persistence

Lessons from Ruth on how to keep showing up (even when you don't feel like it)

Lessons from Ruth on how to keep showing up (even when you don't feel like it)

A few weeks ago, I made mention of the fact that Ruth could have followed Naomi (her mother-in-law) to Bethlehem and chosen to do nothing but wallow in the house

Because, let’s face it, she had every excuse to- having lost her father and brother-in-law and become a widow herself. But she didn’t.

Instead of checking out of life, like Naomi did initially, Ruth decided that she would keep going and keep pushing forward for them both

Which, unless you missed my last 2 blog posts (here and here), you’ll know that Ruth’s decision to go work in the fields led to her marrying Boaz. birthing children and becoming one of Jesus' fore-mothers (Ruth 4:13-22; Matthew 1:1-16).

Which then begs the question: how do we as modern women keep showing up even when we don’t want to?

Especially when life happens, PMS happens or (from a business point of view) tech/staff issues happen- meaning that you don't always feel physically, mentally and/or emotionally able to put yourself out there and remain visible.

Lessons from Sarah on how to manifest God's promises

Lessons from Sarah on how to manifest God's promises

If your upbringing was anything like mine, lovely, you probably grew up singing the old and well-known hymn “Standing on the Promises of God” (and still do!)

It’s a phrase that we hear a lot even outside of the song, right?

“I’m standing on God’s promises”

“Having done all to stand, continue to stand”

But how do we go from the standing (trusting and believing that it will come to pass) phase to the manifesting (living the dream) phase? In other words, how do we do like Sarah eventually did and give birth to our God-given promise(s)/vision?

Well, the answer lies in the following 3 words and phrases:

  1. Delay is not the same as denial (so you must know what to do during your waiting period)

  2. Your mistakes do not negate your promise

  3. Faith

all of which I shared on my Facebook page this week via the (live) video below.

Lessons from Abigail on how to let God fight your battles

Lessons from Abigail on how to let God fight your battles

So, last week we began talking about the lessons that Sarah teaches us about how to let God fight our battles. During that conversation, I talked a lot about:

  • God's role as our avenger

  • His willingness and ability to fight for us.

  • How He uses our battles for our ultimate good and so on

What I didn't do a lot of talking about, however, is our role in all of this.

Yes, lovely!

Although it's God's job to avenge us and fight our battles, this does not mean that we get to rest on our laurels and chill.

Oh no, as Hebrews 12:15 warns us, when someone hurts us "roots of bitterness" can "spring up," "cause trouble" and "defile" us. It is therefore our responsibility to do everything we can to ensure that, whilst God is fighting our battles, we are making a conscious decision to become better rather than bitter. As such, I did a follow-up message to last week's one explaining the exact steps that we must take to make this happen according to Abigail (in 1st Samuel 25).

I also talked about:

  • The why, how and when of praying for our enemies (even though it's hard and we don't want to!)

  • The common myth/misconception of "forgive and forget" and what to do instead

  • And more- all of which I shared on my Facebook page this week via the (live) video below.

Lessons from Sarah on how to let God fight your battles

Lessons from Sarah on how to let God fight your battles

One of my favourite Nelson Mandela quotes is:

"You must believe in the dark what God showed you in the light"

This is because a lot of the time, although a call to purpose can feel quite motivating, inspirational and even euphoric in the moment- to use another quote:

 "The night is dark and full of terrors".

No, this is not just an excuse to quote Game of Thrones (one of my favourite TV shows) I'm going somewhere with this!

I say that to say, the path to purpose is an uphill journey (which can feel like a dark night) and- as with any ascension- we should expect oppositional forces (or terrors) along the way.

The Mandela quote is important, then, because it can be very tempting to get distracted, side-tracked or even want to give up when the initial light (motivation, inspiration and faith) surrounding God's call to purpose is being overshadowed by such darkness. This is especially true when that opposition is taking the shape of criticism, slander or a lack of support from loved ones because our distraction etc can come in the form of wanting to defend ourselves. However, as the events of Sarah's life shows us in Genesis 12, we don't need to do that because God is willing and able to fight for us.

As such, I discussed what we can glean from Sarah regarding:

  • How to let God fight for you so that you can continue to thrive in purpose (no matter the opposition)

  • How God uses these dark periods for our ultimate good

  • And more- all of which I shared on my Facebook page this week via the (live) video below.

See? I told you I was going somewhere! Lol

Lessons from Noah's dove on how to start over

Lessons from Noah's dove on how to start over

Have you ever had one of those moments where the Holy Spirit asks you to do something and it has you all confused?

Well, that was me when I was prompted to go back to the story of Noah this week.

You see, as far as I was concerned, I'd already spoken in depth about his female relatives (and what the events of their lives can teach us, as modern women). So, I really did not understand why God seemed to want me to revisit the story.

However, I'm glad I did because there does happen to be another female in Noah's life who is and was extremely instrumental to his story. A dove! One that teaches us the importance of:

  • Reliance on the Holy Spirit

  • Not being afraid to try again

  • Seeing failure as feedback so that we, like Noah, can manifest our God-given vision(s).

She also provides us with feminine symbolism for God as well as the Holy Spirit, demonstrating that we, as women, are not the cursed afterthoughts that we are often painted as. Rather we are also made in God's image and therefore powerful- all of which I shared on my Facebook page this week via the (live) video below.

Lessons from Naomi on Imposter Syndrome and How to Overcome It

Lessons from Naomi on Imposter Syndrome and How to Overcome It

Last Sunday, we discussed what Naomi can teach us about:

  • Fear of failure
  • How to overcome it

In that devotional, I particularly focused on Ruth 1:20-21 which says:

But she said to them, “Do not call me Naomi [meaning "pleasant"] call me Mara [meaning "bitter"] for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the Lord has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?”

 

On inspecting that scripture further, I realised that it didn't just:

  1. Speak of Naomi's mindset
  2. Give insight about the fear of failure and how it works, as I said last week

But it also gives us some insight into imposter syndrome- all of which I shared on my Facebook page this week via the (live) video below.

Here's a little bit of what you can expect in terms of:

TOPICS DISCUSSED

  • What imposter syndrome is and why it seems to affect women more than men
  • How imposter syndrome causes us to act like Naomi in "changing our names"
  • 3 practical; actionable tips for overcoming imposter syndrome today
  • And much more!

SOUND GOOD, LOVELY?

Great! Do whatever it is that you need to do to get comfortable so you can watch and enjoy the video below.

An Interview with Salina Gibson on Hannah

An Interview with Salina Gibson on Hannah

Today's interview comes from Salina Gibson of Heartreflected.com- where she shares her thoughts and reflections through devotionals, tackling subjects such as infertility as well as many others. Bearing this in mind, Salina has a powerful and personal affinity for Hannah (who is her favourite woman of the Bible). Read on as she shares this as well as what we, as modern women, can learn from her:

An Interview with Antoinette on Esther

An Interview with Antoinette on Esther

Today's interview installment comes from my friend, Antoinette- who is a lecturer by profession but, most importantly, a woman of great faith. Read on as Antoinette shares the parallels between Esther (her favourite Biblical woman's) fight for justice and her own, in addition to what we- as modern Christian women- can learn from Esther: