Express Yourself
what makes you tick?
We would be thrilled at the chance to get to know YOU and what makes you tick! This is the place where you can do just that. You will notice at the bottom of each {inspirational entry} there is a short, interesting description of the writer — we call it the “tagline.” Here is the place to put your tagline! Give us a 10-20 word description of who you are, what you love, what you don’t love or anything that tells us about you. Make it fun and interesting or make it deep and thoughtful — that is up to you. Also, you can include your name — or not — you decide.
Example: {your name or not} is a sucker for reality t.v., loves rocky road ice cream, and is just trying to figure out life.
{ 1008 comments… read them below or add one }
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Emily,
I forgot to mention…It’s an easy read. It’s almost more like a book with a few short chapters (by subject) with some short stories and verses scattered throughout. It’s a nice book to sit down with a hot cup of coco and breathe in deep and soak up the encouragement. It’s hard to expain, just pick it up and read it, it’s short and sweet!!!
Lotsa Love,
Beth
Emily- Jesus Culture is great and very powerful music, Hillsong, Fee, Deluge, Kathryn Scott is an amazingly talented and anointed worshipper, jeremy camp, brandon heath, sidewalk prophets, tenth avenue north…some of those are different and not mainstream which sometimes is nice.
Kelley- Do not despair, there is healing for what you are experiencing. You are not a failure!! There is no condemnation in Jesus; he loves you and does not intend for your life to be lived in shame. God will receive glory on the other side of this journey. The things you are dealing with are serious, and you need an accountability partner. Have you ever gotten counseling for this?
Kelley,
I want to say that you are a strong brave woman to share your story with us and if you have that kind of strength then you can go a long way in this life. I must say that I have never had your particular problem, mine is the reverse, maybe I like food too much at times, but I can relate to the feeling of failure and sinning. I want you to understand that you are not alone in your struggle!! And I also want you to know that GOD LOVES YOU THROUGH IT ALL!!!!!
I know life can be very hard at times and we are reminded that God never said that life wouldn’t be hard, as a matter of fact he told us we would have trials in life but he also told us he would never give us more than we can handle. That is something we need to hold onto and remind ourselves daily, especially when the days seem like they are too hard and overwhelming. I would tell you this (even though you may already know this or been told this), ask for forgivness, give up your hurts, fears, frustrations, anger, whatever baggage it is you carry…Give it all up to God and don’t take it back!!! Let it go and feel the freedom that comes with that release. I don’t know if you attend a church or are involved in a small group or even if you have spoken to anyone else about this, but I would tell you to seek help and find a trusted friend or small group of friends to be your accountability partner(s). It is so important to have a support system to help support and encourage us. Especially when we fall, because we will fall, and to help pick us back up. That is the important thing, not that we fell, but that we got back up and continued on!!! God knows we aren’t perfect and that we fall but the great thing is is that He still loves us and he is so happy to see us get back up and push through our mess. And you know that we learn and we grow through our messes. Let God take control of you and this disorder won’t anymore!! I know that life is often hard but the truth is that it doesn’t always have to be hard!!
No that the one who knows you best (God) loves you Most!!!!! And he will never stop loving you!!! I’ll be praying for you, praying that you would have the strength to surrender to God and let go of this disorder, to overcome it, and that you would realize the beauty that God created in you and that you would stop hurting yourself!! I want to pray that you would know God’s love for you and that His love would fill you and you would no longer find a need to harm yourself. I pray that you would find God’s fogiveness and feel His grace wrap around you. I want to pray that you find His peace and His plan for your life and know what it is to find the contentment that comes with it. When you hurt, God hurts, he wants to see you happy and healthy and he has a plan for you!!! Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Remember that the next time you feel like harming yourself. God has a plan for you and it’s not one of harm!!!! You gotta love yourself, see yourself through God’s eyes. Your his masterpiece!! Much love and prayers being sent your way!!!
With Love,
Bethany
Emily,
If you go to amazon you can get used and new for a great price! Jeremy Camp, Mercy Me, Brandon Heath, Jars of Clay are some of my favorite Christian groups
May His face shine upon you…
Marlo
Thank you to both Amanda and Bethany for responding. Yes, I have had counseling for this multiple times. I have been in and out of inpatient treatment 6 different times since 2000. Two of the places were Christian places. The last place I went to in 2008 was Mercy Ministries and I was there for 6 1/2 months. I am so grateful to them for how they helped me but I always come back to such a hopeless place again. I know that I still need to deal with some issues that happened to me when I was 16 and have never really dealt with them in a healthy way. Now I just seem to take out all my anger on myself. I know I can’t do this without God but I also need people. I tend to isolate when I am doing bad because I don’t ever want people to see my imperfections. I haven’t been in church for a couple of years now and hate organized religion. I was brought up in a religion that was all about rules and regulations and it has just turned me off to the whole church thing for now. I am trying to have regular time with God and I pray to him all day every day. I talk to him like I would a friend. I do love him but I need a physical person for support too. I don’t trust people at all because I have been hurt by so many and Christians I trust the least. I just really have a hard time opening up to people and letting them help me. I want to let people in but find it more safe sometimes to stay in my eating disorder where it is food hurting me and not people. Same thing for the self harm. I know my body is the temple of God and I am not treating it like that at all. God must be very disappointed in me.
