Finding Peace

The late Dr. Charles Stanley told a story in his book Finding Peace (Finding peace) of how he and a staff member were visiting California for a speaking event. One morning as they were having breakfast at the hotel restaurant Dr. Stanley asked their server this question:

“If you could ask anything of God right at this moment, what would you ask Him? “

Without hesitation the woman replied, “I’d ask him for peace.”

Photo by Baptista Ime James on Unsplash

She went on to explain that her grandmother, who she was very close to, had recently passed away. Obviously this sad reality devastated the woman deeply.

Whatever level of peace this woman enjoyed in life, seemingly, was provided to a large extent by her grandmother.

But What is Peace?

We may ask, “What is peace, really?” It’s a good question because peace is something we all want. On a personal level it can mean the absence of conflict or it can be a calm serenity that dictates our life.

As a Christian I turn to the Bible to better understand the concept of peace.

The Apostle Paul wrote:

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

Paul was referring to a peace that stands in opposition to anxiety. Countless millions of people around the world struggle with anxiety and depression. They allow the “stuff of life” to take a daily toll on them. It seems that one sad circumstance leads to another as far as they are concerned.

But pryor to what Paul said in Philippians 4:7, he said this in verse 6

… in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Notice how Paul puts this. “… in every situation … with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” In other words, ask God to lead you, to show you a way, through EVERY circumstance.

Further, in the midst of asking for God’s guidance, be sure to be thankful. Why be thankful you ask? Because in spite of the circumstances of life that are less-than-pleasant, it isn’t all bad. There are some things you can and should be thankful for.

An Illustration

Photo by Pablo Heimplatz on Unsplash

A few mornings ago I was deep into my devotional and prayer time. Honestly I was a bit troubled because the day before I had received some pretty bad financial news. Looking at my bank account only made the troubled feeling worse. Literally, it was all I could think about.

I started to pray about the matter and plead the heart of God for wisdom and direction. That was the prayer. It wasn’t a prayer for “miracle” money. It was a prayer for wisdom and direction as it related to the financial matter.

As I prayed I also heaped words of thanksgiving upon the Lord. There is one thing I know for sure and that is, in spite of my countless mistakes, God has continued to bless me beyond measure. As I poured those words of thanksgiving upon Him I started to feel a since of peace (the opposite of anxiety and fear). You can read more about it here. 

God made it clear to me that I was NOT to focus on the financial matter. Instead, I was to focus only on Him. So I did, and I have continued to do so. The moment the financial concern comes to mind I immediately replace it with thoughts of God’s goodness, mercy, and countless blessings. I thank Him for His acts of kindness in my life. I thank Him for the many relationships I enjoy with family and Christian friends.

God provided for the financial need. The temporary anxiety was replaced with a peace that only God can provide. It’s a peace which passes all understanding. This means that I can never fully understand God’s grace and mercy. I don’t have to understand it though. I just have to accept that God gives it, willingly, when I trust Him in EVERY circumstance.

Want to Know Peace?

Photo by Drahomír Hugo Posteby-Mach on Unsplash

To know peace means to let God have control of every detail of your life. Stress and anxiety become so much more real when you and I try to solve every problem or issue ourselves. We simply are not strong enough to face the mountains of life on our own.

God wants us to lay everything at His feet and to focus only on Him.

I love these words from the author of Hebrews because they are so encouraging and remind me of where my priorities and thoughts should be:

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12: 1–2

Life places many encumbrances in front of us. We can easily be entangled by them if we focus solely on them. The secret to peace is to fix your eyes on Jesus. He has seen pain and suffering at far greater levels than you and I can possibly imagine. He endured the pain and shame of the cross. He endured the rejection of His own people. Yet, He won the victory over, not only His circumstances, but also ours.

He now sits at the right hand of the throne of God. If we know Jesus as Savior, the day will come when we also serve with Him in glory.

Trust Him! Focus on Him!

Tony Guthrie, Ph.D.                                                  prayerguide4me@gmail.com

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When You Get Bad News?

Listen to "Facing Bad News" on Spreaker.  

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One of  the silliest questions I could ever ask is:

 "Have you ever gotten bad news? 

Of course you have. We all have.  Probably more frequently than we would ever prefer.  Here's the thing about bad news: 

• It doesn't care who it hurts or harms. 
• It comes in various levels. 
• Some bad news is REALLY bad.
• Some just messes up your day or week.
• Some is really just an annoyance or an inconvenience. 

Bad news comes either extra large, large, medium, or small. But when we get it, we never like it. In fact, I've never heard anyone say: 

Awesome! I got some really bad news today! YAY!

