To the Girl Hiding in the Background afraid to Shine.....
"I see your heart. I know it all too well. We are the same.
You wear a mask of the girl you wish you could be. This mask feels like the only chance at fitting in. You work hard daily, saying yes to all the things to make God happy; to meet everyone’s expectations, doing all the things perfectly to earn the approval of God and others. This is how you guard your heart to avoid hurt and rejection.
Our teen years were hard, filled with these insecurities and a constant need for self-protection, both emotionally and physically. You’ve been told your whole life: “the world is evil, be aware of the bad guys”. This is why we hide behind a wall built of fear. If there was a positive to this, it would be your ability to read a room. You have great discernment of the people and environment around you.
You have a pure heart to serve others, you’re just so scared it won’t measure up. If you don’t know this yet, you are also a total romantic at heart, excited to live the fairytale life you grew up believing was real. You dream of having the sweet friendships you see on TV, but your life doesn’t look like theirs and you certainly don’t look like any of them. You don’t feel pretty or smart enough to be chosen. I cannot wait for you to finally know how amazing (and enough) your heart is."
I had the honor to submit a chapter in the new release Letters to My Teenage Self, Vol 2 created by my friend, Nicole Bateman. She asked us to think back on our Teens years and share encouragement for that same Teen today.
This above is an excerpt from my Chapter in Letters To My Teenage Self. So many of us are hiding in the background of life, feeling less than in a hundred different ways. We wish we were prettier, more energetic, smart, funny, successful, daring.
As Believers, I think we can get so busy worrying about pleasing God and others we take our eyes off of all we are and focus on all we are not, in the name of improvement and personal growth, and humility.
I am certainly the first one to say I am not perfect but I was not always that way. I used to think to represent myself as a Christian women, a Church Leader, the Great Mom and Wife of Proverbs 31, I had to be perfect. But I wasn't, so I felt like. failure, all...the...time. This is where works based value slowly becomes our focus of striving towards the goal of worthiness.
God has created each of us in such a masterful and unique way that reflect all the endless characteristics of who He is and ultimately to share His glory, His character, His grace, His perfection, through our lives. It's not our job to be perfect or make everyone else happy.
We are instruments of praise!!!
We funnel His love, His peace, His kindness, His healing hope through us.
What an honor.
In knowing He loves us as we are, we are strengthened and empowered
Even when we come to know this truth, there's still the overcoming part of living it out. I'll be writing about that in the next blog!
Until then, you can check out the stories of these other 11 amazing women who shared their Letters here : Letters.MicheleDickerson.com.
SO much love straight from the Heart of God,
Your Sista Michele
If today's encouragement hugged your HEART today, let me know in the comments or meet me over
in my Facebook Sisterhood Community! Feel free to share this blog with a friend who needs a heart hug too!
This is how YOU get to hug my HEART back!
Heart Hugs and Blessings,
Michele
The Heart of God.
My Rock. My Foundation. My Heart. My God.
It amazes me even as I type this that it has been over 14 years in which God rescued my heart in bondage.
Just as the medical professions ask you to label your pain on a scale of 1-10, we could easily use the same scale for the pain of our hearts and souls. Some days, weeks or even seasons are identified by a marked "2" on the pain scale, whereas others are an intolerable "11." Yah, I hear you...we have all been there.
I talk about my journey of overcoming throughout other writing entries, so I will refrain from this turning into the book it will one day be. I want to share with you about the Hearts From God and how they began.
Fear, anxiety and insecurity ruled my mind and I am sure blocked many blessings I know were meant for me BUT GOD, so much grace, long suffering, loving kindness, rescued me from the chains that bound my heart and set me free into glorious freedom.
Even when I was anxious and fearful, He was a Good Father, protecting and kind, no doubt shaking His head at His Daughter every time she got into her head and started to worry and overthink...everything!!! I know the feeling as a Mom, when you see your children in their head. My kids have brought me to my knees and I can only imagine Jesus dropping to His, in fact, He gave His life that I may have courage and believe.