For so many years I have been the person EVERYONE depends on. This is regardless of if I am at work, school, home, or with friends. I pour and pour into others constantly because I was raised to be a giving/loving humble person. If I dont have money, I give my time and efforts. I am always concerned about the well being of others. I am only 24 and I am constantly fighting warfare daily especially with my emotions. I was in a relationship for 3 years that crashed because he stated I was giving everyone and everything else my time (Work, School, and Church). I dont regret him leaving because if you have a problem with me attending church regularly then we have no conversation. Nevertheless, I am the Manager of Operations at a small business, I have my MBA (Seeking to go after my Ph.D.), Active in church, always helping out others, active advisor on a national board, and the list goes on. I never face my problems because I am too busy helping others with theirs. I dont know who to trust, because everyone I thought was for me, seem to be against me. I know its apart of the process of God showing me who can go with me to the next level and to much is given much is required, but it still hurts. So now I walk on pins and needles because I have to be extremely careful with my choice of words because someone may take it and turn it into something it was not meant to be. I AM EMOTINALLY AND MENTALLY drained. Friends and family constantly share their life of love with me and I smile and congratulate them, but deep inside I ask God what is wrong with me, I am in you, in my career, educated, take care of myself, but yet no one wants me. I get tired of the tagline ” You have your whole life ahead of you”, that is all well and good coming from someone that has someone. My main problem is I have so many people around me but still feel alone. I find myself alone, confused, and frustrated often. I pray everyday that I dont become a bitter young woman that pushes everyone away because I dont know who to trust. I cry out to God daily because I want to ensure I make myself available to him, but my storage is empty. I have given until I cant give anymore. But I have to try and stay strong because I have younger teens, children, and even older people that look up to me because of my strength, faith, and determination in God. I have 52 nieces and nephews that I want to make sure I am a good example to.
24 year olds stress about what they are going to wear, how they are going to fix their hair, what are they going to do for the weekend. I worry about what project can I work on during the weekend to catch up for monday, does this person need to go here or there, what time do I have to get that report in, does this person have food, what can I do to lighten this load for them, who can I encourage today, or why is everyone turning on me and mocking my success.
Sorry I know this is a lot, but I am just tired of stressing.
Thanks for listening!
Sincerely,
My Storage is Empty
Dear Empty Storage…
You need to lay it down. God did not nominate you to take care of all this stuff alone. Remember the story of Mary and Martha. Martha was all uptight because she was busy taking care of all the work, making sure all the details were taken care of, meanwhile, Mary is sitting at Jesus’ feet. Martha inquires about this unfair situation and Jesus reminds her the Mary is doing the right thing.
Maybe you need to take a sabatical–simplify life. Perhaps the role model your 52 nieces and nephews need is a role model that can be successful and serve the Lord in balance. Remember, God spent 6 days creating the world–he rested on the 7th. While going to church is importance, perhaps setting aside time just to be still with God is in order. Perhaps taking a break from all the “to do’s” in order to prepare for your “be still with God time” is in order. Trust me, you do not have the ability to conquer all and God did not call on you to do that. You could be missing the main thing He wants you to do because you are to busy doing all the things you think you need too.
Be still…..
Marlo
First I want to thank you Marlo, when I wrote awhile back, I never realized God could use what I was going through to help someone else, and your words of encouragement helped me to see things in a different light. I still struggle a bit, but I know that God loves me and will always be there for me. So I take comfort in that. So I thank you
Emily-if you dont mind a list, I love music and I always have some sort of christian music on… and whatever I’m going through God always knows and seems to always put on the right song I need to hear to remind me of his love. Here are some really great artist along with the ones mentioned above that have really great songs with meaning:
Aaron Shust, DC Talk, BarlowGirl, Chris Tomlin, Carman, Fireflight, Flyleaf, Group 1 Crew, Toby Mac, Jason Upton, Kutless (their worship cd is awesome), Natalie Grant, Need to Breathe, Selah, Shawn McDonald, Third Day (my fav band) and Warren Barfield. Hope that helps
Kelley,
The enemy know’s our weaknesses and he know’s that you dont trust easily, so he uses that against you to keep you isolated. Because the enemy also knows that if you keep company with true believers, then there is no way he can keep his hold on you because Prayer is a powerful thing and I believe in that power. The enemy doesn’t want you to believe that you have friends, but I want you to know that you do. I may not know you personally but you are my sister in Christ. I know it can be hard to trust, but we were not made to live this life alone. If anything, trust God more. Because we, as people are going to let you down because we aren’t perfect, but if you trust God, then even when we let you down, you grow from it and your faith in God grows stronger because you know that he’ll be with you no matter what. I want to write a part from this book captivating that I read for you:
A Special Hatred
“For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realm.” Eph. 6:12
The assault on femininity cannot be understood apart from spiritual forces of evil we are warned about in scripture…Turn your attention to the Garden of Eden. Notice, does the evil one go after? Who does satan single out for his move against the human race? Satan went after Eve. He set his sights on her. Have you ever wondered why? It might have been that he, like any predator, chose what he believed to be the weaker of the two. But we believe there is more. Why does Satan make Eve the focus of his assault on humanity?
You may know that Satan was first named Lucifer, or Son of the Morning. It infers a glory, and brightness or radiance unique to him. In the days of his former glory he was appointed a guardian angel. Perfect in beauty. That is the key. Lucifer was gorgeous. He was breathtaking. And it was his ruin. Pride entered his heart…Satan fell because of his beauty. Now his heart for revenge is to assault beauty. He destroys it in the natural world wherever he can. He wreaks destruction on the glory of God in the earth like a psychopath committed to destroying great works of art. But most especially, he hates Eve (you).
