Tag: growing

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How Bad Do You Want It?

Posted on By wrenhowsway

I shared this quote on my social media recently:

“Many people think they want more than they actually do and they settle for less than they can actually have.” – Earl Nightingale

I heard this quote from my mentor a few weeks ago and I chose to sit with it for over a week. It caused me to take notice and ask myself three questions:

  1. How bad do I really want the thing that I say I desire?
  2. If I really want the thing am I willing to do the thing it take to get it done?
  3. Do I only like the idea of wanting the thing?

For example:

  • If I want to lose weight, am I willing to keep a food log if needed?
  • If I want to save more money, am I willing to create and stick to my budget?
  • If I want to exercise, am I willing to wake up earlier or go later to go the gym?

How bad do you want it?

Please really take time to think about this question. For me some days I really want it and other days I’ll make exceptions. So, I guess I don’t really want it. Once I really want it – it will be easier for me to get clear on what I want and set goals no matter how hard to achieve them.

We have this quote that is often said in my mentoring program,

“Successful people do what none successful people don’t do.”

“The degree of which you are willing to suffer for a thing is an indication of how bad you really want it.” – Dr. Dharius Daniels

So, I’ll ask you again, How Bad Do You Want It?

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Soundtrack

Posted on By wrenhowsway

Y’all don’t have a clue how many book ideas I have running through my brain at any given time. Currently, I’m working on two book ideas with another three ideas in my head for future books.

I’m not sure if y’all deal with this, but I have to work on this doubting  “soundtrack” playing in my head which tries to distract me.

What is a soundtrack?  I’m glad you asked. The soundtrack for me is the repeated  doubtful words which play in my head like a scratched soundtrack record.

My soundtrack tries to tell me: This book isn’t going to be good enough, no one will purchase it and so much more. All lies!

The interesting thing is if allowed the soundtrack will cause you to doubt things which have never happened. 🤯

How crazy is that? I’m doubting things that have never taken place. When I look at the facts – I’m grateful that I’ve never had a book sell zero copies, but even if I did it wouldn’t be the end of the world. Life would go on.

I’ve learned I have to silence the soundtrack.

How do I silence the soundtrack? I silence the soundtrack with the word of God. Every time this soundtrack tells me I can’t, I find a scripture that says I can. If it tells me, I won’t, I remind myself I’m more than a conqueror.

My Pastor often says, the enemy can’t stop your destiny; however, he can cause you to doubt  yourself with the  soundtrack playing in your head.

What soundtrack should you replace?

This blog was inspired by, the book entitled, “Soundtracks”, by Jon Acuff.

“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.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭4:4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Biblical Stories: The Story of Hezekiah Sickness

Posted on By wrenhowsway
  1. Scripture Reference 2 Kings 20: 1-12

In this story, the prophet Isaiah comes and delivers some news to Hezekiah to get his house in order because he was sick and was going to die soon.

Hezekiah was a man who loved God and honored him, so he wept when he received the news. He also reminded God of how he lived his life and that he served the one and only true God, the Lord God.

Before Isaiah could leave the area, he heard another word from the Lord. God said I would add 15 years to Hezekiah’s life and that Hezekiah would be healed.

So, Isaiah turned around to deliver this news. Although Hezekiah heard this he needed a sign to confirm what God said…

Click the link in my bio to learn about the rest of the story and to learn if Hezekiah was saved from his enemy.

YouTube: https://youtu.be/Zr3Zmhef1j0

Question: Are you living your life in a way that you can change the heart of God?

growth

Are You Asking The Right Questions?

Posted on By wrenhowsway

I heard a sermon a couple of weeks ago by Pastor Robert Madu in which he talked about the importance of asking the right questions. I began to ponder on the many times, I’ve asked God and others the wrong questions. Sometimes the wrong question led to no response at all. ?