But the real question comes down to how we respond to bad news. The reality is that we can have lots of responses to bad news.  Sometimes we know just what to do. 

For example, if we receive the news that a friend has been diagnosed with a terminal illness we begin to reach out to them in loving and caring ways.   

However, there are times and situations when bad news brings a challenge of not knowing the right actions or steps to take. These situations can be frustrating for us.  

It's times like these that I turn to God's Word for guidance, encouragement, and inspiration. In Romans 8:24-28 we read ...

24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. 26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Within these verses we see three things to do when things get a little crazy in life or when we receive bad news. This is a passage that is applicable to various situations in life.  

First, look forward to a better day.   

In verse 24 Paul tells us that it doesn't make sense to try to hope in the present moment. No one hopes in what he or she sees. He adds that we hope in what we can't see, i.e... a better day.  

In verse 25 he simply adds the element of patience to his instruction. He says, patiently hope for what you can't see right now. In time that better day will arrive. Just trust the Lord through the trial as James encouraged (James 1:2-8).

Second, understand that the Holy Spirit has got your back 

The text tells us that 

the Spirit helps us in our weakness

Now, for me, that's such good news. I am always open to getting some help. And if that help comes from God I am even more open. You and I can expect God's help during trying times. But then Paul adds something interesting and encouraging. He says:

For we do not know what to pray for as we ought

I so relate to this! There have been times when I simply didn't know what to say to God or how to even begin my prayer. God knows that we are ALL that way. Sometimes we are simply at a loss for words.  So God says, "don't sweat it, I have got your back because" ...   

the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

This simply reminds me that the Holy Spirit is pleading God's heart on my behalf and He is NOT at a loss for words. He not only knows what to say, but how to say it! His appeals (groanings) are far beyond any words I can muster.  

Third, just know that God will work it all out in His ways and in His time  

This verse, 

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (28)

is among the most well-known and most quoted in the Bible. I love that it tells us what we KNOW not what we wish. We KNOW that God Himself will cause our situations to turn out for good (blessings).  

Why? Because he loves us and has called you and me to serve Him. If we are always bogged down because of bad news, then we will not serve Him at our best.  

Yes, there are times when God allows the trials but they are actually for our betterment. Trials are used of God to sharpen and strengthen us. They are used to create and develop perseverance in us (James 1: 3-4).   

Just knowing that something good will result from the trial can give us the inspiration to press on toward the prize! (Philippians 3:14)

I trust this had been helpful,

Tony Guthrie

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The 11 components of fitness

 

Fitness is often thought of as a ‘one size fits all’ thing, whereby you are either fit, or you aren’t, but the science of fitness actually goes a lot deeper than that and demonstrates that there are a number of components that go into a person being physically fit.

The strongest, most musclebound person may have no flexibility for example, but does this mean they aren’t physically fit? Conversely, a petite gymnast might be able to touch their toes and perform a backbend, but they probably couldn’t lift the same weights as the person in the first example. Does this mean they are not physically fit? Total fitness is better defined by looking at how well your body performs under different types of scenario.

A holistic approach to fitness

Total fitness looks at different areas and can be broken down into components or parts to make it easier to understand. It also helps you to appreciate the different requirements of different sporting activities, and even the different requirements of different roles within that activity. On a football field for example, a goalkeeper will need to work on different areas of skill than a striker.

Health-related components of fitness

Health-related components of fitness are those that you need to work on in order to improve and can be broken down into the following areas:

Body composition. The division of your body into percentages of fat, muscle and bone will have a direct result on your fitness level. A high jumper for example, will have a lean body composition to enable them to propel themselves upwards, whereas a shotput thrower will need a more solid body composition to generate the strength to throw further.

Cardiorespiratory endurance. Certain sports will need a very high level of cardiorespiratory endurance. Long distance running for example, is dependent on your heart, lungs and blood having the ability to transport oxygen effectively for an extended period of time.

Flexibility. The range of motion that you can move your joints through is a measure of fitness and some sports will require this more than others. A gymnast for example needs to have more flexibility than a billiard player. 

Muscular endurance. This is the ability to continue your performance without your muscles becoming fatigued. A great example of a sport where this would be needed would be rowing, where rowers need to be able to continue the same repetitive movement for a long period of time.

Strength. Strength is a measure of how much force your muscles can exert when they come up against resistance. Wrestling, for example, requires more physical strength than something like badminton.