Because she is captivating, uniquely glorious, and he cannot be. She/We are the incarnation of the Beauty of God. (yes that means you Kelley) More than anything in all creation, she/we/you embodies the glory of God. She allures God to the world. Satan hates that with a jealousy we can only imagine.
The Evil One also hates Eve because she gives life. Women give birth, not men. Women nourish life. And they also bring life into the world soulfully, relationally, spiritually-in everything they touch. Satan was a murderer from the beginning (John 8:44) He brings death. His kingdom is death. And thus Eve/Women are his greatest human threat, for she brings life. (Gen 3:20)
Put those two things together and Satan’s bitter heart cannot bear it.
Most women thought the things that have happened to them was their fault, that you deserve it. If only you had been prettier or smarter or done more and pleased them more that somehow it wouldn’t have happened. You would have been loved. They wouldn’t have hurt you. (getting down to the bottom of trust issues alot of people have)
The message of our wounds nearly always is “This is because of you/me. This is what you/I deserve.” It changes things to realize that, NO it is because you/I/We are glorious that these things happened. It is because you are a major threat to the kingdom of darkness. Because you uniquely carry the glory of God to the world. You are hated because of your beauty and power. (We are Jesus true Love, all of us)
You are Passionately loved by the God of the universe
You are Passionately hated by his Enemy.
Isaiah 62: 1-5
“For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent,
for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet,
till her righteousness shines out like the dawn (until you shimmer),
her salvation like a blazing torch.
The nations will see your righteousness,
and all kings you glory (your beauty);
you will be called by a new name
that the mouth of the Lord will bestow.
You will be a crown of splendor in the Lord’s hand (the crown of creation),
a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
No longer will they call you Deserted,
or name your land Desolate.
But you will be called Hephzibah (my delight is in her),
and your land Beulah (married);
for the Lord will take delight in you,
and your land will be married.
And a young man marries and maiden (he pursues her, romances her)…
as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride (you are lovely),
so will your God rejoice over you.”
And so, dear heart, it is time for your restoration! For there is One greater than your Enemy. One who has sought you out from the beginning of time. He has come to heal your wounds and broken hearts and restore your feminine soul!
So Kelley you see, he’s not disappointed in you. He loves you no matter what and he wants to help you! I have no doubt that every place you’ve been has helped you in some way. But you can never fully be healed of what is going on until you do a couple things. 1. You are created with the essence of God’s beauty inside you, so when you hurt yourself, Satan is winning because he’s hurting you. So you have to really want to stop. and to do that you have to believe in yourself and believe that God can help. You mentioned that you feel safer in your eating… The safest place you could ever be is in the arms of Christ. And God doesn’t want you hurting yourself. Whatever happened to you when you were 16 is not to big for God, and if you fall on your knees and just give it all to Him, it will feel like nothing you’ve ever felt before. You will feel God literally take it all and cast’s it as far as the East is from the West. Anger and Fear go hand in hand, and those are tools of the enemy to keep you in bondage to him. To keep from the peace, joy and strength that is rightfully yours in Jesus Christ!
I’ll be praying for you and it seems like everyone here wants to be there for you and encourage you. So if you have problems trusting the people where you live, then try trusting us here. At the very least you can always come here to vent and we’ll be here to listen and pray.
with love, you sister in Christ.
Madison
Madison,
That was the most beautifully, well put explanation and inspiriation one could have offered…. it had me “captivated”! I think we women all need to hear this more often and be on our guard for how Satan prowls around in sheep clothing waiting to devour us. And, as you said — he despises our beauty, he goes after our weaknesses. Your words really left a mark at how careful we must be as women to protect ourselves from the works of Satan trying to destroy all that God intended us to be. I personally struggle with trusting too much and trying to see everyone through God’s eyes and sadly I often fail to guard my heart in so doing — skip over that still small voice in the name of believing in a person — and in the end find myself hurt, weak and looking down on myself. I do always get back up because I know who lifts me up, but oh how many times I have not been able to glorify God because I had allowed myself to be trompled on by ultimately the works of the devil.
Anyways… thank you so much for posting that out there!
In His Name,
Marlo
God’s Always There
God says he loves me so much,
I believe it’s true,
God says he’ll never leave or forsake me,
I know that he won’t,
When I’m hurting,
God listens and understands,
I know, cause of experience,
When I decided that I needed human love more than God, he still didn’t abandon me,
When I was living on the streets, God protected me from all harm,
When I was starving myself in an effort to find perfection to please others, God sheltered me with loving arms,
When I caused injury to myself through cutting, so desperately trying to find relief from the pain within,
God was watching over me, giving me hope, that still some day everything would be okay,
When I attempted to end it all, by swallowing a whole bottle of pain relievers, God said, it’s not over yet, and watched over me through that long night,
And when I was crying, so deeply upset, all alone in a corner of a restaurant,
Praying to God, asking him if he even hears me, or sees my pain,
He answered by sending a woman to me, she prayed with me, and at that moment, I realized God has never, ever left me,
He knew my pain, and he loves me,
God is Always there, even if you don’t always realize it,
He is there even for the brokenhearted,
How amazing is our God who works in us, even when we are completely broken inside! Stephanie-God’s Princess
Madison,
Along with Marlo, I wanted to thank you. We all need to be reminded of the way God views us and to keep in mind what we are up against. It is so good to know that even though we are up against a lot, God has already conquered it all.
Thanks for that!
