Past Perceptions and Future Freedom

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Pine National Forest by Basketman

I enjoy conversing one-on-one with a good friend. Recently a dear friend of mine visited our home with her children. As she and I caught up on things, her children played with mine in the yard. They spent the majority of their time looking for frogs and salamanders. Yes, this is one of my son’s favorite pastimes, and my Alexander is quite skilled at catching these little creatures.

My friend mentioned to me that, since the get-together at my house, her daughter now looks for salamanders in their own back yard. My friend and I laughed as she shared that her daughter calls these little creatures “Alexanders” rather than salamanders. Ah, from the mouths of babes!

This adorable little girl had taken that which was familiar (my son’s name) to replace the unfamiliar (the name “salamander”). She had linked the unknown with something known.

How often do we ourselves do this? In the case of the “Alexanders,” the error is both innocent and precious…but, in our own lives, what are the repercussions of doing this on a larger scale?

For example, a woman may experience an abusive relationship and thereafter label all men as “bad” or “abusive.” In this case, linking the unknown (a future partner) with the known (the previous partner) is neither accurate nor favorable. A child may have an unkind teacher and thereby feel school is dreadful; he thereby links the unknown (future classes) with the known (the unpleasant class). Any one of us may experience changes that are painful and thereafter associate change with pain. Change, however, can be tremendously positive; this inaccurate association, again, does not serve us well.

What is the result of linking feelings or labels inaccurately to people, experiences or things? If we live with a skewed perspective, we cannot live fully in touch with reality. We cannot embrace the flow of time, the currents of change and the fullness of life. If we remain tied to the experiences and feelings of the past, we lose the opportunity to deeply connect with the experiences before us. When we release the untruths of past perceptions, however, we grow attuned to new experiences and insights, open to learning and awakened to seeing the Truth.

Clinging to past perceptions can hinder us as we journey purposefully along our path. Jesus reminds us that in obeying His Word, we “will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32) So, although our past perceptions may lead us to feel that an action is acceptable, we must trust God if His Word shows such an action is sinful. Or, if our past perceptions lead us to believe that certain things are not possible to achieve, we must trust God if His Word shows that they are possible through His strength.

Are there any areas of mislabeling in your life? Perhaps you have mislabeled change with fear? Or righteous living with impossibility? Or attaining your mission with futile fantasy?

I encourage you today, as you travel purposefully, to be aware of the “Alexanders” in your life. Be vigilant of the labels you attach to people, experience and things. Recognize the feelings and beliefs you associate with them. And change any inaccurate label to match the Truth of God’s Word. In doing so, you will release tethers of the past and move purposefully toward your mission and your future…

~*~

Share about your past perceptions and future freedom!
What misbeliefs did you – or do – hold? How did you – or will you – free yourself of them?

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Sep 1, 2011 By Caroline Gavin Holistic Healing, Spiritual Growth, Vocation / Career / Calling 5 Comments

God-Centered Living

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Rainbow by Evgeni Dinev

As we live purposefully, it is helpful to gauge the extent to which we are God-centered…or fragmented.

We have all encountered people who seem to morph depending on the crowd surrounding them or depending on their current circumstances. The traits and values they display in one moment easily shift into the next. Each one of us, on some level, has experienced this firsthand in our own lives. Although some claim that being mutable to please others is a positive thing, this mutability is not Biblical nor does it allow healthy, peaceful and purposeful living.

Yes, to spread God’s Word we must be able to speak the language of others. We certainly would not speak to first-graders as we would to college students. Adopting the language of others, however, does not mean compromising one’s values, one’s visions – or one’s self. When our eyes are continually fixed upon God’s Kingdom and Righteousness, our thoughts, words and actions flow freely from this centered focus. Our concern then is to love God and love others – and to love others enough to be fully and authentically ourselves. God’s Word instructs us to “let it be your care to get the approval of God, as a workman who has no cause for shame, giving the true word in the right way.” (2 Timothy 2:15)

To allow one’s preferences, values and goals to shift with external changes is to live as a fragmented person; for one exists not in solid boundaries but in the shifting outlines of various personas. Without solid boundaries of self, there is no substance, no strength, no solidity to one’s being. In surrendering aspects of one’s self to please others, an individual does not remain true to herself – and is therefore less relatable to all. She lives therefore in disharmony. The paradox lies in that the more we are true to God the more we are true to ourselves. As live true to our unique purposes, we discover sublime peace…trusting fully in God to lead us.

People desire to relate to an authentic and solid person; they seek to relate with an individual who defines the boundaries of who she is, what she appreciates and where she is going. A centered individual consistently clings to her values, her visions and her preferences. She speaks clearly in her unique voice. Her values, visions, voice, preferences, thoughts, words and actions seamlessly integrate to create a beautiful whole. She defines herself clearly to herself and to the world, thereby allowing others to know her through her courageous vulnerability. She does not fear the opinion others and instead finds freedom, peace and purpose in steadfastly defining and maintaining her boundaries. “Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10)

As you travel upon your pathway of purpose, reflect upon areas in which you are clearly God-centered…and query if there are any aspects in which you are living fragmented. Fragmentation hinders the movement along the purposeful journey, as a fragmented person cannot walk solidly until she heals and clearly defines herself. It is crucial that we fix our eyes on God’s standards and align ourselves with Him.

