Turning frustration into opportunity

We all desire to be stress free in our relationships, finances, health, and career. Nobody wants a frustrating life, but we are reminded in God’s Word that while in this world, we will experience distress and disappointment. There is good news though, we can be undaunted because Jesus has deprived the circumstances of life from defeating us. (See John 16:33)

Since we will encounter challenges in life at one time or another, we need to be careful to not allow frustration to dominate our thoughts, reflect in our words, and influence our actions. Everything is aggravating when seen through the lens of frustration and this attitude will permeate every area of our life if we are not careful.

Proverbs 4:23—Above all else, guard your affections. For they influence everything else in your life.TLB

As I get older, I have seen the benefits of guarding my affections firsthand. I now see challenges as opportunities to explore innovative ways around it, over it or through it. I have much more energy when I choose to enjoy the journey (see James 1:2-4) and not be bogged down by the “what it” perspective. I no longer hesitate when frustrations come my way. I shift my focus from the obstacles to seek God’s leading, guidance, and insight for solutions and breakthrough.

What are you frustrated about? Can it become something that motivates you to get up and do something about it?

When you choose to shift your perspective from the frustration to explore finding solutions, you will create momentum for change and fresh vision.

When you have the courage to not give up and settle, you can look at the challenges that come your way as opportunities to believe God to strengthen you and help you in every situation. (See Isaiah 41:10)

Innovation and solutions cannot arise from settling and giving up. You need momentum to keep moving forward. It is my declaration that you will turn your frustrations into opportunities that will propel you to overcome, and to creatively impact the world around you.

Romans 12:12—Let this hope burst forth within you, releasing a continual joy. Don’t give up in a time of trouble, but commune with God at all times. TPT

5 Tactics for Motivating Children to Be Healthy

Many children, even from a young age, are aware of what behaviors are good for them. However, the true challenge comes with encouraging your children to follow through with the behaviors you’ve taught them. If you feel your lessons go in one ear and out the other, you may need to reconsider your strategy. Cindy Dennis Ministries presents five tactics you can use to help motivate your children to practice healthy behaviors.

Develop a Relationship

If you struggle to find time to spend with your children or often rely on scolding and controlling them to manage bad behaviors, your relationship with your kids may suffer. Children are more likely to listen to you and trust your lead if you first establish a strong relationship as a foundation. Take time to show affection to your children and do activities with them just for fun. Say you love them often and show them mutual respect.

Present New Challenges

Set challenges for children that inspire their sense of adventure and fulfill their need for achievement. Be realistic in your expectations for your children, and make the challenges more difficult in increments; you want to find a balance in encouraging children to try something out of their comfort zone while not pushing them too hard. Help your kids find new healthy activities, such as sports, instruments, or educational pursuits, that they enjoy and motivate them to work hard towards an achievable goal.

Model Goal-Setting

Demonstrate in your own life what it looks like to set a goal and work towards achieving it. For instance, you can set a new health goal, such as running a marathon, and let your children see you train for it over time. If you’ve always wanted to start your own business, you can finally pursue an MBA to further your knowledge of business management or accounting. Or, you can work toward a health information technology degree and get a job in the medical field.

It can be difficult to find balance while studying for school and being a parent, but online programs give you the flexibility to pursue your passions from the comfort of your home. Be open with your kids through the process. Talk with them about their own dreams and help them identify ways they can make their goals become a reality.

Use Incentives Wisely

While extrinsic motivation can help inspire children in the short term, studies point to intrinsic motivation as being a more powerful tool for encouraging behaviors. While a reward system can help kids first learn to use the bathroom on their own or to pick up running, kids eventually need to transition to engaging in beneficial activities without a prize.

Praise Effort

Receiving praise can help develop your child’s self-esteem, but only applauding children when they ace a test or win a competition can cause them to become obsessed with performance. Commend your child whenever you notice the effort and offer constructive conversations when goals are not met.

Often, the best methods for motivating children go beyond just teaching and telling them to do what’s best for them. Examine your current strategy and consider new ways you can inspire your children to grow and develop healthy behaviors that will set them up for success.

The Power of Joy

My co-worker mentioned to me yesterday she was heading back home to help clear out her mom’s apartment. For the last several weeks, she has been working with her brother sorting through items their mother no longer needed now that they moved her into a senior home.

One of the biggest challenges was going through all the craft items their mom started but never got around to finishing. It was amazing to discover just how many projects they found tucked away in the apartment their mom called home for over 30 years.

I am sure we have all been there ourselves. We begin well and have incredible momentum to start a career, marriage, business, or a project and then somewhere along the way, we encounter challenges and obstacles that might slow us down or perhaps even block our way.

It takes one set of skills to start a new endeavor, and as the journey progresses and develops, it takes a special kind of determination to stay the course and seek creative ways to overcome and press through.

2 Chronicles 15:7—Be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded. NIV

Sometimes our human strength and stamina is not enough. Our enthusiasm fades, and we are having a hard time staying focused on the finished goal. In fact, it is looking more inviting to quit with each passing moment.

Pressing through to finish what we started, takes a special kind of power. I like to call it “the power of joy” that becomes a strength that drives us through the in-between times, when you need a second wind, and a revived stamina to not give up so we can finish well.

Nehemiah 8:10—Don’t be sad, because the joy of the Lord will make you strong. NCV

Joy is a powerful weapon and it is greater than adversity (Habakkuk 3:17-19). We can decide to be joyful in our spirit, regardless of the circumstances, (Philippians 4:4) and we are encouraged to learn to look at challenges with complete joy (James 1:2). Joy is a supernatural strength only God can supply.

Our journey is never the same in each season and through the various phases of life. It may require learning new skills, discovering innovative approaches to challenges, and having a perspective that allows us to find joy in the journey.

God has imparted in all of us dreams, visions, passions, and interests for us to pursue and we need to relentlessly endeavor to never give up the journey He has for us.

It is important that we allow God to guide us each step of the way and to press on through the middle stretch in the power of joy.

John 15:11—These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. BRG