With Love,
Bethany
Dear Empty Storage,
Marlo is right, it’s time to take a breather. Your going a mile a minute and I’m not sure how you have time to see or enjoy anything, let alone make heads or tails of anything. If we don’t stop and take a moment to spend in silence with God, how will we ever hear Him? And if we don’t have patience then we’ll miss God’s big masterpiece for our life. It sounds like all the things that your doing are all well and good but works aren’t everything. And you have to take time for yourself, to replentish yourself!!! You can’t give if you don’t have anything left to give. If you take time to let God fill you back up then you can give of yourself to others from your overflow.
I understand being overwhelmed and having trouble trusting, but that’s when we need to give it up to God. He said, Be still and know that I am…
It’s time to take a step back and let God step in! I’ll be praying for you, praying that you find God’s peace! You’ll find it in the stillness. Slow down and let God speak to you, he wants more than anything to spend time with you!! He wants you to get lost in him!!!
With Love,
Bethany
Hey Everyone!
I wanted to touch base with the sweet woman “Empty Storage.” Girl-I know exactly where you are coming from. That is what prompted me to write this week’s inspirational entry. I wanted to encourage you to check it out and let us know your thoughts.
Also, it is not too late to sign up for our She Seeks Summer Connect. It will be a low key, high impact virtual live chat bible study with ME! I really would love to get to know you ladies. Click on the button at the top of the sidebar. Let me know if you have any questions.
sarah
the she seeks team
why can’t I fast? If I know God’s direction for my life, then how can i go about following it God’s way?
Sarah,
I am so thankful that God gave you such amazing words for this week. I have been struggling with taking time to recharge and not do so many things. I always want to go-go-go but I know that if I don’t the time to charge my spiritual, mental, and physical batteries, the consequences later will not be good. Thank you so much for your words of encouragement!
Hope everyone has a blessed week!!
Janie
I am really happy to have found this website, right now I definately need some female encouragement, and just someone to lift me up. I am 23 years old and I am in missions in Mexico, I have been here almost 10 months now, and I am really feeling drained out. I am getting married in 2 months as well, to someone I know God has called me to be with. God has been blessing me in so many ways and has been so faithful to me, but lately i feel so distant. I feel depressed and I dont want to see anyone, but at the same time I want to find a friend (women) that I can connect with. Where I am, there is not a lot of english people, and I am just learning spanish, so its very hard, i feel very alone and I cant express myself the way id like. I know its a process and I can get through this, but it has been hard. I feel like I have forgotten my calling and who I am, I read my bible every day, but I am not getting fed, church here is all in spanish so I am not learning fromt that either, and its hard, I just need to learn something and to feel God. In the past few months I have been this way, I know I have failed in so many ways, its like i have given up, i dont know what to do in this, so if anyone reads this, I need an encouragment and something from the Lord, pray that He will give you something, I am new at the missions and I feel that i am failing at it already.
thanks
Leanne,
do not give up and i am praying for you.
Leanne,
I had to take a foreign language in college and I picked Spanish because I had a class in high school. It didn’t go well, she told me I needed to be dumped in the country and learn the language. Who knows?!? I do know someone who knows a thing or two though and that is God. I guess what I’m saying, is that God is with you and will help you through anything!! Just don’t give up, pray that he’ll make a way for you to connect with someone local. And I know that this website can be a place to help fill your cup when your feeling low. It has been a help to me!
Hey there, thanks for writing here! I found this website a few months back and it has been an encouragement to me. I have to say that I’m not a missionary. I’m here in good old Ohio. But I can relate in some ways. You see I am unemployeed right now and meanwhile I have gotten a little more involved in the church I attend (which I love) and started to help out another church (the one I grew up in). This other church has been through a lot and they only have about 50 people that attend regularly. And the biggest problem with that is that most of them are elderly. Lets just say that they need some sprucing up. Well lately they have been wanting to get more involved in the community and become an outlet for outreach (more so than before) and bring more people into the church. This is all good and I have taken the opportunity to bring some light to that. But many of them are set in their ways and don’t like change or don’t want to become more active. I lite a fire underneath them and that was great for some, they are on fire now, but other’s are more resistant. And when that happens, it seems it only takes one person to rain on the parade and I start to feel like it’s all a bad idea and why did I even get involved. I understand what it is like to feel like a failure. But I know that God doesn’t want me to give up. He said we would have tough times but he will give us the strength to over come those times. Remember, He has conquered it all!!
But the truth is, we only fail if we stop trying! We only fail if we stop seeking and stop growing! And when we get into those ruts, it’s because we aren’t using God’s strength, we’re trying to do it on our own. Keep your chin up!! God will make a way for you. I know you said you are learning some Spanish now, maybe take the time and opportunity to learn it and absorb it as much as you can so that you can connect with others better and not feel so isolated. Trust me, I know the pains of learning Spanish!! I think my Spanish professor just passed me by the grace of God.
And I wish you many blessings for your upcoming wedding and your future!!! Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you Hope and a future.
Remember that and keep the faith. He is with you and will make a way!!
