by Dee Kisser | Oct 12, 2021 | Life Advice, Testimonies, Wisdom |
Differences, we all have them. Some are visible to the eye, others lay beneath the surface, waiting in anticipation for someone to notice. We are all so different; so unique, so wonderfully made, and I would go so far as to say — extraordinary.
Hey friends, my name is Danielle (Dee if we want to be less formal) and I too, am different. For the ones who are just hearing my name for the first time, I was born with achondroplasia dwarfism. In the simplest terms, this means that my bones don’t grow very much, and I will be little for the rest of my life. Everything in my body is the same as yours, just condensed into a smaller package. I am the only one in my family with dwarfism, and this has often led me to the question: Why did God make me this way? As any “Good Christian” would do, I turned to the Bible in the hopes of finding an answer to this question. In 2 Corinthians 4:18 it says, “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” Well this doesn’t answer my question. In fact, when I came across this verse it drove my original question into the essence of what i’ll be writing about.
“God how do you expect me not to fix my eyes on my physical appearance? When it seems like that’s the only thing about me the world is looking at?”
STORY TIME!!
I don’t remember the exact day that I started realizing I was different. I have a younger brother and even as he grew taller than me, I don’t remember that being too alarming. He was my little-big brother, my protector, the one who could do things for me, so believe me I was fine with it. When I was around 5 years old, we were driving home from a Little People of British Columbia event – an organization for people of short stature, and from the back seat of the van I asked, “Am I going to look just like so and so when I grow up?” My mom is not someone who beats around the bush, so when her 5 year old daughter asks a very direct question about her future, there is no point in being vague. “Yup, you are” she had said. For a moment I was silent, I guess processing what this meant, but who knows. After a moment I replied, “Okay”, and that was the end of it. My mom tells me I never asked the question again.
Another time we were in the car, and as she parked she heard a dramatic sigh come from the backseat, “What’s wrong?” she asked. Silence filled the air as she awaited my response, then I replied with, “I’m just preparing for everyone to stare at me when I get out of the car”. Just like when your child falls and scrapes their knee, and you aren’t supposed to show them it’s a big deal, my mom never showed me how profound, serious, and sad that statement was. “Yup, you ready for it?” she asked me. To which I took a deep breath and replied “Yeah I’m ready.”
I tell you these stories not to make you sad, or to throw myself a pity party, but rather I tell them because I believe there is a profound freedom that comes when we acknowledge our situations, and allow God to use them in the way he’d like. Because, if God is the true Creator of all things, then he has created all of you. Now I don’t know why some of us seem to have it a little harder in certain areas than others. This isn’t a “my difference is worse than yours” debate, but if we are to believe that God is the Creator of all things, then we’ve got to believe that He will work some type of purpose into all of you.
I didn’t have to love that I was going to be stared at, nor did I have to love my mom’s answer that I look different. All I had to do was acknowledge it was there, and make a decision to get out of the car. You may be asking yourself now, “how do I acknowledge my difference?” Well, how often do we walk past a mirror and look at our appearance? I would bet, that every time we see ourselves in the mirror, we are taking notice of something about ourselves. Is it your height? Your weight? Maybe your hair colour? Skin colour? The way your outfit is on fleek!? I don’t know if people still say ‘on fleek’, but you get the picture. I’m going to be bold and suggest that we look at ourselves a lot more than we’d ever admit. In that case, in just this one example of looking in a mirror, we’re actually acknowledging what makes us different, a lot more than we realize.
Still with me? Because now it’s one thing to acknowledge the existence of something, but it’s a whole other thing to let God use it for good! So bringing it back to what I mentioned earlier, that can be a tough thing to wrestle with — you feel like the parts of you that make you so different, are the only parts the world is looking at.
Now I’m feeling like we need some good news!