Oh me, the ye of little faith.
Through a Divine orchestration of events, God brought into my life two woman who would not only Counsel me out of my pit, but became Praying Mentors walking with me, teaching me, encouraging me to remain faithfully clinging to Him with my every exhale. It was almost like a Spiritual baton passing from one Mentor to the other. How blessed and surrounded was I that He would care so much.
Healing was a laborious process. Every breath counted....breathing in, and out, with every intentional expansion of my constricted lungs, every day stronger than the next, more trust, more surrender, more Daily Bread, more joy and more faith.
Time came for our annual family vacation. This year, it was a road trip to New Mexico, a favorite family destination but I was not so sure about the trip. Anxiety still had a hold of my hem, a thorn in my flesh. The wounds were healing but the scars were still fresh.
Here we were headed on a trip that I wasn't sure I could, or should make. I called my mentor and shared my nervousness. She would be the only one who would understand. Knowing my anxiety, she called me to meet her in her office at the church and greeted me with a hug and a card with the instructions I could open it once we arrived to the house in New Mexico.
This would be a significant moment forever etched in my life. Standing in the middle of her office, she would be the first person to have laid hands on me, prayed over me, face to face, side by side.
Our family loaded up and hit the road. Nearly the entire way, I fought for my peace and calmness. I counted every breath, through every passing mile. As we drove, my fear revealed itself through claustrophobia and agoraphobia. I was Holy Determined not to give in to the sting of death in my body. I was clinging desperately to my Heavenly Father, my Authority and Strong Tower with the marking of every mile.
In this season, I came to know how worship lays a covering over worry, slowing snuffing it out. In every breath, I worshiped in constant thanksgiving to the Lord for His provision and Peace, His grace that anchored my soul in trust and surrendering faith, across the many, many, many miles!
I will share more in the book all the details of all that happens next but here's the long story short. Once we arrived at the vacation house, the kids could not wait to get out and explore the new Frisbe Golf Course at the top of the same mountain we usually ski in the winter. I really didn't like this 15 min ride up the very high lift to the top.
My adrenaline was racing and while exhausted from keeping it together, I was equally jumping for joy in awe to be alive! No joke! I took a deep breath preparing myself for another plea for more grace and help, so before we headed out, I grabbed the card given to me. It was time!
What a beautiful card with a heart shaped rock on the cover to remind me God never takes His eyes off me. What a wonderful comfort for a girl who currently feels like she is a mere speck in the middle of a small mountain town, headed to the top of a mountain. Lord, You are good.
Going in Grace, we headed to the mountain and hopped on the lift. I hopped on, smiling and hoping, again. I probably held my breath the whole 15 minutes!! As with healing, it's body, mind and soul. For me, the physical body doesn't always follow the thinking of the mind for my mind was not fearing, but rejoicing.
As common with panic or anxiety attacks, I became very out of breath and a little disoriented, although that could have been the altitude too. Who can stand miles high looking over a cliff and not feel a little unsure of your steps?!? We took a quick family picture and I sent them on their way, because I felt the welling up within. I didn't want them to see me stirring.
It was happening.....
The enemy is so quick to clap his sarcasm, "Well, it was a good try. You knew your faith wasn't strong enough yet."
Tears filled my heart as it began to race. Will I always be so "messed up" Lord? Do my kids see me as ridiculous and weak? Is my husband disappointed and embarrassed by me? Can I ever be normal again? Why did You wait till I was trapped on top of mountain to let this happen? Where are you? Why am I not healed yet? God, please tell me You are still in control, that You have a better plan for me. This cannot be my life.
Not another soul was round. I began pacing and praying, not knowing where to go, what more to say, how to pled different or-pray different or worship different. Then, there it was. Among the white mountain landscape, just inches before me, appeared a grey rock. A heart shaped rock. It was as if God had created a 3D print of the rock from the card I had opened at the house.
