Snakes, shipwrecks and dealing with opposition to your calling.

P.S. This is the one with the stories about snakes and shipwrecks.

Believe it or not, there is a way that you can feel happier - regardless of how bad your circumstances may be right now. It's a very simple solution, and it has a lot to do with your choices.

I hate delays, especially when I've asked for someone to do something, and they take their time getting around to doing it. P.S. This is the one with stories about the crossing guard, the trains and my kids not picking up their stuff.

As individuals, we are the only ones who are responsible for choosing what our priorities are going to be. We choose with our thoughts, with our words, and with our actions - what we do with the time that we have on a day to day basis. And the many, many little choices we make every day add up and reflect our priorities. So what's your top priority today?

I think, deep down, all of us are curious about what the future might hold. Sometimes that curiosity is because we want to make the right decisions and we're worried about making the wrong decisions. Sometimes we're curious because we'd like to take a short cut to where we're going, and sometimes we want to avoid trouble.

Who you been imitating lately - who have you been admiring and why? - and remember that we don't just imitate people when we dress up like them. We imitate them when we follow them, when we do the same things as them, for the same reasons. Do the choices you've been making show that you are imitating the things of this world? Or are you imitating mature followers of Jesus? Are you imitating Jesus himself? Are you imitating what is good? Are you stepping into the ways of the kingdom?

Can't sleep? There's nothing more frustrating than laying in bed, knowing you're exhausted, knowing you have to be up early in the morning, wanting to sleep and yet watching the hours tick by. Insomnia isn't fun. In episode 21 of the Thrive Podcast, Amber Ward shares her strategy for turning sleepless nights into nights of great sleep. #ThrivewithAmberWard #ThrivePodcast #AmberWard

If you've been comparing yourself, your life, or the results of what you've been working on with other people - and feel like you're somehow 'less than' or 'defeated' or 'not good enough' I want to remind you that in the end, as kingdom people we shouldn't be doing anything seeking the praise of humans - the only one whose opinion counts about your work, your results and your motivation is God. Don't get so busy looking sideways at what other people are up to that you lose track of what's actually important - and that is your obedience to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, and your walk in accordance with your unique and individual personal calling.

It doesn't matter whether your gift is in teaching, or whether it's in creative dance, or singing, or prophecy, in designing buildings, in managing groups of people or in adding up numbers well - the gifts God has given you weren't intended to be used solely for your personal benefit or to give you a career within the world - they were given to you for the benefit of the body of Christ - for the building of the kingdom.

It doesn't matter how old you are - whether you're 20 years old or 80 years old - if you are still breathing, it is not too late for you to step into your calling.

#ThrivewithAmberWard #ThrivePodcast #AmberWard #kingdommessenger

Jesus didn't introduce himself based on the way the world saw him - he had a deep knowing of his true identity that could only have been given to him by God. And believe it or not, God has quite a bit to say about your true identity too.

P.S. This is the one with the story about awkward group introductions

#ThrivewithAmberWard #ThrivePodcast #AmberWard