True freedom comes when we are able to surrender to the fullness of who we have been created to be — this includes our unique differences. Giving God our differences, and laying them down, brings freedom. We can surrender our minds, our thoughts, our hearts, our dreams, relationships, finances, you name it! Albeit, have we ever thought what would happen if we surrendered the parts we wish were different? The parts of us that make us unique, the parts of us that stand out a little more, or maybe they are hidden beneath the surface. Differences aren’t a mark of an imperfection, rather a unique signature from your Creator — a one of a kind, beautiful mark that claims “I am yours, and you are mine.” And if we are truly going to walk out our life’s purpose on earth, we must begin to see our differences as God’s signature that help’s to unlock our true freedom. We can’t change how we look, or the life we’ve been given, but we sure can choose how we live in it. Just like those field trip permission slips we had to get signed in school— we’ve got God’s signature, now its your turn to hand it in. You are His ability to bring the kingdom of heaven down to earth and to shine his light
in the places that do not yet know who He is – that is your purpose. We fix our eyes on what is unseen because our freedom comes from what is hidden in eternity.
You are so special to God, every part of you is special. I’ve spent a lot of my life learning how to surrender my dwarfism — trusting that my disability can be used for good. That God has created all of me, and perhaps my dwarfism is what God wants to use. Some days it’s easy, some day’s I can’t bear the thought of trusting God with it. It’s a process, but nonetheless a process worth doing.
Probably you: “Alright Dee…. I know what makes me different, what do I do about it?”
Well, well, well, let me tell you!
- Acknowledge what makes you different.
In no way does that mean you have to love it, or that you need to have it all figured out — just acknowledge and accept that it’s there. If we aren’t willing to accept what makes us different, accept our situation, then we won’t be able to lay them down.
- Lay it down.
The truth is, our differences can be heavy! The world is heavy, and it’s heavy to carry your difference alone. But thank goodness we have a God, who sent Jesus to do the one thing we couldn’t do, and who came to carry our burdens for us. For example, “God, I lay down ______ today. Thank you for carrying my difference.”
- Walk through the door.
Take a step of faith, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, God will give you the strength to move forward in freedom from the differences we carry.
So if you’re still with me, acknowledging our differences reveals the door, laying them down unlocks the door, and before you feel as if you cant possibly walk through that door alone, it says in 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” Friend, he walks through that door with you. You’re not alone, and walking through that freedom door, is a lot lighter when we’ve laid down the heavy load of our differences.
As Christians, we have a unique opportunity to partner with God, to spread the message of Jesus, and shine his light while on earth. In order to fully participate in this, we’ve got to trust God with every part of us — differences and all. If God is who he says he is, and he is the Creator of all things, then rest assured that he has purposefully, wonderfully, carefully, and lovingly, created ALL of you.
Your difference is safe with the God who created you.
My name is Dee, I’m a born and raised Canadian currently living in Montreal. I’m living the student athlete life, currently in University doing a double major in Linguistics and Theology, and swimming for Team Canada. Recently competed at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, and I have a passion for encouraging people to embrace their unique differences. I’ve got a youtube channel called This Little Light, and you can usually find me drinking an iced coffee and making short jokes. Keep up with me via Instagram @dee_kisser
by Tara Sun | Oct 7, 2021 | Life Advice, Wisdom |
Endless articles. Countless tweets. Discouraging Instagram posts. Disheartening news reports. Fractured relationships. Conspiracy theories.
The list goes on. It’s no secret that we exist and live in a world that is broken and overwhelming. And yet, it all seems to have heightened over the last few years with a global pandemic, political strife and just plain, ‘ol day-to-day life.
The other day, I was having a conversation with one of my dearest friends. I asked how she was doing and her reply stood out to me.
“Overwhelmed. Just constantly overwhelmed with life.”
She went on to explain that she had a lot on her plate: between regular work, relationships and planning. I could see the weariness and exhaustion all over her face. She went on to add that she was also physically, mentally and emotionally drained from being on her phone. Every time she logged onto Facebook or Instagram, she was immediately accosted by bad or sad news. You know what I’m talking about?
I could tell that it wasn’t just normal life and work that was overwhelming her, but the loud and heavy world that we live. In that moment, I didn’t know what to do but to scoop her up in a big hug and listen.
Chances are, you can relate to that story of my friend. If you’ve ever used the words, “loud”, “overwhelming” or “discouraging” to describe the world and how you’re feeling… you’re not alone.
The reality is, we live in a sinful, fractured world. Now, I don’t want to be a Debbie-Downer. Don’t worry — the hope and antidote to this feeling is coming soon. But none of these feelings should come as a surprise to us.
Jesus said, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation.” (John 16:33a, emphasis added.)
