We are living in the age of "Instant Gratification." It's true. We want it ALL and we want it RIGHT NOW.

However, you cannot rush faith. You have to build it one baby step at a time. And the best way that I have found to build faith is to fake it until you make it.

You want me to do what?

Yes, you read that correctly. I want you to replace that negative talk in your head that tells you, "Now that something good has happened, I wonder what's going to go wrong." You've got to stop waiting for the other shoe to drop. The reality is that there is no other shoe.

God wants us to Thank Him.

So thank Him. Thank Him for everything He has already given you. (and no, you don't have to make a list, He knows)

God wants us to Praise Him.

How do you do that? Just tell others about what God has done for you and give Him the credit. Even if it's the clerk in the convenience store where you get your morning coffee. Tell someone how great God is!

God wants us to expect good things!

If you are continually worried about your debt, you will only bring about more debt. Whatever you focus on becomes your reality. I choose to focus on abundance! So don't ask God to wipe out your credit card debt...see, you're already focusing on the negative....Thank Him for the abundance He has promised to you and that you are counting on, since God does not break His promises!

God wants us to stay positive!

Put inspiring sticky notes on your mirror, or anywhere else you may need some inspiration. Right now the sticky note on my mirror reads,

"Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute
of happiness you can never get back."

That is on my mirror because I am definitely not a morning person. It reminds me that I can choose not to be a grump. And now, mornings around here are much more pleasant for everyone involved!

This is the biggest step! Some situations don't seem to have anything positive attached. So you'll have to look harder! I promise that if you look hard enough, you can find the positive in anything! Even if it's just a tiny spark of hope, grab onto it like it's your life raft and hold on tight!

God wants us to breathe!

"Stress" is the same thing as anxiety. Don't let anyone tell you any differently. Constantly worrying about what you "still have to do" robs you of the moment you are in. We have made ourselves so busy that we rush through everything in order to move on to the next task on our list. Is that any way to enjoy your life? God didn't put you here to be a slave. Stop being a slave to your "to do" list! Slow down and actually enjoy what you are doing, whatever it is. Even if you are washing dishes, for example. You could be thinking about the million other things you need to be doing right now, or you could actually enjoy the feeling of the warm water on your hands, the slippery soap, the fresh-smelling bubbles. Take back that sense of accomplishment you used to feel whenever you were "allowed" to wash the dishes way back when. And practice some deep-breathing while you're doing your tasks. You'll have an easier time keeping those knots from showing up in your neck, I promise. And it'll be a whole lot easier to keep those thoughts on the positive side without that pain in the neck!

That's the faking it part. Next is the making it part.

"Making it" happens when you truly believe deep down in your spirit all those positive things that you have been telling yourself. You truly believe that God has "got your back." You know without a doubt that everything that happens is because God wanted it to happen, because now you have trained yourself to find the positive in everything. Remember, God can see the path clearly. And as long as He is your navigator, you won't be led astray.

So now you've "made it." What's next?

Other people who are searching for faith will gravitate toward you. They will typically want to know two things; (1) Are you for real?, and (2) How can I have that too? They will quickly learn that the answer to number one is YES! And those others will learn from your good example. Just like you are learning from us.

GOD IS GREAT!!!
GOD HAS GOT MY BACK!!!

When we come to the edge of the light we know, and are about to step off into the darkness of the unknown, of this we can be sure ... either God will provide something solid to stand on or we will be taught to fly.