Tag: learning

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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

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

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Surface level conversations are for the birds…

Posted on By wrenhowsway

A lot of us walk around hurt or wounded because we desire to have intimate conversations with significant people in our life. Shamefully, these conversations are far, few and non-existent for many. When you do get the opportunity to have many of those conversations they remain “surface-level.”

What are surface level conversations?

Surface level conversations are those boring, predictable conversations with the predictable responses to questions such as:

How are you doing? What have you been up to?

Versus

Lets talk about what happened… Can we discuss this situation?

Let’s be clear, it is always okay to ask someone if they are okay, how they are doing, but that shouldn’t be the end of the conversation. Often times the conversation stops there.

Getting rid of surface level conversations allows us to ask the tough questions and will require vulnerability to get to the root of an issue and work through it. So, have your tissue ready.

How can I even start this conversation?

Well, I’m glad you asked. It may require you taking someone to lunch or grabbing a cup of coffee. A great way to segway a conversation is to open with a conversation such as How do you feel about this? Or remember when…. share a story. Listen, I’m not a counselor, I have a strong desire for others to have meaningful and healthy relationships with the people in their life.

We (me included) we have the ability to change the trajectory of our story. We can challenge and speak up about past issues and start the conversation.

Sidenote: Every one you desire to have non-surface level conversations with won’t be open to engaging in these conversations, and that’s okay.

Also remember,?Don’t force the conversation, but do it in your own time.

When someone is willing to have a conversation with you, be open to listen actively and share in dialogue back to them. Having a much needed conversation can be a beautiful thing.
Because unlike the saying goes, what you don’t know about someone can hurt you.

Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. Colossians 4:6 KJV

 

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Self Awareness

Posted on By wrenhowsway

Self Awareness

Have you ever learned something new about yourself? Good or bad or as they say in the corporate world, a strength or an opportunity. lol

Well recently God showed me a couple of characteristics about myself and I realized sometimes I am not the solution to the problem because I am the problem. #ouch.

Before I share this, lets say it was a tough reality and caused me to examine several areas of my life and see what I can do to be better.

2 Things I Learned about Me
1. I can be selfish. So let me define this context of selfish. lol. Do I share with people or give to people in need, of course. However, I can be selfish as to where I am not always considering others when I make a decision. The first person I think about is me and the impact it will have on me. My solution for this is to ask others what they think when a decision is not only impacting me and then take a moment, listen and process what they are saying before I respond and consider their input.

2. I can talk a lot and some of the stuff I say, doesnt come out how I want it to. ??‍♀️ Well, I am working on that. It starts with learning how to be quiet. Just because I have an opinion, it doesnt mean I always have to share. Sometimes, we are put in situations to listen and to help someone else. I know I hate when people give me unsolicited advice, so I have to stop doing it to others. If you see me biting my tongue, just know I am practicing being quiet. I call it, the shut up spirit. Lol

Food for Thought

Knowing things about yourself is half the battle. Once you learn something, you have two options:

1. Take an action to counter correct it if needed.
#maturity

2. Do nothing and keep making the same mistake over and over. #insanity

Quote of the Day:
“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.”
– Albert Einstein

Question
What can you own from your past story to help you grow or adjust?

Scripture of the Day
Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.
1 Timothy 4:16 NLT