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From my deck I enjoy watching the squirrels joyfully at play in the back yard. I think they are so
cute. Taking a break while watching them helps me unwind. There are many fun observations one
can make about squirrels. Gracefully scampering and leaping from branch to branch, they make me
think of the grace and poise of the ballerina. Obviously from an innate understanding, and without
any cues, squirrels just have an accurate estimation of measuring distance and awareness of
perception. And they know how, when and where to hide from predators. God created them that
way.
What more are we to him? Squirrels cannot praise him. Squirrels cannot worship him. Yet, God
designed them to survive. He provides for them day by day. He put joy and play inside of them. What
more has he placed inside of us, the ones who are made in the image of him?
I believe we sometimes short-change ourselves. We go through life’s perplexities with the mindset
that we are carrying this big brown bag of burdens on our backs. I’ve never seen a squirrel sitting
under a tree sulking about not finding an acorn. Nor have I’ve ever observed one sinking in despair.
No, they make the decision to hunt for their provision and protection.
Like the squirrel, every day we are faced with a decision. Will we respond to our life issues by
trusting in God’s grace and provision, or will we react with doubt and fear? Look at it this way. There
will undoubtedly be changes in our lives that we cannot always control. There will be people who
back us into a corner. There will be others who are rude and disrespectful. There will be leaders who
will never acknowledge our accomplishments. There will be someone who tries to steal our dreams.
There will be the loss of a loved one. And we may not have the career we desire or a career at all.
These are real life issues.
But you can make a trade.
God said his grace is sufficient. We can so easily lay the burdens at the feet of Jesus and move past
these things. He has given us precious promises and provisions to which we can hold him
accountable. I remember so well trading off my issues for God’s promises. I believe it was last week
when I shared with you my story of being threatened with an eviction during a hard place in my life.
Here’s the point.
The world has programmed us to panic and fear and wring our hands in worry as we try to figure out
how to handle the issues of life. But you know what I did? I remember saying out loud: “I refuse to
fear!” That aborted the enemy’s forces from having any power and authority over me. I knew fear,
worry and doubt was an attack of the enemy against my mind. His objective is to introduce fear to
my mind so it will eventually make its way to my heart. If I allow this to happen, he can bring his
plans to pass in my life instead of God’s plans.
The world has also programed us to react to frustration and fatigue. I know we all become frustrated
sometimes and may blame it on others for causing us to feel a certain way. Unfortunately we react
and give into this feeling.
Recently, I did a word search on frustration and do you know what it means? Another word for
frustration is hindrance. Another word is blocking and still another word for frustration is defeat.
The enemy works through people to hinder, block and defeat your destiny. Wake up and be mindful
of this!
I can see why God wants us to trade our fears and frustrations for his protection and direction. He
wants to take care of us. But he can’t if we are reacting to everything that comes at us and are
worrying about every little thing we can’t control.
Just like a squirrel finds the provision it needs, these lessons will help us do the same:
Get in the swing of things by focusing on the good things that God has for your life. If he can provide
for and protect a critter that can’t bring him glory, what more will he do for you! God has given you
dominion. Walk in your authority and confidence. Now wallow in that.
I would love to hear from you. Please email me at dmurpphy@eewmagazine.com or leave me a
comment here.
ABOUT THE WRITER
Dr. Deana is a Marketplace Minister and founder and CEO of LivingDesigns360, a company that
mentors the kingdom-minded woman in creative ways to renovate and design her interior life so she
can create major breakthroughs, achieve personal accountability, emotional clarity and inner
direction. Also a master lifedesign strategist, speaker, educator, blogger and award winning author,
Dr. Deana’s creative approach embraces techniques from interior design. She takes her 13 years’
experience as a certified interior designer and successfully applies it to the art of Interior Lifedesign,
blending in a focus on personal development and life improvement strategies from head to toe.
Clients work with Dr. Deana through private strategy sessions, workshops, group mentoring
programs, keynotes and retreats. Her mission: to elevate, educate and motivate the Kingdom woman
so she can master her confidence, soar in her freedom and design her best life.
Visit Dr. Deana at deanamurphyglobal.com
Email Deana:
dmurphy@eewmagazine.com
Connect on Facebook
Facebook.com
cute. Taking a break while watching them helps me unwind. There are many fun observations one
can make about squirrels. Gracefully scampering and leaping from branch to branch, they make me
think of the grace and poise of the ballerina. Obviously from an innate understanding, and without
any cues, squirrels just have an accurate estimation of measuring distance and awareness of
perception. And they know how, when and where to hide from predators. God created them that
way.
