For females, there seems to be an innate need for relationships with other females very early on. Not from a place of competition, but rather from a place of need and support. We begin to learn and glean from each other very early in our journeys. It seems there is a security found in female friendship that anchors us to life in some way. If you know your know.
This article encourages women to find inspiration and guidance from the Word of God and to commit to carrying out their goals. As we approach a new season, it is important to go in with fresh eyes, a fresh mindset, fresh ideas, and fresh habits to avoid getting caught in the mental traps and debilitating behaviors of the past that hinder growth. To embrace growth, we need to be intentional, reconcile past hurts, persevere through change, and avoid stagnancy and complacency. This article provides 7 steps to help you achieve a fresh start and push through to new levels of growth and success. Whether it’s a small goal or a big goal, these suggestions will help you make the most of this new beginning and take the plastic off that’s suffocating you to breathe fresh air and start acting brand new in the life intended for you. So go ahead…Rip the plastic towards a fresh start.
Struggling in life is something we all go through, and it can feel like we’re not performing at our best. However, just because you’re struggling, it doesn’t mean you’re failing. When we’re facing struggles, it’s easy to consider giving up and losing hope. But it’s vital to our livelihood to keep pushing forward and trusting in God for what’s ahead. We must shift our mindset away from negative thoughts about ourselves and understand the role or position we’re in during this season so that we can operate in it more effectively. We also can’t function completely void of others, so we must build strong relationships that foster growth, resilience, and success. Remember, our struggles do not define us, and we have the power to push through and become the Most Valuable Player in our story. The overall goal for all of us is to fulfill our purpose, not just to achieve the accomplishments.
Friend, whatever you are called and purposed to do, do it with God’s strength and leading. Don’t compromise it no matter how bright the lights might be, or how significant the dividends. We cannot pray and ask God to enlarge our territory, and then turn around and let down the borders of our faith; turning our focus to success and popularity. It’s the boundaries of our faith and the wisdom that comes from it that keeps us safe emotionally, mentally, financially, and spiritually. Though it might seem like such an easy edit, just like with my book, deleting God will not help you become the best version of yourself. Even when it’s tempting, Sis…Trust God anyway. You’ll never be disappointed.
To my fellow sisters who may be feeling discouraged, remember to pause and appreciate the encounters with God’s blessings that are all around us. They are always present, even in the uncertainties and chaos of life. Let’s be diligent in becoming more aware of the new encounters God is divinely orchestrating for us. However, do not forget, it’s not the encounter that happens that is the best part…it’s the encounter with Him that makes the difference.
…because I can’t see what life looks like moving forward. However, because of the determined soldier within me, who knows that there is still more ahead and that my calling and purpose depend on me continuing to go forward; I know that I have to keep running. Everything that lies ahead for me is contingent upon it. But that doesn’t make it easier or make feel any better.
To have and to hold. Sounds romantic, doesn’t it? To choose someone and to physically embrace them, hug them, and hold them. That’s what the vow implies. And it probably literally used to mean that all those years ago when it was pegged. But, if you’ve been married or in a relationship for any length of time, you know that the holding gets old. I mean, don’t get me wrong, the holding is necessary…and it feels good. But the holding doesn’t get you through everything. Consider the other components of the vow — for better or worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health. Yeah, if you struggle with any of those elements, holding someone will be the last thing you’re thinking about.
Listen. I’ve decided, whether it be my nails, my car, my relationships, my hair, my faith…if it doesn’t serve me, consider me, advance me, or enhance me…it cannot retain my loyalty by default.
I will no longer settle for MEDIOCRITY from someone else TOWARDS ME to make them appear EXCEPTIONAL to OTHERS. When we continue to give service and honor to establishments, organizations, and people who don’t reciprocate the appreciation, we are ultimately giving an inaccurate reference or stamp of approval for others on the outside.
From battle scars to beauty marks…sounds like a bit of a S T R E T C H doesn’t it? No pun intended. But, that’s only if we correlate “battle” with trauma and injury which seem so infinite. However, I believe, if we submit and commit to the process of healing, whether physical or emotional, transformational beauty is possible.
I know sometimes as we face certain obstacles and frustrations in life, our defenses tell us to “F it” or forget it. But that’s only in theory. Those offenses or emotions that we put out of our mind, on the backburner, or that we suppress…are only lying dormant. They’re not gone. They’re just waiting for the right time to resurface. And by right time I mean a time where we’re forced to bring those offenses up or to face them.
Embracing your “wilderness” might seem hard to fathom; especially when you’re right in the middle of it, or when it also feels like your wilderness is in the depths of the valley – your lowest point.
These two (the wilderness and the valley) don’t always take place together, but the uncertainty that is felt with either, sometimes makes them feel interchangeable or interwoven.
It’s seemingly difficult to imagine all the purpose which is actually manifesting itself out of the experiences of the unknown. But honestly, it’s actually more likely to happen that way than you think. In fact, I would argue that the wilderness and valley are necessary elements in discovering your place of purpose…
