Guest Blogger: WHEN STRESS WON'T LEAVE YOU ALONE

Welcome to Women of Valour which is about

YOU

experiencing your freedom in Christ, being set free,

experiencing the love of God, and opening your blinded eyes
Isaiah 61: 1

Hello Women of Valour,

This blog was written by Michele Brown, one of our own Women of Valour. Please leave a comment!

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What to DO when stress won't leave you alone?

Many days I have woken up stressed about situations, I have tried to fix them and couldn't. I felt like I had the weight of the world on my shoulders. I felt like nobody cared and nobody knew the pain and burden I was carrying. I felt like giving up and throwing in the towel.

BUT God! Can you relate? Keep Reading...

Something would always happen to shift the atmosphere, a song, a kind soul with an encouraging word just for me or God whispering in my ear! I could regroup and take it from there. Oh Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:28, Philippians 4:13 and I Corinthians 10:13. 

I could even hear my Momma praying and she has long departed this earth. 

I start getting EXCITED remembering:

• God has a plan for me. (Jeremiah 29:11)
• God's plan for us is always perfect and all things work together for the good of those that love the Lord and are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
• I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)
• No temptation and no temptation has seized me except what is common to man, but God is faithful. He will not let me be tempted beyond what I can bear. But if I am tempted he will provide a way out that I can endure. (I Corinthians 10:13) 

This is when the praise party has begun. When I start hearing and speaking what the Word of God says about me. This is TRULY STRESS MANAGEMENT!!!

You may have read or heard these verses before BUT do you actually believe it for Y-O-U! Keep Reading...

Depression, guilt, and feeling inadequate has had to vacate my spirit. Because God has more than any situation or trial that I have or can possibly face. He is sovereign, all knowing and all powerful and I am an overcomer and victorious in every situation when I place it in the Master's hand. 

This is my experience but God wants the same for you as well.

If I am going to pray don't worry keep the faith and if I am going to worry about it don't pray because that defeats the purpose. I hope this encourages you to take the next step to your healing and growing in Christ. 

Have a Jesus Joy Day!
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Prayer: Holy Spirit, help me to turn to THE SOURCE when I am stressed out by my circumstances and choices. Let me look to the Author and Finisher of My Faith. Let me have a praise party in the midst just as Michele did. In Jesus Name. Amen!

Questions:

Have you been stressed out and 
NOT knowing where to turn?

This would be ALL of us, how do you identify 
with what Michele shared?

Leave a comment or email

Guest Blogger: SOURCE - GOD OUR FATHER

Welcome to Women of Valour which is about

YOU

experiencing your freedom in Christ, being set free,

experiencing the love of God, and opening your blinded eyes
Isaiah 61: 1

 http://walkwithjesusonline.com/god-is-your-source/

Hello Women of Valour,

This blog was written by Michele Brown, one of our own Women of Valour. Please leave a comment! 

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Do we really appreciate:

•  each breathe we take
•  each morning we rise 
•  each night we lay our heads down 

Have we stopped to give thanks to the SOURCE-GOD our Father?

We thank the salesperson at the gas station (resource) but before approaching our purse/wallet we should have thanked the SOURCE. God our Father is the SOURCE who makes all the provisions for all that we need and have. 

Do we say thank you to our Father all the time? Probably not as often as we should. I’m going to speak for myself, I recognize that often I don’t do it enough. So after He wakes me up I decided to do my best to get it right. I praise and thank God so much for the little things now. 

Just recently a friend posted on social media that her 17 yr old son passed. I was devastated just imaging what her and her family were going thru. I paused and thanked God for the gifts he blessed me with in the 2 young men I’m raising as well as my beautiful free spirited grandchildren. 

It could have been the other way! This is the truth to YOU as well my friend reading this post. Keep reading...

About 2 months ago, God blessed me with a new car. In less than a week I was involved in an accident. After checking to make sure everyone was okay. I said a prayer with shaking hands to thank the Lord. The Source of my being and the author and finisher of my life. 

I thanked God for every resource he allowed me to have:

• income
• a loving family (even with the loss of my parents) 
• a sibling and child 
• shelter 
• food to eat
• wonderful church family
• the ability to give him praise 

because after all I am in my right mind. Can you relate? Keep reading...

I cannot move paralyzed, but since I have the ability to bend my knees and raise my hands I must give Him praise. Always and be thankful and bless His name for the Lord is great and greatly to be praised. Every moment is precious to me and so is My Creator. 

I never want to take my God or His love for me for granted. So, I just wanted to share. With all the demands I place on myself as well as obligations placed on me by resources. 

My resources are:

• employers
• school
• community organizations 
• yes even the church.

What are your resources that are pulling on you?

I realized I must spend time thanking and praising the Source- God, My Father - God, My Creator and My Lord and Savior. He is Good! No, HE is GREAT and as I shared before Greatly to be praised. 

Have a Jesus Joy Day!  
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Prayer: Holy Spirit, allow me to take the time out of each day to give praise to the Source - God My Father. Let me see as you have shown Michele that You are the Source who provides ALL of my resources. In Jesus Name. Amen!

Questions:

As you read Michele's words, do you now have a praise or thankful heart toward OUR SOURCE?

If yes, how do you identify with what Michele shared?

Leave a comment or email

Guest Blogger: NEVER DOUBT GOD

Welcome to Women of Valour which is about

YOU

experiencing your freedom in Christ, being set free,

experiencing the love of God, and opening your blinded eyes
Isaiah 61: 1

Hello Women of Valour,

This blog was written by Michele Brown one of our own Women of Valour. Please leave a comment! 

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I say that now...

