Conversations with God Replace Lies with Truth

It’s an exciting time for Living Joy because we are saying Yes to new paths God is calling us to. Let me be honest, some days it’s a confident YES, but other days i measure these decisions against my own strength and gifts - leaving me incredibly doubtful and even worse, fearful.

But I sat with God this morning and this is the sweet time He flips the fear and reminds me if I measure the next steps for Living Joy in my power and forget God - I will always mismeasure my potential to do what God has called me to do.

This is why spending time, this intimate relationship with God is so important. He leads you, listens to you, and replaces lies with truth. And this time looks different for everyone. No set time, set way or perfect words. It is your personal relationship with the Lord!

As I woke up doubtful for my assignments...God whispered in our time together, “I am with you.” And this friends is where we want to live from - God’s will and truth! If I hadn’t sat with Him I would be operating from fear today.

How will you talk to God today?

Friend, Break the Chains

📷: @rachelhennessyphotography

Have unsettled places in your heart that you haven’t fully given over to God?

Me too.

You’ve thought about it, talked about it, over analyzed it, planned ways to get through it, worried sick about it - all in a way that you’ve held so tight to it...you’re breaking under it.
Let’s break the chains and release it through prayer today. Together.

Heavenly Father, you see what I’m holding so tightly to. You know my fears and my worries. Help me release it to you in faith knowing you will use it for good and your glory. Amen.

God sees you. God hears you. God loves you.

“But God has surely listened and has heard my prayer. Praise be to God who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me.” // Psalm 66:19-20

Turn down and turn up!

I recently walked through a season my energy didn’t match its demands, my feelings weren’t dependable, fear was overwhelming, comparison had me down and I wanted direction from God but I wasn’t hearing anything.

So I turned down a few things:

• Social Media

• Worry

• Control

• Self worth from productivity 

• Expectations

• Negative self talk

• Excessive thinking

And I turned up a few other things:

• Conversations with God

• Worship music

• Self care

• Learning - podcasts and online courses 

• Trust

• Gratefulness

• Grace

The enemy wanted to steal this time. I could have so easily stayed in this restless place, watering the seeds the enemy was planting and missing the joys right in front of me. Instead, God interceded in the sweetest ways and redirected me to the abundant life He wants us to live Monday thru Sunday. But I had to turn down some things and replace them with better things for Him to do His best work.

Maybe the enemy is trying to steal your day?
What do you need to turn down? What do you need to turn up?

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” // John 10:10

📷: @katie.whalen.kelly

A Thought on Expectations

“Don’t let your expectations leave you disappointed in your realities.”

@priscillashirer 

I heard this yesterday and it gently challenged me to realign my expectations with God’s will or even lower my expectations in many areas.

Maybe you make it to the gym 3 times this week instead of 6 or maybe not at all.

Maybe you rock the crockpot instead of an eight course dinner.

Maybe you look to God to satisfy your heart rather than relationships.

Maybe you let your child watch a movie tonight if you’re tired or start dinner with dessert. 😮

Maybe get one thing done on your to do list rather than finishing it.

Maybe let your child dress themselves.

Maybe you rock a hat instead of doing your hair.

Maybe you forgive yourself and let go of your mistakes.

Maybe you give yourself a little more grace.

Realigning or changing our expectations will help us not feel disappointed in our realities.

I’m thinking through this too - where I’ve set the bar so high the only outcome leaves me discouraged in my present circumstances. I know God doesn’t want us to live this way so I’m giving lots of grace in my expectations today!

Looking to Him

So often we look to our relationships, friendships, success, feelings, validations to make us happy. We look left and right, horizontally, running after earthly things in hopes it fills us up. Leaving us discouraged and disappointed in our efforts - especially when our expectations aren’t met.
I often look for joy in things going smoothly. In my plans, expectations of others, health, self - pretty much everything...even traffic! And when it doesn’t, I’m left frustrated.

God is vertical and wants our joy to come from Him. Always available, always perfect in our weakness, always abundant and everything we need.

As a new mom and getting older my world has been rocked in this. I’m grateful for it because I no longer look to things or people of this world to make me happy...but God. So in the frustration of things not going smoothly and stealing my joy...

I take a deep breath - Look up and say Jesus.

His rescuing grace and joy are available instantly. I’m restored.

When we’re tempted to chase left and right to fill our hearts today...look up. Everything we need, instant joy, are already here and will never disappoint! 🙌🏻