Welcome to The Heart Blog! 
Praying you find some love, truth, and Heart encouragements!

Additional Resources over on HeartsFromGod.com

Heart Blog

What is the 11 Day Jumpstart? One Year Review

Looking to jumpstart your health and wellness goals in the New Year? Consider joining the 11 Day Jumpstart program! This program focuses on resetting your body and mind, creating new routines, and establishing healthy habits. With delicious and nutritious meals, no starving required, and the guidance of an experienced founder, this program is perfect for those looking to make a lasting change. Not only does the program emphasize what you eat and how you move, but it also teaches the importance of mindfulness and maintaining a healthy mind. Join over 3,000 participants each month as you embark on this journey together. Take the first step towards a healthier you today! Check out more at jump.micheledickerson.com 
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How to Be More Confident as a Shy Christian Introvert : 3 Quick Tips

In a world that seems to favor extroverts, being a shy Christian introvert can be challenging. However, confidence is a trait that can be grown by drawing closer to our faith. Grounding ourselves in our beliefs and surrendering our fears and anxieties to God can help remove the burden of others' opinions. It's also important to develop social skills at our own pace, taking small steps outside our comfort zones and celebrating our unique gifts and talents. By doing so, we can cultivate the confidence needed to navigate the world with authenticity and embrace our personal growth journey.
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Finding Peace and Joy in the Every Day Chaos: The Gift of Christmas

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365 Days a year, we have this Gift of CHRISTmas to open…to give and receive. 

No matter what this past year was for you, we have every new Today to keep opening our Gift. When the Lord created us in our Mother's Womb, He knitted within us a specific design for power, impact, love, strength, ability and value. We were created to radiate His glory through our hearts, loving Him and loving others in a world Created by Love yet for the most part, betraying it every day. 

We were created as Light Houses to shine in the darkness. 
When the Son is before us, 
shadows cast behind us. 

We have the Holy Spirit, who helps us in our weaknesses and our doubts to strengthen us to show up in power and love in. world so desperate for it. I think we get so busy or down on ourselves www forget our missions, we forget our equipping to change atmosphere in Jesus Name. When ws the last time your heart smiled? your should felt truly rested? surrendered?

We have all we need to walk consistently and confidently in our missions here on earth. You don’t have to be perfect. God is perfect!! Jesus gave us His heart and we have the choice to give Him ours. 

When He holds our heart, our world opens up in ways we cannot imagine. Everyday is a Gift. 

So while we sit in the dreamy decor of Christmas lights and shiny gift wrapped presents, may our souls be kept in His Presence. When you feel the swift swoosh of Calm and Delight, it's not magic...it's Holy Ground shaking beneath your feet. It's the reminder of an Oh so Holy Night, Divine Appointments, a Prophecy and The Promise fulfilled.

Today, may you also find yourself at the Feet of Peace, adoring the Great I Am, The King of Glory who Is, Was and Is To Come. He is the Alpha and Omega, The One our Hearts Long for. Let the Silent Night be your daily hope. For unto us, Our Savior was gifted to us. Receive His heart in to yours and let's choose to Light up this world with the Hope we have.

♥️

I enjoy sharing little videos of encouragement on my Facebook Page if you don't follow me over there, I share my heart over there too! 

Blessings, 
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

Authentic Connections: Trusting God, Overcoming Shyness, and Building Friendships – as an Introver

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Wishing you had more friends? Feeling shy? Wishing you had more energy to have more friends? Wishing you felt like one of the cool kids too?!?

Insecurity is a thief! Shyness and insecurity robs us of joy, confidence, and the ability to have meaningful connections with others. This is especially hard when you are an Introvert, and even more so if you have dealt with anxiety. It takes real energy to put ourselves out there!

The fear of being judged, the fear of rejection and the constant comparison to others is exhausting! It leaves us paralyzed, hesitant to trust ourselves and, more importantly, hesitant to trust others. And let's get really real...when we don’t really like who we are, we assume others won’t either.

There's the bottom line of it all!! FEAR!!!

But God! We were created as a precious and important part of The Body. We need others in our life. How else will Titus 2 happen? How else will we mentor others and Go Therefore to disciple others?!? It begins with the hearts closest to you. For me, the key to making real friends and breaking free from "friendship-insecurity" was when I focused on trusting God’s heart first, to lead me to others He had prepared for me.

