Save this list for when you need Motivation

I  am a huge fan of quotes. They make me think about how I can apply them to my life. The following 20 motivational quotes are my favorites. As we go through them, my goal today is sharing what they mean to me and how I use them.  I pray that they will help you too.

1. “We tend to forget that happiness doesn’t come as a result of getting something we don’t have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.” – Frederick Koenig.

Gratitude is so important. We tend to take for granted all of the blessings that God bestows upon us. Many people have something called a gratitude journal. This is a list of things you’re thankful for at the end of each day. I’m not great at writing them down but I always make sure and thank God in my daily prayers.

2. “Every day may not be good, but there is something good in every day.”
This goes along with gratitude. It’s frustrating when someone you’re talking to only focuses on the negative and never on the positive. I try to find something good in everything. A positive attitude is beautiful!

3. “Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations.”
This goes along the lines of every cloud having a silver lining. My life is a perfect example of this. The three months that I spent in the hospital and all that I went through there, from coma and near death to amputations and rehab all led to a healing process that brings us to the present point in time. Never in my life would I imagine that I would be living almost completely independently, floating down the river, riding a motorcycle and thinking about all the exciting adventures that I am planning for my life and that of my family. It’s pretty cool!

4. “Kindness is free, sprinkle that stuff everywhere.”
What good is it to be grumpy all the time? Put a smile on your face and show kindness everywhere you go. Open the door for someone, smile, say please and thank you. Offer to help a friend, give an encouraging word or hug. My job as a Christian is to be Christ-like. Giving a cup of water in His name is like giving it to Jesus himself. What a blessing that is!

5. “When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.” – Abraham Lincoln.
Sometimes you have to go through some rough times. Nobody knows that better than I do. This is where faith becomes so important There were so many times, especially when I was in the hospital, when I was hurting and scared and I needed strength. My answer for that was prayer. It still is. I gain strength from praying. Let’s face it, giving up most of the time is just not an option. So tie that rope, pray and hang on. There’s always a light at the end of the tunnel.

6. “When it rains, look for rainbows, when it’s dark, look for stars.”
This is another example of finding that silver lining. Rain is inevitable. God made the rainbow as a promise that He would never destroy the world by water again. That is something to be thankful for, God’s promise. When it rains, look for the good in it. Dance in the rain. When it’s dark, look at the twinkling lights in the sky. There’s always a silver lining.

7. “Faith doesn’t mean that God changes your situation. Sometimes it means He changes you.” – Steven Furtick.
I never thought that someday I would be a quadruple amputee. Who really wants that for their life? So much had to change in my life for me to accept this situation and get on with my life. Many times I wonder why did this have to happen to my family and I? We’re not going to know why until the Lord calls us home. God has given all of us the grace to accept what’s happened and continue living life to the fullest. That means that he changes us to have the ability to adapt to whatever situation we are in.

8. “You don’t decide what you are. You are what God created you to be; a person fearfully and wonderfully made.” – Matthew Hagee.
Yes, God created you just as you are in reference to your physical characteristics. However, He gives you the privilege and free will of choice as well. If you are dealt a tough situation like illness, you can rise to the occasion and become a better person emotionally.

9.”Give God your weakness and He’ll give you His strength.”
This quote is another example of faith. Lean on the Lord and through prayer and faith, you will feel Him strengthen you and guide you.

10. “What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.” – Henry David Thoreau.
The ambition of working to achieve goals that you’ve set for yourself creates an inner strength like none other. Your “why” is the driving force behind goal setting. With a strong enough “why” and the willingness to work, you can accomplish any goal you’ve set your mind to.

11. “Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” – Joshua 1:9.
When you lean on the Lord and live within His will for your life, He is right there guiding you all the way.

12. “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.” – Maya Angelou
I love this! Don’t waste your life, just getting through your day. I did this for a long time after my illness. What a waste! It’s the only life you have. It is a gift. Use your time wisely and have fun. Be adventurous and take chances. Make life worthwhile.

13. “What defines us is how well we rise after falling.”
Yes, we can curl up in a ball after something tragic happens in your life. Don’t do that. This reminds me of the Rascal Flatts song, “Stand.” The lyrics say “When push comes to shove, You taste what you’re made of, You might bend till you break ‘Cause it’s all you can take, on your knees, you look up, decide you’ve had enough, you get mad, you get strong, wipe your hands, shake it off, then you stand.” That is an incredibly empowering song for me.

14. “Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass but learning to dance in the rain.”
This is another quote that reminds me to just suck it up. Make lemons out of lemonade.

15. “The final forming of a person’s character lies in their own hands.” – Anne Frank.
I’m really sensing a pattern here. I think you can tell that I like motivation. Don’t quit, drive on and don’t let anything or anyone rob you of your character.

16. “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams and live the life you’ve imagined.” – Henry David Thoreau
Anything is possible if you work hard and make a step by step plan to reach your goals. Break it down into bite sized manageable steps and go for it!

17. “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle.” – Plato.
Have you ever had a situation, when someone you meet snaps at you? Instead of reacting negatively, take a step back and remember that you have no idea what situations they’re facing in their life. Maybe a family member is sick or their husband just lost his job. Sprinkle that kindness we talked about earlier. Bless their day. Your response could be just what they needed.

18. “When God closes a door, He opens a window.”
When I came home from the hospital, someone gave me a picture of this quote that was embroidered by my Gram. I believe that if the doors through which you’re trying to get through keep closing, there will be a window that’s opening. It could be a totally different path but it will be exactly the opportunity you’ve been looking for.

19. “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding, in all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths.” – Proverbs 3:5-6.
This is my very favorite scripture in the Bible. If I’m afraid or uncertain then I call this verse to mind every single time and it always gives me comfort.

20. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe with thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” – Romans 10:9-10.
If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your savior this verse tells you how.