Drawn, Not Driven: Tuning Your Ear to God’s Kindness
Learning to separate God’s loving voice from shame’s voice is a key part of healing your internal love language. If you treat shame as if it were God, you will always feel unsafe with Him. But when you begin to recognize, “That harsh, condemning tone is not my Father,” you can choose which voice to partner with. You can pause and ask, “Who is talking to me right now—love or shame?” and then align with the voice that draws you, not the one that drives you.
Everlasting Love vs. Earned Love: Why Your Inner Voice Doesn’t Have to Hustle
February is often called the month of love, but for many, it’s the month of pressure. Pressure to be enough, to have the right relationship, to somehow prove you are worthy of staying. Earned love is fragile. It feels like something that can be taken away if you mess up, slow down, or disappoint someone.
Lean In
Sometimes, God whispers a word that feels bigger than your current season — and this month, that word for me has been lean in.
Lean in to who you are. Lean in to what you already carry. Lean in to the direction He’s nudging you toward.
Empowered Thoughts: The Neuroscience of Biblical Mind Renewal for Women
Surrendered Thoughts
In a noisy world, it is easy to forget that not every thought deserves a seat at the table of the heart. Scripture reminds us that we are called to “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ,” which is another way of saying that our minds were never meant to be led by lies when they were designed to live in truth. God sees the full picture, while we often see only fragments, and surrendered thoughts are the bridge between our limited perspective and His complete one.
When Words Shift from Self-Doubt to God's Sufficiency
Words don't just describe reality—they shape it. Too often, we speak insufficiency over ourselves: "I'm not enough," "I can't do this," "God uses other people." But what if your vocabulary could pivot from striving to Spirit-empowerment?
Making the Most of What Remains
What if you are the only one writing off the remaining time? What if the very last day was always God’s appointed moment for your miracle? You might be closer than you think to seeing it, holding it, experiencing it. Don't walk away now and leave the 'remains' behind.
The Mindset of GRACE
As we explore the theme of “Living GRACED,” it’s essential to reflect on our current mindset. Are we nurturing thoughts that align with our purpose? Are we speaking life into our dreams and aspirations? If not, it’s time to make a conscious shift toward a mindset that reflects the grace and peace we desire.
Embracing the Gift of Receiving
Many of us struggle with the concept of receiving, whether it comes from God or from others. This difficulty often stems from deeply ingrained beliefs about self-worth and pride. We may feel undeserving of gifts or support, or fear becoming indebted to others. Additionally, cultural norms that prize independence and self-sufficiency can make the act of receiving feel like a vulnerability rather than a strength.
Accepting the Gift of Grace
Grace is more than just a concept—it is a divine gift of kindness from God, offering us salvation and strength. It is the ultimate freedom for our souls, minds, bodies, and every facet of life. What makes grace so profound is its unconditional nature; it is inexhaustible and independent of our actions or worthiness.
The Power of Being "Thankful in Advance"
For many, including myself, the idea of expressing gratitude for future blessings can be daunting. In various seasons of my life, I found this to be one of the greatest challenges—not because God ceased to be who He is, but because of past disappointments. I often focused too narrowly on how I thought situations should have been resolved, which clouded my ability to trust in God’s divine plan.
The key to overcoming this challenge lies in surrendering our own expectations and giving thanks to God for whatever way He chooses to answer us. Gratitude becomes more accessible when it is anchored in what God has already done and His unchanging character and love. This understanding brings peace and strengthens my faith in God's unwavering love for me.
Thankful On Purpose
Gratitude is more than a fleeting emotion—it's a deliberate choice that can change the world, one simple moment at a time. By embracing a lifestyle of thankfulness, we make finding the good as intuitive as breathing.
Thankful Already: The Power of Gratitude
Embracing "Thankful Already"
In a world often focused on what is missing or desired, embracing "Thankful Already" encourages us to appreciate the blessings we currently enjoy. This idea resonates with the scriptural teaching that promotes gratitude in all circumstances. It’s about recognizing and celebrating the gifts in our lives now, even as we strive for more. This mindset enriches our lives and empowers those around us, fostering a community of mutual appreciation and support.
Remember Who You Are
In a world that often tries to define us by fleeting standards, it is crucial to remember who we truly are. This week, at "Words Create," we draw inspiration from Psalm 139:14: "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." This scripture serves as a gentle reminder of our inherent value and uniqueness, crafted with purpose and intention by a loving Creator.
Remaining in Truth: Anchoring Amidst Challenges
The Importance of Staying Grounded in Truth
When our boundaries are challenged, it is easy to feel overwhelmed or lost. The temptation to compromise on what we believe can be strong, especially when faced with fear or rejection. However, truth acts as a compass, guiding us through the chaos and uncertainty. It provides a firm foundation upon which we can build our lives, ensuring that even when the world around us becomes tumultuous, our core remains unshaken.
Releasing What is Not Yours: Embracing Freedom through Boundaries
Signs of Codependency
Difficulty Saying No: Feeling guilty or anxious when refusing requests from others, even when they conflict with personal needs.
Over-Responsibility: Taking excessive responsibility for the feelings, actions, or well-being of others.
Neglecting Self-Care: Placing others' needs above your own, resulting in neglect of personal health and happiness.
Low Self-Esteem: Deriving self-worth from the approval and acceptance of others.
Accepting What is Yours: A Journey to Personal Freedom
In today's fast-paced world, we often find ourselves burdened by responsibilities that are not ours to carry. This incessant load can lead to stress, anxiety, and a sense of being overwhelmed. What if we took a step back to truly understand and accept what is genuinely ours? By recognizing and embracing our personal responsibilities, we can embark on a journey toward a more fulfilling and peaceful life.
Take It Captive: The Power of Choosing Our Thoughts
Throughout this month, we've embarked on a journey to understand the nature of our thoughts. In week one, we delved into "Prevalent Thoughts," recognizing the common and recurring ideas that shape our daily lives. Week two took us into the realm of "Selective Thinking," where we learned the importance of choosing which thoughts to entertain and which to discard. Last week, we explored "Focused Speech," both internal and external, highlighting the influence of our words on ourselves and others.
Focused Speech: The Power of Words
Understanding the power of words necessitates vigilance over the thoughts and words we meditate on. Our internal dialogue sets the stage for our external expressions. Therefore, it is crucial to guard against negative self-talk and replace it with affirming and constructive thoughts.
Similarly, the words we speak to others should be carefully considered. They have the power to create or destroy, to heal or harm. By guarding our speech, we ensure that our words contribute positively to our relationships and the world around us.
Selective Thinking: Discerning Truth
In today's fast-paced world, we're constantly bombarded with information. Our minds become a battleground for countless thoughts—some helpful, others harmful. Selective thinking is the art of discerning which thoughts to nurture and which to let go. It requires divine wisdom to sift through the noise and focus on the truths that bring peace, joy, love, and prosperity.