With Love,
Bethany
I am so happy that I have found this website. I have been looking for a place to come for encouragement and to be uplifted and I believe this is the place. I am working on my 9th month at a children’s home in Haiti, where I work in the boy’s home. There has been so much going on here since the earthquake and even before that I am just emotionally and physically drained. As much as I love being here and love the boys, I feel that there is no time for me! I am working on getting that time back and focusing more on why I am here instead of doing everything that everyone asks me to do. I was called here to work with the boys and I am working on focusing more on that than everything else going on in the mission. This weeks devotion hit me square in the face. I have been going for 9 months just doing everything that was asked of me and not worrying about the things that I need too. My health is suffering and I am suffering spiritually. Not only has my “me time” disappeared but my time with God has lessoned but I just cannot say no to the 100 kids that live here. Five days a week I teach English school to kids who are being adopted (they speak Creole), I cook dinner at the boys home five days a week, I help with all the boys that live here, I just started doing devotions with the younger boys every night, I am responsible for 4 Haitian children that are being adopted and I am trying to learn Creole! I am constantly busy but I am going to start working on that though because if I am not doing good, I cannot be a blessing to the kids!
Bondie beni ou (God bless you),
In A Distant and Foreign Land
hi… just to let you know that i have been captivated by the daily encouragement that i have received on email…
I need to ask you a question- how do you discern what is the right thing to do ? What makes it sure to know that it is God talking to you? I am a physically handicapped person praying to God for my life partner…Despite all the difficulties that a marriage has to offer i still do want to get married…But most of my male friends are just content being friends…How do i know if that is God’s will for me? I struggle with the idea of remaining single because i know that i cannot practically manage life alone( i dont drive)…More importantly i just want to share my life and my faith with someone…I cannot think of the idea of having to remain single just because i have a disability…Also i know that i have a calling from God to serve him….and i do serve him in the Church as a musician……Sometimes i dont know where to look …….i am tired by the difficulties of everyday life….at other times i know that i have to look at God…and believe…….Please pray for me
I’m a mommy to the LOML Lilly. I completely adore Jesus. I’m standing for reconciliation in my marriage. Worship music completes me. Writing is my passion and a good book gives me strength. Love.
Be praying for God’s direction in my life. Because i thought i was supposed to go to mission trip in august with wyclifffe then did not feel right then found another misison trip opportunity in dallas texas with teen mania ministries and that did not feel right. Right now i feel lost like what am i supposed to be doing instead. Am i supposed to be helping at vacation bible schoo at church the end of July.
I need your prayers for clear direction where and when.
Sorry, i am going on and on but i have never been in that situation before.
though i have known and have faith in the Lord, it has only been this year that I completely surrendered everything to Him. I’ve been praying for Him to speak to me and use me and divulge His plan and purpose for me. I have been reading and reading the bible, praying and meditating on His words but I don’t know what He wants for me. People are pressuring me that I’m nearing thirties and I don’t even have anyone to settle down with, I have zero life savings. Please pray for me. I don’t know what is my calling.
Tricia,
Take heart that you are not alone. I completely understand where you are. I am 27 years old and I am separated from my husband (with little to zero hope of that being fixed, he is still pursuing someone else), currently jobless, and living with my parents as what little money I had saved is dwindling. I have been praying and asking God what his plan is for my life and like you I’m still not sure what that is. But the thing that we have to remember is that God does have a plan for us and sometimes He tells us to wait, to be patient. Sometimes when all we hear is silence, that is God saying that we must be patient and keep seeking him, we aren’t quite ready to see His big plan for us. I completely know what it is like to be unsure of where you are or what your doing and have the feeling other people are looking at you wondering what your doing. Patience is important and that seems to be a constant lesson plan God has me learning because to be quite honest, I’m not very good at waiting, especially for big ideas about the direction my life is to go in. Mostly I have impatience because of the fear of the mistakes I might make by not knowing where I should go and what I should do. But you know what the real truth in all that is? It is that we will make mistakes and it’s alright to make mistakes. Mistakes are a part of life, it’s what we learn from and use to help others. It’s what builds character in us and what God uses to make and form us into the person we need to be, into a person who can be used by Him!
And the truth is, as long as we keep searching for
him and seeking after His own heart and looking for where we can be used in his service, He will use us and before we know it, we’ll be on His path and we’ll be able to look behind us and see where he was working. Often times when we are in the middle of things we don’t see what he is doing and feel lost, it’s not till after we have passed through a season in life that we realize what he’s done with us and where he’s taken us and how he has used us. Sometimes we just need to let go and let God! It’s not always a matter of figuring things out, it’s a matter of letting God work. It’s a hard concept, but I’m working on letting go and Letting God!!!! It’s much better when he’s in control, I’m just along for his magical ride and being put to use where he can use me. And remember that your never alone and your still young!!! Life is calling you to live it!!!!! God is calling you to love Him and show His love, that’s all he wants from you!!!!!
I’ll be praying for you!! Keep surrendering to God’s love and his peace! And know that it’s ok to not have all the answers!!
With Love,
Bethany
Ladies,
I just wanted to share this with all of you. I have a friend that told me about this and I had never read it before. I looked it up and thought it was very inspirational and a great reminder! It was what I needed to hear and maybe what you need!! So here it is…
The Lion Chaser’s Manifesto
Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death. Set God-sized goals. Pursue God-ordained passions. Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention. Keep asking questions. Keep making mistakes. Keep seeking God. STOP pointing out problems and become part of the solution. STOP repeating the past and start creating the future. STOP playing it safe and start taking risks. Expand your horizons. Accumulate experiences. Consider the lillies. Enjoy the journey. Find every excuse you can to celebrate everything you can. Live like today is the first and last day of your life. Don’t let what’s wrong with you keep you from worshipping what’s right with God. Burn sinful bridges. Blaze a new trail. Criticize by creating. Worry less about what other people think and more about what God thinks. Don’t try to be who you’re not. Be yourself. Laugh at yourself. Quit holding back. Quit running away. Chase the Lion!
