Grief Bites: Finding Treasure In HardshipsSample

Everybody has a brilliant innate ability to shine for God in the world. The problem is: circumstances, society, people, and “life” will always attempt to dim you. Many people never realize or find their shine because they are so busy, never slow down to deeply think, or are too concerned with what other people think. Some just never take time to think about life. They stay in a rut their entire life without much thought or effort, never submitting to God's purpose for their life. Some want the acceptance of the masses, or they may feel comfortable doing the status quo, instead of going for the gusto to find their personal worth in Christ and their life purpose. There is certainly safety in the acceptance of others, as well as the status quo…but what if you get to the end of your life and regret never trusting God's plan? Think what COULD happen if you were to submit to God and find your SHINE? What if you discovered God's love and joy...and it changed every aspect of your current life? So what is your “shine”? Your shine is all about the talents, spiritual gifts, personality, and gifts God has custom created inside of you that make you truly special. It’s your God-given passions…your joys…your ultimate pie-in-the-sky-high dreams and contentments. Nobody can tell you what your “shine” is…you have to figure it out with God for yourself. I’ll warn you, it has a high capacity to refine you…you may even find that some things in your life will need to deeply change to shine to the fullest for God. The coolest thing about “shining on” with God as a lifestyle is hands-down the major personal growth that it demands. It’s not an easy happy-go-lucky type of lifestyle. Not.at.all. It challenges your comfort level…your thoughts…your “norm”…it allows God to better you as a person every single day. You don’t discover your shine in one day then live it from then on out. Nope. You develop the shine every day of your life because you will be constantly growing in your relationship with Christ and allowing Him to change you from the inside out as a person. He will be bettering you in every area of your life and will be creating you to be an absolute light of encouragement, love, and joy to those around you. Becoming light and salt for God to use will cause you to have brilliance every single day. You begin to be excited about the things God will do through your life…no matter what your circumstances are. Ask yourself the following 10 questions: What makes you feel alive? What are your God-given passions, gifts, and talents? What are your convictions? What aspects of God do you most enjoy? What makes you want to get up in the morning? What do you think your God-given purpose in life is? How can you improve your health this week: spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally? What kind of legacy do you want to leave? How do you want to be remembered? What is your favorite personality trait that God created? What is ONE goal God wants you to achieve 100 days from now? These questions are a good starting point to talk to God about. You are well on your way to finding your salt, light, and shine! I wonder who all you are going to bless in a positive way by having the courage to allow God to change your heart and life. May God bless you with the powerful ability to light up the world for His glory! Shine on!