Vernon L. Williams – Stress Prevention Expert

54 Empowering Quotes to Help You Conquer Your Fears

Vernon L Williams — Wed, 06 Oct 2021 14:37:08 +0000

In times of uncertainty, fear can begin to creep in. My prayer is that these quotes will inspire you to keep fear away:

“Faith and fear are opposite poles. If a man has one, he can scarcely have the other. He who has faith in God does not need to dread anything except the weakening of his faith.”

Alexander MacLaren

“Our lives are full of “supposes” – suppose this happens or suppose that happens what could we do, or how could we bear it? But, if we are living in the high tower of God’s dwelling place, all these “supposes” will drop out of our lives. We shall be quiet from the fear of evil, for no threats of evil can penetrate the high tower of God.”

Hannah Whitall Smith

“The only known antidote to fear is faith.”

Woodroll Kroll

“Feed your fears and your faith will starve, feed your faith and your fears will starve.”

Max Lucado

“The presence of hope in the invincible sovereignty of God drives out fear.”

John Piper

“How sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believer’s ear. It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds, and drives away fear.”

John Newton

“I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.”

Thomas Merton

“If the Lord be with us we have no cause to fear. His eye is above us, his arm over us, his ear open to our prayer – his grace sufficient, his promises unchangeable.”

John Newton

“Fear knocked on the door. Faith answered. No one was there.”

English Proverb

“Don’t be afraid of tomorrow. God is already there.”

Katherine Walden

“Courage is fear that has said its prayers.”

Karl Barth

“Do not fear circumstances. They cannot hurt us, if we hold fast to God and use them as the voices and ministries of his will. Trust him about everyone and everything, for all times and all needs.”

Anthony W. Thorold

“If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies. Yet, distance makes no difference. He is praying for me.”

Robert Murrary M’Cheyne

“Fear is the main source of superstition, and one of the main sources of cruelty. To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom.”

Bertrand Russell

“Fears are educated into us, and can, if we wish, be educated out.”

Karl Augustus Menninger

“Too many people are thinking of security instead of opportunity. They seem to be more afraid of life than death.”

James F. Byrnes

“Of all the liars in the world, sometimes the worst are our own fears.”

Rudyard Kipling

“Curiosity will conquer fear even more than bravery will.”

James Stephens

“Ignorance is the parent of fear.”

Herman Melville

“Fear: False Evidence Appearing Real.”

Zig Ziglar

“I am not afraid of tomorrow, for I have seen yesterday and I love today.”

William Allen White

“We are more often frightened than hurt; and we suffer more from imagination than from reality.”

Seneca

“Do the thing you fear and the death of fear is certain.”’

Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.”

Dale Carnegie

“The key to change… is to let go of fear.”

Roseanne Cash

“Don’t let the fear of striking out hold you back.”

Babe Ruth

“Fear is only as deep as the mind allows.”

Japanese Proverb

“One of the greatest discoveries a man makes, one of his great surprises, is to find he can do what he was afraid he couldn’t do.”

Henry Ford

“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

Franklin D. Roosevelt

“Thinking will not overcome fear but action will.”

W. Clement Stone

“Everything you want is on the other side of fear.”

Jack Canfield

“To overcome fear, here’s all you have to do: realize the fear is there, and do the action you fear anyway.”

Peter McWilliams

“If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.”

Marcus Aurelius

“I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear.”

Rosa Parks

“Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.”

Anais Nin

“Fear defeats more people than any other one thing in the world.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Fear is pain arising from the anticipation of evil.”

Aristotle

“Do the thing you fear to do and keep on doing it… that is the quickest and surest way ever yet discovered to conquer fear.”

Dale Carnegie

“Fear is the enemy of logic.”

Frank Sinatra

“The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.”

Joseph Campbell

“Fear is 100% dependent on you for its survival.”

Steve Maraboli

“You can conquer almost any fear if you will only make up your mind to do so. Remember, fear doesn’t exist anywhere except in the mind.”

Dale Carnegie

“No passion so effectively robs the mind of all its powers of acting and reasoning as fear.”