Ladies, I think there are words of wisedom here that we should remember. I think that we should stop being so afraid of making mistakes and of failing and live life. The more we start living the more we are going to enjoy the life God has given us. I was at church one Sunday and the pastor challenged us, if we didn’t have a big dream in our life to be passionate about, we needed to pray for a big dream. Pray for something so big that it seems impossible to do. And watch God work!!!
Thanks and with Love,
Bethany
Mistakes are lessons if we choose to learn from them. However, should we not be wise enough to learn, they will become a way of living which leads to the very way of life that will not bring God’s plans or purposes into our lives.
EXAMPLE – It is understandable if a young teen were to become pregnant 1 time. However, if she were choosing to learn from this life lesson, this wouldn’t occur again as she would change her life choices and actions. IF NOT, you can expect baby after baby and not only she, but the babies, and those who love her will be greatly hurt by the bad choice life path she has chosen to follow.
Mistakes are inevitable. They happen. It is YOU who determines whether they are a stepping stone to higher ground and a better life or a land slide which will suffocate you.
Best wishes.
Dear Bethany,
Thank you very much for those kind words of encouragement. It brings hope to me that soon in God’s perfect time, He will divulge His plans for me. True, I may feel empty and lost right now but, I guess, you are right that I just have to hold fast to His word, be patient and have faith in Him that He is working in my life.
Thank you for your prayers and it is so good to be able to share what I feel with someone who has gone thru what I am going thru right now. I’m praying for you and your husband.
Thank you very much and have a blessed day.
MADISON wrote: “And I’m angry because my baby died at 7 mo before she was born and I don’t understand. I feel like it was punishment for how I lived my life. And I’m scared that I’ll never know what it’s like to have my own child. I know it’s all about trusting God, but it’s so hard when I don’t know if I can trust myself. It seems like all I ever do is let myself down or someone else, so what if I let God down? I have so many thoughts and emotions in my head that it is all very confusing.”
May I say, I understand. I wanted children sooo badly. No child. Finally, we decided adoption. 10 attempts and we were constantly denied after preparing that this time would be “the one”. We were told by “experts” at the agency we didn’t know what we were doing when we wanted 4 little girls (hard placement due to multiples), we had the room prepared for our 1 little girl and was told at Christmas we were denied. People didn’t understand EACH ONE was like a physical miscarriage. You PLAN for the child, You WAIT for the child, You EXPECT that child to come to the end and there is no child.
But I learned that during all the grieving that you cannot accept what God DOES have for you until you GRIEVE over what you have not per your plans. His plans….we did get a beautiful child and was thrilled. Oh, oooops, here we got another! Thought surely that would be the last as 1 was a miracle. Oh, oooops, here we got #3! SURELY THIS WAS ALL GOD WOULD SEND! Oh, oooops, #4!!!! Yes, 4x the blessings for all the disappointment & heartache & grief.
God is not punishing you. What if we had gotten those first 10 we attempted to adopt? We’d have missed the 4 perfect ones God had planned just for us! Now we also have 2 grandchildren…..everyone specially sent & picked by God’s own hand especially for us….
Trust, know God acts in love, and no is not to harm but is to prepare you for better things to come. Your child is a great loss, I do understand after “losing” my 10…..but God is still working and will multiply your blessings for your sorrows. HUGS
Tricia,
God has a plan for all of us and he is smiling at the idea of surprising us with it!!!
I’m glad that what I shared has encouraged you! Hey what are Christian sisters for?! I think it’s important for all of us to come together in our time of need and support each other.
And I want to thank you for your prayers and support!!!!
I hope you have a wonderful day and God shines his love and smiling sunshine at you today!!
With Love,
Bethany
Bethany,
I just had to share with you….a bible verse that struck me this morning during my quiet time — “Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:16)”. You are right, He is teaching me to patiently wait for He has plans for each and everyone of us. We just have to let Him take the lead and hold fast to Him.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much.
Have a blessed day!
Tricia,
Your so welcome, but thank you!!!! Thank you for sharing that with me and thank you for that reminder!! What I said to you wasn’t just for you, it was for me too. You see I needed that reminder as much as you did!! I need that reminder everyday and it is reassuring to hear from you because then I don’t have to feel alone in my lostness too. So thank you for sharing and thank you for the reassurance of Christ’s love!!! I pray that you stay the course and follow after God’s love for you! He cherishes you and His surprise that is soley crafted for you!! Let’s go forth with the knowledge that God has a wonderful adventure planned just for us and let’s look at it like a present that get’s slowly unwrapped.
May sunshine fill your day!
With Love,
Bethany
It’s Falling Short Girl’s first time here and she is thrilled to know this page. She is just a commoner living somewhere in the place they call as the third world. She tries her best to flash a smile to everyone even if she is bleeding deep inside. She is not used to getting along with a group and sharing her deepest secrets. She is afraid of commitments and definitely afraid of showing affection.
It’s Falling Short Girl’s first time here. Falling Short Girl is an introvert though she tries hard to get along with others. They say she’s mysterious , geeky and freaky, but deep inside she really wanted to be seen as someone worthy to be loved and cared for.
thanks again, Bethany….really means a lot to know someone is praying for me and not only that, I have someone to talk / share with what i am going thru in life right now.
God bless you.
Love,
Tricia
Tricia,
Anytime!!! If you ever want to chat outside of here, my email is bmmccormick@ymail.com. I can chat a bit, but I have a decent listening ear too!!!