Evaluate the solidity of your center by asking the following questions:

– Does my voice change depending on situations or the people surrounding me?
– Am I clear and consistent in those things for which I stand?
– Are my goals aligned to my values?
– Are my daily activities matching my goals?
– Do I fear the opinion of others?
– Are my boundaries clearly defined?
– Do I have a strong sense of direction?

The more firmly fixed upon the unchanging Truth of God’s Word, the more clearly centered we are in our lives and in our journeys. “For the Lord’s approval of a man is not dependent on his opinion of himself, but on the Lord’s opinion of him.” (2 Corinthians 10:18) As we grow God-centered and solid in the boundaries of who we are, we become clear in our direction, vivid in our vision, peaceful in our pursuits…and purposeful in our path.

~*~

What actions steps will you take today to live more God-centered?

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Aug 12, 2011 By Caroline Gavin Holistic Healing, Spiritual Growth 6 Comments

The Positive “No”

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As we commit to living purposefully, we discover an appreciation for the proper uses of “yes” and “no.” Simple as these words may seem, both carry a lot of weight; it helps to learn the practice of the positive “no.”

Often we perceive the word “no” to bear a negative connotation, and understandably so. After all, the word “no” is defined as a negative or an opposite. That being said, we need to look not at the word but at the context in which the word is used. In doing so we can determine if “no” is used positively or negatively.

Many of us, including myself, can struggle with saying “no” – especially to others. The word, however, can be used in a positive manner if aligned with our goals and purposes – if, of course, our goals and purposes are aligned to God’s will. When we want to say “no” but instead say “yes,” we disobey God’s Word. Jesus commanded: “Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” (Matthew 5:37) Although Jesus was speaking in reference to taking oaths, His words apply also to misaligned thought, word and action. If we say “yes” when we want to say “no,” our words are no longer aligned with our thoughts. This misalignment causes disharmony, and disharmony is not from God.

We know that saying “no” to sin is saying “yes” to truth and to freedom in Christ. It is clear that saying “no” to sin is positive. But what about saying “no” to things that are not sinful? What about saying “no” to a social event invitation, for example? Is it selfish or insensitive to say “no” to an invitation? Prayer, reading God’s Word and careful consideration of our purposes will direct us in such a circumstance. If you know that God is calling you to do something other than attend this social event, trust Him and follow Him. “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.” (Psalm 32:8)

Most of us have experienced the overwhelm that comes with being over-committed. There are twenty-four hours in a day, as God ordained, and we must use them wisely. “Man is like a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow.” (Psalm 144:4) There are many noble activities to which one can commit, but our time on earth is limited; one simply cannot commit to all. If certain activities draw us away from priorities and hinder the momentum of doing God’s work, it is beneficial to step away from such activities – as good as they may be – and step forward instead on our purposeful pathways. Our focus then is not on that to which we say “no” but rather on that to which we say “yes.”

This principle takes practice; but the more we master the art of saying “no” purposefully, the more we say “yes” to moving forward, “yes” to focus, “yes” to momentum, “yes” to harmony and “yes” to serving God.

Today, as you walk upon your purposeful pathway, take notice of when you say “yes” and when you say “no.” Carefully note your motivations for saying both. Are your mind, body, spirit – thought, word, action – aligned when you say either word? What is your motivation for saying “yes” and for saying “no” in each situation? You will likely discover that sometimes your reasons for saying “yes” are not necessarily rooted in the dedication to your purpose and to God’s work. Through prayer and meditation upon God’s Word, we can determine the proper balance and allotment of daily activities. If you deem in the Spirit that your time would be better spent in one activity rather than another, follow the Spirit – and say “no” in order to say “yes.”

I encourage you to gratefully embrace this ability to choose, this ability to say “yes” and “no.” And I encourage you to master the art of saying “no” purposefully in order to make your “yes” more powerful.

~*~

How will you use the Positive “No” today?

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Aug 6, 2011 By Caroline Gavin Holistic Healing, Spiritual Growth, Vocation / Career / Calling 10 Comments

Fear-Based or Faith-Based?

Faith-Based or Fear-Based?

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A useful tool for purposeful living is identifying the emotional motivation for your decisions.

It helps to ask: “Is this decision fear-based or faith-based?”

Many of our decisions can be rooted in fear on some level. We can fear not having enough income, or we can fear losing approval from others. We can fear the anger of someone, or we can fear the unknown. We can fear change, and we can fear letting go.