At the core, I think most of us who are shy or struggle with insecurity, need to look at our lack of trust—trust in ourselves, trust in others, and trust in God. When we anchor our trust in God, we build confidence and can embrace vulnerability with others. I knew I was a good friend to others...loyal and trustworthy. I just had a hard time sharing my own heart, out of fear.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Taking small, intentional steps toward vulnerability and openness feels scary but again, if we place our trust in God first, seek Him first, we can start practicing our vulnerability with Him which will help us do the same with others. The first friend you should have, after Jesus, of course, is yourself. I know that sounds weird and hard to do but it’s necessary! 

I know! You don’t really like too much but that’s because you’ve listened too long to what the enemy has told you. You’re pretty cool actually and when you find your friend group, you’re gonna light up inside and feel blessed. You won’t feel the need to hide or filter your thoughts. That feels so good! Trust me! 

Here are a few things to get started:
  • Prayerful Reflection: Begin by seeking God. Ask for wisdom and discernment in understanding your own insecurities and how they impact your relationships.
  • Scriptural Assurance: Trust God’s Word over you. Understanding that you are loved, valued, and protected. Lean into His friendship first.
  • Community: Surrounding yourself with like-minded people can provide encouragement and accountability. Practice sharing your opinions and talents with a small group and allow God to expand your boundaries of friendships one person at a time.
As you begin to open up to others, here are some practical steps to develop trust with others:
  • Invite God: Invite God into the relationship, whether it’s working, friends or intimate, inviting God to be part of the cord of three strands not easily broken is crucial for alignment and building trust.
  • Open Communication: Share your thoughts and feelings with others, and encourage them to do the same. Transparency builds trust. Remember it should be 2 ways!
  • Forgiveness: Understand none of us are perfect and misunderstandings will happen. Embrace a spirit of forgiveness, recognizing that forgiveness is a gift to yourself as much as it is to others. It allows relationships to heal and flourish.
  • Celebrate Each Other's Journey: Instead of comparison, celebrate each of your unique journeys. Recognize that everyone has their own struggles and triumphs. You may be someone's answered prayer in friendship! Ever thought of that!?!
Breaking free from insecurity is a process. It's a personal development journey for sure! This all begins with trust— trusting God, trusting ourselves, and trusting others. By anchoring our relationships in the unwavering love of our Creator, we pave the way for meaningful, authentic connections. 

With God as our BFF, we can overcome insecurities and experience the richness of genuine relationships.

It’s worth the time and energy to do the work necessary to open your heart! As an Introvert, you likely don’t want or need a ton of friends and that’s okay! But we do need some to do life with. Pray for those iron sharpeners whom you can trust with your heart and watch your heart overflow and wash away shyness one heart hug at a time!

I am excited to be your friend!! If you are looking for a group of other shy Sisters, meet us over in the ButGodSisterSquad.com

Big Heart Hugs,
Your New Friend,
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

Breaking Free from Overthinking: 3 Steps to Getting Started

In the fast-paced world we live in, full of shiny objects and options, it's easy for the mind to become a battleground of overthinking, anxiety, and fear. For Christian women, it's so important be aware of the tendency to overanalyze situations, anticipate problems, and dwell on negative outcomes so we don't give the enemy a foothold. Let's create a space for grace with these three practical steps that can help break the chains of overthinking...

Step 1: Let Go and Surrender
The foundation of overcoming overthinking lies in surrendering to faith. As a Christian woman, you are called to cast your anxieties on the Lord, for He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). Embrace the truth that God is in control, and His plans are greater than any anxious thought. Begin each day with prayer, committing your worries to Him and seeking His guidance. Create a sacred space for quiet reflection, allowing God's peace to fill your heart and mind.

Step 2: Replace Negative Thoughts with God's Word
The power of Scripture can transform our thoughts and renewing our minds. Memorize and meditate on the scriptures, allowing them to replace negative thoughts with the promises of God. Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Step 3: Practice Mindfulness and Gratitude
When you feel yourself tempted to overthink, ground yourself in the present moment. Pat attention to your thoughts and where they begin shifting into a negative space. Take deep breaths and focus on the beauty of the present moment, engaging al the senses. 
Sit in gratitude. Give thanks for the blessings in your life. A heart filled with gratitude cannot be consumed by overthinking. As the Apostle Paul encourages in Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

The enemy would love for you to be consumed with overthinking and keep your mind swirling! BUT GOD!!!! He is not the God of chaos!