Skill-related components of fitness

Many sports require different levels of skill-related components of fitness. Gymnasts, for example, have been shown in studies to need high levels of speed, strength, endurance, agility, flexibility and power.² Skill-related components of fitness are those that can be improved with practice:

Accuracy. Controlling movement in a fixed direction is essential for certain sporting practices, like boxing, where your focus needs to be on a very specific area.

Agility. Be able to quickly change direction in a controlled way is important for certain sports, such as tennis and squash, and would be less important for something like sprinting.

Balance. The ability to control and stabilize the body is a requirement of many sports and is a good indication of fitness for someone like a sprinter, who would need to maintain perfect stillness until the gun sounds and then spring into action.

Coordination. When you are able to use two or more body parts at the same time to do different tasks you could be considered well-coordinated. An example would be dribbling a basketball, where your legs need to move you around and your hand needs to maintain contact while moving the ball.

Power. Power is a key indicator of fitness in sports such as javelin or discus throwing, where your performance is directly related on the distance your arms can throw, having applied great force to the tool while rapidly shifting your arm forward.

Speed. Speed is often used as a reflection of fitness in sports that require you to get from point A to point B as quickly as possible, such as running.

Breaking down fitness into these components demonstrates that it is about more than just ‘who is the quickest’ or ‘who is the fastest.’ Fitness is unique to each individual and to each type of sport. The important thing is to use your own capabilities as a benchmark and not compare yourself to other people. Whatever your fitness level, based on any, or all of the 11 components, practice and perseverance can help you improve them all.

Thank You!

The LifePlus Wellness Team

Small Changes that Can Make a HUGE Difference in Your Health

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 To Get even more information, please read the full article available HERE. 

A Cool Way to Count Your Blessings

 

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As you well know, life can get a bit crazy at times. It is easy to get distracted by that craziness and allow the stress and struggles to dominate your mind and heart. 

Bible verses like Philippians 4:8 can help and even be encouraging. But let's face it, sometimes we need something to actually do to ward off the craziness. 

Some things we can do are:

• pray
• call a Christian friend
• have fellowship with another trusted believer over coffee, tea, or lunch (make them pay :0D) 
• sing hymns and praise choruses
• dance (hey, David did)
• look through old photo albums and remember some wonderful times of your life

I'm sure that if you thought about it, you could add a few things to my list. I mean, they just popped in my head as I thought about what to do during those moments when life isn't very fun.

Here's My Suggestion

Grab a writing tablet. Not an iPad or a laptop but rather an actual pen and paper writing tablet.

Write at the top:

My Blessings

Then start listing them one by one. What is so powerful about this is that as you think of one you will be reminded of another. 

Write down every blessing.

Write, "I am blessed because ..."

Before long you will have written many blessings and your focus will shift from the craziness and challenges of life to the joys God has brought into your life.

You're welcome!

Tony

prayerguide4me@gmail.com

Anxiety, Low Self-Image, and What to Do

 

Photo by Gadiel Lazcano on Unsplash

Throughout my life, especially the early years, I struggled with a low view of myself. You could say that I had a poor self-image. This came about primarily because when I was in elementary school I was often picked on by the bigger boys in my class. 

You see, I was always the smallest child in every grade right up until the 5th grade. I was even smaller than the girls. For some unknown reason this caused the bigger fellas to possess a great desire to push me around on the playground and try to beat me up after school.  

I often went to school in total fear of being harassed or hurt by the other children. 

In the 1960s and early 1970s bullying wasn't handled very well by school teachers or administrators (at least in my experience). Teachers would merely ignore what was happening or mildly scold the kids if they saw the bullying taking place. 

This constant picking on me caused me to have a view of myself that I didn't overcome until my adult years. I always felt small and inferior to everyone, even though I did my best to hide those feelings. 

In my teenaged years I developed a talent in music and songwriting (limited, but not too bad for a self-taught guy). I wanted to make it in the music business but always thought I wasn't talented enough and my songs would never be accepted by those in the music industry. Those beliefs ultimately caused me to hang up my guitar and walk away from my piano. My low self-image won the day.

In many ways I still possess the scars of the early years. But God is SO good!

There are countless people who have a low view of themselves that has lasted throughout most of their lives. Something happened at some point in their life that caused an indelible mark that they have allowed to define them. 

Oftentimes these people turn to drugs and alcohol or develop a reliance on prescription medication to help them with depression or anxiety. I have always thought that this made for a sad reality. 

Does Anxiety Cause a Low Self-Image?

Indeed it does. This is especially true if the anxiety was developed during childhood. It is so sad to hear or read about the abuse of children. One may wonder how on earth any adult could intentionally cause emotional or physical harm to a child. The truth is that usually these "adults" are victims of abuse themselves. Their abuse of others is simply learned-behavior. That fact still doesn't justify their actions.

