Cry Out To Jesus: Digging Ditches in the Valley

Some days my life is on point. My to-list gets accomplished and I feel great about the day. Even when things don’t go well, I’m able to make the necessary modifications to keep going. 

And then, there are days when just getting out of bed and taking a shower is a struggle. Sometimes I just feel burdened and overwhelmed. On these days, I become discouraged. And instead of turning toward God with my heart and tears, I tend to distance myself—without even realizing what I’m doing. 

During these times, every thing is a struggle. Sometimes I even wonder, where is God in my life? Why do I feel so sad and alone? And how in the world can I make it through this trial?

This, my friends, is what we call the valley. In the valley, is where the work takes place. This is where we dig a little deeper, and get as low as we can go. In the valley is where we pray, and do the Lord’s work. When we get our thoughts out of the way, then we are able to take the lessons we have learned and apply them to our lives. So often we feel alone during these times, but if we remember the footprints in the sand, then we understand that the Lord is carrying us. 

After just a few minutes in the valley, I’m usually ready to give up. We all like it when our life is easy. So often, we pray for things and then just sit back and wait for our prayers to be answered. But we have some work to do, however, before we get to the blessings.

While some things are out of our control, still God wants us to do the things that we can do. Yes, He wants us to pray and ask Him for help. But that doesn’t mean we should leave it all up to Him. We have a part in this as well. 

When I write these blogs, I can’t control who reads them. Nor can I touch anyone’s heart. What I can do, however, is set aside the time to write them, pray for guidance and understanding, and then pour my heart onto the pages. Once I’ve done my part, God will do His part.  We have to take the first step by faith. We don’t know how it will work, or how God will make it happen, but we just have to believe that He will work it out to our benefit. God blesses our efforts. 

The things which are impossible for us to understand are possible with God. He is always in control and He can change our situation or circumstance in an instant. Don’t give up!

Just remember the devil would love for us to give up. He tries every day to distract us all. But when we get as low as we can go, and cry out to Jesus, the devil has to flee. God understands our tears. In His time, He will deliver us and put us a mile ahead of the devil. And we will proclaim, the victory in Jesus. 

Sometimes we just need to remember that we are a child of the King! And His love for us is unconditional. We have nothing to fear. 

John 14:27  (KJV)

27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

May God bless you, 

Candida 

5 Tips for Living Inspired

We all love to feel motivated. The feeling, however, doesn’t always show up in our lives. In fact, most days, my feelings are the exact opposite of what I want to feel. Normally, I wake up unmotivated and uninspired. 

And everyday I have to make a decision. Stay in my current mind-set, or seek God.

One of the first things I do each morning is read my Bible. It has become a routine, because if I waited until I felt like reading God’s word, then I may not get around to it each day. And reading His word inspires me. Even if it’s only a few minutes each day, it sets the tone for the rest of my day. As I read about His goodness, it encourages me to live well. 

Suddenly the workout I’ve been contemplating transforms from a chore to a blessing. Instead of viewing my t0-do list with disdain, I’m learning to view it with gratitude. At any moment all of our complaints could be taken away. 

Sometimes we need to think about how we would feel if our complaints were taken away. When we focus on our on our problems, we have even more problems.  Nevertheless, when we focus on our gratitude, we find so many more things to be thankful for. 

Every day we need to consciously look for the joy in our lives. And if we can’t find any, then we need to create it. 

We need to plan our days, and create better routines. When we figure out what brings us joy, then we can invite more of it into our lives. If we want to have a great day, then we need to seek after God. And show up.

We don’t always feel like praying, but if we take a few minutes to be alone with God, He sees our efforts. Sometimes if we just start walking, then we will start to enjoy it. Inspiration doesn’t just strike us, we have to search for it. And we have to purposely seek it daily. 

Today, I didn’t feel like writing. But I sat down in my chair and put forth an effort anyway. After a few minutes, the idea started forming and the words starting filling the page. 

If we show up every day for the things that are important to us, then God will bless our efforts. It makes me think of Jacob in the Bible. He wrestled with the angel (man) all night and wouldn’t let go of it until God blessed him. That’s how we need to be—steadfast and unmovable for our Lord.

