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 2)

photo courtesy of memrise.com

Welcome to Part 2 of ME23! My new 6-week blog series that puts a new twist on Psalm 23. 

Each week, I'm offering a new building block based on one of the six verses in Psalm 23. If you haven't already done so, you can catch up with Week 1 here. 

Now, let's open up the goodies nestled inside of verse 2!

"He lets me REST in green meadows; he leads me beside PEACEFUL streams."

Psalm 23:2 (NLT)

Principal #2: Never Forfeit Your Benefits

A couple of months ago, I received an email notification from my insurance company reminding me to use my 2015 dental benefits before the end of the year or else lose them. That little reminder prompted me to set aside some time to take advantage of those benefits.

Think of verse 2 that way; a reminder of about your unused benefits - REST and PEACE. 

Fortunately, these benefits come from God, so they are always available. There's no expiration date. But what good is it to have benefits that you never actually use?

If you're being pulled in too many directions these days, it's a good bet that you haven't been resting. And if you're haven't resting, you're probably not at peace. And if you're not at peace, chances are you won't stick to any plan that will lead to the results you desire in your life.

Now, I'm not telling you to chuck all of your responsibilities and run off into the wild blue yonder (although that may sound mighty good to you right now). I'm simply telling you that REST IS A CHOICE. 

You don't have to accept all the drama that is randomly tossed at your feet.  

• Your co-worker has an attitude with you and you don't even know why
• The cashier at the fast-food restaurant gave you the wrong order then took forever to correct her mistake
• Your sisters asked you to help plan the family reunion, but you've been doing most of the work by yourself

I've got many more examples, but I'm sure you get the picture. Quite frankly, do you really have any more room for unnecessary distractions?

What's the takeaway?

You've got a BETTER option. But it only benefits you if you use it.  So, GO GREEN! Accept God's open invitation to step out of the chaos and into the green meadows and peaceful streams He has waiting for you.

Action Step

You can't always retreat from certain issues or circumstances and go get your head together. But that doesn't stop your soul from crying out for relief, does it?

Start practicing the habit of SELF-SANCTUARY. This is when you designate guarded time every day, 5 to 10 minutes to begin with, to unplug. I'm not just talking about vegging out. It's a matter of focus; not on the things that drain you of life, but on the things that give you life.

You may not even be sure of what those things are, but that's where self-sanctuary shines. It gives you an exit lane so that you can identify and connect with what you actually need.

Leave me a comment telling me what you're discovering about yourself as you put this into action. And if you're enjoying this blog series so far, share the link with a friend. :)

Until next week, D-Viners!

ME23: 6 Steps to Turn Your Resolutions into Your Revolution (Part 1)

Happy New Year! 

Welcome to 2016 AND ME23 - my new 6-week blog series

Are you bored with resolutions and ready to experience a personal REVOLUTION? Good!

For the next six weeks, I'm going to share a wisdom key from an age-old classic - Psalm 23 (New Living Translation Version). Each of the six verses in this psalm carries a simple principle that can set you up for success from the inside out. Each week, I'll break each principle down for you so that it's easily understandable and immediately applicable. Some of the series will be in regular blog post style and some will be in the form of a short video to help me more effectively illustrate certain points. But rest assured, it's going to be an experience that will lift you above your circumstances and into the realm of the PROMISED and the POSSIBLE.

Let's do this!

"The Lord is MY shepherd, I have ALL that I need."

Psalm 23:1 NLT

Principle #1: Celebrate Your Dependence 

"Sisters are Doing it for Themselves"

"I'm Every Woman"

"Girl on Fire"

I could go on and on listing the titles of great songs to pump you up with superwoman empowerment. As a post-modern woman, you're probably used to being cheered on to be fiercely independent; to look within to find your power - and rightly so. 

But the reality is that there is a power much greater than anything you could ever muster up on your own, and if you don't (or won't) accept this fact, you'll always be working against yourself.

Now, I've got nothing against New Year's resolutions. As a matter of fact, I'm a big fan of goals and planning. But every great and lasting change always starts with a revolution - a challenge to the status quo. 

The challenge I put before you today is to acknowledge, first and foremost, that

WITHOUT GOD, YOU CAN DO NOTHING

(John 15:5)

If you're a Christian, this seems almost redundant... a no-brainer. But be honest. How many times have you stressed yourself out because you failed to keep this in mind? 

