Letting Go of the "Unchangeable"

I was contemplating this morning how in the past I've tried so hard to change things in my life that couldn't be changed, and how much I've resisted those unchangeable things without simply "letting things be." This led me to realize that in life there are things you can control, and things you can't control, and what will determine your altitude is your ability to let go of the things you can't control, and focus your energy on what you DO have the power to change. 

I asked myself the question, "What are you going to do with what you've been given?"

We've all been dealt certain "cards" but in life, and it's not a matter of what cards you've been dealt but how well you learn how to play them. 

I've learned that in life, there are things we can change, and there are things we can't change. Don't waste all of your time trying to change things that can't be changed! Instead focus and invest your energy on the things you CAN change--and work on that. You may not always be able to control what happens to you, but you most certainly can control how you react to what happens to you. Or as one of my favorite quotes says, "You may not be able to change the winds of adversity, you can however, change the direction of your sails." 

If you're struggling in life with letting go of all the "unchangeable" and are spending too much time investing all of your energy and emotions on things you can't change, then I strongly encourage you to do this exercise: 

• Take a piece of paper, and draw a line down the middle. 
• On one side, write: "Things I can't Change" and make a list of all of the things in your life that you can't change and that you have no control over. 
• On the other side of the paper, write: "Things I CAN Change" and make a list of all the things that you CAN change. I think you'll find you have control and the power to change a lot more than you thought you could! Your attitude and your mindset (whether it is one of gratitude or complaint), have A LOT to do with the way your life is right now. So if you don't like your EXTERNAL conditions, it's time to grab a hold of what's going on inside your mind (Your INTERNAL conditions)  in order to accomplish any change and see the results in your physical world! (P.S. Don't forget to write down on your list of things you can change your amazing ability to self-improve! Change yourself and you change [your/the] world!

Making this kind of list is SO important because it puts us in a state of accountability. Once we realize how great our power to evoke change in our lives truly is, it becomes apparent that the undesirable circumstances in our life that we once blamed on "the Universe," or a higher power, or even other people is really within our power to change--instead of being able to blame someone or something for the way things are, we become accountable for our thoughts, words, and actions that created the results we're complaining about! 

I'd like to share one thing that was on my list of "Things I Can Change." It was my

attitude. I think this is the biggest issue I've struggled with in the past, and looking back on my life now I think of all the time I spent suffering, complaining, crying, and whining about things I thought could have been better or different in my life, only to come to realize that all that time I spent unhappy about my circumstances was time and energy WASTED on the "unchangeable," when I could have CHOSEN to change my focus, and spend that time being happy instead! I finally made a shift in my thoughts when I realized that time spent in remorse, anger, regret, or dwelling on loss is time WASTED! And life is far too short to waste any time on those kinds of negative emotions. Life is short, so choose to change your focus, let go of the unchangeable, and as a result: BE HAPPY! 

Now that you've made your list of what is within your power to change for the better, I'd like to ask you again, "What are you going to do with what you've been given?" ;-)

I wish you all a lovely and abundant week! Love you all! xx

Don't Worry, Be Content!

"Godliness with contentment is great gain." 1 Timothy 6:6 

I was running around this week working and thinking about how I could be doing more, things I could buy, goals I could accomplish,

when I realized that I was allowing my mind to be completely run by all of these things. I suddenly stopped for a moment and felt the words, "Brigitte, when will you learn to be content with what you have?" spoken over my heart. I felt a bit startled because I knew it was true. I've had a problem with simply being content in the moment and appreciating all that I have, right now, at this moment. And it's a command God's given us all throughout the Bible: "Keep Yourselves free from the love of money and be content with what you have. For God has said, 'Never will I leave you, Never will I abandon you" (Hebrews 13:5).  We are even told that "godliness with contentment is great gain" (1 Timothy 6:6). 

So we are told that godliness, with contentment, brings about gain and blessing in our lives. But what do "godliness," and "contentment" really mean?  

Godliness could be described as a devotion to God. As being completely God-centered, seeking Him, wanting His will, loving Him, obeying Him, worshiping Him, and striving to live a life that is honoring and pleasing to him. In the dictionary it's described as "conforming to the laws and wishes of God." 

And what about contentment? Contentment is described as "being satisfied with what one is or has; not wanting more or anything else" or, "the state of feeling or being satisfied, ease of mind."

So when you are content, you are satisfied. 

When you are content, you don't feel the need to have more. You are happy, fulfilled, and satisfied right where you are in that moment. 

The apostle Paul tells in Philippians 4:11 that he "learned to be content in whatever circumstances [he was in]." He goes on to say, "I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need."
He learned how to be content whatever the circumstances were. And he's a great example because I believe an attitude of contentment and gratitude is what God wants for each of us. 

If you're struggling with contentment, and worrying about your life, about how you will pay for things, about what you will eat, wear, or do with your life, then I want to share this verse with you to remind you just how much God loves and cares for you. There is no need to worry or obsess over these things, all we need to do is simply learn to be content, because God has already promised that he would "satisfy all your needs according to his riches in the glory of Yeshua The Messiah" (Philippians 4:19). I encourage you to go through the following scripture and allow each word and phrase to permeate your mind, allowing you to know in your heart it's truth in knowing that God will always provide for you: 

"Do not to worry about your life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet even Solomon (the richest man to ever live) in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today" (Matthew 6:25-34 NLT)

I hope you found that encouraging! I know I always do! I wish you all a wonderful week of fulfillment, satisfaction, contentment, and gratitude! Peace & Love to you all! xo


"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness." -1 Timothy 6:6-11