Surprisingly Satisfied

The Resolution Revolution - Introduction

We all make Resolutions every day.

“Right now – whether you realize it or not – you’re choosing to treat people a certain way, to stay committed to certain activities, to live a certain life, to be a certain kind of person, to not be a certain kind of person. Either way, you’ve made a decision. A spoken (or unspoken) declaration.” – The Resolution for Women

As we go through this book study we are going to examine our lives and make intentional decisions that will help shape us into the women God has called us to be.

“We need to make sure that the banner that flies over our lives and announces to the world who we genuinely are is one that says what we want it to say, one that changes things in us and around us for the better.” – The Resolution for Women

The resolutions we are going to make are different than most of your standard variety New Year’s resolutions in the fact that....We are making a resolution with God (emphasis on...WITH).

Because we are making these resolutions WITH God...

“they are girded about with the power of the Holy Spirit – encouraging you, comforting you, equipping you, empowering you with the strength you need to carry them out.” – The Resolution for Women

As we go through this study you may be tempted to ask...”Why do I have to be the one to change? What about my husband, my children, my family, my co-workers, and my friends? Don’t they need to change too?”

That is not what this “process” is about. It’s about US resolving to be more intentional about the way we live OUR lives.

This is not a time to point a finger of blame or make excuses.

Matthew 7:3-5

³ And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? ⁴ Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? ⁵ Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

When others see a change in you...you might be surprised at how it will affect their behavior.

Every Bite Counts

“Instead of relishing each moment, each year, each opportunity, each step on the journey, I’m constantly overeager to get to the next thing, which always looks more enticing than what’s currently before me. I’m rarely satisfied in full with my present station.” – The Resolution for Women

DOES THIS SOUND FAMILIAR?

Do you tend to focus on the past or the future instead of the now?

What does it mean to make “Every Bite Count”?

 

-Savor each moment.
-Don’t rush through to get to the next “chapter”.
-Enjoy the now.
-Make the most out of each and every day.
-Take advantage of the opportunities that we have now so we don’t have any regrets.
-Don’t put off or neglect the people in our lives... or God.
-Allow God to use us for His glory.

Don’t let time pass you by!! SLOW DOWN...Pay attention to what is going on around you.

Turn the TV off and put the computer or Smartphone aside (unless you are using it for Bible study purposes...of course).

You might be surprised at how much time there actually is in a day.

The Secret

“Today we hear a philosophy of happiness that’s actually been training us for a long time not to be happy. It says there’s always something else, something more, some additional requirement we need before we can really enjoy life the way it was meant to be enjoyed. So the advertisements bombard us with suggestions, dripping with recommendations intended to whet our appetites and tantalize our taste buds, encouraging us to get rid of the old and acquire the new, to be dissatisfied with what we already have.

If you’re single, you should have the security of marriage.

If you’re married, you should have the freedom of singleness.
If you live in an apartment, you should own a home by now.
If you own a home, it should be bigger than the one you’ve got.
Getting the message?
Your clothes should be from this vendor.
Your appearance should look like that trend.
Your kids should be more like those kids.
Your standard of success should be measured by these standards.” – The Resolution for Women

It’s no wonder we are so mentally and physically exhausted.

We are constantly racing to get to the point in our lives when we can finally be happy.

News Flash!!...That time can be now.

What is “the Secret”?   Learning to be Content.

“I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content – whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:11-13

Paul “learned” how to be content. It didn’t just happen. It was something he resolved to be.

We need to embrace each season of our lives as we move forward into the next.

We need to realize how blessed we are right now instead of focusing all of our attention on what we don’t have.

Overflowing Blessing

“Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full – pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”- Luke 6:38 NLT

Giving isn’t just about money.

Use the talents, abilities, and resources God has blessed you with to bless others and bring glory to Him.

Sometimes the best gift you can give someone is your time, a listening ear, or a helping hand.

We have so many opportunities to give each and every day but sometimes we fail to recognize them.

If we will open our eyes and become more aware of what is going on around us we will begin to see endless opportunities to be a blessing.

Don’t let a day go by without taking advantage of this.

Giving can be such a rewarding experience and create a sense of purpose that is very fulfilling.

You CAN make a difference!!...and it won’t go unnoticed.

You Will be blessed!!

The Balancing Point

Contentment is the equilibrium between the enjoyment of life now and the anticipation of what is to come and being Surprisingly Satisfied.