There are two responses that I have seen in these victims of abuse once they reach adulthood. Some grow increasingly anxious and depressed. They remain in a state of victimhood throughout their lives. They live in fear, worry, stress, and anxiety.

Others, however, respond with a resolve and determination to rise above their challenges and win a great victory over it. The don't want to live as victims. They choose to live as victors! They try to do anything and everything to blot out the effect and memory of those years of trauma. 

God, the Bible, and the Self-Image

What I came to realize, after I became a Christian in 1979, was that being anxious, worried, afraid, and depressed is not of God. Holding on to these "realities" is our way of saying to God, 

"Even though You value my life above everything else, it's not enough!"

Jesus gave some beautiful truths to a group of people who were always anxious about their next meal or what they might wear. They lived in a world in which these things were far more scarce than they are for us today. But Jesus wanted them to know that they were so valuable to God that they need not be concerned, worrisome, or anxious about any of these earthly matters. 

Jesus said:

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

God wants you and me to know, no matter what has caused the anxiety, that YOU are of GREAT VALUE to Him. He has purposed your life for great service and impact for Him, yourself, and those around you. 

When you and I focus on the cause of the anxiety we really are demonstrating a lack of trust in the Lord. 

That's what I CHOSE to do. Even though I still bare the scars of some frightening times, I don't allow those circumstances of yesteryear to define my present. 

At 62 I am still striving to grow deeper in my faith, live a life of service to the Lord and others, and rely on God's Word that reminds me that as far as God is concerned, I am great value. 

So stop worrying and allowing old circumstances to define you. Focus on how God sees you and take each day as it comes and live to honor the Lord in each of those days. 

Now I understand that some who read this may say, "Tony, that's just too simplistic a view. You don't know what I have been through." 

You are right. I don't. 

But I will never believe that what happened to you is greater than God's reply to what happened to you. 

And I certainly don't think that relying on what God has said is too simplistic in any way. 

I do indeed realize that there are some extreme cases and this is where proper diagnoses are required. But most of us need to simply stop focusing on what happened and believe God for the rest.

See yourself as God sees you. Of great value. Of great value NO MATTER WHAT you have faced. 

Blessings, 

Tony Guthrie

prayerguide4me@gmail.com

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P.S. I am currently deep into the initial growth stage of “Project Next.” I am looking for people to join me in this project. A health and wellness company that has been amazingly successful in Europe is now focused on growing in the American market.  The opportunity is HUGE! So much of my time is now reserved for my expanding project team. I am currently looking for 3 people who want to work from home and be a part of something new and exciting. If you are currently dissatisfied with your bigger picture progress in life and would like to learn how the project may help you move forward, send me an email and we can arrange a time to talk. prayerguideforme@gmail.com

P.S.S. Want to detox, rid yourself of extra body fat, and change the entire trajectory of your health in a 21-day window? If that sounds at all appealing, shoot me an email (prayerguide4me@gmail.com)and I’ll share a very unique and effective program that has been massively successful in Europe over the past seven years. I’ll send you a program guide that will allow you to learn the details, and a link where you can move forward if you choose to. As an aside, this program will require some discipline:-) but it’s a lot easier than what I do every day of my life!

Learn the Secrets of Success without Reading 100 Self-Help Books

 

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I can't tell you how many books I have read on the subject of success but, trust me, there have been hundreds. These books involve subjects like: financial success, weight loss and health success, business success, relationship success, goal-setting, success in the Christian life and on and on they go. 

Each author brings a different perspective to the subject but many of the principles are repeated, rephrased and/or alluded to in each book. 

I want to highlight the principles that I believe are most significant if you really want to see serious life-change and success in whatever area you want or desire. 

Here's a List of the Principles:

• A Day that Turns Your Life Around
• Your Self-Image
• The Ability to Clearly See What You Want to Accomplish
• Willingness to Take Massive Action 

Let's Begin with ...

A Day that Turns Your Life Around

I was really impacted by this principle when I first heard it from the late, yet legendary, Jim Rohn. Success had alluded Rohn up until something happened to him at the age of 25. 

Jim tells the story of how he was struggling to make ends meet for his young family. One Saturday morning a knock came to his door. When he opened the door there was a smiling Girl Scout offering him cookies for only $2 per box. 

He wanted so badly to buy a box from her because she was so nice and doing her best to be a good Girl Scout. But Rohn had a big problem. He didn't have $2. Not in his pocket. Not in the house. Not even in the bank. 

