Don’t judge her.

She struggles differently. She wins differently. Her pains, her gains – they are hers.

She was raised differently.

She has different values.

Her heart, her soul – they are hers.

She hustles differently.

She loves differently.

Her life, her strife – they are hers.

She’s God’s daughter. So are you. So am I. All created uniquely and beautifully in His image. He love us all.

“Yet you, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.” Isaiah 64:8

Anybody else arguing with God today?

Yep. I’m not proud of it; I just want you to know that you’re not alone.

I know God will win this argument. I know eventually I will look up and say, “I see what you did there.” I know my faith shouldn’t be so shaky.

I’m just being real with ya.

He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. – Matthew 8:26

Doing something out of your comfort zone is scary – even when God is telling you to.

You know what’s scarier? Not doing it.

I often have to remind myself that God didn’t call me to be comfortable. He called me to be compassionate, and He called me to be capable.

Sweet friends, if you’re struggling with decisions today – you’re not alone. If you’re struggling with being brave today – same. If you would like me to pray for you just click that little thumbs up.

Refining.

It’s happening every single day, and you best believe that it’s going to burn.

Sometimes God has to hold us in the middle of the fire to purge the impurities from within us. And sometimes when we are stubborn, when we are refusing to let go of the dross within our heart and soul, He has to hold us there a little bit longer.

Just remember, when He is holding us in the fire – He is doing just that – He is holding us. And He isn’t going to let us go.

Guys, the fire has a purpose. The fire is making us pure. When the impurities within us have melted away and we’ve been purified and cleansed of the world, God will look into the fire, stare straight into our eyes, and see His reflection.

What an incredibly beautiful process.

I want to look like Jesus – even if it means sitting in the fire.

“For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver.” Psalm 66:10 (NIV)

Fear is a combination of insecurities and lies stuck in a constant circular motion similar to a hamster feverishly running on a wheel.

Spinning.

Spinning

Spinning.

That wheel of fear and insecurity is a sentence of solitary confinement that’s going nowhere fast.

We have two options: jump off the wheel or break the axel all together. Until we do one of those two things the wheel will keep spinning, and we will be stuck. Stuck in a cycle of exhaustion. Stuck in a cycle of failure. Just stuck.

Are you brave enough?

Is your faith big enough?

You have two options:

▪️cannonball off that bad boy

▪️break the cycle all together

Either way God is with you. Either way God’s got your back.

But you have got to make a move.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27

Let me tell y’all about a woman’s mind – or at least mine. A woman’s mind can go from happy-go-lucky to the worst possible scenario in 2.5 seconds flat.

Amen?

Seriously. One minute you’re reflecting on all the blessings God has lavished upon you and the next thing you know a plane crash, a house fire, a divorce, and the death of your dog have all played out in your very animated human mind like a horror movie highlight reel.

First let me say this – you’re not crazy, but you are human. You are a human being that the devil is constantly trying to attack, and that jerk knows that your mind is the key to his success.

If he can get you scared, if he can get you upset, if he can get you discouraged – then he has you right where he wants you.

Y’all, when the devil starts trying to play out these very intentional and fear-filled scenarios in your mind I want you to do the following:

▪️Get mad [Ephesians 4:26]

▪️Rebuke him in the name of Jesus [James 4:7]

▪️Fight back with scripture [Ephesians 6:11]

▪️Praise God in the midst of your emotions [Proverbs 18:10]

God wins, guys. Those vivid situations the devil is painting pictures of in your mind aren’t real. God wants good for His girls – not chaos, contempt, and confusion.

Believe it.

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe.” Proverbs 18:10

God listens.

He can hear the cry of your heart from the depths of your soul even when you can’t physically speak.

He knows your pain.

He knows your hurt.

He knows your shame.

He knows your desires.

Draw close to Him. Invite Him into your heart.

God sees you.

He hears you.

He loves you.

He is for you.

“The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

We all have insecurities. We all have that one thing that’s holding us back.

Don’t let it.

Where you are insecure – God is secure.

Where you are lacking – God is overflowing.

Where you are weak – God is strong.

If God is calling you to do something, do not let a lie from the devil hold you back. Do not let him stop you. Wouldn’t he love that?

We are insecure for a reason. Think about that today.

And there is some truth to your insecurity. You can’t do it. You are weak. You’re not enough. But my God is. He is everything we are not.

Do you trust Him? Do you believe Him? Can you relinquish all control and hand it over to Him?

Can you say yes today and go for God?

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

I always think about how cool it would be for this country girl to live in a big city. I think it’s cool until I get on the 610 loop in Houston, Texas. That thought changes as quickly as the cars whizzing past me, and in that moment all I can hope for more than anything in the world is to get out of that concrete jungle.

Last time I drove on the 610 loop it was June in Texas, and the air had gone out in my Tahoe. The wind whipping through my rolled down windows amplified the noise pollution that was surrounding me. Not to mention the Texas heat and humidity beating down on my leather seats. I think they call this first world problems.

I said all of that to say this – the grass really isn’t greener somewhere else. I can envision city lights, a different career, a high-rise condo, a faster-paced life all I want to. However, the reality is I have all I need right where I am because I have God. I have prayer. I have grace. I have love.

God knows exactly where we need to be. God knows where we will make the biggest impact for His Kingdom. I can wish for big city living all I want, but God knows His people and their purpose better than we know ourselves. His vantage point is so much broader than ours.

Don’t waste away valuable time wishing when you could be working to enhance God’s Kingdom exactly where you are. Exactly where He has placed you. Exactly where He needs you.

“Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23

Ten minutes before walking out of my front door for church my English Bulldog Megatron did the unmentionable (while my Roomba was running) and that’s all I’m going to say about that.

Ten minutes before I had to leave for church.

You can’t tell me that the devil wasn’t trying to attack me. You can’t tell me that he wasn’t trying to alter my mood. Wouldn’t he have loved for me to twist off like a tornado right before I walked out of the door for VBS?

But I didn’t let him win.

Inhale.

Now exhale.

Don’t let the devil get your goat, y’all. Don’t let the devil determine the direction of your day. Just don’t let him. Sometimes you just have to grin and bear whatever mess comes your way. Literally.

I know that’s tough – but guess what? God is tougher.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1–2).

Church.

Thank goodness for church.

It grounds me. If gives me peace. When I walk through the doors the Holy Spirit whispers to me, “Hey girl. I’m right here.”

Thank goodness for church.

Yesterday morning I went straight up mommy monster mode. If my husband had Facebook he would be shaking his head up and down saying amen right now.

I don’t even know what happened, but something snapped within me. In 2.1 seconds I went from totally ok to a mad, crying, hot mess of a woman. If that makes me seem weak – good! Because I am weak… but Christ. He’s strong, and He is my BFF.

Everything bothered me. Everything triggered a sassy response. Everything made me someone I hate to be.

But church. When I walked through those doors I could feel the Holy Spirit wrap His arms around me. I could feel the ugly melt away. I could feel a much needed attitude adjustment.

Thank goodness for church.

Thank goodness for a place to run to when life gets to be a little too much. Thank goodness for a weekly pit spot to adjust my attitude – cause Lord knows I need it. Thank goodness for a group of ladies that love me unconditionally, that understand my weak moments, and that pray me through the rough times.

Find you a church guys. Find you a place to belong. Find you a place so saturated with the Holy Spirit that when you walk through the doors all the ugly, all the pressures, all the worries just melt away.

Find you a church. Get up, go, and get grounded in God’s word and spirit.

Thanks goodness for a good church.

“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” Colossians 3:16