Inspire Me

Inspire: to fill with an animating, quickening, or exalting influence; to influence or impel; to communicate or suggest by a divine or supernatural influence; to give inspiration; inhale, breathe. 

It is time to make a commitment to inspire yourself. Maybe that could certainly be through inspiring others but find a way to inspire yourself.  You deserve it. You need to be good to yourself. You need something in your life that is animating, quickening, that will exalt an influence over you and impel you to move forward everyday.
Here are some quick tips to practice.

1) Fill the void and seek a more intimate relationship w/ God.  You can do this by prayer, reading of the word and worship.  Sometimes we make prayer out to be so complicated when it really is not. Hannah prayed silently, Abraham stood before the Lord and David sat.  It is simply talking to Him the same way you would talk to a friend.  He is the best listener.  What are we touching first when we wake–our cell phone for the notifications or the heart of God?
Make time every day to physically read the bible.  This is something that will lift up your spirit and bring inspiration your way.  The bible says in Proverbs 12:25, “Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.”  We need a good word to start our day.  In a world with thriving technology and social media it is so easy to miss this important task by just “reading inspiration from a wall” rather then the handwriting that is on God’s wall! This keeps us strong, steady and spirit-filled.  In a recent poll here, this states that only 19% of believers actually read their bible every day.
Take the time to worship.  Listen to good inspirational christian music that will fill your soul. We ought to sing psalms and hymns and make melody in our hearts as the word tells us in Ephesians 5:19. This is a true source of inspiration. Turn off the sad, angry and hateful songs that do nothing for your soul. What you listen to is critical for the whole spirit being.

2) Create a better atmosphere and healthy environment for you that is going to allow you to function better.  I included a picture attached, which is a recent fixture I picked up from the store.  I have it on my dining room wall to remind me everyday how important it is to be inspired and not weighed down.  This is the room that I write the most so I can just glance up at this and smile at such a positive and strong word.
Decorate your house and any room that you find yourself most engaged in.  This is something that lifts up your spirit when you are surrounded by good things.

3) Choose the right friends.  Choose to trust.  Choose to open up.  I know that we have all had experiences where we have been hurt, betrayed or wronged in some way. But not everyone will cause you harm. There is always a person that you can find that will bring cheer your way.  Proverbs 17:17 states that a friend loves at all times.  I can always find that friend that is going to love me at all times.  No matter what you go through in life a true friend is always going to be the same with you.  You will know this by their fruits and good deeds.   Don’t close your heart to friendship!  We all need that good fellowship, fun and laughter.  Keep that in prayer too.  I believe all my friends are sent to me by God and I am so thankful for each one. They are life-long friends that I will always cherish.

4) Get out and enjoy life!  Ecclesiastes 2:24,  ^“Nothing is better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and that his soul should enjoy good in his labor. This also, I saw, was from the hand of God.”  Go out and celebrate life.  Celebrate what God is doing in you. Travel, visit places you have never been too, take a walk during lunch break, enjoy a good treat every so often, go take yourself out for a cup of coffee or go for a bike ride in the great outdoors. There is so much for us to enjoy and see that can bring inspiration to our lives.  God created a beautiful world for us to live in…find places that inspire you. Don’t stay behind the four walls and keep yourself isolated in misery.  God wants you to enjoy all that you do and His word tells us that.

Remember that the one person that you have to take care of the most is you!  Else, you will be no good to anyone by being in a place of darkness.  When you feel the weight of the world, ongoing stress from work or even home… just take a break! Take the time to inspire yourself because YOU MATTER!