eat the Cookie...buy the shoes giveaway!

How many of you feel guilty when you try and rest or entertain yourself or even do something you really enjoy?

Well stand with me because you in the group of more than 80% of us that do. Why?

Where do you think this guilt comes from God? or the enemy? or ourselves?

Most people feel guilty when they take the opportunity to celebrate. They push themselves to go on with no joy fuel in their tank. Joy is the fuel we need to reach the finish line of an endeavor with a good attitude. We may drive ourselves to finish, but somewhere along the way we will probably become bitter and get a chip on our shoulder if we don't lighten up and take time to celebrate the journey.

I believe that we must confront the reason why we tend to feel guilty about enjoying and celebrating life when God has clearly ordained and commanded both. What? Wait. What did that say? Our thinking has been warped in these areas. Satan has managed to deceive us, and by doing so he succeeds in keeping people weary and worn out, feeling resentful, and taken advantage of because of excessive work and responsibility. We need times of refreshment and recreation as well as work and accomplishment.

God will convict us our wrong choices and actions, but He never makes us feel guilty. Guilt presses down and weakens us, but godly conviction brings awareness of wrong, and an opportunity to change and progress.

Sadly, if we are not confident about our choices, we can easily let other peoples' comments make us feel guilty and ruin the joy we need to experience in life through doing the little things that mean a lot to us.

So I would encourage you all to eat the cookie...buy the shoes. Celebrate your life's progresses and forget about those times where we really punish ourselves for not living up to perfection. No wonder we are often discouraged. Joyce Meyer has written a wonderful book, called "eat the cookie...buy the shoes. Giving yourself permission to lighten up!" from the Hachette Book Group that is due out in mid April.

This book has lifted my spirits up so much and have allowed me to look at my life through those rose colored glasses God has. He sees the good in me in everything I do each day, yet I don't. This is one book that is highly recommended not only for your own library but as a great gift for someone who is easily discouraged and needing a lift!

I would highly recommend this one as a keeper in your permanent library because its great to reference and re-read again and again. It is a reminder to celebrate our life and knowing the difference between healthy indulgences and destructive self indulgences. We need to remember that God is the ultimate party guy and the Bible is filled with celebration after celebration, all ordered by God, and the way they enhanced people's ability to live productive, happy lives.

If you would like more information on where to obtain your copy click here.

I was provided with a complimentary copy of the book by Hachette Book Groups for my review. If you are interested in winning a copy, I am giving away three copies of Joyce's new book. So simply leave a comment here and you'll be automatically entered for a chance to win. Remember I need a way to reach you so if you don't have your email attached to your blog, leave it in your comments. Don't forget to tell others and you get another entry, but come back here and let me know. This giveaway is for US and Canada residents only. No PO Boxes!

I will announce the winners on Wednesday! So make sure you spread the word!