As our world gets increasingly chaotic, it is easy to lose our sense of peace; the assurance that we can rest in the Lord.

Sometimes, in an attempt to bring order to chaos we develop compulsions or feel the need to control others.

If this describes you, I challenge you to complete these affirmations and activities over the next few days.

Meditate on the verses and see how quickly you feel calmer, more relaxed, joyful and at ease!

Day 1

My Affirmation: I will not rush myself. I will not rush anyone else.

My Assignment: Today I will value the beauty in people, rather than finding satisfaction in perfection/order.

Day 2

My Affirmation: I do not have to win.

My Assignment: Ask your husband, child, or friend their opinion, and go along with their plan (even if you think it’s illogical, or the timing is poor, go along with it joyfully).

Day 3

My Affirmation: Releasing control over little things brings freedom.

My Assignment: Just for today, eliminate ONE “important” part of your daily routine…and observe how well the world survived.

Day 4

My Affirmation: I love being listened to and respected. I will give my undivided attention during conversations today, without multitasking.

My Assignment: Slow down and purposefully do one thing at a time. In your daily conversations today, give eye contact and listen as others speak.

Day 5

My Affirmation: I have GREAT ideas! But so do others.

My Assignment: Ask your husband, child or friend what two fun things they would like to do together in 2019. With a smile, schedule a date/time for those two things and put them on the calendar.

Day 6

My Affirmation: It is hurtful when someone belittles me, or immediately shoots down my ideas/thoughts.

My Assignment: Smile and give eye contact when a “difficult” person is speaking. Praise what you enjoyedabout what they said. That’s’ it. Keep all negative thoughts or comments to yourself. Think: “Would I like someone to say this to me?” If the answer is “no,” don’t say it.

Day 7

My Affirmation: Life is hard and full of responsibilities for everyone. Nothing is as big a deal as I think it is right now.

My Assignment: Write an actual list of your biggest challenges (emotional, physical, financial etc.…) Give them to God and ask Him to give you new thought patterns when facing these inevitable challenges.

Day 8

My Affirmation: My brain is tired and needs to slow down. I no longer need to overthink or complicate things.

My Assignment: Spend at least one-hour journaling about the best/most significant times in your life.

Day 9

My Affirmation: I’m not perfect. No one is perfect, and that’s ok.

My Assignment: Write a list of 10 qualities you like about yourself. Then, list 10 of your favorite qualities for each family member or close friend Mention at least one of these qualities to the person each daily. People thriveon genuine compliments and praise…not for meeting some level of approval, simply for existing.

Day 10

My Affirmation: Life is an adventure!

My Assignment: What are a few things you would like to do or experience? Look them up online and schedule dates/times to do them. Yes, you are a wife/mother/friend/worker/student, but you still have a life to live.

Day 11

My Affirmation: I am a good friend.

My Assignment: Call (NOT text) someone you haven’t spoken to in a long time, someone long-winded. Sit or lay down when on the phone and focus on that call– no multitasking!

Day 12

My Affirmation: People are more important than tasks.

My Assignment: Welcome interruptions. If you are in the middle of doing something and someone needs you, calmly stop what you are doing, give the “interrupter” a smile and your undivided attention. When they are done, resume your task. You have just made them feel loved and respected.

Bible Verses for Your Personal Study:

1 Corinthians 13 King James Version (KJV)

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

Proverbs 21:9 King James Version (KJV)

It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.

Proverbs 21:19 King James Version (KJV)

19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

Colossians 3 King James Version (KJV)

Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

Article Written by: Renelle Roberts