Edmund Burke

“Do the thing you fear most and the death of fear is certain.”

Mark Twain

“Don’t fear failure so much that you refuse to try new things. The saddest summary of a life contains three descriptions: could have, might have, and should have.”

Louis E. Boone

“Everything you want is on the other side of fear.”

Jack Canfield

“Don’t be afraid to go out on a limb. That’s where the fruit is.”

Jackson Browne

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”

Nelson Mandela

“There are very few monsters who warrant the fear we have of them.”

Andre Gide

“The way you overcome shyness is to become so wrapped up in something that you forget to be afraid.”

Lady Bird Johnson

“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.”

Eleanor Roosevelt

“We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.”

Plato

“Fear makes strangers of people who would be friends.”

Shirley Maclaine

“In skating over thin ice our safety is in our speed.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Discover additional strategy for overcoming fear at https://vernonlwilliams.com/stop-negative-thoughts-today-course/

It’s Your Turn Now… I would love to hear from YOU.

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3 Life-Changing Lessons You Can Learn from The Apostle Paul

Vernon L Williams — Wed, 22 Sep 2021 15:31:37 +0000

If you want to be successful, find someone who has achieved the results you want and copy what they do and you’ll get the same results. -Tony Robbins

When it comes to being a successful Christian, there are many lessons we can learn from the Apostle Paul. I will highlight three of them:

1. Your past does not determine your future.

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. (Philippians 3:13)

One of Satan’s most effective weapons is to use our past against us. He will lead us to having thoughts such as “I’ve made too many mistakes for God to love me” or “My past disqualifies me from serving God”. However, as indicated by the Apostle Paul’s life, our past mistakes do not determine our future.

Saul, which is Paul’s given name, was born into a Jewish family in Tarsus (Turkey). Although he was a tentmaker by trade, he was most noted for his hatred of Christians. He believed the teachings of Jesus violated Mosaic Law and zealously harassed, and even jailed, anyone who followed those teachings.

The first scriptural mention of Saul is found in Acts 7:58. He was a bystander watching his fellow Jews stone St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, to death. An aggressive persecutor of Christians in Jerusalem, Saul sought and received permission from the high priest to proceed to Damascus for the purpose of imprisoning more followers of Christ.

However, on the Damascus road Saul encountered Jesus and immediately responded to his calling and gave up his lifestyle to follow Him. After being baptized and changing his name to Paul, he set out to spread the news of Jesus.

Paul’s sudden change confused those around him, because he was known as one who not only hated Christians, but had sought them out in order to eliminate them. Now, he was fervently espousing the Gospel of that same Jesus.

Because of Paul’s persuasion, Christianity would become even more widespread.

Paul would spend the rest of his life going from country to country and town to town proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah, organizing and encouraging Christians to be resolute followers of Jesus, and nonbelievers to open their hearts to Christ, repent and be baptized.

He would become known as the Apostle of the Gentiles (non-Jews) and his travels, letters and teaching changed the world.

2. You can be content, despite your circumstances.

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:11–13, NIV).

As a result of spreading the good news of Jesus Christ, Paul endured many trials. He was:

- - - Flogged
    - Beaten with rods
    - Stoned
    - Imprisoned
    - Shipwrecked three times
    - Hungry and thirsty
    - Cold
    - Sleep-deprived

Throughout his trials, Paul’s attitude can be summed up by what he said in Philippians 4:4 (NIV): Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice.

3. You can live with an eternal perspective.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16 – 18)

This physical world can feel like the only reality, but Paul believed time spent on this earth was just temporary. He looked ahead to the reward.

In fact, Paul said, “For what is life? To me, it is Christ. Death, then will bring me more. (Philippians 1:21 GNT)

Clearly, Paul is calling us to lift our heads and trust that God is bringing about an eternal plan in our lives.

