE

When something looks impossible to you

            AND it’s something important for you to do . . . 

                    hopefully, you’ve got a little time to take a good look.

Jot down what comes to mind, then see what other info you find. 

If it looks impossible:  

What are reasons why you feel it’s necessary to deal with now ?

What is the possibility you can locate some trustworthy info yourself ?

How do you classify this impossible challenge ?

Your job

Your location 

Financial

Medical

Physical

Family relationship 

Social relationship

other - - - 

Is this like some other recent challenge ?

Is this like some everyday irritation ?

Is this like some problem others are facing now ?

Take a few minutes to appreciate that you’ve conquered other problems in your life.  You didn’t get where you are today by just sitting down and looking out the window at the flowers in your back yard. 

Take a few minutes to discuss your view of this new problem/challenge with your Heavenly Father.  He already sees and knows it all, but here now you acknowledge your needs, your viewpoint, your feelings.  Maybe some Bible verse will come to mind and you can affirm the blessings you appreciate in your life today.    + + + 

by Elaine Hardt ©2018

Looking at Success

        Our latest little booklet is ready for you,  "Looking at Success."  It's #93, and is a quick read with some ideas for you to consider.  Hopefully, it will be helpful and encouraging to you.  There's no charge.  Drop us a line via email; - edprha@gmail.com -  we do not sell or give away your address to anyone. 

Someone's Getting on Your Nerves ? ? ?

All of a sudden when the day was going well

Someone opened their mouth and snapped at you,

Or perhaps you heard about it second hand.

What’s a successful person like you to do? 

Maybe it was their long-standing habit

for someone to exaggerate or lie,

and you patiently ignored the problem,

So, now what strategy will you try?

Will you lose your temper like a little kid?

I’d like to encourage you to do better than that.

And maybe that is what you could tell that person,

“I’d like to encourage you to do better than that.”

by Elaine Hardt ©2017

83 Words to Read

This is what you need — so take heed:

“Strong, courageous —not afraid, not dismayed.

Your way will be prosperous — you will have good success.” 

Read it, speak it — meditate on God’s Word;

Remind yourself:  this is what you heard.

“God’s laws you are to obey,

remember this every day.”

This is what he said, take a look; 

read the first chapter of Joshua’s book. 

“Do not be discouraged; God is with you wherever you go.”

Believe it for His Word tells you so.  

+ + + 

by Elaine Hardt ©2016

Your Determination! Your Success!

            Our newest booklet is now ready.  "Your Determination!  Your Success!" is number 83 and you'll find the entire list of our booklets when you go to Labels at the side of this blog page and click on Booklets published.  These booklets are free. We make them on our own computer and printer with ClickBook from bluesquirrel.com. You'll read about 6 people who came through serious problems.  Hopefully, it will encourage you!  

Blessings for Believers

Assurance of salvation

Boldness to become the Me that He says I can be

Courage to call myself a Christian 

Discovering life’s purpose 

Enthusiasm for every new day

Forgiveness for every sin

Gratitude for every blessing

Success Comes When - - -

Review the basics.
1. Life is full of choices for me to make.
2. In my own ability I cannot make all the right decisions or do all the right things.
3. God allows this so I will see that I need Him in my life.
4. If success was easy we wouldn’t have opportunity to learn.

Come into agreement with what God says.
1. God wants us to be saved, healed, victorious.
2. Jesus has already done it all. He has provided for salvation, healing, victory.
3. God invites us to boldly come and take what He offers.
4. I must personally accept Jesus as my Savior.
5. His Holy Spirit comes to live within us, enabling us to do what pleases Him.

Review what the Bible says about the devil.
1. The devil will lie and deceive us so he can destroy us.
2. He will make us miserable so our testimony is ineffective.
3. He has a legal right to attack us when we are in disobedience to God.

Pray for wisdom, and be obedient to do what God reveals.
1. He will give us direction when we ask.
2. We must listen and obey.

An Idea to Try for 3 Weeks

You’re not a Nobody; you’re a Somebody.  

You’re not going about life haphazardly; 

you have things to do, 

and you can focus 

and succeed. 

