From Surviving to Thriving

We have sure had the opportunity to be tested, tried and sentenced over the last few months. How is it looking for you? Would you have been convicted of giving up, throwing in the towel, quitting, sulking, murmuring and complaining about it all? Or would you receive glowing testimonials from your family and friends about being tenacious, relentless, determined, staying optimistic and being grateful for the blessings in your life?

No one is judging – certainly not me! I’ve come to realize that I don’t want to have gone through these times with an attitude of regret and remorse because I couldn’t take the heat. No one should blame anyone who got a little cranky over the last few months. And, for good reasons. But, wait just minute, Mr. Postman! We have so many reasons to be thankful and be boasting about our God Who has kept us, protected us and provided for us. We’re still here! We have survived! Psalm 27:13-14 says “I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait on Him and take courage.”

I AM living in this land of God’s goodness and mercy following me (Psalm 23:6). I believe it and speak it. My daughter runs a non-profit outreach called EMwomen that exists to rescue and restore women who have suffered through some of life's most difficult challenges – many of whom were homeless, jobless and hopeless. But, what does God do right in the midst of this pandemic? Every single one of those women now have homes, great jobs and are “living in the land of the living”. Because they had an attitude of gratitude, God’s goodness was magnetically drawn to them. Maya Angelou said: “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”

I have seen men and women rise and shine, accelerate, and go to a whole new level in their faith, confidence and trust in God during these times. They say with all-out fervor: "Bring on the heat! I was made for this. God power-packed me to win. I will come out of this heat and not even smell like smoke!”

The three Hebrews, Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego, not only survived the fiery furnace, but they weren't even singed and their clothing wasn't scorched. They didn't even smell like smoke! And that will be our story, too! As we praise and trust God Who causes us to triumph, we will come out of our “furnace situations”, alive and well. So what can we do to turn it all around from just surviving to thriving? Praise God. Our praise will jack up our faith. It’s time to step into the thriving circle of praise. Let's have some flash backs about what God has already done. When our hearts focus on the right place, we will more than survive – we will thrive!

This is the surviving to thriving scripture proof: "Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us." Ephesians 3:20
That power working in us is the Holy Spirit and His fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." THAT is thriving!

She Needed a Hero So She Became One

A dear friend who is going through some really tough times sent me a private message after I had said to her “You are your own hero -- you + God = courageous and strong, mighty woman of God!” She replied: Is that ok, to be your own hero?” The following helps explain my response to her:.

If ever we needed our sisterhood, we need it today. To have friends that encourage us, cry with us, rejoice with us and pray for us is worth more than silver and gold. I do that a lot on Facebook. When I see friends’ photos of their child’s wedding, I rejoice with them. I celebrate with my friends when they celebrate the accomplishments of their family – the school wins, graduations, awards, baby births, and anniversaries. I also love it when friends are bold enough to ask for prayer.

This photo says “She Needed a Hero, So She Became One!” I’m so proud of my friends and those women I don’t know, who aspire to be strong, resilient, determined, tenacious women and who say “I can do this. I can survive this. I am an overcomer. I am powerful – not because of my own abilities and my own self-talk – but I am powerful because the Greater One lives in me. (1 John 4:4) I am more than a conqueror. (Romans 8:37) I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)”

I learned very quickly, after I became a widow, that I had a choice to make. I could whine and I could wallow in self-pity because I didn’t have my hero to lean on or give me advice on important decisions, or to repair something around the house. I could have thought “I need a hero to see after me!” If I stayed in that mindset, I would have never realized all I could do on my own. Now I know I am a woman of wisdom. I daily purpose to be powerful, passionate, positive, and, above all – peaceful. Rarely do I call out for help from anyone, but I also know my limitations. So when my daughter asked what I’d like for my birthday and since they live nearby, I was quick to say “Coupons for around-the-house jobs” (see photo). And, that's what they gave me. Yay!! I'll definitely use those coupons!

Honestly, there are times I think about how awesome it would be to have a hero again who I could go to for support and who would give me that extra hug, soothe my troubled soul, and boost me up with encouragement and compliments. But, I know I have God Who is more than enough. He is faithful to me. "Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation." Psalm 68:5. He lifts me up with His love. I may be alone, but I’m not lonely. He is for me and encourages me daily with His Word.

Still, there are times when it's up to ME to set me free. It's up to me to apply the band-aids to my body and my spirit. It's up to me to change the channel of "pitiful me" to "powerful me". It's up to me to do what King David did. "When King David was greatly distressed; for the people spoke of stoning him, David encouraged himself in the LORD his God." 1 Samuel 30:6

There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother or mother or friend and it’s ME. I never leave me. I never forsake me. I don’t EVER let me beat ME up and I don't let me pity me. I put on my armor, pick up my sword and raise it high. I have come to realize I am my own HERO. Yes…..there are times when we need a HERO......and that's when it's up to us to BECOME ONE

Persevere AND Stand Firm

Tenacious, Undaunting, Fearless, Unstoppable

Those are words we heard that described competitors, as we watched the reality show, NBC's Spartan Ultimate Team Challenge.

