ME23: 6 Steps to Turn Your Resolutions into Your Revolution (Part 6)

Hey D-Viners!

We've made it to the final step of my ME23 blog series. 

Today, you're allowed to look behind you because it's important to know who's got your back. The last verse of Psalm 23 introduces you to two of the best BFF's you could ever have on your squad - GOODNESS AND MERCY.

"Surely your GOODNESS and UNFAILING LOVE shall pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever."

Psalm 23:6 NLT

Principle #6: What's Behind You is Greater Than What's in Front of You

When our son, Drew, was a little boy, he loved to be chased. Whether it was time to play or put on his clothes, it just delighted him to no end to see us scrambling to catch him. At first glance, it would appear that he was trying to get away, that he didn't want to be caught. But you could tell by the giggles every time he looked back over his shoulder that the real joy was in him knowing that were pursuing him. Conversely, if we stopped our pursuit, he'd stop laughing. 

Now, picture yourself being like our precocious young son. Running and giggling with delight, knowing that you're about to be overtaken by something awesome from your Heavenly Father.

I know, I know. You're a full grown woman now with responsibilities and all, but just humor me, okay? 

God's goodness and mercy (or unfailing love as the NLT puts it) are always on your trail. They are present and actively supporting you even when it doesn't seem like it. 

Perhaps your experiences have left you feeling like you've got nothing and no one to depend on. But that couldn't be further from the truth. The fact that you keep waking up every morning is all the proof you need that God is by your side, ready, willing and able to guide you by His spirit and sustain you with His grace. Your circumstances may try to distort this fact, but that doesn't mean it's not true.

What's the takeaway?

Notice that the verse says goodness and mercy "follow" you. So that means you must be going somewhere, right? Don't allow discouragement to steal what you have left. Get up, dust yourself off from yesterday's battle, and get moving. 

It's okay if you have to take baby steps. Progress is not defined by quantity, but by consistency. Remember, with goodness and mercy behind you, it really doesn't matter what's in front of you.

Action Step

What area of your life have you stopped moving in?

Post it in the comments and I'll be happy to pray for you and offer practical tips to help you get back on track and cross that finish line.

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Did you like this ME23 blog series? If you did, tell other women about it by posting the link to today's post on social media. 

If you haven't already done so, take some time to review the entire 6-part series. It's like a puzzle. It takes each piece to get the whole picture.

Also, feel free to suggest future topics you'd like for me to do as a blog series. I'll accept any reasonable challenge. :)

Until next time,

D-Vine Blessings to You!

ME23: 6 Steps to Turn Your Resolutions into Your Revolution (Part 4)

 

photo source: embracehiscall.com

Hey D-Viners!

Yes, I know. I've been away from the keyboard for a minute. But it's because I'm in the middle of a big transition right now (still in it, as a matter of fact). But it's all good. More about that later.

I didn't want to leave you in suspense about the next post in my ME23 series. So let's get back on track, shall we?

Next up... Psalm 23:4

"Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff PROTECT and COMFORT me."

Principle #4: You Will Find Comfort in the Protection of Discipline

I know, I know. Comfort is not usually the first word that comes to mind when you think of discipline. But it's true. Science has proven it again and again.

Prime example: If you discipline yourself to eat healthier and become more physically active, you will start to slim down, your energy and confidence will increase, and your overall disposition will improve. Hence, COMFORT ensues.

Now let's put that into context using Psalm 23:4. What can we extract from this verse to help you revolutionize your life right now?

First of all, it is inevitable that you will experience dark valleys in your life from time to time. We all do. But remember, they don't come to stay. They come to pass. The point is, when you go through these seasons, it's not about what's happening to or around you, it's HOW you respond. This is where discipline comes in. 

To help you fully appreciate the wisdom of Principle #4, I thought I'd share some facts about how ancient shepherds used only a simple rod and staff to preserve the lives of their sheep.

THE ROD

• Used to safeguard the sheep from danger 
• Thrown out to alert the sheep that has wandered away
• Used to closely inspect and examine the sheep's overall condition

Are you concerned about doors that have been closed in your life? Don't trip. Most likely, God is protecting you from danger or regret (even if you think you're missing out on a great opportunity).

Do you sense warning bells going off on the inside? Perhaps you've wandered away from the path God has predestined for you. He may be trying to get your attention.

Feeling convicted about things you always claimed as just a part of who you are? Maybe God is trying to separate fact from fiction in order for you to recognize the woman he intends for you to become.

THE STAFF

• Used to draw sheep close together in intimate relationship
• Used to guide the sheep and keep it on the right path
• Used to reach out and catch individual sheep to draw them in for closer examination by the shepherd

Have you been isolating yourself from others out of shame, embarrassment, or frustration? Yes. There may be times when God will call you to a place of solitude for a time. But you must be careful not to initiate these times on your own. When it's prompted by God, you run the risk of being led away by your own emotions.