Sometimes I feel so inadequate and overwhelmed. My computer knowledge is limited—I only know enough to be dangerous. And trying to figure it all out just discourages me. But I know that if I don’t give up, God will provide a way. He will either teach me what I need to know or send someone to help me. God understands my struggles, but He does not accept my excuses. 

Instead of saying:“I can’t” we should say, “God, with your help I can do all things.”

5 Tips to Living Inspired Daily

1. Seek God and His guidance. 

2. Put forth an effort toward your goals and vision.

3. Practice gratitude.

4. Eat well and drink water. 

5. Exercise. 

Have a wonderful day!

Candida 

Getting Back on Track

Since last Thursday, I’ve been in a constant state of struggle and overwhelm. It’s been difficult to breathe, difficult to work, and difficult to sleep. Even the smallest of tasks have been hard for me. When I reach this point, all I can do is cry and pray.

Crying and praying, however, are very therapeutic. It allows me to speak to God in the deepest and most authentic way. He understands my tears. He knows why each tear surfaces and exactly how to help me. 

Our struggles are not always bad. Most often times God uses them to help us get back on track. 

As long as everything is going great in my life, I don’t really pray like I should. Nor take the time to make sure I’m on the right track. But the minute something goes wrong, it gets my attention. And forces me to dig a little deeper, and start asking myself questions. 

Am I where God wants me to be? 

Is He pleased with me?

Am I doing the work that feeds my soul?

This journey has been a constant battle for me. The devil doesn’t always show up with a pitchfork and horns. We don’t always realize that he is the one distracting us and luring us away from God. He’s subtle, and it happens a little at a time.

Just because I’m sitting in my chair, at my desk, doesn’t mean that I’m working. Just because I’m on social media sharing my story, doesn’t mean that I’m doing what God wants me to do. Sometimes the devil gives us a little bit of the truth to cover the lie. But it’s still a lie.

I was speaking to a group one night about being an author, when someone asked me about my daily writing habits. And I totally fumbled my answer. Why? because I realized as the answer was tumbling out of my mouth that I’m not a dedicated writer. I only write when I’m inspired or heartbroken or working on a new book. 

But what if I made it a priority? What if writing became part of my every day life? What if it became a habit? 

Writing is my gift from God! And I’ve been neglecting it to do other things. Because it’s so difficult for me! It takes focus, determination and dedication. All of which I have been lacking lately. Today, however, is a new day!

And I am determined to take my gift of writing, along with my gift of life and merge them together. Because I don’t want to look back on my life, years from now, and have so many regrets. I want to die empty, and know that I did God’s work to the absolute best of my ability, and in the end there was nothing left inside of me to give. 

So my goal, every single day, is to write! 

• No exceptions! Schedule the time to write on my calendar.
• No excuses! Make it a priority in my life.
• Stop saying yes to someone or something when that means saying no to my writing. 

Is there something in your life that you are neglecting? Share it in the comments. 

Have a wonderful day!

Candida 

Turning Heartaches into Blessings: How to Make a Daily Difference

This morning, I received a text that scared me to death. My son, who had just arrived at school, texted me that there was a rumor of a threat to his school and police officers were there. 

And in that moment, God had my undivided attention. 

Praise God everything turned out okay today. BUT why did this happen? Things don’t just happen without reason. Who threatened that school today or started rumors, and why? Why did a  similar situation occur in January? What do we need to learn that we are ignoring? 

My mind has been racing since I received the text. These questions have continuously plagued my mind. And I have been praying for understanding. In my heart, I realize that so many people are hurting. So many people feel broken and hopeless. 

If there was ever a time that we need to search out the old paths and walk in them, it is now. 

And when we see that our neighbors are struggling, we need to take them to the Lord in prayer. We need to pray for our children as well as our neighbors’ children, and help them when we can. If we continue to look the other way, tragedy will eventually befall upon us. Today we received a warning, as well an opportunity to share God’s love.

What can we do? Ask yourself that question today. As a community, how can we help those that are troubled? 