Prior to this, Jesus had just encouraged his disciples to remain in Him as the vine (John 15) and also promised them that their sorrow will always turn to joy in Him (John 16:16-24). He “said all of these things” that they would have peace. But, the guarantee was that they, the disciples, and you and I, will have tribulation and trials.
That doesn’t sound like a very pleasant promise, right? You may be thinking, “Thanks but no thanks, Jesus. I’d rather take your promise for peace or hope or salvation. I don’t want this tribulation promise.”
But here’s the key point we’re missing: Jesus made this offer in the most unlikely circumstance. This was right before Judas would march through the Garden of Gethsemane with a band of soldiers to arrest and eventually, crucify Jesus. This was Jesus’ way of saying that he had more than enough peace to give to his disciples.
When Jesus promised tribulation (aka trouble or hardships), he wasn’t kidding around. When we become a Christian, we are given so much but we are also still prone to hardships. Think of it this way: Adam and Eve sent the world into sin and hardship. God could of stopped it, yes. But why didn’t he?
The answer is simple: So that He could set his grand rescue story into motion. So He could send his son Jesus to save the world and bring them into a new covenant. So that they would be lights in a dark world and give the opportunity for mankind to know a better and lasting sacrifice. When we think about it that way, it’s truly a gift.
Now, I didn’t share the whole passage in John 16:33. I left out a crucial part… intentionally. Let’s finish it together.
“… in the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33b)
Victory. Plain and simple. Jesus proclaimed the truth of his victory over tribulation. After telling his disciples that tribulation was promised, He comforted them and strengthened them with his victory. In doing so, he also promised them and you and I the victory. This wasn’t just Jesus’ victory — He was extending it to us too.
You see, sweet friend… knowing that Jesus has overcome the world, meaning crushed death and tribulation for good, brings us good cheer. It brings us hope. It brings us peace. It brings us confidence that Jesus is in control.
So now what? What does this verse mean for me when I’m overwhelmed by the world? When I’m overwhelmed by my life and the noise around me? From what we’ve just learned about Jesus and his victory, let’s get practical, shall we?
When the world is loud and overwhelming, I will…
- Run to the Rock that is higher than I. (Psalm 61)
King David wrote Psalm 61 from a place of reflection. We know that although David was a great man of God, he also made lots of mistakes and found himself in so many trying situations. Psalm 61 was a prayer for help in situations of overwhelm.
In verse two, he says, “Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” David knew that there would be times that his heart was overwhelmed — by life, work, relationships etc. But in this moments, he held onto these three truths: 1) He needed a rock, a place of stability and security, strong enough to withstand crashing waves or sudden attacks. 2) He needed a rock that was higher than himself, meaning, a place above himself, above his wisdom and above his own abilities. 3) He needed God to lead him to that rock. David was fully aware that he was unable to get there by himself, especially when he was overwhelmed and the world was loud.
News flash! God is that rock. He is that place of stability. He is that place and person that is wiser than all, higher than all, more able than all. He is the only sure guide to lead his people into that safety. Make it your prayer, your aim and your ambition to run to the Rock first. To acknowledge your state of overwhelm and immediately turn and run through practice and consistency.
- Filter everything I see, read and hear through the Word of God. (Romans 12)
The first few verses of Romans 12 warns us that the world will try and conform us to its ungodly pattern. We’re warned that although it may be attractive and loud and seem like the majority, we must resist. Why? Because it goes against God. It does not lead us in the way everlasting.
So what do we do? The answer is for our minds to be transformed. This is the opposite of being conformed, being molded to look like the world. We’re called to think, examine and live differently. To be transformed, we must read God’s Word and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal it to us. To help us live differently. We must spend regular time in His presence.
This — the Word of God — is our baseline… our foundation… our guidepost for life. And then guess what? If we seek after transformation, we will see proof on the outside. We will be able to see with our eyes and hear with our ears what is good and acceptable and what is not. This will eliminate the overwhelm of the world and the noise around us.
- Rest more than I strive. (Ephesians 2)
Ephesians 2 is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible, reminding us of how important grace is to our faith and lives. My friend, Ruth Chou Simons says it best: “Grace is recognizing that God has done it all. Grace is realizing that God invited me to sit at his table with the work already done.”
Ephesians 2:8 reminds us that we have been saved through grace, not through our own doing. Not through our striving to do more, be more, achieve more. But through unmerited favor.
