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4 Steps for Getting Started and Not Stuck in Personal Development as a Christian (and a Mom)

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Congratulations! You've decided to grow in wisdom and knowledge!  For those of us who come from. background of anxiety or insecurity, this is a HUGE WIN!!! You believe in yourself enough and ultimately, trust God enough, to lay down your fears (and pride) and say Help Me Grow, I am not where I want or need to be.

It's normal to feel scared and even overwhelmed when you are first beginning. For me, I really didn't jump in to personal development until I started working again in recent years. In all the years before, learning was problem solving, rather the growth. Yes, there's a difference, it's something you don't think about it unless you have a Discipleship Program or a career that helps you with Personal Relations, Customer Service, etc. We aren't necessarily looking for those skills sets as a Stay at Home Mom.

For me, everything I was reading was a Bible Study or a Mom book. I would never have picked up a book on Leadership...I didn't see myself as a Leader, and yet we are Moms...absolutely Leaders in our Homes.

Once we start our personal development journey, or if you want to use church words, when we are being refined, pruned and sanctified, it can feel overwhelming when you first get going. You begin to realize how much you know and can grow next level in but you also see how much you don't know.

Here is where the anxiety trigger gets pushed into our flesh. If we are not guarding our heart and minds in the armor of God's Truth, we are vulnerable to the fiery darts of the enemy who highlights our weaknesses to us and fights to disqualify us from growth. That is his job. To keep us from moving closer to the heart of God. We can be easily swept aways with his half truths.

Insecurity tells us we are not ready or capable to lead. Faith says we can do all things because He is with us and in Him, all things are possible. We also believe He equips us to be where He has brought us. We can be confident in knowing God will never leave us or forsake us. Courage is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to act despite it. 

Step 1:
Acknowledge that being nervous is a natural part of the growth process. You can't get very far in God's Word without seeing nerves but notice how they are cast before the Lord and the Lord answers. He gives us the Manna for every moment. Do you trust Him to provide for what you need whether it's building up or the tearing down. For me, I needed to do both in different ares of my life. 

Step 2:
Gracious Surrender! Letting go of control is surrender. Understand that being scared is human, and it's okay to be vulnerable. God sees every thought already so you can't hide from Him anyway right?!? Cast your cares on Him, ask for rescue and strength. Ask Him to open your heart, mind, eyes and ears to hear and see Him in your every day. Cleanse us Lord and have Your way. Equip us, refine us, use us for what You created us for. Our gifts, talents and wisdom are from You. Strengthen us. Humble us. Prune us. Lead us.

Step 3:
Grab those inner circle Sisters and gird up together! This is where accountability is such a blessing. Otherwise, we can allow ourselves to shrink back. If you're like me, I didn't have that many friends. I am a shy introvert, so knowing many is one thing. Trusting many is different! It's okay. He has placed people in your life from Pastors, friends, community, Divine appointments and resources all around you. Ask, Seek. Find.

Remember that personal development (sanctification) is a continuous process on this side of Glory, and there will always be new challenges because we will never stop growing. Embrace the Grace in the hard but don't get swept away into Can't Waters. Waters of Too Much or Not Enough. 

Take one step at a time. Do not be anxious! Do not fear! Let the fire burn!!!

Step 4:
Evaluate your environment. Surround yourself with like-minded people, online and offline. The things we listen to affect us more than we realize.

Personal Development requires courage and intentionality. God is able to do exceedingly and abundantly more than we think or imagine. Do not allow fear to keep you from growth, or keep you drowning in it without ever walking it out in application. 

Stay salty! Shine your light! Allow God to prune, cleanse, grow, lead you. 

This is the adventure! This is where with is.

His heart is for you Sister!! He is with you!!!! 


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
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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