A few suggestions for how we can make a daily difference:

1. Every day pray for those who are struggling. We might not know their name, but God knows exactly who they are.
2. Use social media to post positive affirmations, stories, and hope. Those who are hurting don’t always talk about it or ask for help. 
3. Share our stories and new perspectives with others. 
4. Share our beliefs and hope. 
5. Be kind. Everyone is fighting some type of battle. 
6. Extend God’s love and give others a glimpse of Him.
7. Be compassionate. 

At some point this morning, my fearful heart was plotting to homeschool my children. In all honestly, I never want to let them out of my sight again. But then I thought about all of the things I would be taking away from them, because of my fear. And I will not teach my children to live in fear. I will not take away their friendships and their daily interactions with their peers. We will not live in fear.

John 14:27 (KJV)

27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Have a blessed day!

Candida 

How to Overcome the Perfectionism Disease

Perfectionism prevents us from trying new things. We believe, in order to start, that we need to be a pro at the task. The problem, however, is that we can’t be an expert at everything. We learn by doing. Therefore, we can’t learn if we are too afraid to try. As we learn and do, we will develop the necessary skills and eventually become better. The first step is always the hardest. 

Three things that always help me:

1. Read books and learn about the new task. 
2. Step out of your comfort zone and just do it. 
3. Believe that you are good enough to do the task.

For years, I wrote daily. I poured my heart and soul into the pages. Every spare minute was spent reading and studying books on writing. But the fear of sharing my heart and soul, prevented me from getting published. For years, I stood in my own way because I failed to believe in myself. We can have tons of knowledge, but if we fail to overcome our fears we will never accomplish anything. It took me a long time to understand that the fear of failure is worse than actually failing. 

Don’t allow fear to prevent you from following your dreams. When we are creating something of value, we will have struggles. Others will criticize our efforts and ideas. We will have doubts and fears. But, if we take a leap of faith and trust God to help us, the possibilities are endless. 

Dream! Believe! Create!

Have a wonderful day!

Candida

How to Overcome the Fear of Judgement

Five years ago, one small, terrifying act of courage changed my life. 

Until then, fear had consumed me. During one of the darkest times of my life, God had given me a beacon of light—the gift to write and capture my feelings. Instead of being pleased with my gift, I was terrified. I will never be able to express my fear, with exactly the right words, because it seemed so horrific to me. 

My body trembled. In some ways I felt as if I was fighting for my life. Like a strong force was trying to push me under the current. I paced the floor with tears in my eyes. Every so often, I would attempt to pray or more accurately plead with God. 

Are you sure? I don’t even know what I’m doing. No one will even read my blog. I don’t have any followers. How will this make a difference? 

But that day I could feel Him in my heart. Regardless of my protest or plea, the nudge to publish my blog remained. So did the fear. I didn’t want to share my heart with the world. Really, I didn’t. I was so incredibly vulnerable that day. But that moment of obedience changed my life. Because God gave me a true glimpse of my purpose. 

Soon people all over the world discovered me. They read my blog posts and sent me messages. But the beautiful part was that they shared their stories with me; the fears, struggles, and deep heartaches. As the comments poured in via my blog, private messages, and social media I discovered something amazing. We all struggle. We all have heartaches. And we all have fears. No one is immune to these vices.

When I shared my weaknesses with the world, God was strengthened. My vulnerability showed that yes I am weak, but my God is strong. Yes, I have all of these struggles but my God helps me to overcome them all. At that time my spirit was broken. My body was so physically challenged that I was unable to work. But every week as I sat down to write a blog post, my spirit awakened and hope bloomed in my soul. I will never be able to express how that tiny spark of hope helped me. 

So often we think that sharing our struggles, heartaches, and fears makes us weak. But, it doesn’t. My friends that it what makes you strong. 

Through my struggles, heartaches, and fears I have a deeper level of compassion and understanding for others. I have cried with strangers, hugged them, and felt their pain. Because I’ve been there, too.

When I started this blog, I thought that each word and aspect of it needed to be perfect. But what I have since discovered is that none of that truly matters. What people want and need is the connection. I have read beautifully written words that never touched me.  And I have written beautiful pieces that never touched anyone. When I am wiping away the tears, however, and pouring my heart and soul into the words, people feel that from me. It’s all about the beautiful way God blesses us to connect.  