So this compels us to rest. To sit and be still in God’s presence. To let His grace wash over us and remind us that He has the victory. That He has completed the work. When we strive and obsess and give into overwhelm, we are not operating out of grace. We are operating out of self-sufficiency. And rest one of the greatest gifts that enables us to relax, remember the gospel, realize that Jesus has already won.
Here’s a fun little graphic to save to your phone 🙂
Tara is a twenty-two year old Christian writer, podcaster and speaker. She humbly runs an online ministry for women to help them know, love and live God’s Word in their own lives. Based in Oregon, Tara has found her purpose in writing, creating, recording podcast episodes and mentoring women. She is a newlywed, married to her high school sweetheart, Michael. You can catch her drinking a good cup of coffee, spending time with her people and serving the Lord on a daily basis.
Follow Tara on Instagram @misstarasun
by Olivia Steingraber | Oct 5, 2021 | Life Advice, Wisdom
Alright sister, let’s chat. I think we can all agree that oftentimes there is a level of happiness when purchasing a new item or receiving a gift. Let’s pretend that you have had your eyes on the perfect pair of distressed jeans. You have been eyeing up every shop and online store just so you can find the perfect pair of denim to sport all year long. You want them to fit perfectly and look perfect. Then, after some time searching, you’ve found them! LIKE C’MON. This is probably one of the best feelings (especially if you are a tall gal out there like me).
But if I am being completely real with you, there is only ONE THING that is better than finally getting your hands on a new pair of jeans that SING when you put them on. So, what is better than the perfect pair of jeans you may ask? Well, it is finding the perfect pair of distressed jeans that fit you flawlessly, but from the thrift store. I am talking about a USED pair of jeans that you bought for 99 cents.
There is something so exciting about buying used clothes. Used clothes tell stories. It is like every rip and small hole or distressing detail of the garment tells a story of the past. Thrifted items are used and worn, but they are given new life once they are given up by the original owner. What was once an old, unwanted pair of denim to the owner is now a new, riveting purchase by someone new with a fresh set of eyes and an ecstatic perspective.
This imagery has been spinning through my head for the past few months. It reminds me of the Lord’s redemptive power. Alright friend, let’s talk about redemption.
The definition of redemption is as follows: the action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil. The action of regaining or gaining possession of something in exchange for payment, or clearing a debt.
Like an unwanted pair of denim, our lives commonly reflect the imperfections of used clothing. We are worn down, dirty, and distressed. We have seen brighter days; and frankly, we are falling apart. The Lord’s redemption is on full display when He takes the pieces of us that are worn down, dirty, and distressed and He turns them into something good. He turns our failures into testimonies.
The difference between our thrifting experiences on this earth and the Lord’s work is that the work that He did cost FAR MORE than 99 cents. His redemption cost innocence. It cost a human life. It cost perfection in the form of a human. It cost humiliation and death.
There is this verse that has been on my heart for literally MONTHS. It comes to form the book of Revelation. It says: “He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’” Revelation 21:5 NIV
There is something so beautiful and encouraging to me about these words in Revelation. It reminds me that the Lord’s heart is to redeem. To redeem what is broken, lost, burdened, heavy, and wicked. He has been doing this style of work since day one.
Let’s go back to Adam and Eve. Yes, we may think that it would have been pretty incredible if Adam and Eve never sinned. But if it wasn’t for human’s fall, then we would not see the Lord’s redemptive power on full display. Although God knew we were going to sin because He is all-knowing of what we have done and will do, He never intended for us to sin but CHOSE to redeem every part of our fall. He is so powerful that He could ensure we would never fall away, but he allows us to so that He can do a greater work within us. So that He is glorified through His power of making something old and turning it into something new.
It is so clear that God LOVES new things and He is the ultimate professional of new things. If God were a businessman, he would be in the business of renewal and redemption. He created the whole universe from scratch and He loves to redeem all things that are broken. It is so incredible to know that we are created by this God: the God that desires to redeem and renew.
In my past, I have felt defeated by my imperfections. I have felt shame from my past and even too far gone to be used by God. I did not understand the Lord’s desire to redeem and heal all the parts of me that were bruised and broken. Today, I understand the Lord’s heart for me and His desire to redeem my steps. My life changed when I truly started to grasp and understand the redemptive heart of God and I believe there is a freedom we miss out on earth by not living in this truth over our lives.