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17 Empowering Quotes to Help You Overcome Your Problems

Vernon L Williams — Wed, 15 Sep 2021 14:10:38 +0000

Life is full of its ups and downs. One day, you may feel like you are riding high. Then, out of nowhere, you’ve got a problem. The first step to overcoming any problem is changing the way you look at problems. The following quotes will empower you to do that:

Too often we get frustrated by difficulties. But you have to realize you can’t have a harvest without a few weeds. – Joel Osteen

Peace is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of God in the midst of trouble. – Sheila Walsh

Don’t tell God how big your problem is. Tell your problem how big God is. – Owen Orr

Every setback is a setup for a comeback. – T.D. Jakes

Mountaintops are for views and inspiration, but fruit is grown in the valleys.”- Billy Graham

Suffering is part of the human condition. The key is how we react to it. We can turn away from God in anger and bitterness, or grow closer to Him in trust and confidence. – Billy Graham

We want Christ to hurry and calm the storm. He wants us to find him in the midst of the storm. – Beth Moore

Stay strong. Your test will become your “test-imony,” and your mess will become your “mess-age. – Max Lucado

Nobody likes hard times. But it’s the unpleasant experiences that are often the catalysts to build the character required for our destiny. – T.D. Jakes

Since God intends to make us like Jesus, he will take us through the same experiences Jesus went through. That includes loneliness, temptation, stress, criticism, rejection, and many other problems. – Rick Warren

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. – James 1:2-4 (NIV)

I consider that the sufferings of this present are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. – Romans 8:18 (ESV)

We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations. – Chuck Swindoll

Hold everything in your hands lightly; otherwise, it hurts when God pries your fingers away. – Corrie Ten Boom

If we only see the problems, we will be defeated. But if we see the possibilities in the problems, we can have victory. – Warren Wiersbe

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. – 1 Corinthians 15:57

If God sends us on stony paths, he provides strong shoes. – Corrie Ten Boom

God never allows pain without a purpose. – Jerry Bridges

It’s Your Turn Now… I would love to hear from YOU.

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34 Inspiring Gratitude Quotes to Increase Your Happiness

Vernon L Williams — Wed, 08 Sep 2021 13:40:00 +0000

Research shows that gratitude is strongly associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps you feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.

Be inspired by these quotes:

“Gratitude lifts our eyes off things we lack so that we might see the things we possess.”

Max Lucado

“When I started counting my blessings, my whole world turned around.”

Willie Nelson

“Joy is the simplest form of gratitude.”

Karl Barth

“Gratitude is one of the most medicinal emotions we can feel. It elevates our mood and fills us with joy.”

Louise Armstrong

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a gift and not giving it.”

William Arthur Ward

“Gratitude turns what we have into enough.”

Melody Beattie

“The miracle of gratitude is that it shifts your perspective to such an extent that it changes the world that you see.“

Dr. Robert Holden

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.”

Psalm 107:1 (NIV)

“God says give thanks in everything. That doesn’t mean you need to give thanks FOR everything. You don’t need to give thanks FOR that bad day. Or FOR that bad relationship. Or being passed over at work. Financial hardship. Whatever it is – you are not to give thanks FOR the difficulties, but rather IN the difficulties. That is a very important distinction, and one I think we often miss. Giving thanks IN everything shows a heart of faith that God is bigger than the difficulties and that He can use them, if you approach Him with the right heart and spirit, for your good and His glory.”

Tony Evans

“We need to discover all over again that worship is natural to the Christian, as it was to the godly Israelites who wrote the psalms, and that the habit of celebrating the greatness and graciousness of God yields an endless flow of thankfulness, joy, and zeal.”

J.I. Packer

“No matter what our circumstances, we can find a reason to be thankful.”

Dr. David Jeremiah

“There are three requisites to the proper enjoyment of earthly blessings: a thankful reflection, on the goodness of the giver; a deep sense of our own unworthiness; and a recollection of the uncertainty of our long possessing them. The first will make us grateful; the second, humble; and the third, moderate.”

Hannah More

“If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek His grace.”

Max Lucado

“It is only with gratitude that life becomes rich!”

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

“God is in control, and therefore in EVERYTHING I can give thanks – not because of the situation but because of the One who directs and rules over it.”

Kay Arthur

“A sensible thanksgiving for mercies received is a mighty prayer in the Spirit of God. It prevails with Him unspeakably.”