As if winning the lotto of Heaven, my spirit jumped inside me. I could hear Him saying these words from the card to me, "I've never taken My eye off of you. Not for a millisecond. I am always near. I love to hear your heart's worship as it consumes the worry, inch by inch, eve over wave. I love to hear you talking to Me."
I picked up that precious heart-shaped rock seemingly dropped from Heaven and held it tight in my hand, squeezing it with all I had physically and releasing my grip emotionally, exhaling the deepest breath. He was near. He saw me. Amen, Amen.
Holding His Heart, The Rock Who is Higher than I....my Strength, my Joy, my Refuge, as He was holding me.
This "heart" of God has become a symbol of His promises to me, of His faithfulness and grace and ever-watching eye over me.
In His fun nature and grace, He sends me these Heart Hugs just when I need them, never when I ask for them, so I have stopped asking. Instead, I worship. I surrender. I trust. He sends His hearts when He knows I need them.
Here's one I found while snorkeling....
I choose to live every day in gratitude and grace. He is my very breath. My Living Water to quench my thirst, hydrate my dry bones. My Daily Bread satisfying my hunger for life. He is my Peace. He is Perfect Love that casts out fear, whom shall I fear?!?
Friend, God LOVES YOU, SEES YOU, HEARS YOU, and He is certainly NEAR, this I know!!!!
Won't you seek the "heart" of God today and ask Him to show it to you in a way that is undeniably Him. Over these many years, God has allowed me to encourage others and share His hope through Hearts From God and I love hearing stories about hearts He shows others which some may not be hearts, but other symbols between them nd their Prince of Peace and Great I Am.
Fear Not! Believe and trust that He is near, because He is!!!
"Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the LORD.
Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the LORD." Jeremiah 23:24
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.
You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13
If today's encouragement hugged your HEART today, let me know in the comments or meet me over
in my Facebook Sisterhood Community! Feel free to share this blog with a friend who needs a heart hug too!
This is how YOU get to hug my HEART back!
Heart Hugs and Blessings,
Michele
Hii Friend!! I am so glad you're HERE for the WHOLE ENCHILADA!!! Well, it's not really an enchilada although I would love to share one with you, Texas Girl here, but for now, here we are.
I pray this guide helps you transformative tools and encouragements to help you reduce stress and menopause silliness in both - your Heart & Home! This is great for any woman of any age, but highly encouraging for those of us entering or already in the Meno-Mama phase.
I could literally write a book on each of these but for now, I will write out as much as I can to get your heart a big dose of HOPE and a big heart hug with links for the practical every day things!
Okay, let's get in to this real application conversation! That's my favorite! Nothing hypothetical here......Let's Get in to this!!!!! And yes, there is a FREE Ebook coming too!!!
I KNOW I am not the only one who has felt that BURN-OUT!!! When you've hit that wall and you're DONE.
How about feeling anxious? Overwhelmed? Stressed but 100% Blessed and you KNOW that for a fact, even when the waters rise and the winds blow, the blessing is still there! I get you!!! I am you!!!! Feel free to pop around in my blogs! I share all about these things in here with hopes to stir your faith and joy to a place of courage!
For me, burn out seemed to happened in waves. I would learn to take some “self-care” moments only to feel guilt and hustle right back to where I was. Anyone else familiar with Mom Guilt? Wife Guilt? Church Volunteer Guilt? Friend Guilt? Work Guilt? You feel like you need a vacation, and a staycation will do too....but afterwards...you feel tired again....rested, but not energized. UGH! I knooooooowwww.... The question that needs answering is "How do I stop feeling guilty when I need to rest or take a break." Simple answer is: Surrender. Let's get into it all.