“In staying Surprisingly Satisfied, you actually receive the best of both worlds. You give yourself permission to enjoy fully the things you have, the person you are, and the life you’re currently living while continuing to harbor the dreams that keep you growing and stretching into the future.

So the business person gets to relish today’s accomplishments while at the same time having high expectations for tomorrow. The homemaker learns to thrive on the joyful chaos of today’s tasks while calmly, patiently looking forward to the slower pace her future may hold. The single woman is actually able to enjoy her independence – not just pretend she does – and yet be equally excited about what sharing life with a future mate may be like. She neither has to abandon hope of marriage nor cave to those depressing tinges of self-pity and emptiness.” – The Resolution for Women

 

Resolution #1 – Surprisingly Satisfied

I do solemnly resolve to embrace my current season of life and will maximize my time in it.

I will resist the urge to hurry through or circumvent any portion of my journey

but will live with a spirit of contentment. 

  

 

Introduction

When you hear the word Resolution...What thoughts cross your mind?       

A fresh start.
Determination to finally accomplish something you've been putting off.
Here we go again...

Some Resolutions have a beginning and an end. 
     
I am going to paint the kitchen.
I am going to clean out the garage.

Some Resolutions have a beginning and an end but require more diligence.
 
I am going to read my Bible all the way through.
I am going to get out of debt.

Other Resolutions have a beginning but no end.
They are life long changes that we desire to make.
These are often the hardest but MOST important. 

I am going to spend more time with God.                    I am going to be a better mom.
I am going to pray more.                                                I am going to be a better wife.
I am going to read my Bible every day.                       I am going to do something that will make a difference.
I am going to spend more time with my family.          (Volunteer, Serve, Outreach)    
I am going to live a healthier lifestyle.
I am going to STAY out of debt.
 
Unfortunately...a lot of times our Resolutions start with good intentions but don't result in lasting change.

What do you believe are some reasons why this happens?
Lack of consistent motivation
Laziness/Procrastination
Selfishness
Failure to plan & prioritize properly
Making excuses
- I don't have time.
- It's too hard.
- If he was a better husband...
- If my kids didn't make it so difficult...
Failure to be realistic
- Sometimes we want a dramatic change to happen overnight but we need to realize it takes baby
   steps or else it can overwhelm us to the point of giving up. It's a process.
Failure to seek God
- We fail to pray and seek for God to intervene on our behalf and give us the strength, motivation,
   and endurance we need in order to be successful.
 
We cannot do it on our own. We need God. God doesn't expect or want us to do it on our own. Who would get the Glory for it if we could? Attention would be drawn to us instead of God.

So...That being said...Resolution is about change and discovering how to make it a lasting change.

Resolutions require us to leave our past behind and embrace our future.
We don't have to allow past faults, failures, and hurts to define us.

Letting go of this those things isn't always the easiest thing to do but it is necessary if we want to move forward.

"It is a Process...Not a Project."

It may take some time but it's not impossible.

I believe the more we focus our attention on God...the less time we spend dwelling on the past. The less time we spend dwelling on the past...the more freedom we begin to experience. The more freedom we begin to experience...the more hope we have for the future. The more hope we have...the more potential there is for God to do a work in and through our lives because we are trusting in Him and placing our lives in His hands. This is the "process" through which we can experience transformation in our lives or a least it has been for my life.

Sounds pretty simple...right??

All we have to do is focus our attention on God and everything else will fall into place.
Unfortunately a lot of times we fail at KEEPING our attention on God. This is when problems arise. Satan will try to distract you in any way that he can in an effort to draw your attention away from God. That's why I feel it is very important to stay connected with other followers of Christ. We need that encouragement, support, and accountability.

I am so thankful that God has given me the opportunity to lead this eGroup and book study as a way for us to connect with one another.

I pray that this book study will bring things to the surface in your life that will draw you closer to Him and help you to become the women He has called you to be.

I truly believe...The Best is Yet to Come!!

Reading for Jan. 12th-26th is Pages 1-48.
(Suprisingly Satisfied and Purposefully Feminine)

As you read through The Resolution for Women...you will want to:
- Find a distraction free place where you can really focus on what you are reading.
- Take time to think about what you have read.
- Open your heart and mind and allow God to speak to you.
- Keep a journal. As you begin to take notes...you may find God revealing things to you that you
   didn't expect. Embrace this.
- Pray before you begin reading and even after.