In 2 Corinthians, Paul spoke about the transformation that is available on this side of eternity when recognizing this redemptive truth. “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day…Therefore if anyone in Christ is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 4:16, 5:17)
Because of redemption, there is freedom.
The fact that I am not enslaved to my shame, hurt, or pain anymore is my freedom.
Knowing that the Lord is redeeming me today and He is going to complete the work that He started is my freedom.
The redemptive power is my freedom. GOD’S REDEMPTION IS MY FREEDOM CRY and excuse me as I shout these words from the tippy-top of the tallest rooftop, BUT I HAVE FREEDOM BECAUSE OF REDEMPTION… and sister, so do you.
So go and be encouraged by the redemptive power of our God and rest knowing that you’re made in the image of a God who says, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Revelation 21:5
Olivia is a creative, an entrepreneur, and a recent college graduate from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse. Olivia has combined her multi-passions of fashion with her desire to share the gospel by creating a clothing brand with the goal of starting gospel conversations and encouraging individuals to live intentionally in their twenties. You can follow her store on Instagram @shop.twenties or you can become virtual friends with Olivia by connecting with her on her Instagram @oliviasteingraber
by Ginny Owens | Sep 30, 2021 | Life Advice, Wisdom
Though Philippians 4:4-13, is not a song, per se, we know that Paul often sang, even in prison (Acts 16:25.) I imagine Paul singing about the secret to true peace and contentment from his jail cell. And if he could sing such a hopeful song from such a dark place, surely he can teach us how to do the same…
In Philippians 4:6–7, Paul told us to not be anxious about anything. Instead, he said, take your requests and your thankfulness to God, and peace that you can’t even comprehend will surround you and protect your minds in Jesus.
Paul didn’t suggest that we not be anxious—he commanded it. Which shows, at the very least, that it’s possible to not be anxious. Why would he command us to do something that is impossible? Paul never said God would answer our worries according to our wishes.
But he said, to paraphrase, “Don’t worry; pray.” Or as Martin Luther said, “Pray, and let God worry.”5
Similarly, Peter ordered us to throw all our anxieties on God because He cares for us (1 Pet. 5:7).
The key here is that we bring those worries to Him with gratitude. In the Bible, we often hear of people full of fear about what was about to happen or devastated by what had happened, yet they recounted God’s faithfulness as they prayed. I have come to love recounting to God how He has been faithful, because it instantly changes my perspective. Sometimes I go back to Leah, Moses, and even Adam and Eve. It’s mind-blowing that the God who spoke to them also listens to and speaks to us and cares about our lives.
Every night now, I make a gratitude list of at least five things I’m thankful for. No matter what kind of day I’ve had, I start writing as I pray, and I rarely end up with only five things on that list. By the time I get to my requests, I feel a renewed confidence and peace because, as I look back over my day and over the history of God’s faithfulness, I see how He truly cares and is at work in my life and in the lives of those in my space. I have a sense that even if my circumstances don’t change, He will guide me through, as He has always done.
We learn through Paul’s words to the Philippians that prayer is the place where God’s strength overpowers our weakness and His faithfulness overcomes our fear and restlessness. Without prayer, there is no singing in the dark. There’s no joy. No rest from anxiety. But prayer with gratitude enfolds our hearts with peace. In the midst of my most restless hour, as I began to practice what Paul commanded, things began to change. For a season I served part-time as a worship leader in a Nashville church that had a couple of campuses. Though it proved to be the most rigorous of my musical experiences so far, it was a beautiful time of growth and change.
When I wasn’t on the road, I was at my home church, leading worship and learning to be in community. I learned to forge ahead during the awkward moments of getting to know new people. I learned to keep showing up for small group, no matter how uncomfortable or even outright boring it could feel. And through sharing the lives of others, day in and day out, I gained a sense of grounding, leading to a peace I hadn’t experienced before.
I also began to pray differently. I talked to God about everything that was going on, with a renewed belief that He saw and cared and could bring change. As I look back over my journals from that season, I can witness the transformation from virtually one-sided blubbering in a place of anxiety and discontentment to an awareness of God’s greatness, holiness, and constant faithfulness.