Stress induced anxiety is something many people feel on a daily basis and we don't really talk about it because it FEELS like we are the only ones not hanging all the things like everyone else seems to.. We assume we are the ones doing something wrong, because the unspoken assumption as a Christian is we are strong, fearless, anxious for nothing, confident and able because our faith is so big. Ohhhh, the terrifying beauty of a life grace....grace upon grace.
Lord, help us create bigger space for grace! Take us deeper and further towards the depths of Your heart. We trust You.
It's a scheme of the enemy to keep us quiet! We are humans with all the feelings and emotions. A quick look in the Psalms and you'll probably find one that expresses where you are too. It is normal to feel the feels. It is what we do with them that sets us apart from others who do not have a believing faith to carry them through the valleys and storms of life. We cast our cares, we step out of boats, stand in fires, sit in prison and stare lions in the face.
If you're someone who experiencing chronic stress, anxiety, insecurity, burn out, I know how you feel. I was there and unfortunately, and thankfully, God sat me down and we had a long therapy session, workshop style! LOL
It's an Even If Life Lesson. Even if I am hurting, confused, scared...I want to worship. Our bodies, our hearts, our minds can all break down and we fight for the contentment in giving thanks in all circumstances, even if. Where it gets tougher is when we are the Encourager in the family or relationship yet we break. That's the main hustle...trying to keep ourselves from falling part while we keep everyone and everything else together. That was me too. Stressed, but blessed. Blessed, but stressed. We cn be BOTH, we just don't want to get so stressed, there is no room for the bless!
As someone who has dealt with that her whole life, I would love to share some of the steps I have taken over the many years, some even recently, that have helped me overcome the seasons,...and the breaths and hopefully help you move back, away from the burn out into freedom and peace in your mind and your body.
Yes, I mention body because way back in the day, I thought healing was done in silos....body, mind and spirit being all separate elements. And while they are, they equally require attention to heal. This is why I don't talk just about mindset, or movement or praying. It's ALL OF IT!!! I will share a link at the end of this of what things I am using to help support my body now that I have learned and lived it for so many years.
I think this is turning into an ebook. I will link it once it is created and uploaded!
Here are 3 Things (and some Resources) When my Feelings Swirl:
1.) Seek Him First, Matthew 6:33
ALWAYS & ALWAYS!! Did I mention always?!? Okay....As a Christian Woman, my greatest Defense, Strength, Peace, and Joy, come through my relationship with Jesus. Knowing Him as Father, Savior, Reigning King and Friend is where our hope and help come from. This is accomplished through seeking Him in Prayer, Being in His Word and Community.
The more you know Him, the more you will trust Him. The more you trust, the more your heart feels able to surrender control, allowing Him to lead you through valleys of work as well as rest alongside still waters. This is accomplished through Prayer and dwelling in His Word. Worship is a way of Life, not a song you sing.
The Lord IS my firm and sure Foundation upon which I fall, stand, kneel, build, rest, fight, receive, learn and grow. He knows our thoughts without a word falling from our lips because he hears our heart's whispers. Thing is, while we can find this in the midst of crisis, how much easier would it be is we lived daily on this Foundation of Truth.
Getting in the Word doesn't need to be a complex thing. Keep it simple and follow His leading. He has surely already been placing bread crumbs along the way to lead you to the next thing. I used to think I needed a highlighter, pen, pencil, dictionary, concordance, notepad, music...just to meet with Him! Oh it was an event! Is there are time and place for digging in and doing an in depth study? Sure! But that is not what a daily seeking is meant to be. He is seeking relationship....not righteous acts.
To seek Him first, you need your heart check, FIRST, then tools if you choose!
- Bible Study Tools:
I did fall in love with the Bible App. It does have some great plans built inside it. It has the audio option for Bible reading too. I love it!!! So if you're looking for a Bible app, I LOVE the FREE YouVersion app! You cn find it wherever you get your apps from in the Apple or Google places.
My Favorite Study Bible is the ESV Study Bible but find one you feel led to!