Have a blessed day!!
With Love,
Bethany
I’m not sure what to really say. I’m 21 years old. I’m going to be starting my senior year of college. It’s a weird feeling to think that I’m going to be graduating and going into the real world. Its kind of scary to think that I’m going to have to support myself and not live off my parents anymore. I’m a pre-counseling major, which is psychology just specialized in counseling. My plan to be a play therapist once I finish graduate school and get my certificate. I have a real desire to work with kids. I absolutely love working with kids. I have four little cousins and love to play with them and be around them. They always know how to cheer me up.
I am really glad that I found this site. I have been needing something that will help me to reconnect with God because I have drifted away in the last few years. I may go to a Baptist college but that doesn’t mean I’m going to do everything a Christian is supposed to. I have made some big mistakes the last 2 years that I have to live with. I have been dealing with them positively. I used to not deal very well with problems I encounter in my life. I have struggled with depression since I was 12. It has been hard dealing with my depression. I used to cut myself as a way to cope, but that was worthless. I have tried to end my life twice, bit all that is in the past. I have had many challenges along the way, but I am finally making progress towards getting better. I have found a really good counselor that I can actually talk to and be honest with. That was something I had been really lacking, but now I have found that. I am really hoping to be able to reconnect with God and get on the right track with everything. I have never stopped believing in God, I have just had my doubts along the way. I have been looking to grow stronger in my faith and be confident in sharing it. My faith is something I want to be proud of.
Hey everyone. I just stumbled across this site. I am 22 years old. I’m going through a difficult time, and I’m feeling really alone. I’m battling Bulimia. I used to be able to control it, but now it’s controlling my life and everything I do. I have been through a lot of very difficult things in my past. As a result, I have a very hard time trusting God, and an even harder time trusting people. I don’t want anyone to know what I’m dealing with, so I keep pulling further away from my friends, involvement in church, etc. I feel like God doesn’t care. And I feel like this will never get better. I’ve tried stopping, and I can’t. I’ve also had a problem with cutting off and on for years, but it’s been a few weeks since I’ve done it. I did tell one person, and she is going to be counseling me through it. I just don’t know how to deal with the way that I feel in the meantime. There are so many things that I hate about myself. I feel like I’ve made so many mistakes. I had a horrible childhood, and I can’t understand what God’s love is really like. I struggle everyday with feeling like I’m not good enough, and that God doesn’t love me. I want to trust God with what I’m going through, but I’m just not sure how. I just want to be normal again.
I know that my thinking and actions are not lining up with God’s Word at all, which makes me feel even worse about the whole thing.
Rev Jackie, thank you sooo much for those words of encouragement. It really opened my eyes. And that just goes with this book the Lord brought to me called Breaking Free by Beth Moore. Thank you for sharing your story with me, it helps to know that I’m not alone in what I feel, and I’m crying because it’s so liberating to know that God isn’t punishing me. Thank you again.
Sara, I recommend the book Breaking Free, sometimes the Lord works through books to teach us and show us things that we need to learn.
Hopefully I can post again soon. May I ask if you all could keep me in your prayers. I struggle with my quiet times and I’m trying to make a real effort but I just seem to keep putting them off. I have to write on a piece of paper “there is no try, only do.”
And words of encouragement that I just read from the book Breaking Free by Beth Moore. The beginning of the book goes over the kings of Isaiah’s time. And I love this part of the book (it’s in the beginning) because it tells me I’m not alone, and this has been so for a long time.
“We’ve learned something important for Judah’s kings. Not even the best were perfect. Not even the most honorable were holy. Not ever the most humble were immune to pride. No earthly leader is incapable of misleading. If our liberty in Chirst is going to a reality in life, we are going to have to learn to walk in the freedom of Christ…”
God’s love for us remains constant…and it’s so hard for me to see that sometimes. So my prayer request would be for strength to make it through each day, to not let the enemy destroy my spirit and heart. And later in my next post I’ll tell you about my relationship with my boyfriend because I could really use some advice and we’re all ladies right.
Have a fantabulous weekend ladies!!! God loves you and so do your sisters in Christ!
Madison
Have you ever came to a point where you are so confused about where life is taking you? Better Yet, where God is taking you. I am at a point in my life where I feel like starting over. Giving up everything and walking totally with God is the hardest but most rewarding thing to do.
I am the point to where I am not happy with where I am with my life. But satisfied to be walking in the will of God. I know he has bigger and better plans for my life. The bible says, To whom much is given, much is required. I know that God is preparing me for my requirement. I am 25 yrs single lady with ambitions to go with full force with the vision God has granted me. I’m just ready for God to say GO!
Any thought?
CreCre,
Go!!!
If your being called, then I say go and be blessed!!!
With Love,
Bethany
Where do I even begin!
I’m so I just don’t even know. I have good days, and I even have alright days, but it just seems like no matter how much positive I have, there is always more negative to outweigh it.