New community and a deeper attention to Scripture and prayer led to a bigger view of God and began the evolution of a new, more peaceful me. I started to learn how to fight my tendency to worry. Instead of being dominated by stressful circumstances, I began to train my mind to move in the opposite direction—toward the peace of Christ. And I was able to let go of anxiety meds.
Worry and restlessness are constant battles—battles that most of us will face until eternity. And for some of us, medication serves as a life-changing aid to living fully and balanced. (Praise God for brilliant scientists.) But wherever we find ourselves on this spectrum, God longs to give us life-altering, soul-resonating peace through Himself, His Word, prayer, and community with other believers.
Excerpted from Singing in the Dark by Ginny Owens, © 2021. Used by permission of David C Cook. May not be further reproduced. All rights reserved.
With an award-winning career that encompasses two decades as a singer/songwriter, recording artist, author, and speaker, Ginny Owens has released ten albums, five EPs, and two Christmas projects garnering critical success, chart-topping radio singles, and numerous film and television placements. She continues to inspire others with the truth of the Gospel through personal stories, songs, and Bible teaching. In 2014, Ginny released her first book, Transcending Mysteries: Who is God And What Does He Want From Us, co-authored with Andrew Greer and published by Thomas Nelson/HarperCollins. In 2021, Owens released her new book on David C Cook, Singing in the Dark, which encourages readers that God is eager to speak light into their hearts despite the daily darkness of life in the way only He can. In addition she released her first worship project, the EP Sing Hope in the Darkness, was recorded at the Art House in Nashville. This organic, live offering features songs that run the gamut from modern worship to ancient hymns. Ginny currently resides in New York City and is in her final year of a Master of Biblical Studies at seminary. For more information, visit GinnyOwens.com.
by Sadie Robertson Huff | Sep 28, 2021 | Featured, Life Advice, Sisterhood, Wisdom
Friend! Today is the day. I finally get to share my new devotional, Live On Purpose, with all of you! This book is full of both biblical truth and stories that have shaped my life, and I pray they do the same for you. Snag your copy here for some daily doses of encouragement!
Now, I hope you enjoy this devotional from day 15 of Live On Purpose:
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And God said to Noah, “. . . Make yourself an ark of gopherwood.”
(Genesis 6:13–14 nkjv)
Revelation and realization might look and sound like similar words, but there’s a big difference in what they mean. A revelation is something that you’re suddenly aware of—like you suddenly become aware of what God wants you to do with your life (or at least part of it). A realization is when God makes that revelation actually happen.
Chances are, you will have a revelation of what God wants you to do before you see the realization of what He is going to do.
Think about Noah. God gave him a revelation: “You need to build a boat.” Noah listened. He acted on that revelation and started building. And I bet he had some learning and training to do before he figured out exactly how to build that boat. When the rains started, Noah saw that God used the boat to save humankind and the animals. That’s when the realization happened.
For me, I had a revelation that God wanted me to go on tour and speak to people about Him. Maybe I’d call it Live Original, but I wasn’t sure. Back then, I never thought it would be what God has grown it to be. I never thought I’d speak at the Passion Conferences, go on to start a podcast, and spend every day working on content to preach, write, and encourage people in their faith.
That first revelation, though, was strong enough for me to know that I needed to start training and learning. I needed to stop listening to some of the music I was listening to, and I needed to stop watching some of the shows and movies I gave my time to. I needed to start digging deep into Scripture and saturate my life with the Word of God. I wouldn’t know the Bible stories I know today if I had not spent that time in the Word— after I had the revelation, but before I had the realization.
When God gives you a revelation, that’s your cue to ask Him to start teaching you what you need to know before you get to the realization. As He teaches and trains you, you’ll not only learn what you need to know; you’ll also learn to trust the Lord who leads you. And He’ll lead you right into the purpose He has for your life.
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A prayer for you: Holy Father, open my eyes to see Your revelation for my life. Then teach me and train me so that I will be ready for the realization. Amen.
Be sure to order your copy today!
by Jennie Allen | Sep 23, 2021 | Life Advice, Sisterhood, Wisdom
Community. Some of you might be reading this right now thinking there’s no hope in having this. But here’s the truth, friend. You could. You could dig into a local church. You could build a spiritual family. You could have friendships. And that’s what we’re going to talk about today. Living on mission and fighting the devil with the greatest weapon that we have which is each other. You could have people that make you love God more around you a year from now. And I promise you, you matter for the Kingdom of God.