Nowadays, there are tons of Study tools like apps, journals and devotionals, Notetaking Bibles, and things like podcasts, shows, conferences, workshops and of course sermons. This is not something you have to do alone either. Find your Inner Circle friends. I am mostly old-school and like paper books in my hands to hold, but when I research, I do appreciate the quick answers to questions without pulling out the big books! I do have some journals for Sermon Notes & prayer requests on Amazon and a journal for helping you document and remember the moments God moves..
- Praying:
Keep it simple...Acknowledge Him as Lord, worship in adoration, cast your cares, confess your sins, listen for HIs response and say amen. The most important thing I have learned is prayer truly is a conversation that should be vulnerable between you and The Lord. He is listening because He is near. You don't need to dress it up and edit your prayers. Then, be still and listen. For me, prayer isn't a one and done thing each morning....it's "praying without ceasing."
For me, intercessional prayer is a big part of the Seeking. It’s easy for us Introverts to hide and while we need to take alone time for ourselves it’s important to gather your Sister Circle so they can be what I call the 4 Corner Friends, carrying you on the mat to Jesus. They will stand with you when you grow weary and cheer with you in the victories. Let them in.
I know some you will cringe at that cuz let's face it, we are Leaders in our own rights and we don't really 'need" anyone else to help us. We also don't want people to know we are hurting or don't have things together right now. We know we can handle this season, by ourselves. I get that! I did that for most of my life until I couldn't. I had to set down my SuperWoman pridefulness and let down my gate to the fortress of me and let some people in, to be the hands and feet of Jesus to me.
2.) Purify & Cleanse! Reduce the toxic loads inside and outside your heart, mind and soul.
I know the sounds weird...trust me! I wish I would have learned all of this years ago!!! Toxic hearts, heads and homes can totally fuel our anxiety and stress levels! Let's discuss briefly:
Emotionally...heart & head.
- Learning to establish boundaries is crucial. While you may not be able to remove people or circumstance from your life, you are able to set boundaries that create space for you to move in peace. This is why prayer is #1. Seeking Him is asking for Guidance and this comes through His Holy Spirit and a million other ways we recognize as "signs." Test the spirit's voice and heed accordingly. Sometimes He will call us away from things, sometimes towards things. Move accordingly.
- Gratitude is super important here too. When we allow God to renew our minds, we are working towards purity of thoughts which affect our actions. What we focus on, we feed. While a pity party feels kinda nice for a moment, we cannot stay there. Honor where you are, feel what you feel, and cast them over to the Lord with thanksgiving and praise. Do not sweep them under the rug, or minimize them. You feel what you feel, but let's allow truth and faith to rinse through these thoughts.
- Learning to say Yes to the best and bless the rest with a No Thank you is another practical help. Us Encouragers, those of us who love to bless the socks off people, have a really hard time saying No. But No is a blessing opened up for someone else too.
- Taking some heart time with a Sister Friend will refresh your soul! And if you can take a minute to pray when prompted, do it!! A cord of 3 is not easily broken.
- Aromatherapy is something you can incorporate in your own home and as you travel, 24/7.
Physically...our body and home.
- Get some fresh air!! Take a walk, get some Vitamin D sunshine on your skin. I have also enjoyed grounding, simply sitting outside on the ground GOD made...in the grass, at the beach. out by the water, but at minimum, my own backyard, is sooo good to get out of the house and sit in all the senses of God's creation.
- We live in a world full of chemicals and toxins, so any place in our routine we are able to reduce them will be beneficial to our body as a whole, reducing the stress we take on physically and emotionally. Swapping out harsh chemicals in cleaning products, candles, foods, skin care, even medications is helpful and easy. Reducing the load of toxins in our body causing inflammation is as vital to our body as is prayer to our soul! Trust me...google this and have fun on that research rabbit hole! I buy healthy skincare, makeup and cleaning products!
- Ohhhh and those sugars and caffeines....be careful and do your research! Sugar feeds things we don't want besides our sweet tooth. If you struggle with "food noise" try these peptides.