John Bunyan

“In happy moments, PRAISE GOD. In difficult moments, SEEK GOD. In quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD. In painful moments, TRUST GOD. Every moment, THANK GOD.”

Rick Warren

“A thankful heart is one of the primary identifying characteristics of a believer. It stands in stark contrast to pride, selfishness, and worry. And it helps fortify the believer’s trust in the Lord and reliance of His provision, even in the toughest times. No matter how choppy the seas become, a believer’s heart is buoyed by constant praise and gratefulness to the Lord.”

John MacArthur

“We ought to give thanks for all fortune: if it is good, because it is good, if bad, because it works in us patience, humility and the contempt of this world and the hope of our eternal country.”

C.S. Lewis

“Be thankful. God has commanded it—for our good and for His glory. God’s command to be thankful is not the threatening demand of a tyrant. Rather, it is the invitation of a lifetime—the opportunity to draw near to Him at any moment of the day.”

Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth

“Gratitude is an offering precious in the sight of God, and it is one that the poorest of us can make and be not poorer but richer for having made it.”

A.W. Tozer

“Genuine thankfulness is an act of the heart’s affections, not an act of the lips’ muscles.”

John Piper

“Let us thank God heartily as often as we pray that we have His Spirit in us to teach us to pray. Thanksgiving will draw our hearts out to God and keep us engaged with Him; it will take our attention from ourselves and give the Spirit room in our hearts.”

Andrew Murray

“It’s one thing to be grateful. It’s another to give thanks. Gratitude is what you feel. Thanksgiving is what you do.”

Tim Keller

“When we choose thankful prayer over wallowing in anxiety and worry, we are demonstrating an unwavering trust in God.”

Priscilla Shirer

“A spirit of thankfulness is one of the most distinctive marks of a Christian whose heart is attuned to the Lord. Thank God in the midst of trials and every persecution.”

Billy Graham

“When it comes to life the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude.”

G.K. Chesterton

“’Gratitude’ comes from the same word as freedom (gratis = free). Gratitude is the freeing expression of a free heart toward one who freely gave.”

Ravi Zacharias

“Gratitude produces deep, abiding joy because we know that God is working in us, even through difficulties.”

Charles Stanley

“Jonathan Edwards calls the deeper, primary form of thankfulness ‘gracious gratitude.’ It gives thanks not for goods received, but for who God is: for His character — His goodness, love, power, excellencies – regardless of favors received. And it’s real evidence of the Holy Spirit working in a person’s life.”

Chuck Colson

“Gratitude is a decision of the will, and if a decision of the will, the choice resides squarely with us. Deciding to be thankful is no easy task. It takes work.”

Chuck Swindoll

“To be grateful is to recognize the love of God in everything He has given us – and He has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of His love, every moment of existence is a grace, for it brings with it immense graces from Him.”

Thomas Merton

“I’m just thankful for everything, all the blessings in my life, trying to stay that way. I think that’s the best way to start your day and finish your day. It keeps everything in perspective.”

Tim Tebow

“If there was ever a secret for unleashing God’s powerful peace in a situation, it’s developing a heart of true thanksgiving.”

Lysa Terkeurst

You can practice gratitude any number of ways:

- - Journaling.
  - Praying.
  - Paying attention to the little things in life, like the birds in the trees.
  - Telling someone you’re grateful for them.
  - Doing something kind for someone in your life.
  - Meditating on the positive aspects of your life.

Whatever way(s) you use, as Nike says “Just Do It.” Then, watch your happiness increase.

Discover additional inspiration at https://vernonlwilliams.com

It’s Your Turn Now… I would love to hear from YOU.

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10 Tips for Creating Affirmations that Will Improve Your Life

Vernon L Williams — Thu, 02 Sep 2021 17:49:39 +0000

Affirmations are statements that something is true. Whereas exercise conditions the body, affirmations condition the mind.

Everyone uses affirmations. The problem is that most people only use negative affirmations, e.g. “I am terrible with technology”, “I am awful in interviews”, “I am just not good with money”, “I am a terrible speaker.”

Negative affirmations damage your self-esteem and prevent you from achieving your goals.