My honesty moment: At the beginning of the pandemic I asked God several questions – one, in particular, was why are you allowing me to go through this pandemic alone? A whole me going through this alone. ?? If I had to pick a single season- it would not be a global pandemic. Ijs.

After a while, I began to adjust to my new normal of being at home and switched my focus to so many other things. I begin to pray and study the word more. I was now more concerned with maximizing this season versus complaining and having a woe is me attitude.

I also noticed that my question to God also changed to God why not me? ??

I’m grateful for all this time I’ve had to learn, grow, and focus on the most important relationship in my life – with God. I’ve begun to tap into my gifts and the Holy Spirit has been talking and I’m tuned in to hear?. I’m thankful this pandemic gave me the opportunity to cultivate my relationship with God and begin to ask the right questions.

“To everything, there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:”

Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV

growth

Uprooted

Posted on By wrenhowsway

In the past couple of months, I have purchased two plants and will purchase more soon. One thing I noticed about one of my plants is that it should have been replanted. The plant had outgrown the vase and had no more room to grow.

The roots of plants need room to grow, so the plant can grow properly. As uncomfortable as it is for the roots of a plant to be uprooted – it has to be done to facilitate growth.

As I thought about the replanting process, I thought about my own life. God has been uprooting unhealthy things in me that needed to be addressed, so that I can grow in my spiritual walk. Uprooted things can range from unhealthy eating to thoughts, attitudes, and past decisions. Whew…

Most of the things that were uprooted were not things that are visible to most by a mere physical appearance. The things that really have to be uprooted are the small things that you can hide from most people.

How do you even deal with unhealthy things when they are uprooted?

I had to go back to the one true source – which is the Bible. The roots of certain unhealthy things can run so deep that they aren’t easy to walk away from alone. For me, I had to ask God for forgiveness, confess to someone (it helps to foster the healing process), find accountability partners, and be willing to share my truth even if I felt completely exposed at that moment. After that moment – I realized how freeing it was for me.  I also found comfort in knowing, that:

“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John‬ ‭8:36‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Question of the Day: Have God uprooted something in you? What did your healing process look like?

 

Things I Learned About Going Through Trials or Issues

Posted on By wrenhowsway

I received this topic request from a friend.

I learned that just like others, I would prefer to go through things privately, whether that is binge-watching television or just sitting home alone.

Storytime: The most recent thing I had to go through was my break up, which all happened the same month I was releasing my book. #exhausting

I wanted to shrink, not eat and stay home, but I couldn’t. During that time God gave me strength that I didn’t know I had, so I could channel it into my book. I had already did a photoshoot, sent invites for a book release, so this book was happening. I just needed to get myself together. Lol. My faith grew stronger in God. Every morning I was up at 6 am praying to God because he was the only person I wanted to talk to during this time. If anyone asked me, I would just say, I’m good because I didn’t want to discuss it. I gave all my energy to my book and making it daily. I knew if I could push through to my book release party, I would be okay. I had one friend Melanie that disregarded everything I said and called and texted me every day for a month just to check on me. I thought I was a great friend, but her act of kindness called me higher as a friend. I also can’t forget my counselor, I randomly started counseling a couple of weeks before my break-up for something completely different, not knowing I would need it for this. My counselor is my advocate, one of my cheerleaders and my friend in my head. ? She helped me change my focus from OMG this just happened to- this relationship served its purpose and what are you going to do now – boss up and finish your book. lol

So what I learned is – when I go through things I want to break down just like anyone else, but as my friend Erica says – but God. I depended on God, I journaled, I allowed myself to feel all the feelings and hurt that I didn’t want to feel and I channeled my energy into something else to keep me occupied. I traveled – a beach and a glass of wine help a lot. ? I also leaned on my friends, they kept me encouraged and motivated to finish my book and ensured I got out of the house when needed.

Question of the Day – How do you handle things when you go through trials or problems?

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”

Psalms 34:18 NLT

https://www.bible.com/116/psa.34.18.nlt