We all come from a context. We all come from a story. We all come from struggles. I have yet to sit across from someone at coffee long enough that they don’t eventually cry. It’s like my superpower. Sit there long enough and I will make you cry. And the reason why is because somewhere in the depths of every single one of us are thoughts, insecurities, fears, anxiety. Am I alone when I say my anxiety has been worse in the last year than it has been in 10? I didn’t prepare a message for you. I prayed for what God had to say to you. Because the truth is, we don’t need a show. We need healing, powerfully, in the places that we’ve never shared. And I can’t make that happen. So here is my prayer to the One who can:
Jesus, you are here. There were prayers prayed that the enemy would have no foothold here. So, you are here and the enemy is not. This is a safe place because you are God. You know the innermost parts of us and you know us and love us. And you want more for us. That we would live so free that other people want you. God would you show us the parts that we love more than you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
I’m going to ask you to pull out a notebook. I want you to be as honest as you can with this. What I believe is that until we’re honest with ourselves it’s really hard to change. So, let’s start here:
- What are you longing for?
- What are you grieving?
- What are you anxious about?
Once you’re done, find someone and tell them the hardest answers to share. I guarantee you’ll get a head nod. Because we are all in the struggle together.
Here are a few of the things people say they’re longing for: a Godly husband, to feel worthy, loved, and purposeful, clarity in the unknown of life, Godly friendships, strength.
People are grieving for: past sins and brokenness, broken relationships, unknowns.
People are anxious about: failing as a mother, changes, inability to turn from sins.
We are really good at recognizing these things. But I’m afraid it’s because life has not been easy for us. And there is a lot going on in our heads that’s heavy and even sometimes toxic. My kids started school this week and for the first time, on the back of the card they have to wear around their necks, the school added the number to call if you’re tempted to commit suicide. There is a war for your generation unlike any generation before. The enemy got a bunch of weapons in this generation. The internet, anxiety, isolation. Then there’s a constant stream of pressure being thrown at you every single minute. And you need to know that’s not how people have always lived. Three in five people describe themselves as lonely. We are the most anxious and lonely generation documented.
I spent a portion of my life studying the brain and I loved it. In the last 20 years they’ve learned more about the brain than they have in 2,000 years. And what we know about the brain is that we can change our thoughts. If you didn’t already know that, it’s great news. So, I wrote this book called Get Out of Your Head and a lot of people read it. It’s been amazing and lives have been changed. But it’s funny because I keep hearing this theme. Why do I fall back even though I know I have God-given power over my thoughts? Why do I fall back into anxiety, depression, doubt, and self-loathing? Why do I fall back into these patterns still even though I know the truth? Which is that we can “take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5) Why do I fall back into it?
So, I spent the last two years of my life looking at what is called the greatest weapon which God has given us outside of His word to fight the enemy. The brain. Let me tell you about the enemy. Great battlefield is the brain, especially to a lot of you who feel isolated right now. If you’re alone in the dark with the devil, he can tell you whatever the heck he wants. And guess who he is? Jesus said it five different ways in a few verses in John 8. Most defining characteristic: Liar.
“He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44)
Alone in the dark with the devil, who’s a liar. Why do we keep going back to that dark place? Whatever it is that the devil has been telling us, it’s time we know that it’s the devil. And if the devil has been luring you to empty cisterns that are never going to fill you, then it’s time we call things what they are. Now, let’s stop talking about what the enemy’s trying to do and start talking about what God wants to do.
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 5:6-11)
This is a good story. And in many ways, I believe we’re telling it well. But I also believe that if the enemy gets us alone in the dark, we’ll forget that story and end up living for another one that won’t last long. How do we change? That is the question. We will always be people that grieve and worry about things. Honestly, there is plenty to worry about in today’s society. But we are not in bondage to those things.
So, what does it look like to live free? I love this story that Peter painted. He gets it. He understands how we need to live. But he also gets grace. And he also gets that he is never going to obey God all by himself. There was a reason Jesus didn’t just pick Peter. There’s a reason He didn’t just go with Peter into the sunset. He brought a whole entourage. Jesus could have shown up on stage with a microphone and the Spirit come out and all the people’s lives change. Why did He gather a posse? Because Jesus didn’t just come to die for our sins. He came to show us how to live.