After this incident Jim Rohn determined that THAT particular Saturday would be the day that would turn his life around. He was so disgusted with himself for not even having a measly $2 at the age of 25 that he decided, then and there, that he would never be broke again. 

By the time he was 30 Jim Rohn had become a millionaire. 

Rohn taught that getting to a place of absolute disgust with your current circumstance, no matter what it is related to, is the beginning point of turning your life around. 

He said that we should take actions designed to change our circumstances and keep action UNTIL we reach whatever goal we are pursuing, whether it be in career, relationships, weight loss, or whatever!

Next is ...

Your Self-Image

There is a truth that we ALL have in common. We are all products of our environment and childhood conditioning. The formative years of life, (0-8 years old), are heavily responsible for our view of ourselves and the world around us. 

As children if we are around positive, optimistic people then it is more likely that we will have a positive view of ourselves and the opportunities that life can bring. Of course, the opposite is true as well in that negativity will typically produce a negative view.

The late Bob Proctor spent his entire life teaching basically one principle. That principle? 

If you decide to, you can change the impact of your childhood conditioning. 

Proctor taught that you can change your self-image. If you don't, then you will continue to get the same unsatisfactory results you have been getting throughout your life.

Overcoming self-limiting beliefs caused by a poor self-image is entirely possible but it takes a strong determination. To overcome the fears that we have carried from childhood into adult life requires a determined decision to break through what Proctor called the "Terror Barrier." Most people never make such a decision and therefore never truly live life on their terms. 
Now let's consider ...

The Ability to Clearly See What You Want to Accomplish

Very simply, successful people paint mental pictures of the life they want to live. They clearly see it in their mind's eye. They don't view what they see as a wish or a hope; they see it as already existing and they are just waiting for it to manifest. 

They NEVER stop seeing it. 

This is called visualization. Countless stories can be told as to its effectiveness. A friend of mine lives in a large house on one of the beaches of Destin, Florida. He first saw the land he wanted to build his dream house on more than 20 years ago. He didn't purchase the land and build the house until just 2 years ago. 

He tells the story of how a friend was visiting him in his new home. The friend asked how long he had lived there. My friend told him that he had lived there for more the 20 years. The friend said, "I know construction and this house is no more than a couple years old." 

My friend replied:

I have lived here in my mind for over 20 years. Since the day I first saw the property, I visualized the house and never let that thought leave me. 

The Bible teaches in Proverbs 23: 7 that "as a man thinks in his heart, so is he." The heart referred to is within the whole of a person, which includes the mind. Whatever we think about ourselves is basically true (unless you like to lie to yourself.)

The late Earl Nightingale famously taught what he called The Strangest Secret which is ...

We become what we think about!

If you visualize weight loss, you'll lose weight. If you visualize business success, you'll have business success. If you visualize successful relationships, you'll have them. 

Finally ...  

Willingness to Take Massive Action

Success will not come around if all we do is visualize. Visualization, however, will fuel the desire to accomplish whatever you have set your mind on. When desire is fueled, action will follow. That's where the magic is. 

Too often people will take a few steps toward a goal and if they don't see the success they want, then that old negative conditioning kicks in and they tell themselves that they can't actually do it. They think thoughts like, "Who am I kidding. I can't do this!"

But people who truly see what they want and have decided to build a positive self-image and actually break through the "terror barrier," will continue taking the action steps necessary to realize the goal. They don't play around with it and do a little here and there. Each day they do all they can to make their goal a reality. They take massive action UNTIL the goal becomes a reality.

I truly hope this has been helpful.

Tony Guthrie

P.S. I am currently deep into the initial growth stage of “Project Next.” I am looking for people to join me in this project. A health and wellness company that has been amazingly successful in Europe is now focused on growing in the American market.  The opportunity is HUGE! So much of my time is now reserved for building my project team. I am currently looking for 3 people who want to work from home and be a part of something new and exciting. If you are currently dissatisfied with your bigger picture progress in life and would like to learn how the project may help you move forward, send me an email and we can arrange a time to talk. prayerguideforme@gmail.com

P.S.S. Want to detox, rid yourself of extra body fat, and change the entire trajectory of your health in a 21-day window? If that sounds at all appealing, shoot me an email (prayerguide4me@gmail.com)and I’ll share a very unique and effective program that has been massively successful in Europe over the past seven years. I’ll send you a program guide that will allow you to learn the details, and a link where you can move forward if you choose to. As an aside, this program will require some discipline:-) but it’s a lot easier than what I do every day of my life!