Coffee & Words: Change In Seasons

Over the weekend, I sat and watched the leaves sway back in forth in the wind, as the air began to change, and the temperature dropped(quickly changing to a feeling of fall).  As the leaves sway from one side to the other, I couldn't help but notice the pattern remained the same, only maybe picking up speed, depending on the blowing wind. 

When the season changes I am always reminded of my life;  growth, stillness,  and changes that come on this journey.  Sometimes going at full speed and other times slowing the pace, allowing for rest. 

I'm also reminded of God's faithfulness to us in all the changes that come, and how he's never changing.  His unconditional love for us, his grace is constant and sufficient in all things, the joy he brings on a daily, that peace that surpasses all understanding.  It's so evident that even though the seasons are constantly changing, we are never alone, He is always there, even in those seasons that seem a little chaotic and emotional, or those seasons that feel like you are not enough or just aren't sure how things are going to work out.  He is there to give you direction.

So as your season changes and you don't feel like you have it all figured out( it's okay).  Stop and breathe in the fresh air, and let God's grace sustain you. 

Xoxo,

      Nycia

Coffee & Words: In The Waiting

Do you ever feel like your life is constantly going a 100 mph and you don't feel accomplished at that high speed, and find yourself wanting more.  NEVER CONTENT

I use to feel that way until a couple of years ago when I was reminded to stop and listen.  Listen for the rest that was needed, the quiet that was non existent, the rhythm of slow that I wasn't familiar with, the lack of self knowing that needed to be birthed within, that peace that was anxiously awaiting, the God that wanted me to seek him more. 

We have to learn that there is a process in the waiting and patience is a virtue.  When God directs us and gives us discernment in our calling, we have to wait on HIS instructions.  In our waiting we have to pray, be present and rest in him daily.   

The waiting process is not always easy, because the feeling of control and over thinking can cause doubt to creep in. We have to constantly be reminded that in the waiting comes God's instructions and guidance, when he leads the way, everything is orchestrated so perfectly and peacefully.  

Trust the process, trust what God has placed in your heart, trust all that he promises you in his word, and wait on his timing. 

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Psalm 27:14

Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord. 

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Xoxo, Nycia  

 

Spirit of Fear by Joy Leschber

Perceive It Pretty

Fears.  We all have them.  All different, some the same.  What are yours?  It seems like this is a subject no one wants to talk about.  I know I don’t!  Most of the times facing your fears is not pretty. It can get messy and ugly.

Do you ever feel guilty about your fears?  I do.  If I can be honest, if I think too much about a certain fear, I get that feeling in the pit of my stomach that something is not right.  All I want to do is crawl in bed, watch TV and not think about it.  But that doesn’t diminish any fears, it just pushes it to the back of my mind.

We are not called to be timid and not face our fears.  We are called to step up, face our fears and grow.  So today I tell you my biggest fear I have going on right now.  Death.  That is my fear.  Fear that someone close to me will die.  Fear that I will die.  I can tell you exactly when this fear started (when I received a cancer diagnosis) and why it started (I realized that at the age of 35 I was not immune to an early death).  But as quickly as I received that diagnosis, I was in remission.  The cancer was gone but that fear stuck around.  What if the doctor missed something during surgery?  What if the cancer is still there?  What if it spread and no one noticed?  What if it comes back?  Is my daughter susceptible to the same type?  My sisters?  My mom?  Will I die from this???

So I go through those questions in my head.  Sometimes out loud to my sisters and my mom aka my BFF's.  And I answer the questions rationally.  The cancer is gone.  I know this.  My quarterly check ups confirm this.  The labs confirm this.  The scans confirm this.  There is no confirmation that the cancer won’t come back.  There is no confirmation for anyone  that they won’t get cancer.  But I do know that God does not want us to live in fear.  Fear immobilizes us.  It’s hard to move forward.  It’s hard to breathe.  It’s hard to function.  Some days that fear swallows me up and it’s hard to do anything.  More often than not, I can get out of that fearful pit by going to God’s faithful reminders.

Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.  Isaiah 41:10

So instead of feeling guilty about my fears, today I choose to use my fears as reminders of how much I need God.  I will use my fears as a chance to have a conversation with God, to lean into Him and His word.  Today I choose to use my fears as a way to show others that they are not alone.  You are not alone.  I am not alone.  We have the King of Kings on our side.  We have to trust that God’s plan is THE plan.  He, and only He, knows what is best for us and when it is our time to leave the earth.

Our God is so, so good and faithful.  His word doesn’t change.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7

---JOY

You can visit Joy's new blog HERE

Single & Living Fully by Krystle A. Barrington

Being single is not a tragedy. It is a season that lasts longer from some than others.  It is something we can either embrace or try to “fix.” While this season is precious and significant many times we are overwhelmed by the constant questions about our relationship status or maybe even the pressure of getting married. The uncertainty of the future has the potential to leave us feeling anxious and doubtful but the good news is that we can find complete peace in knowing that God is in control. We cannot embrace the season we are in if we allow everyone but Jesus to influence our thoughts. As such, the beginning of living fully as a single woman starts when we begin to trust in God’s good and perfect plan for our lives. 

And in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power or authority. Colossians 2:10 NIV

We cannot afford to be anxious for the future when God has plans for us right where we are. Through my own trial and error I’ve learned that true contentment is the ability to stand still where we are without beating ourselves up about the past or worrying about the future. I truly believe that when we are able to embrace the season we are in, that is when we position ourselves to be used by God. There is power in resting right where we are and when we do we are able to hear from God like never before. 

Our mindset can get a little cloudy when we allow spectators, society, and even our insecurities to influence our perspective on singleness. Rather than allow foolish timetables to influence our thoughts, we’ve got to let God renew our minds. When this happens, it only reinforces that God is so very intentional. Our God is loving, kind, perfect, and all knowing, and there is something about knowing that He knows what’s best for us. 

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

As single women we are not absent from purpose. No, we indeed have a unique opportunity to give God our undivided attention. I am personally grateful that God is willing to use us no matter what our circumstances look like. Even when we don’t have it all together God still wants to use us and speak to us. Getting to know Jesus Christ is the most important relationship we will ever find ourselves in. Even if we don’t have a ring on our finger or see marriage in sight, we can find fullness in God simply because we are His children. 

God is our father and He wants His daughters (YOU) to be loved, respected, cared for, and cherished. What happens many times is that we find ourselves growing impatient. We settle for what is convenient and we ignore the Holy Spirit telling us to run the other direction.  We decide that we know what’s best for us, all the while forgetting to include God in the process. Learning to trust in God is not an easy task. It takes discipline and daily reminders of who God is and how we ought to move through each season of our lives. The more we trust in God the more peace we will experience. He hasn’t forgotten about you, I promise!

When we learn to find contentment in the season we are in, that is when we can give our hearts and our minds to God wholeheartedly. Again, God wants to use us right where we are. I believe with all my heart that the only place we will ever find complete peace is when we learn to be content, joyful, productive, intentional and FULL of life in the season we are in.  

♥ Thanks Krystle for joining us here on She Inspires, we love having you! ♥

Ladies be sure to visit Krystle Barrington  at http://www.authorkrystleb.com for more inspiration! 

Coffee & Words:: Be All In

Have you ever started something and it got to be just a little bit challenging, and more then you felt like you could handle in that moment?  So you let doubt, and the fear of failure creep in and you decide to hang it on the shelf for a bit.  I'm sure we have all experienced that at some point in our life.

Do you feel that way about your relationship with God, and what he is calling you to do?  

So, if God puts something in your heart to do and gives you all the tools and resources to make it  happen, why wouldn't you run with it. Why wouldn't you give it your all, even when times get rough and you feel like throwing your hands up and saying forget it. Being reminded in those moments,  that he paved the way from the very beginning. 

God is not a God of confusion, chaos, nor is he a some timing God.  He is a faithful God, a God of order, a God of unconditional love, a God of good, a God of his promises.

 He wants us to be all in for him and not wander in doubt and worry. He wants us to be all in with serving him, and being that light in dark places, he wants us to be all in for his kingdom and to not be burden by the things that don't bear good fruit.  

So stop looking back, and let him guide you to that place of freedom and fruitfulness in him. Walk in faith, knowing he has your back and BE ALL IN with a cheerful heart!

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. -Colossians 3:17