Compliments don’t stick for me, but the negative does. My husband can tell me I’m gorgeous and beautiful, and I know he means it from the bottom of his heart, but I can’t accept it. I do have days where I can look in the mirror and think, “Hey, I look pretty today..” But it’s AFTER I put on make up and do my hair. I guess I’m not comfortable in my own skin. I compare myself to everyone, its a burden. Even my closest friends who share the same hobbies as I do, I can’t collaborate or bounce ideas off of them because I’m too busy beating myself up for not having their talent, or their confidence or their ability to go after the things I want. It’s depressing. It makes me reclusive, and I feel like such a horrible friend. I am disappointed in myself because I know I’m much more than this. I’m holding myself back out of fear and insecurity. I know I’m MEANT for more than this, but I feel like my fear and insecurities keep me from hearing the positive, from believing it. I pray and I seek, but I don’t feel like I find. I ask God to speak to me, to help me hear, I want soooo badly to hear Him. But I’m afraid that all the other negative and ridiculous that fills my head keeps Him from getting in. I feel sometimes that I may have done something wrong or that maybe I was put here for reasons that aren’t godly or something stupid…But then I remind myself that our God is a loving, caring God. He is a forgiving God, and he wants nothing more than for us to see Him, to want more of Him… I’m so conflicted. My thoughts are a mess. While on the outside I wear a pretty smile, on the inside its a constant internal war.
Any suggestions?
His troubled Heiress.
Dear Troubled….
You need to read the book “Captivating” by John and Stasi Eldredge. I’m so serious– I bought if for my daughter for a girls bible study, but took over reading it as I felt God impressing on me too and it is so wonderful — it’s all about the beauty God created when He created us women. If you do nothing else today, go get this book and start reading! You will be blessed, you will be changed…
In His Name,
Marlo
-Troubled
Wow, I was gonna say the same thing, but Marlo took it. Please read “Captivating” it’s awesome book, that changed my perspective for beauty in my life. It seems to me like you are seeking to validated by other people instead of God. You are looking for things and people to show you your beauty, when you already have it in God. When you seek God, don’t ever doubt. What’s the purpose of seeking.
Hope this helps.
CreCre & Marlo,
Thank you both for your responses. And I actually bought that book, and have yet to read it. I guess now would be the perfect time. Funny you would both suggest it, I noticed the book out of all the others on my book shelf this morning before I left for work.
And yes, I do think you are right. I do look for validation from people and things, I guess because I didn’t get it much growing up. I was awkward, really the ugly duckling, and my parents divorced when I was two, and they’ve been through multiple marriages. My dad is a one track minded kind of guy. And when he has a woman in his life, sadly, I’m out of sight out of mind… And I guess the validation I didn’t receive from him as a little girl has followed me. And because of the admiration and security I so wanted from my own dad and wasn’t given, I search for it still and come up short. My poor husband, he is the most amazingly understanding and patient guy I have ever met. I am certain God made him especially for me. I hate the fact that when he does try to give me the admiration and security that I’ve wanted, that I cannot accept it. Its kind of like a “Yea, ok…” type thing. So frustrating. And I guess maybe I’m putting God in a box, because He IS my father, I want his attention and security and validation and affection but I haven’t been able to get it from my earthly father, so why would I get it from Him… Wow. My thought process really is ridiculous isn’t it?
I am going to start reading that book.
i love to sing. worshiping God in spirit and truth is what i live for.
a 24 woman who loves the Lord with all her heart! Loved being married to the man of her prayers. A college student of 5yrs who wants to be done already. Loves being an aunt to 1 niece, and 2 nephews. Adores her wacky, nosy, loud family
A 21 year old single mother of a 2 year old boy in the middle of a divorce. I work full time, and I am a part time student. My heart has been shattered, and I am a thousand miles away from my family. I’m lost, over worked, extremely tired, and in need of something… anything. I am new to Christianity, I don’t know where to start. But I can already feel that hole in my heart start to fill up.
Hey Georgette, if you want to talk with someone in a private way, i am here for you we can grow in Christ together. my email is weathernut2009@gmail.com if you want just email me
hang in there.
Emily
Georgette,
I want you to know your not alone!! Life can be difficult but God does have a plan for you. I’m 27, separated from my husband (for the second time), unemployed, and living with my parents. I may not understand everything your going through, but I have a grasp on some. I know what it’s like to have your whole world come crashing down and get striped away and think what now. But there is hope and there is peace for you!
As a new Christian, I will tell you to start by praying your heart out (converse with your father) and keep seeking after Him. I would encourage you to find a church if you don’t already have one and try to find a small group to join or a group of friends that can be your support group. That is so important especially with you being away from your family. You need a network of Christian woman who can support you as you move forward and grow!! I have surrounded myself with some great women and have been growing so much and being pushed these last few months. It has really helped me heal to (as I feel that our marriage isn’t going to reconcile).
If you ever need an ear to listen, a person to cry with, an understanding heart, I’m here. I can relate to your situation and I understand the pain that comes from loosing someone who is so much appart of your life. If you feel comfortable and want to chat my email is bmmccormick@ymail.com.
I want you to remember this, when you get frustrated, down, overwhelmed, afraid, exhausted, and want to give up, remember Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.” Remember those words, there is always hope and God has a plan for your life. Give your problems up to him and let him handle them!! He has a plan bigger than you can imagine for your life and he will always be there for you! You are never alone!!!!!!!!!!
I’ll be praying for you. Hope you are blessed with a wonderful week and may God pour His love upon you!
With Love,
Bethany
This is my first time on here. My mother told me about it, so i thought I would check it out! I have a large family, just got married, and am enjoying life. My husband was not raised much in church except for his grandma taking him every once in a while. He is very scared of large crowds and going to church makes him uncomfortable. We did find a church we both like, but he is not used to the church routine. How do I help him with this? I want to be strong for him without getting upset with him, but sometimes its hard. I am very secure with who I am in a group so things like that don’t bother me and I have a hard time understanding him. Is there a book or some type of devotional that would help me maybe doing a church study/serman in our home until he gets there?
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