For so many years of my life, I have felt that I am not good enough. Those thoughts and feelings stem from years and years of stares and harsh words from others. I’ve had people tell me that I am not good enough. And for so long, I believed the lies. 

Not only did I believe the lies, but I took them inside my heart and nurtured them.

Even though that sounds crazy, that is exactly what I did. I allowed the fear of judgement to dictate my life. Until I followed the voice of my Lord. He helped me break free. Since that day, He has blessed me to share my message of hope all over the world. Now I have 9 published books—some of them translated into different languages. I have spoken at over 100 events, and my newest book (Despite Your Circumstances) has been nominated for an award.

I’m not sharing all of this because I want to brag about me. But because I want you to know that God can take you, as He did me, with all of your imperfections (like me) and turn them into a beautiful gift. Don’t be afraid of all the things that could go wrong, but focus on the glory of God. He thought the world needed you. Use your gift to glorify Him. 

And when our ways please our Lord, He opens the windows of Heaven and pours out His blessings on us. His approval is all that we should seek. 

If you would like to vote for me, I would be honored. Regardless of the outcome, being nominated and loved by so many is enough for me. Every time I read a testimony of how my story touched another heart, my cup runs over, and I know my gift is making a difference. 

http://www.christianpublishers.net/16votes/

May God bless you, 

Candida

5 Steps to Change Your Mind-set

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Everyone struggles. Why is that so hard for us to understand? We are so quick to judge others based on our feelings, without any known truths, facts, or even compassion. But we all have scars. Some of them are deep and painful, and we spend most of our time living in that place of pain. 

However, how often do we try to understand the person (ourselves as well as others) underneath the scars?

Situations and people are rarely what they seem. We tend to live one dimensional lives. As soon as something happens we develop an opinion of the situation, and never analyze it further to see if we can understand it better. Normally, we file it away in our brain as a truth when it is really a lie. 

For example: 

I lived most of my life believing I was a burden to my family and that my scars were a punishment from God. Even typing that sentence now makes me cringe. But it was my truth because I believed it wholeheartedly. However, once I developed a new perspective and was able to see my situation differently, I have never been able to view it as a burden again. God didn't punish me with scars, He blessed me with life. 

So often we believe every thought that enters our mind. Even though the majority of them are lies. 

The enemy lives in our mind. It is our negative voice. How many times has  your mind caused you to believe a lie? Actually, it happens more often than not. 

We worry about situations and events that have never happened, nor have any evidence that they will ever happen. But yet we give certain lies total control of our thoughts. So how can we stop the lies and change our mind-set?

• Counteract the lie with a truth. 

When we counteract the lie with a truth, we take away the power of the lie. The next time it enters our mind, and it will, we are able dismiss it quickly.  This also helps us to stop self inflicted bullying. 

• Be kind and seek understanding—with ourselves and others.

It is only natural for us to get angry with people or certain situations. But what might happen if we actually tried to understand the person or situation? 

• Realize that our feelings are not always the truth   

Just because we feel a certain emotion does not make it true. We may feel scared, when there is no danger. Situations may seem impossible before we are able to overcome them. 

• Use fear as an asset not a stumbling block.

Fear can stop us or help us. Learning to use it as a tool will help us to stay focused. Whenever I speak, I use the fear to humble me and help me to stay focused on my mission. 

• Seek help. Either through books or others. 

We never get to a place in our lives where we know it all. We should always strive to make our lives more enjoyable and to understand our enemy. The more we learn of his ways, the less power he will have over us.

Final thoughts…

So often we focus on the few things in our life that are challenging. We overthink them and magnify them until they seem so much bigger than they actually are. If we learned, however, to focus our energy on gratitude, and the promises of our Lord, we could change our thoughts and, in turn, live a happier life. 

Some of my favorites promises in the Bible.

Philippians 4:19 (KJV)

19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

John 3:16 (KJV)

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Romans 8:28 (KJV)

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:37 (KJV)

37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

1 John 4:4 (KJV)

4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

James 4:7 (KJV)

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Psalm 29:11 (KJV)

11 The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.

Isaiah 46:4 (KJV)

4 And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.

Psalm 37:4 (KJV)

4 Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

John 14:27 (KJV)

27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.