4 Signs of Growth and Maturity

Everyone at some point decides to make changes in their life for a better life. Here are four signs that let you know you are on the right track.

1. Old issues are no longer an issue.
At one point in your life there were certain situations and people that would get you upset with just a simple thought. These same things no longer get any of your attention or energy today which is a sign that you are, as they say, OVER IT!!

2. Out with the old in with the new
Replacing bad habits with new healthier habits is a major sign of growth. It shows that your emotional and physical well being are important to you. Also that you value peace.

3. Moving forward
Anything from your past that is a horrible reminder of where you came from you make a decision to leave it there, in the past. That includes exes, horrible feelings, bad memories, most likely anything that could hinder your progress with growth. Releasing those things and deciding to not look back is showing that you value yourself enough to let go and keep it moving.

4. Accountibility
This one can be a tricky one at times because people will allow other people to hold them accountable for their past. That is not how this works. You hold yourself accountable for what has happened in your life. Be willing to say yes this is what happened in this area and this is my part in it and be done with it. Admitting and explaining are two different things. You don't owe anybody an explanation for decisions you made in your past. Being able to be accountable frees you from a lot of personal guilt and it helps you move along in your growing process.

If you have any other signs that you are growing and maturing I would love to hear from you. Comment below share with friends let's start talking.

Forgiveness

Forgiveness has always been a touchy subject for me until recently. Someone does something to you and the first response is usually revenge or hold a grudge. Grudges create bitterness and resentment. Both which can lead to unhappiness, depression, confusion, etc.. Some may ask what is the point of forgiveness? Have you ever heard people say you forgive for you not for them? That is very true. There are unanswered prayers and stacked up blessings simply because some of us won't allow ourselves to forgive. We block our own progress, our own freedom, our own blessings when we choose to harbor old feelings and anger. That is not the life God has designed for us to live in hurt and hate. Keeping emotions bottled up because we are afraid of what others may say or think.

If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.(John 8:36) How can you be completely free when you are still bound mentality? You are holding your mind hostage because you won't go to them and get it right. At times going to the other person is not an option. In that case you have to give it to God and leave it there. Let him mend the hurts. There are things we have to grab hold of and never let go. Like the fact that its not about us but its about Jesus. All hurts were not because of something you did wrong.  There is no hurt that God cannot heal but we have to surrender to Him for that to happen. We can't say, " I give it to you God" on today and pick it right back up tomorrow. When you release it you never return to it. 

This next point is going to set somebody free. Sometimes you have to be okay with the sorry you never got. Forgiveness takes power. You have to put your ego to the side and let God work on your inside. It's not an easy process nor is it an overnight process but it is a rewarding process. Stay in God's presence and He will guide you through.

You're Entitled

You're entitled to live a life free of drama and baggage. You're entitled to have the freedom of self. Most times the rights we fight so hard for are the ones we need to let go of in order to be truly free. Society teaches that we have the right to have low self esteem. That we have the right to feel inferior to everybody else because of facts in history. People teach us that's its okay to harbor hatred in your heart for someone even if all you do know of them is the color of their skin. People teach you that no matter how hard you try there will always be someone waiting to be a stumbling block in your way. The media teaches you that important matters and news are extinct. Instead the latest fashion and dance craze is the norm. You are entitled to feel how you choose about this world and the people in it. While you judge those things please understand complaining never solved a thing. The only one person you have 100% authority over is self and there is plenty you can do about that individual. You are entitled to wake up every morning with a smile on your face and say today I will make a difference in someone's life. You are entitled to go against the statistic that puts you in a failure category. You are entitled to walk in freedom not because a man decided to abolish slavery but because THE MAN came and freed you when HE went to Calvary. You are entitled to pull up your pants and pull down the barriers that have kept so many bound mentally for years. You are entitled to cover up and still feel beautiful. You are entitled to get an education and gain knowledge, to get a better understanding of where you came from in order to gain a sense of direction as to where you are headed. Feel entitled to do better for yourself. You are entitled to have a life that you can be proud of instead of a life that other people say you deserve. They say history will repeat itself if people don't learn about it. Thing is people learn about it but they don't care about it. Value is no longer a thing of the present for most. It's impossible for people to value others if they have yet to place any on themselves. You are entitled to feel valuable and treat yourself as well as others the same way. You are entitled to put down the guns and pick up a book. Let go of the grudges and grab a vision. Strive for change, work towards a change, expect a change...because you are entitled.

Bills over Blessings

I am noticing a big trend in this day and time that is becoming very costly. People are confusing a blessing with a bill. Now you may be asking," What does that mean?". I will tell you. First I want to say the blessings of God are abundant and HE pours them out as HE sees fit. One thing I want to say about a blessing is if God gave it to you HE will bless you with the means to maintain it. Sometimes people come across what looks like a good deal and immediately they say this must be my blessing. That is not always the case. When it's a blessing you don't have to struggle to get, maintain, or keep it.

People get discouraged when they see someone with a new house or a new car. They feel left out or feel like God has overlooked them. That is not always the case either. Pay attention to the struggle that person has in keeping that item. If there is a struggle behind it that was not a blessing from God but rather a bill the created. Keep your head up people of God. What God has in store for you is so far beyond what your imagination can come up with. In due time your abundance will roll in. You won't have to struggle just thank God for it and enjoy it. Let the naysayers keep their bills and you just wait on your blessings! Smooches

How deep does your love go?

It's easy to utter the words I love you, but are you able to show your mate how deep that love flows when the tough times begin to fall on them? Are you able to cover them in prayer when their prayers are silenced by tears? Are you able to comfort them with your presence when your words are not needed? Do you have what it takes to stick it out through those past pains and disappointments? Love doesn't come with a multitude of questions just one; what can I do to help you through this?#EmbraceLove

The Proof is in the Pudding

After going through dead end relationships and heartbreak to which it seems to be no end I had made a decision. That decision being to simply take a break from this cycle that was spinning out of control in my life. I have already done the broken promises and the good talk game. I was fed up with the imposters of love. I had too many tears filling my eyes to see the real thing. One day after analyzing the many wounds and scars that have made a home in my heart I was approached by this man. My first thoughts were, "Here we go again, another empty dream or broken promise." He said, "I want the chance to be number one in your life. To give you everything you need and some. I want the opportunity to love you unconditionally and give you a lifetime commitment." With tears in my eyes I said firmly, "I heard it all before, what makes you different and why me?" Then he whispered in my ear,"Because I love you." So I whispered back in his ear," PROVE IT!" He then opened his hands towards me and as I saw the nail prints in his hands he looked at me and smiled and said,"THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING."

By Lady A

Table for 3?

Haters, Haters, Haters!!!!!! That’s all you hear these days. The bible speaks about having enemies but our modern day term for it is haters. There is always the question why. Why do the haters hate? Why don’t they like me? Why won’t they just mind their business and leave me alone. The answer is simple…it’s their job! That’s what haters do. You can’t get upset because they are doing their job just make sure you are doing yours by staying in the Word and in prayer. Instead of telling the “haters” to leave and get out of your face, tell them to pull up a chair. They have received an invitation to be at the feast with me and Jesus. Notice I said be at the feast, I never said they would be eating! The bible says(Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies~ Psalms 23:5). Which lets me know when God gets ready to bless me for real or HE begins to make manifest in my life those things HE promised, HE wants my enemies to be present. HE wants to enlarge my territory while they are watching. So they can see for themselves that God is God all by himself and anything HE says can and will come to past. So stop getting bent out of shape when the “hater” comes around. They are just fulfilling the prophecy that God has already given to you through HIS word…check please!!! :)