As a Christian woman, you have the armor to guard your heart and mind, God's Word, and gratitude to overcome it. By surrendering your over abundance and swirly thoughts to God, replacing negative thoughts with His promises, and practicing mindfulness and gratitude, you will break free from the shackles of overthinking and experience the peace that surpasses all understanding. 

Embrace the present moments, making the wisest decision you know how to and release it to The Lord, walking confidently in the assurance that you are held in His loving hands.



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
 
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I am so glad (and honored) you are here! I have been blogging since 2009 as a way to journal out my thoughts as I pray God would use these story shares as practical heart encouragements for YOU TOO! We all need to recall and share those Living Stone moments.
Feel free to look around and make yourself at home! 

If you're looking for Journals & Books, check these out over on HeartsFromGod.com too!!

If you are looking for an Online Sister Community 
?Are you an Introvert Rising?!? If you are looking for a Community of HEART Centered, Jesus Lovin' Sisters ready to rise up over their insecurities and seek after the Heart of God?!?  Meet us here! 

I share encouragement over on the Facebooks on my personal profile as well as the Encouragement Page Livin’ Where Faith Is on too.

I have two free resources for you: 
1.) If you'd like some help sharing YOUR story or testimony, here's a link to grab the fill in the blank PDF I created to help you get started sharing YOUR heart with others! There's a video that goes with it over in the But God Sister Squad Community on Facebook.

2.) www.CreatingSpaceforGrace.com is PDF I share the things I have done (and do) the help guard my peace on the daily!!! I get asked about this all the time, this is my practical resource guide!

Heart Hugs and Blessings,

Michele"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named that according to the riches of His glory He may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith--that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."
Ephesians 3:14-21 ESV


Pssst...by Law, I have to share there are affiliate links in here where I earn money from your purchase when you make a purchase! it's affiliate marketing and I love not having to sell stuff! And you know me, I am not gonna sell anything, but I will share everything! I love it! 

A Little About My Heart

 
Born and raised in the church, a Christ Follower, Kingdom Encourager, Wife, Mama, and an Overcomer! GLORY TO GOD!!

I lived most of my life fearful, anxious, and insecure.. I found myself always hiding but serving, striving for perfection in my less-thanness, as a way to earn my worth to self, God and others, sacrificing in the name of serving, hospitality and humility...putting others needs before my own from a place of hiding in my lack, and trying to earn value rather than serving in the space of grace, confident faith and overflowing love. 

Never attaining, only to lead a life of more insecurity, overwhelm, anxiety, and panic, screaming to break free from this bondage, to be that actual strong, courageous Christian Woman everyone else seemed to be, but me. 

BUT GOD.

In 2009, Where Faith Is was born as a blog, learning my voice behind the safety of a keyboard, building courage to speak my truth behind the screen...and here all these years later, Little by little, God is expanding my heart boundaries as He reveals more of His to me. I am so excited to share so freely! 

I especially love being an encourager to other encouragers in the faith who know they are called to encourage yet they themselves struggle with their value and ability. Isn't that how the enemy works? He tries to disqualify us in the same area we are called to shine! What an irony!  

I believe if more people let go of fear and insecurity, surrendered to grace and BELIEVED their value, their spark for life will return to a roaring fire that lights up wet wood! 

When women choose to walk courageous and strong in body, mind and spirit...they step out of the boat and walk on water as Peter did, part the waters like Moses and set more people FREE in His name through their Divine purpose to the Glory of GOD! We are each a Light House of Strength on the shorelines of Grace . 

Friend, you may not believe it, but you are meant for more than eat/sleep/work/repeat. You are also equipped with good works to serve and bless the Kingdom Body, and the world with His Love, through YOU! You've got to surrender your fear and let Him lead you.

You are more able than you think you are and most likely, the thing you feel is the weakest part of you is the strongest thing about you!

If you are an introvert too and want to be a part of our newly launching online community, we are here for you!! Let's Connect! It's an honor to encourage the Encouragers.

I am H.I.S. (Heart In Surrender & Service).

Hugs & Blessings, 
Michele

"So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." Philippians 2:1-4

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