Did you start out with good intentions, but find that you've lost your way? Stop. Breathe. Listen. God wants to reveal not only what is distracting you, but also why it has the power to do so. This is information you can't afford to ignore.

Do you use busyness to avoid facing yourself? Do you sometimes justify your actions, even when you know you should change? Holding on to your version of the truth doesn't do you or anyone else any good. It's when you willingly lay all your cards on the table (the good, the bad, and the ugly) that you truly become free.

What's the takeaway?

"If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding." ~ Proverbs 15:32

I trust that you love yourself too much to intentionally hurt yourself. Therefore, it would help if you would try seeing correction and discipline as a friend and not a foe. Embracing discipline will bring order to your life and in turn, you'll ultimately find comfort in God's sufficient grace.

Action Step

The foundation of true discipline lies in your ability to release your mindset, your way of doing things, and taking time to learn how God does things. If you're feeling brave enough to be transparent, share an area of your life in which you know that you need to relinquish control to God. I will commit to praying for you and encouraging you to follow through in that specific area.

You may post your response here on the blog, or share it with a close and trusted friend. The aim here is to be accountable for initiating the change you seek.

Stay tuned for Part 5 of my ME23 blog series!

Peace & Blessings,

Tracy 

Happy Holidays from The D-Vine!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

from My Family to Yours

Tyler, Tracy, Reagan, B. J., & Drew

Enjoy this season with family and friends. Remember that the birth of Jesus Christ, the savior of the world and the Prince of Peace, is the REAL reason for the season.

Taking a break from blogging next week, but coming back with something NEW & EXCITING JUST FOR YOU! Get ready to kick into full gear in 2016 with my six-week series: ME23.

Before I go, here's some Christmas cheer for you to groove on. :)

Back in Stride Again

(photo credit: augustaga.gov)

Hello Fellow Champion!

Does the holiday season tend to get you off your game? It happens to me almost every year. As you can probably tell by the dates on my last few posts, I've been M.I.A. for a couple of weeks.

That's how it goes with me. I'll be making great strides, firing on all cylinders - mind, soul, and body. Then as soon as Thanksgiving comes around, I tend to get distracted with all the sights and smells and sounds of the holiday season. And then the bottom falls out. I start eating waaaay to many sweets and getting off-focus and off-task.

But this year, I've made some improvements, I must say.

I set two primary goals. That's right, only TWO. Why? Because I'm old enough now to realize the importance of not biting of more then I know I can chew.

First up, my fitness. When our eldest went off to college at the end of August, I committed to doing a 30-minute workout, Monday through Friday, every week, and with only a couple of missed days due to illness, I've stayed on track. My handsome hubby is a BIG part of the reason for this because he keeps me accountable to what he knows is important to me. (Love you, Babe!)

Second, my writing. I've been writing for years, mostly for other people. But a couple of years ago, I committed to making more time to write for myself. I had a lot of creative ideas floating around in my head, including an amazing novel (which I intend to publish in early 2016), but I wasn't doing much with them. Then one day, I rediscovered the power of the plan. Plans are the road map for your good intentions. Without one, they simply have no where to go. 

My goal is to broaden my blog's exposure to like-minded women. So the first step in my grand plan was to become consisting in posting something relevant to The D-Vine once a week. Now granted, I'm still tweaking and fine-tuning this one, but I give myself a high-five for improved effort. To top it all off, I recently had a friend who was so inspired by seeing my consistent blog posts on Facebook, he reached out to ask how he could start his own blog. Imagine that... and I'm not even blogging at top form - YET! 

The moral of today's post: ENJOY THE SEASON, BUT DON'T LOSE THE REASON.

Yes, this is the time of year that we celebrate the birth of our Great Redeemer, Jesus Christ, but that's the whole point. He came to help you redeem what was lost in the garden - your faith, your strength, your stride.

So what if you dropped the ball for the umpteenth time? That's what grace is for. Take hold of it again and get back in focus. You don't need January 1st for that. You can start right now!

Until next week...

Hugs & Happy Holidays!

P. S. I've got a hot new blog series coming out in January 2016 called ME-23. You're gonna LOVE it! It's a new twist on an old classic that is just what the doctor ordered if you're tired of living a lukewarm life. Stay tuned!

Don't Let a Setback Send You Back

Hi There Victorious Sisters!

In this, my latest update on my fitness journey, I talk about the progress I've made so far since BEGINNING AGAIN. Also, I briefly talk about setbacks and what to do when you encounter one. If you're pressing your way toward a change you need to make in your life, expect that there will definitely be times when you may miss the mark. Listen to what happened to me...

Are you on the journey towards a better YOU? Leave me a comment and share your ups, downs, and lessons learned along the way. We'll all get better together!