Intentional Life Improvement
I felt this was the perfect subject as we are getting ready to enter a new year. It is a new chance with 365 days of opportunity to make our lives better than they have ever been before. It is God’s WILL that we live peaceful, happy, prosperous, and fulfilled lives. He set this plan forth since the beginning of humankind and it is still His plan today.
Joshua 29:11-12 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.”
I feel it important to note that prosperity in God’s kingdom is not money, power, or having people adore you. It is servitude for His Kingdom, in His Name by giving to others; experiencing happiness inside by making others smile, and feeling contentment with where your life is headed. HIS plan is that you become CLOSER to HIM and more involved in the eternal Kingdom rather than gathering more material things, increasing followers on social media, or any of the other secular things that crowd Him out of our daily lives.
Matthew 6:19-21 – “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
God is always far more concerned with our hearts than anything else. Our heart reflects His existence and light to others. Our heart tells God of our intentions and purpose. God says He KNOWS your heart and that is the beginning of your mental, physical, and your soul’s health and well-being.
Luke 16:15 – He said to them, "You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.”
Intentional life improvement begins with knowing what God’s plan is for your life (outlined above) and comparing that to your daily quality of life. If you are unhappy, unhealthy, unfulfilled, and find yourself in emotionally destructive relationships, this is an opportunity to change all that. Following God’s plan of peace, and contentment, building heavenly treasures, and spending your resources and time improving the quality of life for others, then you are on the right path. Finding more of what God plans for your life doesn’t include more selfishness, more isolation, and more hurt/pain.
God’s plan includes fellowship with like-minded people and giving more of yourself to the world rather than lamenting what others are taking from you. I am NOT saying continue to work on unhealthy friendships and trust the wrong people, but let your soul guide you to the right people and seek those people as your friends. Your Spirit is also felt as that “gut” feeling you get when you meet others, are about to do something, or make decisions. If it tells you something isn’t right, RUN in the opposite direction from any person or action that it tells you is wrong for you.
You start your intentional life improvement by writing a list of those things that distance you from God and make your life unhappy. Then make a list of the things that would improve your quality of life. Not money or material things, but changes in your attitude, actions, and behavior.
After you identify what brings you true joy, happiness, peace, and contentment, then pray for a day or two asking God to give you insight and direction on HOW to improve your life. Add to your list daily acts that will bring you closer to God and make you feel fulfillment. Remember that procrastination is one of the things that make us feel unsatisfied and unproductive, so that is a good place to start evaluating and changing. My list is this:
- Spend time each day studying The Word and meditating on God’s desire for my life
- Get up in the morning and do my chores and tasks before I play my word games or do anything else. Work first; leisure afterward
- Exercise each morning, 6 days a week. Drink at least 60 ounces of water each day and eat healthy food. Walk at least one 5 or 10k per month
- Finish editing and improving my 40-Day Fast from Wrong Thinking Book
- Work on my biography at least 3 days a week
- Spend 10 hours a week sorting through, and trashing old paperwork and belongings until everything is perfectly organized
- Spend 10 hours per week building my San Antonio congregation
- Build a women’s group to reach into the community
- Give more; expect less. Donate useful things to others, not just things I don’t want anymore
I am sure as the days go by, I will add to my list. Your list may include setting more boundaries so you don’t get into hurtful and bad relationships in the first place. It might be helpful to do more self-evaluation to see why your personal relationships or your relationship with God are lacking. I would suggest that you refrain from posting your innermost feelings on social media and instead seek out friends who can help you. In other words, do something PRODUCTIVE to fix the problems rather than lamenting day after day about how bad people treat you or how bad your life is.
Each day is the first day of our lives and therefore an opportunity to change the things that keep you from experiencing God and the life He has for you to the fullest. It can also be the last day of your life. If that is the case, wouldn’t you rather be working on intentionally improving your life at the end instead of living the same pain, frustration, and hurt every day? The choice is yours. God set forth a perfect plan for your life long before you were born. All of us backslide and often become lethargic in moving our lives in a direction that brings us true fulfillment, peace, and contentment.
Life is not about the external things that happen to us, (uncontrollable) but rather about how we respond to those events and how purposeful we are in improving our lives by changing things/habits that aren’t positive/helpful. I am starting a new chapter today. I DID start my list today! Will you join me? I would love to see your list and hear about your progress. Godlover48@aol.com.
Let’s make 2025 the beginning of our prosperous, happy, fulfilled, and productive lives. Amen. ><>
Romans 12:2 – “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing, and perfect will.”
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