The solution is to use positive affirmations. Why? They override negative, self-sabotaging affirmations.

These 10 tips show you how to create positive, life-changing affirmations:

1. Begin with “I am”.

According to Jack Canfield, the words “I am” are the two most powerful words in the language. Joel Osteen says, “Whatever follows the “I am” will eventually find you.”

Example: “I am successful.”

2. Use the present tense.

Keep the statement in the NOW moment in order to establish that the desired change is true today, not some day out into the future. This helps replace fears and doubts with confidence.

Instead of saying: “I am going to become a successful speaker.”

Say: “I am enjoying being a successful speaker.”

3. Focus on what you want, rather than what you don’t want.

Your subconscious mind doesn’t recognize the words “no” or “not.” Because your mind processes the world through pictures or images, saying something like “I’m no longer afraid of public speaking ” brings up mental images of times when you were afraid to speak in public.

Instead of saying: “I am not nervous when I speak in public.”

Say: “I am confident when I speak in public.”

4. Keep it simple. (K.I.S.)

The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary can speak. – Hans Hofmann

This way, you’ll be more likely to remember the affirmations and can call on them throughout the day when you need a boost of motivation or confidence.

Use short, powerful sentences. This makes the affirmations easy to recall.

Example: “I enjoy my work.”

5. Be specific about your desired outcome.

Vague affirmations lead to vague results. If you don’t know where you want to go, how will you know when you get there? So, make your affirmation very specific.

Example: “I am giving a presentation on the recently-released software to a group of my co-workers.”

6. Tap into your emotions.

Use words that ignite your emotions when you say your affirmation out loud.

Example: “I am confidently giving a presentation on the recently-released software to an applauding group of my co-workers”.

7. Believe the affirmation.

You must completely believe the affirmation, otherwise it has no value. Believing that you can do something causes your actions to follow.

8. Write the affirmation down.

Writing something by hand causes your brain to mentally engage much more so than when you type something. Hence, you develop a stronger conceptual understanding of what you are writing.

9. Repeat the affirmation.

Regular repetition of affirmations conditions your brain to accept them as fact. Set aside five minutes three times per day – in the morning (while shaving or putting on makeup), midday, and evening (perhaps at bedtime).

10. Visualize the desired outcome from step 5.

Picture yourself speaking before an audience of smiling, nodding people who stand and applaud when you are finished speaking.

Discover additional strategy for overcoming negative thoughts at https://vernonlwilliams.com/stop-negative-thoughts-today-course/

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Which point mentioned above resonated with you most today? Why?

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6 Amazing Ways Laughter Can Improve Your Health

Vernon L Williams — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 14:21:16 +0000

In his 1979 book, Anatomy of an Illness as Perceived by the Patient, Norman Cousins describes his rigorous recovery from ankylosing spondylitis, a painful collagen illness that rendered him immobile and in excruciating pain. To treat his pain, doctors administered roughly 38 aspirin pills per day and phenylbutazone, which he learned could cause internal bleeding, even when taken in small doses.

His doctors told him that only one of every five hundred people diagnosed with this affliction fully recovers. To beat these odds, Norman decided he needed to actively pursue why his body was reacting the way it was, and how to reverse the damage.

Upon reflection he concluded that a recent trip to Russia had been stressful for him due to miscommunications and tight scheduling. The stress had caused his immune system to be diminished due to the toxic fumes emitted by large diesel truck engines working round-the-clock at his hotel. Recognizing this, Norman determined that he needed to restore his immune system.

Relying on previously-read books such as Hans Selye’s The Stress of Life, he learned that negative emotions, such as frustration or suppressed rage, are linked to adrenal exhaustion. Therefore, Cousins assumed the opposite to be true – laughter, confidence – would yield salutary results. However, Cousins knew that “putting positive emotions to work is nothing so simple as turning on a garden hose.”

To implement his recovery plan, he requested two things from his doctors: 1) To repair his immune system, high doses of ascorbic acid, or Vitamin C which he learned could combat inflammation and nurture his deteriorating adrenal glands, and 2) to combat the unbearable pain, he requested Marx Brothers films, episodes of Candid Camera, and selections from E.B. White’s Subtreasury of American Humor.

