Category: Health

Renew: My Word of the Year

Posted on by Staci Mauney

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Mt 11:28-30 NIV).

It’s been many years since I created New Year’s resolutions. Instead, through much prayer and research, I choose a word for the year. Over the years, I’ve chosen words such as “trust,” “focus,” and “compassion.” For the last two years, my word was “bold.” I kept a journal of instances where I could see God moving boldly in my life. Throughout it all, he used the word to push me out of my comfort zone so that I depended more on him and less on others. Continue reading “Renew: My Word of the Year” →

A Summary of 2019 in Three Words

Posted on by Staci Mauney

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (Rom 12:12)

As 2019 ends and a new year (and new decade) begins, I like to look back at the events and lessons of the previous year. I’ve mentioned before in this blog that I think it’s important to reflect on the past in order to move forward. Usually, this means a year-end evaluation of my goals or my word of the year.

This time, I’m trying something a little different. Recently, I read about choosing three words to summarize the year. While the article was written for married couples, I took away some important information that could apply more broadly to my own life. Continue reading “A Summary of 2019 in Three Words” →

2019 – A Review

Posted on by Staci Mauney

For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. (Ps 33:4)

It’s hard to believe another year is coming to a close. My blog posts serve as a reminder of things that have happened in my life this past year, and I believe reviewing them is helpful. I can see areas in which I’ve grown and where I still need to do more work. I note lessons I’ve learned and common themes among those lessons. I’m encouraged by God’s faithfulness, which increases my faith and trust in him. Continue reading “2019 – A Review” →

Thankful for Change? Not Really

Posted on by Staci Mauney

“But [the Lord] said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” (2 Cor 12:9)

As Thanksgiving draws near, I’ve focused on gratefulness as the theme of my blog posts. This week, I’m thinking about change and how to be thankful for those things that are, quite honestly, unwelcome and unwanted. Change is hard, and it’s often accompanied by some sort of trial. How can I turn my heart toward thankfulness in difficult times? Continue reading “Thankful for Change? Not Really” →

The Benefits of Gratitude

Posted on by Staci Mauney

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.” (Ps 28:7)

November is well underway, and Thanksgiving is just around the corner. This is the time of year when we think about the things for which we’re thankful. But focusing on our blessings shouldn’t happen just once a year. How can we make gratitude a part of our daily lives?

Here are four benefits of gratitude:

  1. Gratitude lowers stress levels. Focusing on feelings of contentment produces lower stress levels. When I intentionally concentrate on the good things in my life, I gain perspective. I’m more aware of my blessings – and how I can be a blessing to others.
  2. Gratitude improves overall health. In general, grateful people have fewer aches and pains than others and are more likely to go to regular check-ups, which will contribute to longevity. Those who are grateful experience more empathy and less aggression. I want some of that, please!
  3. Gratitude improves self-esteem. Did you know that grateful people are also less prone to envy or regret? An attitude of gratitude has been shown to reduce comparisons. I’ve noticed that when I focus on my own blessings, I’m less inclined to become jealous of someone else’s accomplishments.
  4. Gratitude improves my relationship with God. One of the ways I’ve learned to express gratitude is by keeping a gratitude journal. While I’m not always faithful to note things in my journal every day, a quick glance through the journal shows me that God is faithful to provide. For the last few years, I’ve written down one thing for which I’m thankful that day, and then, I write out a prayer of thanksgiving to start my day off on a positive note. Writing out my prayers has made me more aware of the relationship between my blessings and my God. This process has also helped me become closer to God as it forces me to think more deeply about the things God has given me.

Gratitude is something that you can learn to express. Focus on the things that you have instead of the things that you don’t, and thank God as you remember how much he’s given you.

Dear Jesus, thank you for all the blessings that you’ve given me. Help me to develop an attitude of gratitude in all I do each day. Amen.