Be Strong

Back in the 90’s, one of the top songs ‘You Gotta Be’ recorded by Des’ree was a spirit-lifting song with a positive message, a hit that was widely recognized by many across the globe to uplift and help them face another day.  In ‘You Gotta Be’ she sang:

“You gotta be bad, you gotta be bold / You gotta be wiser, you gotta be hard / You gotta be tough, you gotta be stronger” 

Joshua 1:9 (KJV) “Have not I command thee? Be strong and of a good courage, be not afraid neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest.”

Indeed, even now we can stand strong in the midst of the greatest upsurge of economic well-being in the history of 20th Century America. The very existence of this national epic has molded and reshaped the way we live in endless ways. If necessary, we cannot allow the vehicle of economic and social and culture upheavals, the trials of life and sometimes traumatic events in the world to affect our internal harmony. Life, sometimes is unexplainable, sad to say, but true. Unfortunately, we know trials are part of life.

James 1:2 (NIV) “Consider it pure joy my brother and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Our trials will pass, they don’t come to stay.”

Trials only come to make us stronger and to develop our character…character is who you are.  It is, as Abraham Lincoln quotes, “Reputation is the shadow, Character is the tree.” 

Strong by definition is having or marked by great physical power. According to Strong’s concordance, strong is to empower— enable, (increase) in strength, and be (make) strong. Let ‘Strong’ be your supportive role model. A model with the attributes of courage. Daniel in the bible can be described as that befitting model who stood strong in the midst of pressure and persecution What about us today? Daniel’s life exemplifies that if we trust and believe God, He can take care of us. We can do nothing by our own strength, our strength totally relies upon God. Ephesians 6:10 Be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. You Gotta Be Strong!!!

♥L. Jones – Yu’Niquely Created♥

You!!!

 

 

freeimage: by Skarylt

#YouGotThis–Anxiety

Talk about Anxiety!

Anxiety happens to the best of us. It’s reality, it’s part of life.  Life has a funny way of throwing us a curve when everything is going right. At some point or time, everyone of us will experience anxiety. Whether you struggle with anxiety or not there is nothing whatsoever to be ashamed or embarrassed about.  We can master our emotions and take control of our anxieties. Identify the fear factor,  focus and fill our minds on positive things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely and admirable.

You Got This!!!

Our current moment supports an undeniable testimony to this truth. The psychological impact of the coronavirus has triggered a wave of emotion that has induced anxiety and extreme uneasiness. Anxiety is an abnormal and overwhelming sense of apprehension and fear. It assaults our physiological and psychological qualities. In short term, it affects our physical and mental health.

Some uplifting quotes to help on anxiety:

Anxiety’s like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but it doesn’t get you very far. ~Jodi Picoult

“If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it with the handle of anxiety or the handle of faith.”~ Henry Ward Beecher

Anxiety is the hand maiden of creativity. ~ T.S. Eliot

“I promise you nothing is as chaotic as it seems. Nothing is worth diminishing your health. Nothing is worth poisoning yourself into stress, anxiety, and fear.” ~ Steve Maraboli

“You can’t always control what goes on outside. But you can always control what goes on inside.” ~ Wayne Dyer

Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, but only empties today of its strength.- Charles Spurgeon

God does not want us living our lives filled with anxiety. We can have victory over anxiety. God gives us a command not to be anxious in His Word, scriptures gives us hope, Philippians 6-7 MSG “Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down.”

“Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.”  Proverbs 12:25 NIV

♥L. Jones – Yu’Niquely Created♥

You!!!

 

 

 

 

The Power of Encouragement

Encouragement matters!  The fundamental truth about encouragement is the possibility of one individual going along with another person on a journey and speaking words that encourage the person to continue moving forward in a given direction despite the interruption. Encouragement is the power of building others up especially during these challenges we are facing as a nation. Talk about a perfect timing for a wellspring of encouragement. Specifically, a continual supply of sweet encouragement is good for the soul. Author Roy T. Bennett quotes in his own natural way ‘One word of encouragement can be enough to spark someone’s motivation to continue with a difficult challenge.’  Encouragement is the urgent need of our day. We should be encouraged, comforted, or counseled at some point or time. For those who have the gift of encouragement, do it with demonstrating warmth, compassion, and by offering words of hope. If you know someone who is in-between trials, a long sickness, difficulty in financial crisis, let your words express love and compassion, and your innate ability be of service to lift their heavy load and bring encouragement to their lives. Keep in mind, pleasant words are like honeycomb (Proverbs 16:24). Your first response is to be positive and provide a supportive listening ear or a shoulder to help make a difference in others’ lives. By a similar token, you encourage others by building them up and helping them to keep up an inspirational mentality. Our encouragement should not shake the root of one’s foundation. In essence, our encouragement should give strength, add value and make a difference to the interior of one’s foundation. As Lailah Gifty Akita points out ‘we can only reach the highest height, if we encourage each other.’  Paul writes in I Thessalonians 5:11 ‘encourage each other and build each other up. Broadly speaking this is a good rule of thumb to follow, if no one encourage and motivate you, be kind to yourself, speak positive self-talk, and encourage yourself. There is no denying that the words we speak have any kind of effect. The conclusion of the whole matter is encouragement can make a difference in someone’s life today! Someone is depending on You! Make it Happen!!!