        Here’s a suggestion that you focus on one word the first thing in the morning for the 7 days of the week.  Try it for three weeks.  Test your ability to give the day’s word an emphasis that improves your outlook.
Sunday      Committed
Monday      Alert
Tuesday      Determined
Wednesday  Energetic
Thursday  Observing
Friday        Learning
Saturday     Praying 
        Write the seven words on small slips of paper, or copy on 3x5 cards or write out on large post-it slips.  Say, you’re starting and today is Wednesday.  Have the big word ENERGETIC to consider.  Read it, say it out loud, give it a quick overview.  Maybe ask yourself a couple of questions as you get moving around this morning.  Maybe ask, “When was I the most energetic?”  or “What has hindered me from being energetic these last few days?”  or “How can I improve today by having the goal of Energetic?”

        Tomorrow read the next strip, and use your imagination as you focus on this word as a goal. 

Aggravations Come to Help Us Grow

Aggravations come to help us grow.

“What do you mean?” you ask. “I want to know!”

Every disappointment can make us sad,

Or even confuse us, or make us mad.

But “It’s just another challenge today.”

This is what you and I can say. 

Your planning and doing ability

improve when you firmly decide to see.

A calm approach might help to show you how:

more thinking and concentrating can allow. 

Review the past, and be sure to look ahead,

Any bad attitude? Now it’s time to shed. 

People are watching to see how you do;

Determination and hard work bring you through. 

Life gives us troubles; will we succeed? 

This shows us that it’s faith in God we need.

Your life reflects what truths you choose to believe,

Will you acknowledge the Bible’s words you receive? 

To aggravations you might as well say, “Hello,

I’ll deal with you and it will help me grow!” 

Start now and acknowledge with honesty,

Own up your shortcomings that you see.

Your Maker has you here for a reason,

Open your heart to Him this new season.

                           + + + 

By Elaine Hardt ©2014

Analyzing That Misbehaving Toaster

The toaster in the kitchen conked out.  Oh, well.  Just buy a new one.
The computer printer put out a wrinkled page torn on the upper left hand side.  Was the problem with the device or the paper or how it was loaded? What to do?
“When you can identify the problem and assess the device that’s misbehaving that’s the first step,”  Craig began. “The challenge then is to sort out and recall any info you already have tucked in your brain.  Next you evaluate the advice you get from others.  Are they experienced, qualified to do the fixing?”
Who hasn’t needed these little reminders from time to time? Keeping all our household and automotive devices happily running is one thing.  The procedure that brings you success is the one to keep on doing.
What about the intangible things in life?  
Your success in the overall scheme of things is important to your peace of mind, and your future success builds on your earlier success.  This is why it’s important to settle issues for yourself, and then as a parent or friend of a friend, to be able to assist others.  Children need to learn to deal with problems without tears or angry words.  
Even grownups give in to childish behavior at times.  Maybe the bad word is now “Oh, crap,” instead of a swear word.  Whatever.  It does reveal to the bystander something about your maturity.
What’s wrong with the angry driver on the freeway who cuts in and out of traffic?  Does anger in return bring a teachable moment?  It’s time to claim your cool.  
What if I --- ? What if he --- ? What if they --- ?  What matters is looking ahead.  Wisdom is achieved, not delivered with your pizza order.
Craig was a teacher at Sunnyslope Elementary School.  His class —

Esti´mulo, Incoraggiamento, Uppmuntran, Spreagadh

Encouragement!  Yes, other languages say this word, too!  * 

    A well-worded encouragement is valuable.  It’s different from a compliment — so take a longer look at encouragement.  

Can you recall any particular person who, at some time, encouraged you?  Do you remember what they said?  How did you react or reply?

When you are given encouragement you may be strengthened in your efforts because you’ve been acknowledged for what you have already done, and recognized for the grand possibilities in your future.  Specific abilities may be mentioned, certain obstacles may be acknowledged. Some particular suggestion could be included.

Can you recall any words from someone that, at first, challenged or irritated you, but it made you think longer about the situation? How did you respond?

  Did you grow emotionally or spiritually from any comments, written or verbal, someone made to you? 

Were there times when you needed a kind, helpful word, but no one spoke up to encourage you? Did this teach you something?

How are you at giving some words of encouragement? Is it easier for you to give verbal encouragement or written encouragement?  

Our goal in life is beyond survival, it’s to achieve a personal goal of success.