It is generally easier to identify fear-based thinking relative to larger decisions. As we reach a momentous crossroads, we evaluate what hinders us; at such a point we often discover elements of fear. With smaller decisions, however, we often do not reflect long enough upon the decision to recognize the fear. Smaller decisions accumulate over time. Continually making decisions from fear rather than from faith diminishes not only one’s testimony but also one’s quality of life.

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear has torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18)

If perfect love casts out fear, it follows that we have not fully accepted God’s love when we do fear. When we fear other people or situations, when we fear scarcity or disapproval, when we fear the unknown – when we fear in any situation – we are not acting out of love. We cannot openly receive God’s love in a state of fear, and thereby we cannot overflow with love. Without fully embracing God’s love, we are sensitive and vulnerable to everything around us: people, events and situations. Fear clenches and closes the heart…preventing it from giving and receiving love.

Fully accepting God’s love awakens our trust in Him and in His Promises. Our hearts open to embrace His love. Our open hearts then freely love Him and others in return. It is then, with this widely open heart, that our decisions become firmly based on faith. We seek only God’s approval, and we need not know the outcome of obeying Him. We trust Him that “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

God is love (1 John 4:8); when we align our will with His, our actions and decisions flow freely from a state of love. When our fear is only of God, we discover freedom and truth. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.” (Psalm 111:10)

Today, as you continue upon your purposeful pathway, notice the decisions you make – both big and small. Is there a hint of improperly-placed fear? Do you fear anyone or anything besides God? Perhaps today you can share your faith more freely? Or perhaps you can learn to say “no” to commitments when your time would be better spent in other activities? Perhaps you can move more boldly in a direction to which you sense God is calling?

In all that you do, today and every day, embrace God’s love with an open heart. Release your fears to Him and walk faithfully with Him…

Aug 4, 2011 By Caroline Gavin Holistic Healing, Spiritual Growth, Vocation / Career / Calling 7 Comments

Heal, Hear, Heed

Heal, Hear, Heed

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Traveling my own purposeful pathway, I have discovered that we must heal in order to clearly hear God’s voice. Spiritual and emotional wounds prevent God’s voice from flowing freely to and through us. When we submit to God, however, His powerful, living and active Word heals us – and His Holy Spirit dwells within us. This indwelling of Spirit brings divine healing in all dimensions: physical, emotional, spiritual. We are then able to commune with God, for we know Him by worshipping Him in spirit and in truth. “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24)

Full and free forgiveness is one aspect of submitting to God. Forgiveness heals an individual of bitter blood; blood literally assumes an acidic quality when one is in a state of unforgiveness, a state of bitterness. The acidic quality of blood breeds cancers and other diseases. Forgiveness improves the physical quality of blood to a slightly alkaline – and thereby healthy – state. Forgiveness also brings emotional and spiritual healing; as she forgives, an individual is chained no longer to abuse nor abuser. Forgiveness therefore allows us to grow closer to God; it opens our hearts such that God’s love and light flows through us. Where unforgiveness blocks, forgiveness opens.

Forgiveness is one area of submission; there are many areas in which we submit to God. The more complete our submission, the more complete our healing. Obeying God from a loving heart allows His power to remove the clutter in our lives. Trustful obedience in Him destroys the sinful blocks. We instead grow aligned with God and with His Will. In this state of alignment we can hear His voice clearly regarding direction and timing. Our hearts touch His, and we feel His Presence…and discern His lead. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) So we must heal in order to clearly hear God’s voice, and we must clearly hear to heed His word. It is important also to be still, for He can speak to us with clarity in these moments of stillness.

As you journey today, I encourage you to evaluate areas in which you may need God’s healing. If you have not already done so, request the free downloadable workbook, Purposeful Pathway: Journey to Joy by submitting your name and email address in the form on this site. Listen closely and with stillness to hear God’s voice. Then, as you heal and hear, gratefully and joyfully heed His direction!

“You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” (Psalm 16:11)

Jul 30, 2011 By Caroline Gavin Holistic Healing, Spiritual Growth, Vocation / Career / Calling 4 Comments

My Personal Purposeful Pathway

Sharing My Personal Purposeful Pathway

I thoroughly enjoyed sharing about my personal purposeful pathway on the FINDING YOUR VOICE Internet Radio show with Joel Boggess.

I am grateful to Joel for taking the time to interview me, and it was an honor to speak about where God has led me and where He now leads. It is a tremendous blessing to recognize how all circumstances in my life – both good and bad – have been woven into a beautiful tapestry. Truly our LORD does work all for good to those who love Him.

My hope and prayer is that the interview will both encourage and inspire you. May you continue to heal so that you can hear His voice. May you continue to grow more like Christ so you can grow more into your true self. May you continue to keep your eyes fixed on eternity so that your feet will step surely upon your own purposeful pathway…

http://www.4pointscoaching.com/032-finding-your-voice-a-passion-to-bring-healing/

Jul 26, 2011 By Caroline Gavin Holistic Healing, Spiritual Growth, Vocation / Career / Calling Leave a Comment