July 2021 Word of The Month – A FRESH YOU

Dear Lovely Reader,

Happy July and start to the second half of the year!

Hopefully, this second half of the 2021 will be greater than you can imagine. That’s why I think a perfect message for this month is: A Fresh You

There is always new around us, but sometimes we can be hesitant because all we have is the present moment which is about to become old by the time you finish reading this sentence in a few seconds! Then there is the past which contains good and bad memories.

New = change, uncertainty and unknown which can be frightening. However, that’s what makes life exciting and gives us endless opportunities to blossom into our best self. So, if you feel that you’re at a roadblock in an area of your life and in need of a revamp, here are some tips I’ve put together. Hopefully you and I can put these into practise 😊

Tip 1: Carry out a self MOT

Every human across the planet has experienced challenges and hurts in varying degrees of severity. Unfortunately, no matter how perfect you choose to be or how good of a person you are we face trials.

Sometimes they may come out of our own mistakes, choices or completely unprovoked (e.g., childhood trauma). We tend to carry these deep hurts deep rolling through life and actually take on the situations we faced as our own identity.

This is why you should carry out a Self MOT – a weekly/bi weekly/monthly assessment of yourself. No need to be harsh on yourself, it should be a time to reflect on loving yourself and becoming the best you! It’s not easy, but with purposeful practice and some extra tips here : How To ARISE AND SHINE you begin the process of a fresh you.

Tip 2: Know the truth

If you’re in a difficult situation that is not your identity or truth.

There is the:

Truth of your situation vs. Truth of your journey.

Situations are temporary physically. However, when we don’t truly heal, they can form a lasting imprint internally. It is much better to believe the truth of your journey. This verse is helpful to keep that in mind.

“We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair, persecuted but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed” – 2 Corinthians 4:8-10

How true is this, when you look back to the chaos you faced there was always an upside and most important of all God’s presence.

Tip 3: Put off the old self

Now, you know your truth, you’ll no longer want to identify with your past or present.

Put off the old self with old deeds by forgiving yourself and others and not holding yourself down by self-pity. Also, it is important not to hold onto lies we tell ourselves about the past which can result in us making excuses.

“Do not lie to one another since you have put off the old man with his deeds” – Colossians 3:9

Notice how lying to others (and yourself) is mentioned with the old person you used to be! It does not get us anywhere and keeps us trapped. We have to confront the lies and past with the truth. In truth there is love. Accept things for what it was, let go of regret, shame, guilt because the love of God overlooks and blots out our past.

Tip 4: Put on the new self

“Put on the new man/woman who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him/her” – Colossians 3:10

This new self is literally you with a renewed mindset and renewed actions.

Your mindset can only be renewed when you turn to your creator. If we think about it, the creators of Apple products know how to fix and restore their products. Or those of us who own businesses are the best people to renovate or solve issues.

The same is with God, He wants us to consistently grow in the knowledge of His image – Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the word of God made flesh, so we should “Let the word of Christ dwell in us” (in our hearts & minds) – Colossians 3:16. When we do, we have the best answer/response/way to any good/bad thing we face.

Jesus Christ is Love. In love there is hope, peace, joy, correction, just power, grace, mercy, forgiveness, boldness, humility, self -control, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and generosity. All the above overrule any situation good or bad and are the best pillars to build

a STONGER you, a FREE you and A FRESH YOU.

Keep going you’re doing great.

Peace and every good blessing be yours in Jesus Name. Amen.

-Josie x