A Bosu Ball and Regaining My Balance

This is a bosu ball, an exercise tool that my trainer enjoys putting me on, for laughs I'm sure, as I'm not the best at keeping my balance. It's soft and bouncy when you stand on it as pictured, but she likes to flip it over and have me step onto the unstable platform where I have to attain and keep my balance while performing various exercises. The other day we were practicing this, when she asked me to close my eyes once I had my balance. That really threw me off!

I was thinking about this today, how life sometimes feel "off balance", and we are trying to regain it. It takes a lot of effort and focus to do it, but it can be done. But then we sometimes close our eyes. You know what I mean. We turn our focus inward, closing our eyes to outward influences, trying to draw what we need from within. While this may work for awhile, it's usually temporary at best and difficult to maintain.

For me, what I really need is to regain a solid foundation and to focus my gaze outside of myself so I can stay balanced. My personal foundation is a Rock that doesn't move (Jesus), and my gaze seeks to connect with others - thinking about/helping others is a great equalizer in unstable times.

My thought for today? Keep looking up and out while regaining your balance.

What do you do when instability rocks your life?



How to handle disappointment

We've all felt the sting of disappointment.  Someone has let you down, an opportunity has passed you by, a desire has been unmet. Disappointments can lead to discouragement and depression if we don't manage them.

In Genesis 13 Abram and his nephew, Lot, are having to part ways. Abram brought Lot along on his God-directed journey, and in the process Lot has grown prosperous - there is no longer space enough for them together, and Abram doesn't want the resulting tensions to come between them. Abraham gives Lot the choice of the land. After taking a long look, Lot chooses for himeslf the best land.

v. 12 "So Abram settled in the land of Canaan...."

Abram is sure to have felt disappointment in Lot's choice. Hadn't God promised to prosper him? And here is Lot choosing the best land. Where is the gratitude from Lot?

But Abram chose a different tactic. He settled in the land that was his. He continued to do what God told him to do, and he was blessed and prospered.

We need to choose to face things, and go forward, holding no resentments or negative attitudes in our heart. God's promises of blessing are not going to be thwarted by anything.

Psalm 37:7-9 says "Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don't worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper--it only leades to harm...those who trust in the Lord will possess the land."

Don't worry about what other people do or have.
When your emotions stir up - be still in God's presence
Trust God
Make good decisions for where you are today

Psalm 37:3 "Trust in the Lord and do good, then you will live safely in the land and prosper".

We all suffer disappointments, but today we can choose to go beyond them to a place of peace and trust.

How do you deal with disappointment?