And you wonder why life feels so hard. Let’s go back to this question: How do we change? When I did the neuro research I learned this.
Our brains have emotions which move into thoughts, then behaviors, then relationships, then consequences. And it feels like this circle that sometimes you can’t get off. And Proverbs would say, “For as a man thinketh within himself, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7)
Let me give you a little bit of brain science here. 80% of what people think about is negative. 95% is repetitive from the day before. We are thinking the same dark thoughts minute after minute until the devil can sit down and fold his hands because our thoughts are on repeat. But the interesting thing about the brain is that we can actually interrupt thoughts.
The way I do it is reminding myself that I have a choice. I don’t have to dwell on this negative thing. I can interrupt the thought. Now, the last two years a lot of people were reading the Bible in the midst of Covid and I got a lot of messages asking, “Why can I still not change? Science and scriptures say we can.”
“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” (Romans 8:6)
It seems that our mind can change everything. Except, where are we when we’re in our thoughts? All alone. If you know anything about the Bible it’s all about people who mess up. People who love God and who are angry at Him. People hurting people. And yet, how do people change? Jesus. I guarantee there are plenty of you reading this who love Jesus and are still anxious. This past week I went on a retreat where, to my surprise, there was a counselor. It was difficult, but I shared that all my life I have felt like I am nothing. A storyline I picked up by the age of 12. A road that led to an eating disorder and self-condemning thoughts. All I wanted to know is that what I was doing mattered to God.
But during this retreat, my life changed. Because it turns out, we don’t need all the right answers. We need people sitting in the hard with us. By the end of my share time at retreat, I was in a ball crying and repeatedly saying, “I feel so much pressure. I just wanna quit.” Something in my soul was held by Jesus through people. The assumption of the Bible is that we’d be doing life with people. Yet, we’re more isolated than we’ve ever been. There is a war for us. And the enemy wants nothing more than cause you to check out from the purposes God has for you. God has a beautiful picture to paint for us. But it’s not easy, because the very place we’re supposed to find healing, for most of us is the very place we found hurt. And it’s not easy when God calls us to go back to the places of brokenness to find healing. Jesus wants healing for you.
We’re at war and we’re all fighting alone. But we don’t have to. Longings, griefs, and worries. What do we do with them until heaven? Share them. That is the easiest line to say but hardest to live. We share them with each other so that we can carry them together. However, it’s hard to need people. We change with interruptions. We change by sharing our lives with people that love us. If you’re reading this and saying, “I’m the loneliest of all and I’ve tried this and it has not worked.” I’m going to tell you another one-liner that is very simple. Try again. And if it fails, try again and again. My friend on the retreat said, “We come into the world looking for someone looking for us.” This is where the Gospel gets so sweet. We have a God who chased us down from heaven to earth and went to the cross. And what he got out of it is us, because he loves and cares for us. And the story of God is that we have an enemy, but we have an army fighting with us and for us. The problem is, we don’t let people fight for us. We think all these thoughts and never say them out loud. So no one can fight for us. But this is the moment that changes. The light doesn’t stream in until you open the door.
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1)
It doesn’t matter if you don’t have it all figured out. You say the thoughts, and that is being free. Let people fight for you. Are you missing the story God has for your life because you don’t have teammates to run with you? We need those people to remind us there is now no condemnation in Christ Jesus. But guess what? They’ll still hurt you. And because of the blood of Jesus you forgive them anyway.
We need community. It’s not about not being lonely. It’s about not missing the few years we have here and what God wants to accomplish through you. It’s not easy, but I promise you it makes life so much better.
He wants to set you free. He doesn’t want you to be alone in the dark with the devil. He wants you to burst out into the light with people who know Him too. He has a plan and it is good. Trust in Him.
Jennie is an Arkansas native but Texan forever, Bible teacher, author, and the founder and visionary of IF:Gathering. A passionate leader following God’s call on her life to catalyze this generation to live what they believe, Jennie is the author of Restless, Anything, Nothing to Prove, and her most recent book Get Out of Your Head. Her Bible studies include Stuck, Chase, Restless, and Proven. Jennie has a master’s in biblical studies from Dallas Theological Seminary and lives in Dallas, Texas, with her husband and teammate, Zac, and their four children, Conner, Kate, Caroline, and Cooper.
Follow Jennie on Instagram @jenniesallen