“I made the joyous discovery that ten minutes of genuine belly laughter had an anesthetic effect and would give me at least two hours of pain-free sleep,” he reported. “When the pain-killing effect of the laughter wore off, we would switch on the motion picture projector again and not infrequently, it would lead to another pain-free interval.”

What earned Cousins a place in medical history was the fact that his experience was published in the New England Journal of Medicine, one of the world’s premier medical journals. Cousins received close to 3,000 letters from doctors and researchers, who praised him for medically documenting his novel approach.

According to the Mayo Clinic staff, the benefits of laughter are not unique to Norman Cousins. Indeed, you can reap the following health from laughter:

1. Stimulate your organs.

Laughter enhances the intake of oxygen-rich air, stimulates the heart, lungs and muscles, and increases the pain-killing endorphins that the brain releases.

2. Activate and relieve your stress response.

A rollicking laugh fires up and then cools down the stress response, and it can increase the heart rate and blood pressure. The result? A good, relaxed feeling.

3. Soothe your tension.

Laughter can also stimulate circulation and aid muscle relaxation, both of which can help reduce some of the physical symptoms of stress.

4. Improve your immune system.

Negative thoughts manifest into chemical reactions that can affect the body by bringing more stress into one’s system and decreasing the immunity. In contrast, positive thoughts and laughter can actually release neuropeptides that help fight stress and potentially more-serious illnesses.

5. Relieve your pain.

Laughter may ease pain by causing the body to produce its own natural painkillers.

6. Improve your mood.

Many people experience depression, sometimes due to chronic illnesses. Laughter can help lessen depression and anxiety and may make one feel happier.

As Proverbs 17:22 (TLB) tells us: A cheerful heart does good like medicine, but a broken spirit makes one sick.

So, the message is clear – Laugh.

Discover additional inspiration at https://vernonlwilliams.com/stop-negative-thoughts-today-course/

It’s Your Turn Now… I would love to hear from YOU.

Which point mentioned above resonated with you most today? Why?

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5 Steps to Overcoming Your Limiting Beliefs

Vernon L Williams — Thu, 29 Jul 2021 17:30:58 +0000

Beliefs are the lens through which we see ourselves, other people and life in general.

Our beliefs determine what our lives look like. As Tony Robbins said, “What we can or cannot do, what we consider possible or impossible, is rarely a function of our true capability. It is more likely a function of our beliefs about who we are.”

In order to achieve your goals, you must overcome your limiting beliefs that are preventing you from doing so.

These 5 steps will help you overcome your limiting beliefs:

1. Identify an area of your life in which you are not getting the results you would like.

Examples: Work, Health, Financial, Relationship

2. Identify a limiting belief that is hindering your success.

Examples:

“I am not important.”

“I don’t deserve more than I have.”

“There is no point in dreaming big. It only leads to disappointment.”

“I am powerless.”

“I can’t earn a living doing what I love.”

“I don’t have time to pursue my goals.”

“I am too old.”

“I can’t change, this is just the way I am.”

“I don’t know what God wants me to do.”

“I don’t know where to start.”

“I am afraid of trying and failing.”

3. Challenge the belief.

a. Ask: “What pain has this belief caused me in the past?”

Examples: Frustration, stress, lack of fulfillment.

b. Ask: “What pain will this belief cause me in the future?”

Examples: Frustration, stress, lack of fulfilment.

c. Ask: “What pleasure would I experience if I replaced this limiting belief with an empowering one?”

Examples: Peace, satisfaction, fulfillment.

4. Replace the limiting belief with an empowering belief.

Examples:

Limiting Belief: I am not important.

Empowering Belief: God knows the number of hairs on my head.

Supporting Bible Verse: And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.(Luke 12:7)

Limiting Belief: I don’t deserve more than I have.

Empowering Belief: I am the apple of God’s eye.

Supporting Bible Verse: Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings, (Psalm 17:8)

Limiting Belief: There is no point in dreaming big. It only leads to disappointment.

Empowering Belief: I am the head and not the tail. I am the top and not the bottom.