Time out for bearing needless pain, girlfriend! If you want to get set up for true, lasting success, it starts with this singular admission. This is the foundation to everything you will ever be in life.

Declare your dependence upon your Creator. Throw all your cares on God. He can take it. It's nothing to be embarrassed about either. No one's keeping score (even if they act like they were hired to do so). 

You are His intricate and exquisitely unique creation. Only He has the blueprint to develop and lead you toward your authentic self. Don't get so wrapped up in day-to-day details that you neglect to engage your divine connection.

What's the Takeaway?

STOP trying to do it all, know it all, and be it all. Relinquish your need to control everything and everybody, and tap into God's ample supply of grace (pure, unconditional love that provides what you could never deserve).

Action Step

START becoming God-inside-minded and declare your blessed DEPENDENCE. Post this visual reminder at your desk, on your bathroom mirror, your refrigerator door, the dashboard in your car, or whatever you lay your eyes on everyday: 

"Let go. You can rest now. God's got this!"

Whatever you need, whatever you think you don't already have, you'll find it when you commit to trading your pressure for His presence. That's where you'll get your right mind back. That's when clarity comes, peace prevails, and creativity begins to flow freely.

Sound too good to be true? Don't knock it if you haven't tried it. 

Leave me a comment and tell me how putting this week's ME23 principle into action is helping you.

Until next week...

Say No More: Why You Shouldn't Always Feel Compelled to Explain Yourself to Others

There I was, doing it again.

Trying to think of an easy way to describe what I currently do for a living without sounding like a huge loser to someone I hadn't talked to in years. You see, I haven't worked on a traditional job for a long time. I'm self-employed and the Lord has given me the freedom to accept only those assignments for which I'm purposed. As a matter of fact, I replaced the word "job" with the word "assignment" years ago. (I'll tell you about that revelation in a future post). But when I found myself struggling to put what I actually do in terms that she could understand, I realized that my problem wasn't her, it was me. The more I stammered, the more questions she kept firing at me, almost like she was Detective Stabler trying to corner a perp in the interrogation room on Law and Order: SVU!

Come to think of it, why was it so important for her know so many details about my life anyway? We weren't ever even close... ever. But I digress...

When I finally got off the phone with her, I really needed to do some soul-searching. I had handled similar situations like this far too many times. I just couldn't let another birthday roll around with me still low-key campaigning for other people's approval of what God has ordained for my life. I really thought I was past that. But when she started peppering me with questions (and doing it with much smugness, might I add), it drudged up some old residue and I wasn't happy about that at all.

"Obviously, I'm not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant." ~ Galatians 1:10 NLT

Do you ever feel compelled to "set the record straight" so that your image (whatever that is) stays intact? Do you especially find the urge is strongest when you're doing something that you KNOW God has told you to do? I've been there. It never works out. While you think you're saving your reputation, you're actually slowly losing sight of your own value and significance. Personally, I've found that it's not worth the risk.

It's funny how God's picture of success is often strikingly different from man's picture of success - even saved man. But I've come to realize that whatever my condition may appear to be in the eyes of others, that does not define who I am. Only the people who care about WHO I AM can legitimately say that they care about ME. Therefore, it has become my joy and privilege to leave people with their own thoughts, especially if they seem to be happiest dwelling there. I no longer carry the burden of protecting anyone from my truth!

"What other people think of me is none of my business." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

So I leave you with this, and I hope you wrap your mental arms around this truth and embrace it with all your might.

Whether you have accepted it or not, you are enough. It doesn't matter if you're still growing, still climbing, still trying, and still learning. YOU ARE ENOUGH!

Stop living your life to be approved by others. Most people are way to fickle to ever be pleased with anything you do anyway. Make your decisions, your choices, and even your mistakes on your own terms, NOT the terms someone else has assigned to you.

God loves you. He approves you. You were important and special enough for Him to send His only Son, Jesus, to die for your sins and give you eternal life.

Who else would do that for you? Nobody.

Who else is even worthy of doing that for you? Nobody.

Who do you owe an explanation to? Say it with me, "NOBODY!"

Until next week,

Rock Your Worth!