What more are we to him? Squirrels cannot praise him. Squirrels cannot worship him. Yet, God
designed them to survive. He provides for them day by day. He put joy and play inside of them. What
more has he placed inside of us, the ones who are made in the image of him?
I believe we sometimes short-change ourselves. We go through life’s perplexities with the mindset
that we are carrying this big brown bag of burdens on our backs. I’ve never seen a squirrel sitting
under a tree sulking about not finding an acorn. Nor have I’ve ever observed one sinking in despair.
No, they make the decision to hunt for their provision and protection.
Like the squirrel, every day we are faced with a decision. Will we respond to our life issues by
trusting in God’s grace and provision, or will we react with doubt and fear? Look at it this way. There
will undoubtedly be changes in our lives that we cannot always control. There will be people who
back us into a corner. There will be others who are rude and disrespectful. There will be leaders who
will never acknowledge our accomplishments. There will be someone who tries to steal our dreams.
There will be the loss of a loved one. And we may not have the career we desire or a career at all.
These are real life issues.
But you can make a trade.
God said his grace is sufficient. We can so easily lay the burdens at the feet of Jesus and move past
these things. He has given us precious promises and provisions to which we can hold him
accountable. I remember so well trading off my issues for God’s promises. I believe it was last week
when I shared with you my story of being threatened with an eviction during a hard place in my life.
Here’s the point.
The world has programmed us to panic and fear and wring our hands in worry as we try to figure out
how to handle the issues of life. But you know what I did? I remember saying out loud: “I refuse to
fear!” That aborted the enemy’s forces from having any power and authority over me. I knew fear,
worry and doubt was an attack of the enemy against my mind. His objective is to introduce fear to
my mind so it will eventually make its way to my heart. If I allow this to happen, he can bring his
plans to pass in my life instead of God’s plans.
The world has also programed us to react to frustration and fatigue. I know we all become frustrated
sometimes and may blame it on others for causing us to feel a certain way. Unfortunately we react
and give into this feeling.
Recently, I did a word search on frustration and do you know what it means? Another word for
frustration is hindrance. Another word is blocking and still another word for frustration is defeat.
The enemy works through people to hinder, block and defeat your destiny. Wake up and be mindful
of this!
I can see why God wants us to trade our fears and frustrations for his protection and direction. He
wants to take care of us. But he can’t if we are reacting to everything that comes at us and are
worrying about every little thing we can’t control.
Just like a squirrel finds the provision it needs, these lessons will help us do the same:
- 1. Stop wallowing around in your own worry. God can’t give you peace until you give
him your worries.
2.Tune up your innate perception of the spiritual signs that provide direction and
protection.
3. Ask yourself, “What is the best way for me to handle situation?” Oftentimes we
are focusing on the worst when the positive side is right there before us. Look for it. You will
find what is going right. Then focus on that one thing and praise God for showing you another
perspective.
4. Never ever make a decision, give an opinion, or have a discussion while you
are frustrated or fatigued. You are not thinking with clarity and can make some costly
mistakes. I know this from experience.
5. Be loving toward others so the love of God can drive fear out of your heart
and mind. When you operate from a position of love, selfishness is destroyed and fear has
nothing to stand on. You do not have to be in bondage to this devilish spirit.
Get in the swing of things by focusing on the good things that God has for your life. If he can provide
for and protect a critter that can’t bring him glory, what more will he do for you! God has given you
dominion. Walk in your authority and confidence. Now wallow in that.
I would love to hear from you. Please email me at dmurpphy@eewmagazine.com or leave me a
comment here.
ABOUT THE WRITER
Dr. Deana is a Marketplace Minister and founder and CEO of LivingDesigns360, a company that
mentors the kingdom-minded woman in creative ways to renovate and design her interior life so she
can create major breakthroughs, achieve personal accountability, emotional clarity and inner
direction. Also a master lifedesign strategist, speaker, educator, blogger and award winning author,
Dr. Deana’s creative approach embraces techniques from interior design. She takes her 13 years’
experience as a certified interior designer and successfully applies it to the art of Interior Lifedesign,
blending in a focus on personal development and life improvement strategies from head to toe.
Clients work with Dr. Deana through private strategy sessions, workshops, group mentoring
programs, keynotes and retreats. Her mission: to elevate, educate and motivate the Kingdom woman
so she can master her confidence, soar in her freedom and design her best life.
Visit Dr. Deana at deanamurphyglobal.com
Email Deana:
dmurphy@eewmagazine.com
Connect on Facebook
Facebook.com
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