If you will humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, in His good time He will lift you up. Let Him have all your worries and cares, for He is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you. -1 Peter 5:6-7

Humility. Timing. Fear. Provision.

Humility

In this time in history, I believe that my generation has the biggest problem with pride. This comes from our inward obsession of always being rated. We see it on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram all the time. We are obsessed with how the world views us and how many “likes” we can get. However, I have realized that this obsession with how everyone else views us will never measure up to anything. We will still want validation to make us feel worth something. In the end, outward validation will keep you empty and searching.

Not until I surrendered my selfish ambition did I fully begin to understand that the only validation I needed was from God alone. Nothing will ever feel that place that the Lord so desperately wants to fill in our hearts.

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty

spirit before a fall.

Proverbs 16:18

Be mindful of your intentions. What is your motivation? Is it to please God or man? If you can honestly say that your intention is to bring God glory then continue on! The church is in desperate need of women and men who are SINCERE! However, if you have trouble answering that question and are more concerned about money, fame and success, it is imperative that you check your actions before God has to. There have been many examples of great people who have fallen from grace because they were concerned about what people had to say. The bottom line is that we as Christians must become more concerned with how God sees us!

Timing

I cannot stress to you the importance of timing! These past few seasons in my life, God has been teaching me how His timing will always be better than mine. I recently listened to a message by Steffany Frizzell that shook me to my core. She spoke about how as Christians, we hear the Lord tell us His plan for our lives through either prophetic words or visions and then we go full force ahead striving towards that end result whatever the cost may be. Once God speaks to you concerning your purpose, you cannot unhear it and once God gives you a vision you can't unsee it. We're always striving to get to that place, not taking into consideration that you might have to wait for it! So the battle is trying to bring things to pass before God's time. YES! We should always hold fast to the promises of the Lord, but don't jump ship because you are more concerned with the now than the future. BE STILL!! The time will come. The great thing about the Holy Spirit is that he prompts us. Don't go ahead of God. Rest in His promises and wait for the moment when He brings it to pass.

Fear

I'm so tired of fear! It only holds us back from our dreams and callings. There is nothing good about it. I remember a time when I was afraid to start this blog. I constantly heard the Lord tell me to just do it!

However, I was so concerned with what other people would think or how I would even get it started. I let those questions hold me down for over a year before I just gave God control. I stepped out on faith and realized that

it wasn't about me in the first place

. I realized that I was being selfish. God places gifts and talents in us not so that we can hide them, but so that He can be glorified through them! I stopped waiting until everything was perfectly aligned around me so that I could start the blog and just used what I had.

Understand that you don't have to be self sufficient. You just have to make the first steps. Don't let fear control you. It's a killer of destiny.

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

2 Timothy 1:7

Provision

How many times have you not started on a project because you didn't know where the resources would come from? How many times have you not stepped out on what God has called you to do because of finances or fear of not being qualified. The truth is that it is none of your concern. Once God calls you, he qualifies you. Be encouraged, knowing that God upholds you and your destiny. You are taken care of and God hates it when you worry. Keep calm and give Him the audacity to do what He said He would in your life. Take a step of faith. One time while I was in prayer God gave me the word,

"Step out on nothing and you will accomplish everything"

I hold fast to that promise and I believe it! Get out of His way and take the passenger seat. He knows how to get you to your promise land far better than you ever could.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Philippians 4:6

BTW!

This album is amazing! Its been on repeat for a week straight now. I love how Bethel Music is so genuine in their worship! A Must Have!