- In 2022, I was at my heaviest weight and was ready to begin taking care of my Temple! More about that in the linked blog below! In the meantime, pay attention to nutrition and healthy choices!
- I gave up my Dr Pepper sodas. I used to drink them almost all week alongside my teas and coffees...I thought those counted as 8 cups of liquids. NOPE! Caffeine is okay just in moderation. I drink all my water but I also enjoy everything else except alcohol. Same with coffee and tea. Finding moderation that works for your body and healthy versions of them is important to support yourself in body and mind.
- I also added supplements into my family's daily habits which you can find HERE in the blog.
3.) Get Moving!
No, you don't need to actually move zip codes! But you do need to move in your body, mind and spirit.
Depending how you process stress, you may be a runner or a retreater. My hubby releases stress with hyper movement which means he will go to the gym or go for a long bike ride.
For me, I retreat when I am stressed... There will times I shut down and need to cuddle up on those low energy days and lay low but there are other days I need to get my body moving and push!!
When we are overwhelmed some of us escape, shut down and basically run away or try to hide. I sooooo get that. We need space to process our deep thoughts and feelings in the moment, but we cannot allow ourselves to just sit in it and dwell in darkness for endless amounts of time. Moving our body physically is helpful to release the right hormones and energy cells and there’s just soooo much I have read about it and hear all the wellness experts telling us, so let’s get moving.
Having said that, honor your space too. It's okay to rest and be still. We need that time. Just want to be clear about that!
What it looks like...
When I am beginning to feel that overwhelm and I feel myself shrinking back, heart rate elevates and I start getting ancy or sinking back, I will retreat to a space I know my deep breaths will not be interrupted as I sit with the Lord.
It maybe going to the gym or on a walk, a drive in my car, slowly running errands with my playlist at top volume so I can soak in worship. Maybe you can close your bedroom door and curl up with your favorite blanket to read, write, pray, call a friend, worship, or maybe it's a long hot shower.
I live on the water, so somedays I will take my paddleboard or boat out and float around, sometimes with my worship music or silence but always, with my oils and water.
Movement with others in mind...
You can also get moving in Love. No, not that kind of movement. Love through acts of kindness.
It truly is a blessing to Bless, so ask the Lord to show you how you can be a vessel of Love to someone else. It may be something as simple as reaching out to someone He brings to mind with a text or phone call, maybe a coffee date or going for a walk. Maybe it's serving in your community or helping a neighbor, hanging with a Sista and making plans for some upcoming things (future casting).
You can even pop in to the social medias and bless a whole bunch of people with an encouraging post or comments. There's no end to where you can bless!
I promise you, you will feel less of a mess when you bless!
At the same time, allow yourself to be on the receiving end too. Pray for sweet Sisters who align with your spirit and build that foundation of trust. There will be seasons of comings and goings of people in your life. Trust Him with them. let Him bring in your circle the ones He has planned for you. Watch that wall fear builds and instead, build a bridge that allows the coming and goings.
Grace Upon Grace, Boundaries, Sisterhood, Cleansing, Renewing the Mind and Body, Movement, Serving and Loving Others....all these precious "things" create our own little world of Peace and Hope! It is up to US, to create space for grace in our heart and home.
I would LOVE for you to join me in my Community for Introverted and RISING UP Women of Faith.
We are the BUT GOD SISTER SQUAD!!!!!
Other resources that you will find helpful are Christian apps like YouVersion and ministries like Lifeway Women, Women of Faith and Proverb 31 Ministries to name a few.
If you missed the Products Blog, here it is again for ya!
I've listed as much of what I use in there with links to make it super easy for you!!
Okay friends, that's all for now. I am praying as I write this, what feels like a book, it blesses you in every way.