Supporting Bible Verse: And the Lord will make you the head and not the tail, and you shall only go up and not down, if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today, being careful to do them, (Deuteronomy 28:13)

Limiting Belief: I am powerless.

Empowering Belief: I am a victor, not a victim.

Supporting Bible Verse: No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (Romans 8:37)

Limiting Belief: I can’t earn a living doing what I love.

Empowering Belief: God will meet all my needs.

Supporting Bible Verse: And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.(Philippians 4:19)

Limiting Belief: I don’t have time to pursue my goals.

Empowering Belief: I can set priorities and make the best use of time.

Supporting Bible Verse: Make good use of every opportunity you have, because these are evil days. (Ephesians 5:16))

Limiting Belief: I am too old.

Empowering Belief: I will bear fruit in old age.

Supporting Bible Verse: The righteous will flourish like palm trees; they will grow like the cedars of Lebanon. They are like trees planted in the house of the Lord, that flourish in the Temple of our God, that still bear fruit in old age and are always green and strong. (Psalm 92:12-14)

Limiting Belief: I can’t change, this is just the way I am.

Empowering Belief: I can change.

Supporting Bible Verse: I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13)

Limiting Belief: I don’t know what God wants me to do.

Empowering Belief: I will ask God and he will tell me.

Supporting Bible Verse: If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. (James 1:5)

Limiting Belief: I don’t know where to start.

Empowering Belief: I can learn by seeking wise counsel.

Supporting Bible Verse: Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. Proverbs (15:22)

Limiting Belief: I am afraid of trying and failing.

Empowering Belief: I am not afraid because God is with me.

Supporting Bible Verse: The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me? (Hebrews 13:6)

5. Act.

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (James 1:22)

Having replaced the limiting belief with an empowering one, it is time to take action.

Ask yourself:

a. What action will I take?

b. When will I take action?

Example: I will improve my skills by taking an advanced software development course by October August 2, 2021. I will meet with my mentor by August 15, 2021. I will update my resume by September 1, 2021.I will apply for my dream position by October 1, 2021.

Discover additional tips for overcoming your limiting beliefs at https://vernonlwilliams.com/stop-negative-thoughts-today-course/

It’s Your Turn Now… I would love to hear from YOU.

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7 Encouraging Truths to Remember When Life Gets Hard

Vernon L Williams — Wed, 21 Jul 2021 18:16:16 +0000

The thesaurus defines truth as “a certainty.” With that said, may these seven truths encourage you during those inevitable times when life gets hard:

1. God loves you.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

2. God is always with you.

Joshua 1:9 offers this encouragement: “The Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Jesus promised His disciples, “I am with you always.” (Matthew 28:20).

The stories of prisoners such as Corrie ten Boom reveal that they survived imprisonment and torture because God’s supernatural indwelling presence was their lifeline.

God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

3. God is in control of your life.

Your fate does not rest in the hands of fallen humankind: politicians, lawyers, military officers, or employers.

“Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.” (1 Chronicles 29:11-12).

The Lord Almighty has sworn, “Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will happen.” (Isaiah 14:24)

4. God will meet all your needs.

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

5. Christ’s death and resurrection secure your salvation.

In John 19:30 the very last words Jesus uttered on the cross were, “It is finished.” The Greek word for “it is finished” is tetelestai, an accounting term meaning paid in full.

By saying, “It is finished”, Jesus was saying two things: 1) the debt man owed to God as a result of Adam’s sin was finally and forever paid and, 2) He was not only taking away man’s sin, but He was removing it as far as the east is to the west. (Psalm 103:12)

6. Your problems are preparing you for eternity.

These little troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory that will make all of our troubles seem like nothing. (2 Corinthians 4:17)

7. Eternal life with God awaits you.

You have endowed him with eternal blessings and given him the joy of your presence. (Psalm 21:6)

“And the ransomed of the LORD shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” (Isaiah 51:11)

Jonathan Edwards wrote, “After they have had the pleasure of beholding the face of God millions of ages, it will not grow a dull story; the relish of this delight will be as exquisite as ever.”

