SETTLED FOR LIFE
Upon looking up the word, settle, in the dictionary I found it has numerous meanings. Arguments can be settled and so can your affairs. You can settle a debt or settle on a place to live, settle for the best or for whatever comes your way…
I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to settle for a meager life letting things fall where they may.
I want to live life to the fullest, to discover new things, to know myself better, to follow my dreams.
Unexpected Events Can Bring Disappointment
Sometimes unexpected and unwelcome events can bring disappointment. They can interfere with my plans and often cause me to come to a halt and wonder if it’s all worth it. I might even be tempted to give up some of my dreams and passions.
Then I remember that setbacks and interruptions aren’t necessarily bad. They give time to think, to review and make changes if necessary. A lot depends on my attitude. If I am upset easily when things go wrong, maybe my priorities are in the wrong place.
Unexpected Events Can Bring Opportunity
On the other hand, if I look at each interruption or setback as an opportunity I might learn something valuable. I need to be flexible and not so settled in my comfort zone that I can’t be open to changes.
How can I learn to have an attitude of anticipation and excitement as events in my life unfold?
What gives me courage to go forward even through hard times?
How can I have joy in the midst of trials, disappointments and grief?
A Life Settled in Jesus Christ
The person of Jesus Christ is my answer. He loved me enough to redeem me and make me a part of His family. Because of this I can have confidence to step out of my comfort zone. Even if I make mistakes, even if I fail, even if each day is harder than the one before, I know Jesus is with me.
Through Him I can find the strength I need to live an authentic life, to be a real friend, to love and encourage those around me.
My roots go deep and my life is settled in Christ.
Winds may blow, storms may come, but I will be steadfast knowing that He holds me in the palm of His hand.
My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish.
No one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father,
who has given them to me, is greater than all.
No one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.
I’m linking up with: #FiveMinuteFriday, where the prompt word is settle, #FreshMarketFriday, #InspireMeMonday, #MomentsofHope, #TrekkingThru, #HeartEncouragement, #TuneInThursday,
Dear Gayl,
I am so glad that you share so freely about your life that is settled with Christ. Your photos and thoughts from your daily life bring such encouragement for us to look for Jesus in our daily lives too. I hope that you have a beautiful Easter with your family! You are such a blessing! Hugs & Love to you! xoxo
Dear Bettie,
Thank you so much for your encouraging words. I’m so glad that we can be a blessing to each other! Love, hugs and blessings to you! I hope you have a wonderful Easter! xoxo
Like the way you used the word settled. There are so many different ways it can be used so interesting which each person chooses.
Yes, there really are so many ways to use it. That’s a fun thing about Five Minute Friday to see what everyone does with the word. Blessings to you, Kate! Thanks for visiting.
Yes, to be steadfastly settled in God’s way
Amen, Leslie! Blessings to you! Thanks so much for visiting. 🙂
Wonderful post for sharing this Eastertide, Gayl. <3 Sharing… xo
Thank you so much, dear Bette! Blessings to you! xo
I just love the pictures you used in this. Yes, time to settle, reflect and maybe prioritize. Continual lessons through life.
Thank you so much, Mary! Blessings to you! Have a wonderful Easter!
Yes, holds us in the palm of his hands. I’m in the 4 spot this week.
Thanks for stopping by, Tara! Blessings to you!
How can I learn to have an attitude of anticipation and excitement as events in my life unfold?
This is such a great question to ponder this week. Thanks for this. I need to ask Holy Spirit to teach me about this for this current season of life. Yes, thank you for this.
I need to ponder this question, too. 🙂 Thank you for reminding me that I need to rely on the Holy Spirit to guide me as I ponder this and other questions and as I read the Bible. I’m so glad you visited today, Lisa. Blessings to you!
This is so encouraging, Gayl. I need to remember this through rejection emails for my writing:
“if I look at each interruption or setback as an opportunity I might learn something valuable”.
Pressing onward, settling myself on the person of Jesus 😊.
I’m glad you were encouraged, dear Anna. This is something I also need to put into practice more, but God is teaching me more and more to trust Him in every circumstance and interruption. Blessings and love to you my sister! xo
Settled such a good word but so often used as a disappointment word. Enjoyed the post.
Yes, as in we had to settle for something less desirable. But it really is a good word, too. 🙂 Thanks for your encouragement! I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Blessings to you, Sandra!
HE is our Settler. Amen.
Yes! Blessings to you dear Susan! xoxo
“Strength…to live an authentic life”, now THAT’S something to aspire to! Thanks and blessings, Gayl, for inspiration.
Yes, it is, isn’t it, Alice? I pray God will give us the strength and grace we need to be the women he’s called us to be. Blessings to you!
Too many times I have settled for less, it is better to settle into Jesus. See you at LMM.
I think we all have times we have settled for less. I’m so glad we can be settled in Jesus! Blessings to you, Rebecca! Yes, we’ll be back with another #LMMLinkup on Monday! Looking forward to seeing you there!
Hi Gayl! What a wonderful thing it is to abide in Christ. Thank you for the gentle reminder to turn to Him when setbacks come my way. God bless!
Yes, it is wonderful to be able to abide in Him. Thanks for stopping by. Blessings to you!
Beautiful photos and poems, Gayl! Life is so much richer when my roots go deep in Jesus!
Thank you, Anita! Yes, much richer when our roots are deep in Jesus! Blessings to you!
Dear Gayl
Thank you for stopping by my corner of the world and sharing your heart. I read your post on Trust: Trust in God to show us the way to live and love. Your writing was steeped in truth and wisdom. Indeed, we are called to love and leave our children in God’s hands. Who better to care for them than Him. He loves them more than we do, there’s such comfort in that truth. Blessings to you, my FMF neighbor
Dear Joan,
Thanks for visiting! Yes, sometimes it’s hard to keep “hands off” but it’s so much better to trust God, esp. when things are really out of our hands. I’m so thankful for His love. Blessings to you, Joan!