I pray this guide helps you get your heart moving in hope and possibility, of what's possible. What we allow into our body, our mind, our soul, matter! The more toxic thoughts and things we allow in, the more energy we must use to manage it. I want to use my energy in so many other beautiful ways as blessings, not constantly fighting.
My prayer is constantly, Cleanse me Lord, purify my heart, my mind, my body so that I can be filled with more of You and work in Your strength, peace and purpose.
When I am feeling heavy and weighed down, the less I want to move. Help me make room, lying it all down at Your feet and help me moooooove in body, mind and spirit Lord....
Lord, today we surrender deeper still, again, to Your calling on our lives to honor You in all we think, say and do.
Help us know how to to care for our temples, these temporary earthly vessels so our feet move with fervor and our hands hold strong the things You place in them.
Clear out the distractions and make clear our path once again.
Light up our paths and lead us. We trust You and Love You.
Forgive us when we start to fret and pull back.
Send us those 4 corner friends Lord who lead us to You in our time of need. Send us Lifters and let us be Lifters for others too.
We surrender our laziness, stubbornness, fear and pride.
We need You Lord.
Renew our minds and refresh our hearts.
To You be all the Glory forever! In Your Son's Redeeming Name, Christ our Lord,
amen.
All the Grace, Hope and Love,
Michele
If you enjoyed this guide or topic, this is what I love to talk about in the blogs! Feel free to read around! Head over to www.WhereFaithIs.com or click on the Heart Blog tab at the top and enjoy! So much love for ya!!!! HUGS!!!!
If today's encouragement hugged your HEART today, let me know in the comments or meet me over
in my Facebook Sisterhood Community! Feel free to share this blog with a friend who needs a heart hug too!
This is how YOU get to hug my HEART back!
Heart Hugs and Blessings,
Michele
Wow, it's been over 14 years....if I am being honest, that fact alone makes me both angry with myself yet so grateful to be here in this blessing of hope and healing, in the overcoming of fear, anxiety, insecurity and less-than-the-bless.
The very things I thought I would never do, I am. What I thought wasn't for me, was. I have never been so glad to be so wrong in all my life!
Read more...
Do you ever feel like every thought you have is a wrestling match of good vs bad? You are afraid yet confident...excited but terrified? Anticipating yet avoiding?!? Or is it just me!?!
God is faithful and uses our tests for testimonies if we let go of fear and pride to let Him use us!! In the beginning of your personal development journey, you realize how much you don't realize about your thoughts. As much as a positive thinker I am, I have allowed fear to set up an ocean of fear that my thoughts soak in. I assumed I was just a worrier. I assumed I was just cautious. It wasn't until I began learning I could discipline and cleanse my body and my mind, renewing it day by day, in faith, with grace, through Love.
It begins with prayer. Asking and Seeking His presence first of your day, throughout your day, as you laid down your head. In our prayers, affirming Who He is as our Father and Friend. It is confessing your fears and doubts and releasing them from your control, turning them over to His control. It's adoration, sitting in worship and gratitude.
When we set our minds on things from above, our hearts and faith strengthen.
Since this learning, I am constantly soaking my thoughts in the deep living waters of faith. This is where I have found peace and joy.
There is no depth too deep, shoreline too far or hug of God too far from you. He hears you and sees you because He loves you so very much and nothing can separate you from His Sweet Love!
Fear IS a trap!
Fear IS isolating!
Fear IS suffocating!
Fear IS weakening!
Fear IS minimizing!
Faith IS strengthening!!
Faith IS plentiful!!
Faith IS reaching!!
Faith IS embolding!!
Faith conquers Fear!
Walk by FAITH, do not fear!
“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones." Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.”
â€â€Genesis‬ â€50:20-21‬ â€ESV‬‬
If today's encouragement hugged your HEART today, let me know in the comments or meet me over
in my Facebook Sisterhood Community! Feel free to share this blog with a friend who needs a heart hug too!
This is how YOU get to hug my HEART back!
Heart Hugs and Blessings,
Michele