Discover additional inspiration at https://vernonlwilliams.com/the-power-to-rejoice/

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21 Quotes to Inspire You to Success

Vernon L Williams — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 13:45:25 +0000

Success may be defined as reaching your goals in life, whatever those goals may be. So what can you do to boost your chances of achieving these things? These quotes will help you achieve success:

“Success is not the key to happiness; happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.”

Albert Schweitzer

“It’s your attitude, not your aptitude, that determines your altitude.”

Zig Ziglar

“Your success and happiness lie in you. Resolve to be happy and joyful and you shall form an invisible host against difficulties.”

Helen Keller

“If I labor for God, I fail. If I labor with God, I succeed.”

Jack Hyles

“Many Christians estimate difficulties in light of their own resources, and those attempt little and often fail in the little they attempt. All of God’s giants have been weak men who did great things for God because they reckoned on His power and presence with them.”

Hudson Taylor

“Success is on the same road as failure; success is just a little further down the road.”

Jack Hyles

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know. Remember the Lord in everything you do, and he will show you the right way”

Proverbs 3:5-6 (GNT)

“Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.”

Proverbs 19:20 (ESV)

“Ask the Lord to bless your plans, and you will be successful in carrying them out.”

Proverbs 16:3 (GNT)

“If God is your partner, make your plans BIG.”

D.L. Moody

“God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supplies.”

Hudson Taylor

“Our greatest fear should not be failure, but of succeeding at things in life that don’t matter.”

Frances Chan

“If I succeed, I give thanks. If I fail, I will seek His grace.”

Max Lucado

“Our motto must continue to be perseverance. And ultimately, I trust that the Almighty will crown our efforts with success.”

William Wilberforce

“The foundation stones for balanced success are honesty, character, integrity, faith, love and loyalty.”

Zig Ziglar

“Success is getting what you want; happiness is wanting what you get.”

Woodrow Kroll

“On earth our greatest successes often come after our greatest disappointments.”

Harriett Ward Beecher

“Success is the maximum utilization of the ability you have.”

Zig Ziglar

“Success is dependent on the glands – sweat glands.”

Zig Ziglar

“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”

Proverbs 16:3

“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.”

1 Corinthians 3:6 (ESV)

Get additional inspiration at https://vernonlwilliams.com/the-power-to-rejoice/

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20 Things to Remember When You Don’t Think You Are Good Enough

Vernon L Williams — Wed, 30 Jun 2021 17:06:15 +0000

When you are not experiencing success, you might be tempted to think you are not good enough. During those times it is important to remember that God says you are:

1. His workmanship.

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

2. Fearfully and wonderfully made.

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV)

3. The apple of His eye.

Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 17:8 (NIV)

4. Great.

You make your saving help my shield, and your right hand sustains me; your help has made me great. Psalm 18:35 (NIV)

5. More than a conqueror.

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans 8:37 (NIV)

6. The head and not the tail.

The Lord will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the Lord your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom. Deuteronomy 28:13 (NIV)

7. The top and not the bottom.

8. Strengthened with all power.

Being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience. Colossians 1:11 (NIV)

9. and 10. Holy and blameless.

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love. Ephesians 1:4 (NIV)

11. Set apart.

Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him. Psalm 4:3 (NIV)

12. Valuable.

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Luke 12:6-7 (NIV)

13. A friend of Jesus.

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. John 15:15 (NIV)

14. Adopted into God’s family.

He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will. Ephesians 1:5 (NIV)

15. His heir and co-heir with Jesus.

Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:17 (NIV)

16. A citizen of heaven.

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 3:20 (NIV)

17. A child of light and not darkness.

You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 1 Thessalonians 5:5 (NIV)

18. The salt of the earth.

You are the salt of the earth. Matthew 5:13 (NIV)

19. The light of the world.

You are the light of the world. Matthew 5:14 (NIV)

20. A victor, not a victim.

But thanks be to God! He gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57 (NIV)

Discover additional tips on how to overcome negative thoughts at

https://vernonlwilliams.com/stop-negative-thoughts-today-course/

It’s Your Turn Now… I would love to hear from YOU.

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