♥L. Jones – Yu’Niquely Created♥

  You!!!

Abound in Hope

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you will abound in hope and overflow with confidence in His promises. (Amp Romans 15:13)

Prayer,  Father we thank You that during these times we know that You are the securer of our hope. There is no God like thee in the heavens, let your Word be confirmed. Now God let Your eyes and Your ears be attentive to our prayers. Grant us peace, comfort and divine protection from this global pandemic.  Strengthen and revive us. We thank You that You offer us a hope that endures all things. We humble ourselves before You in Jesus. Amen!

♥L. Jones – Yu’Niquely Created♥
Peace and Love to you all!

 

 

 

Happy New Year 2019

Hello dear love ones,  another year has come and gone. And a new year is before us, and the best is yet to come I wish you the most healthiest and prosperous New Year ever with so much joy and happiness.  May your days and the days ahead hold many blessings and be filled with so much love and peace. May God bless you all, have a Happy New Year!!!

 

♥L. Jones – Yu’Uniquely Created♥

Blessings & Love!

Strength of aWoman

The strength of a woman

is not measured by the impact

that all her hardships

in life have on her;

but the strength of a woman

is measured by the extent of

her refusal to allow those

hardships to dictate

her and who she becomes. – Unknown

 

♥L. Jones – Yu’Niquely Created♥

Peace and Love to you all!!!

 

 

Inspirational Poetry

 

 

♥L. Jones – Yu’Niquely Created♥

 

Poem: Things Work Out

Because it rains when we wish it wouldn’t,
Because men do what they often shouldn’t,
Because crops fail, and plans go wrong-
Some of us grumble all day long.
But somehow, in spite of the care and doubt,
It seems at last that things work out.

Because we lose where we hoped to gain,
Because we suffer a little pain,
Because we must work when we’d like to play-
Some of us whimper along life’s way.
But somehow, as day always follows the night,
Most of our troubles work out all right.

Because we cannot forever smile,
Because we must trudge in the dust awhile,
Because we think that the way is long-
Some of us whimper that life’s all wrong.
But somehow we live and our sky grows bright,
And everything seems to work out all right.

So bend to your trouble and meet your care,
For the clouds must break, and the sky grow fair.
Let the rain come down, as it must and will,
But keep on working and hoping still.
For in spite of the grumblers who stand about,
Somehow, it seems, all things work out.

 by Edgar Albert Guest

 

♥L. Jones – Yu’NIQUELY CREATED♥

Inspiring Quote

TRUST THE PROCESS, YOUR TIME IS COMING, JUST DO THE WORK AND THE RESULTS WILL HANDLE THEMSELVES.

-TONY GASKINS

 

 

♥L. JONES – Yu’NIQUELY CREATED ♥

Peace and Love

 

Work Your Wings

 

“And the day came when the risk to remain the same was greater than the risk to change…

It is after all, the only hope for the cocoon to become the butterfly.” Unknown

Are you ready to unfold the glory of your destiny? Are you on the threshold of destiny, ready to fly, ready to soar? Let us not waste any more time at a standstill on the ledge of life, reluctant to take the leap that will change everything. Some of us struggle with changes God calls us to make, however, if we permit it the time will eventually come for us to take that leap of faith and ride on the wing of the winds. God has given each of us a destiny and has great plans for our lives. We have to take the challenge and extend our wings. God wants to expand us and take us higher than we can imagine. Trust God to empower you. Don’t allow obstacles to stop you from being in pursuit of your greatest life. No doubt there will be obstacles; however under any circumstances you can conquer them. God in His sovereignty created you to succeed, not to fail. Don’t compromise your life, take that risk, don’t be fearful to move out and spread your wings as you soar to the next dimension of fulfilling your unique purpose. God will give you wings of faith to rise and adventure beyond your comfort zone. And this is the assurance we have in approaching Him, God is able to do above all that you ask or think according to the power that worketh in you (Ephesians 3:20). According to Paul, we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works (Ephesians 2:10).

We must trust God to renew us, let go of the old way and take on God’s way, taking off of the old nature. I like to compare the image represented of the butterfly to the process of our lives; by show of pondering an inward struggle of whether or not to leap and discover the use of its wings. However, the butterfly has to be set free. By turning our adversities into advantages we will be able to spread our wings of faith and soar to new heights.The word transformed is “metamorphoo”, which is used to explain the process of a caterpillar changing into a butterfly, comes from metamorphosis…. “a process of growth, enlargement and transformation.” The metamorphosis can be foreign and unpleasant, you can’t turn around. You must allow your wings to fully develop. Time to put our outdated expectations and mindsets out of their misery and create brand new ones of what’s possible. Like the butterfly’s struggle to emerge from the cocoon, the transformation is not easy but the outcome is amazing. Once again you must be willing to stretch beyond your comfort zone and execute your dreams. The choice, though clearly, will be yours to make as you move forward into your purpose of meaning, your gifts and talents will begin to transpire. And as you change you become someone new and changeable. Your new self wants to emerge. Don’t wait for tomorrow to do what you can do today. Just know it’s a brand new day to discover your new-found possibilities… Embrace the realm of possibilities. You have your Wings all you have to do is enlarge them and fly away. Become that butterfly of destiny.

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♥L. Jones – Yu’Uniquely Created♥

Joy and Love