Sometimes we just need to:

Pause.

Pray.

& Ponder.

We need to ask ourself the question where can I make the biggest impact for God’s Kingdom today? Where do you want me to go, God? What do you need me to do?

Sometimes we need to pause and listen for God’s answer. It’s not about what we want. It’s about what God needs.

Today is about what I can do for God’s Kingdom, not what I can do for myself.

“As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18

Alexa, turn my mom, wife, everyday life brain off so I can sleep.

Didn’t work. So there I was. Wide awake. For hours.

Desperate times call for desperate measures. When I finally fell asleep and the always went off, I reverted back to old habits and hit snooze. And hit snooze. And hit snooze again. I made the choice to sleep until the very last second instead of waking up early and spending time with God.

And it showed all day long.

It’s funny how quickly we forget what we know to be true when we allow outside factors to creep in. Waking up early and spending time with God doesn’t mean less sleep. Waking up early and spending time with God means more energy for the day. More focus. More peace.

Today I challenge you to set aside time for God for five days in a row.

Just Him and you.

No outside noise.

All your focus on Him.

He deserves it.

He longs for it.

And we need it, too.

Make time for God.

I promise that you will see a huge change in every aspect of your attitude and daily ins and outs.

“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”

⁃ Psalm 91:1

A store. A home. A restaurant. A ball game. An event. The road. All environments. All chances to make a positive impact.

Negativity breeds negativity, and even the most positive person in the world isn’t immune.

Unless.

Unless that person is also prayed up and strategically ready for battle.

Without Christ, even the most positive person in the world is no match for another human-being doused in a negative nature.

Without an awareness of your surroundings and daily prayer driven by focus and intentionality, anyone can easily slip into a slump of skepticism.

Don’t let a negative person or environment dictate who you are in Christ. Let who you are in Christ dictate the negative environment.

Something I’ve learned the hard way is that I can’t just put on my positive pants and expect everything to be ok. I’ve got to step into my praying pants and hike those bad boys up.

“In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” Psalm 5:3 (NIV)

No matter how bleak or awful the situation that you face today is, please remember this:

I have a book that specifically says God wins.

I have a book that says evil won’t prevail.

I have a book that’s says light overcomes darkness.

I have a love letter written by the King of Kings that says He will wipe away every tear.

I believe that. I cling to that. My hope is in that.

Don’t let an evil world rob you of the hope and confidence that comes with being a child of God.

Keep doing good.

Keep loving your neighbor.

Keep loving your everyone.

Keep praying.

Keep going.

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21

Bitter. Party for one.

Been there. Done that. It’s an awful place to be.

Sometimes life comes at us out of nowhere. Bad times – bad things – can roll in quicker than a Texas thunderstorm in the middle of July.

Unexpected. Loud. Messy. Destructive.

We’ve got to be ready, y’all. We’ve got to be ready to combat the bad times with the sound doctrine of a very good Father.

We are all going to get down in the dumps, but we do not have to stay there.

We don’t have to brew.

We don’t have to stew.

And we certainly don’t have to ferment.

Instead we can choose to rise up, roll out, and revel in the promises of our one true King.

Next time bitter invites you to a party, chunk that invite into the closest trash can and set it on fire.

“Behold, it was for my welfare that I had great bitterness; but in love you have delivered my life from the pit of destruction, for you have cast all my sins behind your back.” Isaiah 38:17

I don’t have it all together. Not even close. I bet you don’t either, and that’s a good thing. People need to know that about us.

Let’s be real. Be raw. Be open to sharing your hope in the middle of your hectic.

Someone is watching you. Someone that’s going through something hard. They need to hear that you’ve been there and done that. They need to know that they will survive whatever they are in the midst of, too.

They will survive because you survived. They need to know that yes it’s hard, but with God living within their heart they can overcome hard.

They can overcome:

Tired

Stressed

Overwhelmed

Overworked

Underpaid

Grief

Anxiety

Depression

Addiction

They can.

You can.

We can.

Because God can.

“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,” 2 Timothy 1:8

Not smart enough.

Not pretty enough.

Not strong enough.

Not brave enough.

Not rich enough.

Not eloquent enough.

Just not enough.

Good.

Those are the world’s standards – not God’s. If you are God’s girl, you are always enough – because His power is living within your heart and soul like a mighty, rushing river. Let Him rise up within you today.

Maybe you are shy – God’s not.

Maybe you are weak – God’s not.

Maybe you can’t speak up – God can.

Maybe you don’t have the finances – God does.

What is your maybe? Fill in the blank, but then rest assured that it’s ok. Whatever your “blank” is, whatever the area is that you feel less than in – it’s going to be ok.

It’s going to be ok because at the end of your blank you are always able to add:

God’s not.

God can.

God does.

God will.

Don’t ever doubt what God can and will do through little ol’ you. Just read up on [King] David – a little shepherd boy with a huge heart for God. Whatever you’re lacking – God’s got you if you’ve got Him.

“6 So it was, when they came, that he looked at Eliab and said, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is before Him!”

7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have [a]refused him. For[b] the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:6-7

Obstacles.

Let me tell you, on any given day you may feel like a contestant on American Ninja Warrior. Random obstacles [and not so random obstacles] will come at you so fast it leaves you out of breath and out of time.

God will help us navigate through life’s most intense terrain; however, we have to be a willing participant. We cannot mumble side-tracked, unfocused prayers and then get upset when OUR GPS leads us to a roadblock. We’ve got to put in the work to get to where we need to be – no matter how hard or intense that may look. No matter how many times we want to turn back.

These obstacles {barriers} aren’t going anywhere. There will always be something between us and our dreams. There will always be something trying to stop us.

But if God says walk – if God says go – and if we do just that – Get ready. He will make a way.

Just like when God parted the Red Sea – talk about one major obstacle – He will help us get through, over, under, or around whatever is trying to hinder our ability to be successful on the path that God has set before us.

If we go.

If we get up.

If we believe.

If we put in the work.

If we exercise our faith.

If we stick it out.

If we don’t turn back.

Who’s winning your battle today? Your obstacle or Your God?

“17 When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near. For God said, “Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.” 18 But God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the people of Israel went up out of the land of Egypt equipped for battle.” Exodus 13:17-18 (ESV)

“13 And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. 14 The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” Exodus 14:13-14 (ESV)

“At times, we’re not much different than the Hebrews wandering the desert. Sometimes we “long for Egypt” by looking to the past or grumbling about the present. Along life’s road, we’ll experience successes and failures, much like the Hebrews in the desert, but we’re destined for the promised land, too, an eternity in God’s presence.” (Excerpt from my incourage Bible)

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Destined for the promised land. That’s something to be excited about, y’all. We have something to look forward to – a goal to reach – a race to run.

And even when life gets hard, because it will, we can keep going – because my God is there at the starting blocks. He is with me during the heat, and He is waiting at the finish line.

He’s ready to celebrate with us as we cross over.

Don’t give up.

Keep going.

One foot in front of the other.

God’s got you.

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” (NIV) James 1:12

Go with God.

Grow with God.

Just remember, with growth comes growing pains.

Be prepared for planting and pruning. Be prepared for watering and waiting.

Growth isn’t easy. It takes time, and without a doubt it’s uncomfortable. Growth hurts; however, you can count on this – growth equals change.

Change equals development.

Development equals substance.

Growing takes humility, patience, and a deep trust in our Savior. It’s hard, but it’s worth it. Choose to let God cultivate the areas within you that are in fierce need of growth.

Growing pains may hurt for a while, but they won’t last.

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” (ESV) 2 Peter 3:18