Night before last Ryan & Shawntel made it back home after a few days out of town. After dinner we sat down to catch up on the show. Okay, I'm an avid fan of American Ninja Warrior and this "Spartan" show. The resilience and sheer determination of the competitors has always inspired and motivated me. But, now, even more so, as one of Shawntel's "Bible Study" friends, and her husband, Brandon & Allison Brickley, are in the competition with their team, "Heart of Texas" from Austin.

"Spartan: Ultimate Team Challenge" raises the bar on team competitions. It's always a group of friends, families, or co-workers who must work together as they race across specially designed Spartan courses engineered to test their endurance, determination and will. Teams of five compete on one of the most demanding courses ever devised and they have to push through the pain to win $250,000. No team can get through the course and reach the finish line without working together. From rope-burning climbs to crawls through cold, wet mud, the competition culminates with some of the most backbreaking obstacles ever built. It's an adrenaline rush just watching it, but having friends in it, makes it even more exciting.

Yes, we were cheering on the "Heart of Texas" team, not only because of the friendship they have with my kids, but because of the story of the friend's husband. Brandon Brinkley was 17 years old when his home caught on fire and his entire family, except for him, perished. His story is that of rising out of tragedy to a story of grace and gratitude. Brandon's aunt adopted him and raised him with her son, Joey, who is also on the Heart of Texas team. So far, their team has won in their heats round one and two and now they've advanced to the semi final rounds. It will be interesting to see how they do, because Joey dislocated his shoulder during the 2nd round.

There are so many competitor stories of how individuals put aside pain to push through to victory -- for example the former Marine who lost his leg during combat and wears a prosthetic or the one who competed with only one arm. Last night, as I watched those soldiers, I commented "What's our excuse?"

Those words went deep into my spirit as even at this "mature" age, I don't want to have excuses for not giving everything I've got to this life I've been given. I want my story to end with "She was unstoppable!" No, I'm not planning on trying out for some ninja obstacles or apparatuses, but I do plan to continue to be God's Ninja Warrior -- taking on life's obstacles, challenges and pressures with a vengeance. I refuse to give up until I'm taken up. There's a hyphen in between the date of birth and the date of death on gravestones. What does that hyphen represent in our lives? I sure want mine to be "lived life to the fullest, didn't accept quitting, ran her race with gusto, pressed on to the finish line". What does your hyphen represent? What's YOUR excuse?

Persevere and Stand Firm

That almost sounds like a contradiction, doesn't it.  How can you persevere while you're standing firm?  Persevere sounds like an "action" verb, while Stand Firm seems like a "motionless" verb and adverb.

In this photo is a little desk plaque that Mom gave me for Christmas.  She said, "I saw it and I just knew I had to get it for you."  The words on it are "STAND FIRM....Be strong and immovable, always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless."  1 Corinthians 15:58.  When I received it, I'll admit I thought "Uh oh, Lord, what is it that I'm going to need those words for this year?   Also, in the photo is the rock that I picked last week that underneath it was the word "perseverance".  That's a double word exhortation for me.  Stand firm and persevere.

Wednesday night, for my Life Group, I had the candle (the light of Christ), the Bible opened to that 1 Corinthians 15:58 verse, the Stand Firm plaque and the rock as the centerpiece to our table.  I knew there was a message God was conveying to us.  Each of us, in our own lives, are dealing with stuff -- circumstances, people, situations, challenges and decisions to be made.  It's enough to give us the jitters.

This scripture gives us a step-by-step way to handle our anxieties and our impatience.

STAND FIRM -- tells us to not be moving around so much.  Ever been around someone who just had crazy nervous energy going on?  They drum their fingers on a table or swing and tap their feet.  They are in constant motion. Honestly, it can drive us loony just being in their presence.  I've literally had to shut my eyes to keep from getting myself nervous, too.

"Stand firm" means "be stable," "be steadfast."   Unmoveable, means to hold a position of "heels dug in" with bulldog tenacity.  Bulldogs never quit.  If they get hold of your leg, they won't let go.  They are known for their tenacious spirit.  They are actually bred to be tenacious.

We may not know what is up ahead for us in this new year.  But, I intend to remember to persevere "enthusiastically" in whatever God calls me to -- especially in the work I do for Him, and STAND FIRM in my trust in His unwavering love for me that assures me that everything is gonna' be alright and "in due season I will reap, if I don't faint.....while standing firm".  Father knows best and His promises are true.  I'm going to STAND, and when I've done all to stand....I'm going to keep on standing.  I won't give up, until I'm taken up.   How about you?

The next time we find our courage tested to the limit, let's remember that God is as near as our next breath, and He offers strength and comfort to His children. He is our shield and our strength; He is our protector and our deliverer. Whatever our challenge, whatever our trouble, God can help us persevere. And that’s precisely what He’ll do if we ask Him.  Our job is to keep persevering until He does.

I'm thinking that I'll start introducing myself this way:  “Hi, my name is Donna, but you can call me Bulldog!”