But trust me there was times when I struggled. I didn't doubt God as much as I doubted the process. I had it all figured out in my mind how things should go. Not only did it happen completely different than I thought but timing was way off on many occasions. 

I can remember recently, I had big plans but God had plans and my plans did not align with his. Whose plans prevailed (God's) and that is because HE is in charge of everything and HIS plans are what's best for me. 

Often times, I can confess I stepped out of the will of God because I was a control freak, I had to be in control or so I thought. So God let me do it my way and when it failed and I went crying back to HIM, I apologized, HE forgave me and HIS perfect plan prevailed. It was just delayed because of my defiant behavior. It always goes so much smoother, when I let MY Father take control. 

Can anybody relate? Keep reading...

I was recently confronted with some not so good memories. The loss of a few people real near and dear to me. At the passing of each, I refused to cry or let any emotions flow, because I had to be strong and in control. On the surface it looked like I had it all together. Then the bomb dropped. I came home from work and saw on channel 13, Myrt Howerton. (She was my friend.) I laughed with my daughter saying what has Myrt done now? News came back on just to say...

 "Myrt Howerton dead at 59". 

What, how, it must be some mistake. I just talked to her a few days ago. Tears began to flow like Niagara Falls. I couldn't hold them back I had no, I mean NO control. The cry was even hysterical and snotty. Kleenex couldn't get in my hands fast enough. Every time, I thought about it I cried almost to the point of hyperventilating. 

Grief can take us some places we don't necessarily want to go! Keep reading...

Once I got some composure I wrote a poem to her to help relieve my grief. Weeks passed and periodically I would just start to cry. I finally talked to my sister who thought I needed counseling for suppressed  grief. I sought help at the Renaissance Center and had the best counselor in the world. The healing process could be felt after 6 weeks. I could now reflect back on my being in control and how I suppressed my  pain due to losses from death and relationships. 

Over and over I was able to see how if I had only placed things in the Master's hand it would have turned out differently for me. Yep it would have still hurt when my first real love died, my mother and father, but if I hadn't thought I was superwoman instead of trusting God I would have dealt with my emotions and heartaches immediately. Instead of burying them all and having a resurrection of sad memories erupt like a volcano when I least expected it. 

The uncontrollable emotions were being exposed as if I were on a bill board with super bright florescent colors. On the most sunny day of the summer, yes God allowed my weakness to be revealed. This was done  so I could lean on HIM and be healed. Yes, it was devastating BUT God knew what I needed and HIS timing is always perfect. I knew God wanted what was best for me and wanted me to relinquish my cares to HIM and let HIM lead me. 

Good News: 
I am no longer bottling up every emotion God gave me! But instead I am able to smile over the fond memories of those who I lost. I still cry occasionally when I really miss them. 

Just to think God took someone who kept me 

grounded and laughing to break me down 

so HE could build me up. 

What an awesome God I Serve! Have a Jesus Joy Day and let God be your strength!

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Prayer: Holy Spirit, allow ALL of us to see as you have shown Michele that You are the GOD who builds us up in the midst of our struggles and pain. In Jesus Name. Amen!

Questions:

Have you been the control freak who has to control EVERYTHING?

If yes, how do you identify with what Michele shared?

GOD SEES YOU

Welcome to Women of Valour which is about

YOU

experiencing your freedom in Christ, being set free,

experiencing the love of God, and opening your blinded eyes

Isaiah 61:1

Hello Women of Valour,

I had a dream last night!

My Dream:

Setting: We were sitting at a table outside on a big redbrick patio having a conversation.  It was a beautiful day!!!

I was talking to a lady who had 2 children and was down on herself and God! She was complaining about her life and how she did not know if God was listening much less hearing her. She was talking about who she was not and would never be. I listened to her talk and talk as only we women can. (smile).

Me: Can I share something with you about the God that I know?

Lady: Yes

Me: You have two children correct?

Lady: Yes.

Me: Do you treat your children the way?

Lady: No.

Me: Why:

Lady: Because they are NOT the same. My son is very strong but my daughter is very emotional.

Me: Just as your children are different so are we as God's children. God does NOT treat me and you the same just as you don't treat your children the same. HE is Our Ultimate Parent! We are children of God but individuals as well. He meets us where we are but HE loves us more than enough not to leave us there. Do you believe this?

Lady: Yes.

Me: Do you love your children? Do you see things in them that they do NOT see?

Lady: Yes, more than life! Yes, all the time!

Me: Just as God loves you and sees things in you that you do not see within yourself.

Lady: No words just a BIG smile on her face and tears forming in her eyes.

Me: God LOVES you! (as I pointed at her) God is always listening because HE said HE would NEVER leave us or forsake us. He has NEVER left your side and HE never will. Are you doing ALL the talking and not listening? In order to hear an answer you must first listen. It is VERY hard to listen and talk at the same time. Maybe what you need is some quiet time where you just sit and listen. What I know about Daddy God is the fact that HE loves to talk to us. HE is VERY personable and relational. He is desiring PURPOSED INTIMACY with us each and every day!!!

I woke up with a smile on my face because this is where God has me right now. Hopefully, something that you read blessed you to continue or start walking toward purposed intimacy with HIM today!!!

Love You beautiful Women of Valour!!!

REMEMBER GOD LOVES YOU MORE AND MORE THAN YOUR FINITE MIND CAN EVER COMPREHEND!!!

Prayer: I have made my plans or in the process. Holy Spirit, I am asking you to speak to my heart about me. What is your desire and will for me this year? What needs to change within me this year?

Questions:

Have you asked God what HIS plan is for your life this year?

If yes, I challenge you to just sit quietly in a place for 2 minutes and ask God to speak to your heart.

Leave a comment and share with someone else

Email: womenofvalour15@gmail.com

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