Tough times are inevitable because — life. It’s how we handle ourselves in those situations that will make us or break us.

Our outlook determines the outcome. Are we going to learn, or are we going to linger? Are we gonna let God battle, or are we gonna let defeat slay us before we even get started?

It’s hard when we are staring a giant right in the face not to turn around and run for the mountains – arms flailing, heart pounding, tears falling. It’s scary when we feel ill-equipped. Human nature tells us to either lash out or to curl up in the fetal position. Human nature tells us that the situation we are in is utterly impossible.

But if we will fully open our eyes and our heart, we will see that we have a giant of a God next to us ready to slay any so-called Goliath that’s messing with His kiddo. We will see that God’s muscles are so much bigger. And we will know without a doubt that victory is one stone’s throw away.

Are we strong enough? Nope.

Are we brave enough? Nope.

Are we equipped enough? Nope.

Is God enough? You better believe it!

Grab Him by the hand, and let Him fight whatever battle is staring you in the face today.

“David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.” 1 Samuel 17:45

Let me tell y’all something.

If you’re living in bondage – it’s time to break free. It’s time to release the stronghold it has on you, and do not allow it back in your life.

For years I was bound by fear and anxiety. It was crippling. It had two hands wrapped around my throat. Constantly squeezing tighter – strangling me.

I was scared of every single thing. My shadow. Cars. Crowds. Anything different. Scared to die, but even more scared to live.

The closer I drew to God – the more I totally surrendered to Him – the lesser the grip that bondage had on me. Now the only thing that has a hold on me is God’s love and grace.

Yesterday I zip-lined through the mountains of Colorado. (While it was snowing!) Maybe that’s not a big deal to you, but for a girl that would not even get in a vehicle while it was raining – it’s a huge testament of what God can do. It’s a huge testimony of how far God can bring you if you will just follow Him. God makes us brave because He is brave. God gives us peace because He is peace. God lets us live!

Anxiety

Depression

Fear

Anger

Addiction

Jealousy

Lust

Whatever has a hold on you – let it go. Let it go and let God be the ruler of your life. Draw close to Him. He is your strong tower. Your refuge. And He will walk beside you every single day.

When you’re about God’s business you don’t have time to be a scaredy-cat. And that statement is something I tell myself all the time.

“I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts. I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.” Psalm 119:45-46

You will never be your best self until you give your full self to God.

How:

Prayer.

Worship.

Supplication.

Constant communication.

Surrender.

And when this happens you will experience something you’ve never experienced before.

True freedom.

True confidence

True contentment.

Because you will know without a doubt that God created this beautiful human being to do beautiful, meaningful things. Things to further His kingdom.

Y’all, you are so much more than what this world wants you to believe. You are beautiful. You are strong. You are here for a huge purpose. You are God’s girl.

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9

I woke up with two things on my mind this morning. Two things that are making me sit here and grin from ear to ear.

1. I woke up with this song playing in my head. A sweet soundtrack from the past – a sweet reminder. 🎼Jesus loves me this I know. For the Bible tells me so.🎼 As children we are taught these simple words to simple songs in hopes that we will understand and remember them. Then we grow up. We grow up and things get hard. Situations arise and we tend to forget how simple the message really is. Jesus loves us. The Bible says so. That’s reason to smile big, which brings me to the second thing that’s on my mind.

2. Count your blessings, y’all. Look around. Open your eyes. Count the things that you do have – not the the things that you don’t. Im breathing. Jesus is in my heart. I’m sitting on my couch with my warm coffee, a warm blanket, and sweet puppies asleep beside me. Down the hall – two sweet babies and the coolest guy I ever met (that I got to marry). On the radio – praise and worship music. In my heart and mind – a God that loves me in spite of me. A God full of hope and love.

Guys, no matter how your day plays out try and keep this hope in the forefront of your mind – Jesus loves you. That’s good, good news. That’s something to be happy about. It really is that simple.

Count your blessings.

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” – Matthew 6:33

Deborah. Judge & Prophetess.

The more I learn about her, the more I love her. She was a warrior, a writer, and a wife. She was faithful, fierce, and full of fire. She was selfless, and there isn’t a question in my mind that she was savvy.

Mother of an entire nation.

She was God’s girl – no doubt. And when God told her to move – she moved. When God told her to speak – she spoke. She lived her life 100% for God, and she gave Him all the glory every step of the way.

Deborah was full of grace, full of love, and full of charisma. And even though she was of high ranking, she didn’t think “highly” of herself. Her mission was to serve others. She walked the walk, man.

She built other women up in the most beautiful way. She knew there was room for everyone’s gifts. She saw those gifts in others and brought them out.

She was the ultimate leader because she was the ultimate follower – of God that is. And God will never steer you wrong.

“The torrent Kishon swept them away, the ancient torrent, the torrent Kishon, March on, my soul, with might!” Judges 5:21

I cannot pronounce all the names in the Bible – like not even close.

I get the towns and the events crossed up. I’m constantly having to go back and find what happened where. To be honest the names of the towns are hard to pronounce, too.

I have a hard time retaining information period. Memorizing verses – the struggle is really real for me in that area.

I use Maggie’s Faith Girlz Bible because it’s easier to understand than my adult Bible.

But – I love Jesus. I know what He stands for. I know what He has done in my life, and I’m not going to let a few hard words stop me from talking about Him.

And I will proudly rock that Faith Girlz Bible because there are people all over this hurting world that would love to be able to wrap their hands around the hope that lies within that turquoise cover – if only for a moment.

So if you don’t feel smart enough, equipped enough, or just not enough period – you’re not alone. Just keep going. Keep studying. Keep digging. Just keep loving Jesus.

Because He is enough.

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19

“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” – Joshua 1:8

I’m still thinking about Rahab. I just can’t help it. Her story is so compelling. It draws me in. Maybe because I see a little bit of Rahab in myself. Maybe every woman feels that way.

Rahab’s story isn’t one of strangling, sorrowful shame – but one of hope.

She was young and dumb. She did stupid, mindless things. Things that affected herself and others. But – through a very real, and very powerful God, she walked away from her past. She walked away from a sin-filled world and headed toward the Promised Land.

Rise up, Rahabs.

Walk toward the promises that God has waiting for you.

You were lost, but now you’re found.

You were blind, but now you can see.

You were stained, but now you’re clean.

You were dead, but now you’re alive.

Y’all, I don’t care what Rahab did “BG “ – Before God; it’s what she did after meeting Him that matters. It’s the fact that she did a complete 180. She got her do-over, and she ran with it.

And when I meet Rahab in Heaven I’m gonna give her a big ol’ high five.

“But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.”

– Luke 15:32

“Saying, ‘Turn now everyone from his evil way and from the evil of your deeds, and dwell on the land which the LORD has given to you and your forefathers forever and ever;” – Jeremiah 25:5

Rahab.

I love her story.

She’s the ultimate comeback kid. Her story is one of redemption. Her story takes the phrase “Faith over Fear” and multiples it times a million.

Listen, she did some bad things. No doubt. But when push came to shove and God needed her – she jumped. She dove in head first with more faith than most seasoned Christians. And she never looked back.

Last night my friend Darrah said the following words that really resonated with me – Don’t be tied to your past, and don’t tie other people to theirs.

Whenever you start to feel the past creep up inside of you, whenever you start to hear the past whisper lies of inadequacy – I’m gonna need you to remember Rahab. The past is the past. Rahab’s story shouts loud and clear that no matter how blemished we are God still loves us, and He will still use us in mighty, mighty ways.

God took this broken human being, gave her faith like no other, and used her as a key player as the walls of Jericho came tumbling down.

Let me tell you where Rahab ended up – with a bouncy, baby boy named Boaz. Yes, Ruth’s husband. Keep on going down the list of relatives and you end up at King David and then the one and only Jesus Christ. That’s one heck of a family tree.

That’s right. God loved Rahab so much that he invited her straight into His family. And He loves you that much, too.

“And in the same way was not also Rahab the harlot justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?” James 2:25

“Who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.” – Titus 2:14

There’s a very real war raging all around us.

Every single day bad things are happening to good people.

Not because God’s not good – but because satan is very real and very present in this sinful world. And he would like nothing better to trip up God’s kids. He would like nothing more than his attack on your life to do you in. To put you under.

He wants you down.

He wants you confused.

He wants you in pain.

He wants you fearful.

Depressed.

Torn.

Strangled by anxiety.

When we are being bombarded from every angle – when we are in so much pain that we don’t even have words – what are we supposed to do? I can’t give you the words to say because I don’t know them. But I do know this without a doubt, fall down on your face and cry out to Jesus. He will give you the words.

He will give you the words to say, and He will wrap you up in His arms and hold you tight.

Cry out to God. He is our comforter.

“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” – Romans 8:26

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”

– Ephesians 6:12

Y’all, I’m writing a book.

A real one. With a publisher and everything.

And I have the most amazing story to share with y’all about how all of this came together. I’m going to record a video and post it sometime soon. Just know that this story, this testimony, is proof of a very real and loving God living amongst us and loving His kiddos.

Guys, don’t be scared to dream big with God. When your desires align with His desires – get ready!

When I told my kids all that was happening the nine year old was quick to remind me of this sweet truth – “Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

– Psalms 37:4

Yes Maggie. Just yes.