What’s the Issue?

It could be you……

Professionally and Spiritually, I’ve learned that part of the key to success is being able to accept and process the difficult things about ourselves or those we surround ourselves with.

Look at the differences between what we consider good people (or leaders) and bad people (or leaders).

We learned in, Chosen with Esther Devotional – Day 3 and many other areas in the bible where the root of a person’s demise begins.  King Xerxes surrounded himself with ‘Yes people’ because he did not want to hear the truth about his decisions and actions.  They did everything to keep him happy, even when it was not for his benefit.

Their desire to keep him happy eventually changed and could have had detrimental effects to not only his kingdom and everything he worked for but also his life.  He had to shift and listen to wise counsel.

How many times has God tried to tell you something that you just ignored and turned to what felt better?

If you find yourself stagnant or in the same cycle or surrounded by people who are not moving forward?  Consider the fact that you could have dismissed wise counsel.  You rejected the words that hurt (though there were good intentions), counsel that did not match the direction you thought you knew.  

I’ve learned that successful people (present and in scripture) with purpose, direction and relationship of their true calling will not sit around to keep telling you something God has tried (or already) spoken to you.  Matthew 10:14 says ‘If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.’ (You may also reference Mark 6:11)

Excerpt from Chosen with Esther Devotional – Day 3:

• What voices have you surrounded yourself with?
• Can the people in your life tell you difficult, uncomfortable things?
• Or have you groomed your relationships to only tell you what you want to hear?

Book: Chosen with Esther by David Ramos

Let this be your prayer: 

“God I want to be whole – well in my body, mind, will, emotions and spirit.  You have given me Your word precisely so that it could shape my life.  You will provide wise counsel and individuals to support my growth in You.  Help me to listen even when it is difficult.  In Jesus Name. Amen”

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Would you believe me?

Would you you believe me:

If I told you I was born to drug addicted parents?

If I told you, my parents did not graduate high school and were unmarried teenagers when they had me?

If I told you my life was set up to fail?

If I told you the dysfunction I was born into?

If I told you, I repeated the cycle and had my son at 17?

If I told you, I use to wear hand me downs until I was old enough to get my own job?

If told you, I grew up in the roughest neighborhoods in Boston?

If I told you, I ran with friends that sold drugs, carried weapons and destroyed people’s lives?

If I told you, I lost friends, some really close friends, to gang violence and jail?

If I told you there was a period in life, I was going to a funeral every month?

If I told you, one of those funerals had an infant casket?

If I told you, I would never wear skirts and my favorite clothes was timberland boots, baggy jeans and oversized shirts?

If I told you, I never liked attention or how I looked?

If I told you, for a short time living with one of my parents, I use to hide my money and jewelry?

If I told you, I didn’t celebrate graduating high school but was glad to not be a victim of the street?

If I told you, I  ran the streets with a group of girls fighting rivals?

If I told you, I had anger issues?

If I told you, I almost went to jail (posted on the wall while they searched my car)?

If I told you, college didn’t seem like a possibility?  I was just glad to survive.

If I told you, I ran into a crack house to ‘rescue’ one of my closest friends?  Her mom called me – scared for her daughter’s life and I went straight to the projects (by myself) to find her.

If I told you, I never had my own room until I moved on my own?

If I told you, that son I had was never suppose to walk?

If I told you, I lived in the hospital for two months while that son recovered?

If I told you, I moved away (as soon as I could) out of concern for my son being caught in crossfire?

If I told you, I was so depressed I went from a size 6 to size 0 in three months?

If I told you, I could not even get out of bed for almost a year?

If I told you, they prescribed me tons of medication?

If I told you, the doctors said I would never recover but to hope for some sense of function?

What if I told you, I not only recovered but I prospered beyond anyone’s expectation in every area of my life? Exceedingly, Abundantly, Beyond what I could ask or think.

Would you believe if I told you that was the woman you see?

One word from God – shift my entire world and none of what happened could change the trajectory He would send me to.

‘“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
    before you were born I set you apart;
    I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” – Jeremiah 1:5

This is not just something I do, my life is Ministry.   You can’t tell me Nothing!!

 ^“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.” – Jeremiah 29:11

 

My testimony – ‘Reckless Love’ by Steffany Gretzinger | Bethel Music

My confession – ‘Bless Up’ by Koryn Hawthorne

 

 

 

What about Me?

Are you frustrated?  What do you do when you feel like you have nothing left to give?  What should you do when you feel empty or stretched?

What does God say?  Where is He?

I pray this word gives you the strength you need to push through and achieve God’s plan and purpose for your life.  My hope is the Lord surrounds you with people who can build you up as you progress in your journey.

Inspiration:

 

Meditate on the words of this song:

‘So Will I’ by Hillsong

Scripture references:

Isaiah 55:8-9

Matthew 6:25-34

Matthew 11:28 AMP