Victorious Living

What does it look like to live victoriously? Last week, I told a story of a clear picture of how deciding to live victoriously can play out. But how do you continue to live victoriously?

Last week, a new task was put in my path, and my natural instinct was the "fight" or "flight" mentality- how I could possibly get out of this? You see one of the devils greatest tools on me is my ability to bully myself- masking itself as cowardice- that plus the deep seeded fear of failure, lack of confidence- well, it can paralyze this girl. I've spent the last few days procrastinating the preparation for this project. When finally, I had a great epiphany.

What happened to my Victory?

My knees had been knocked out from under me, the ulcers that I will no doubt have as a result of my obsessive worrying and fear- Victory- I lost it. It can happen that fast.

Victory is something I have to chose- daily, moment, by moment. Jesus has already won the Victory- I am Victorious! It is such a powerful statement when you believe it in your core. Eventually, I pray that it will become my constant truth, as it will become yours.

"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”- John 16:33

"Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand." - Isaiah 41:10

The Guiding Hand of God

The Guiding Hand of God. That's a phrase I've heard often, but loosely understood and knew to be true in my own life. That was until yesterday.

Now, let me preface this entry with a little back story. I've been blessed by an amazing group of women whom have welcomed me into their small group. We are currently studying the story of Gideon, using Priscilla Shrier's study. We have been alternating talking about the weekly work and watching the videos. This past week's video was about approaching the battle, where she talked about the steps Gideon took as a model to how to face our own battles. There were seven steps, but one the Holy Spirit highlighted to me was to take a "Stance of Victory" when you are facing a battle. We are already victorious- but often enough we don't stand in the knowledge of Victory when facing a battle.

Later that night, as I lay in bed- I prayed probably the most honest and heartfelt prayer that I had in a long time about my next job and standing in Victory that He is already Victorious in the plan for this next step.

Yesterday morning, I had the privilege to substitute at a school near my home that one of my dear friends and sorority sisters works at as a math teacher. I went to the office and they told me that the teacher I was subbing for wouldn't be needing me until 1, so I could go to the library to help out. Easy enough, I thought.
When I went in and started talking to the Media Center Staff, then I told them I was a Media Specialist too. Well, then the Media Specialist took me under her wing. We had a long conversation about the ins and outs of librarianship, toured the library, and got the down low on how everything worked at her school.  It was so nice to talk to someone to understood the trials and tribulations of being a Media Specialist in this day and age.

At the end of the day, she told me that we needed to get my name out there to the other Media Specialists. She added me to her "love" column on the substitute site, plus emailed all the Media Specialist in Gwinnett County to let them know about me! Before school let out on Friday, I had phone number request and even a call to substitute from another school. Words could not express my gratitude.

The thing is I felt God's hand on the day like I never had before. He made me totally aware of His presence and that this was a step in standing in Victory. I don't know what the future holds, but I know He's already Victorious, therefore, I am Victorious. Joy is not words enough to describe it.

Transforming the Ways of Life and Other A Sundry Details...

At the beginning of this year, I set forth to change the way that I do the things to accomplish my goals- instead of just focusing on the goals themselves. I'm narrowing in on journey- instead of the end result. I'm often too ambitious in setting goals- ergo, I set myself up for tremendous failure. 

If any of your know me well, you know that failure is the at the cornerstone of where Satan tries to work his lies into my life. He says things like, "If you had done this, you would have this" or  "You didn't do this, so that's why things are this way", etc. You get the picture. He also knows that once he gets started with me on these, it's very easy to derail me. From failure it draws to comparison of others, what I should have at this point in my life or what I should have accomplished thus far. He points out the things I'm not doing way too often. I become overwhelmed with all I should be doing and shutdown. If I'm being completely real, I fall prey to these lies and this trap more often than I would like to admit and boy, does that taint my view of how God sees me.

So, I'm done making promises to myself, trying to plan out how things should be, and what goals I need to meet. That's not what motivates me. Does that mean I won't make promises to myself or try to plan things out? Absolutely not, old habits die hard, but I'm going to make every effort to embrace the way God created me. To love all the quirks, even the "failures" that other see, and be content in my Creator and where He has me. 

This is where I need your help though, My love languages are words of affirmation and physical touch. So if you sense I might need some encouragement, please encourage me. If you see me and think I need a hug- give me a hug. In this virtual age that we are living in, we need to do life together "virtually" too. In the same way, I am an encourager, so I hope that I can encourage you along this journey of life as well, reminding you that you are beautifully and wonderfully made- created with His loving-kindness. 

You can also keep me accountable with my overzealous list of activities that I'm implementing to put me on a path of realizing my goals. So here they are:

• Mondays and Wednesdays, I will write for half an hour in a blog or article.
• I will put money in my 360 Account for Tithe, Savings, Trips, Mad Money every paycheck.
• I will apply to one job a week.
• I will run on two weekdays and Sat/Sun- alternating 2 and 3.5+ runs.
• Once a month, I will volunteer in an organization of choice.
• Three days a week, I will spend time before work in the Word- Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

Also, shout out to my newest niece Addie Grace and her proud parents, Brent and Kat, and big brother Will! God is Good All the Time Indeed!

Lastly, several years ago, I sat down with my grandfather to write His memoirs. Sadly, I have not put the time I would like into his story, so I'm going to open another blog- Wednesday to share pieces of His story. It is definitely one the world needs to hear, so I hope you'll follow that one as well. 

Thank you for reading and supporting me. You will never know how grateful I am that you take time out of your busy schedule to read my ramblings.