Tag: test

Even In the Unknown

Even In the Unknown

by Nikki Rich Writes ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

How do you respond when God asks you to do something? Are you someone who meets His commands with quick obedience or are you someone who can confidently tell Him no? If I’m honest, for the vast majority of my walk with Christ, I was “no” leaning. On a good day, I met God’s commands with hesitancy and contemplation. On a regular day, I met His commands with a litany of reasons why I couldn’t do what He asked. While I knew, intellectually, that God was wise and that His instructions were profitable and protective, I didn’t actually believe it in my heart. I filtered every request and command from God through my feelings first. If I felt that the command was too hard for me to do in my own strength, my list of excuses to back out was ready. If I didn’t feel safe or sure, I didn’t move forward. In fact, it was only when I felt qualified enough to do something, had enough external encouragement from others, or clearly saw how an instruction could benefit me, that I obeyed. It really wasn’t obedience at all.

As we talked about last week, fear and self-perception can also be idols. When it came to walking in obedience, I often failed because I let the idol of my feelings have the final say. And while this went on for years (we thank God for His mercy, grace, and long-suffering), something shifted in me, within this last year, that caused me to no longer feel justified in my disobedience. As I got more familiar and more intentional with the Word of God, my idol suddenly came under attack. Could I still hide behind those fears and excuses when I now knew God was greater than any obstacle or opponent I faced? Could I still deny the Lord when I now truly knew how deeply He loves me? Could I still practice self-preservation when I now knew that only God could actually keep me safe? While I’m sure you already know the answer to these questions, I want to spend some time talking about how I got (and am still getting) there. I want to share more about the conviction I felt, the concerns I had, and the God who lovingly understood. I want to encourage and hopefully empower you on this walk of obedience because I know, firsthand, that it’s not always easy.

“‘Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.’ An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.” – Luke 22:42-44 NIV

Jesus is our ultimate example of living an obedient and submitted life. From putting on flesh to show us the way of His Father (Philippians 2:5-7) to sacrificing His body for the sins of the world (Isaiah 53:5), we constantly see Jesus operate from obedience. Of all the moments that showcase Jesus’s obedience and surrender, the moment that has always affected me most is Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. Deep in prayer and full of anguish, we see Jesus, awaiting the gruesome death planned for Him, plead with His Father for another way to bring forth salvation to His people. We see the Father express, even without words, that there is no other way. The crucifixion is the cup Jesus must drink. We see Jesus submit even though the outcome is not what He would have preferred. And from that moment forward, we never see Jesus ask the Father again. He is wholly obedient until His last breath.

When I reflect on this, I’m filled with immense gratitude. Jesus’s obedience literally saved my life. He put aside His fears, His will, and His comfort to ensure that all of us had a way to be made right with the Father. With us in mind, He gave up His life to ensure we could have one. There are no words to articulate how beautiful Jesus’s moment of obedience truly was. And yet, Jesus’s submission is also deeply convicting. God has never asked me to do what Jesus did. No matter how scary a command of God might have felt or how frustrating it was when asked to give up something I loved, I have never had to lay down my life for the entire world. God has never put the weight of all our sins on my back to carry. Though we are called to take up our cross (Matthew 16:24), I have not had to do so while also being whipped, mocked, and tortured like Jesus was. His sacrifice was beyond compare yet, for us, He agreed. If Jesus could follow through on something so great, so terrifying, and so consequential, why was I stuck on obedience at such a small level? I soon realized that Jesus was operating from a fundamental truth that would take some time for me to understand and wholeheartedly believe.

“If God is holy, then He can’t sin. If God can’t sin, then He can’t sin against you. If He can’t sin against you, shouldn’t that make Him the most trustworthy being there is?” – Jackie Hill Perry

Being, Himself, one with the Father, Jesus knew the character of His Father very well (John 10:30). He knew that His Father was righteous, just, and full of love. He knew His Father delighted in Him and would reward Him for all He had done while on earth. Jesus was rooted in the goodness of His Father despite all the difficulty He had to deal with. Unlike Jesus, with a background of performance, shame, and lacking biblical foundation, I wasn’t always super confident in God. Though the Bible may have had stories that shared His faithfulness, I didn’t always believe they were applicable to me. I wasn’t certain that God was truly safe or trustworthy. I wasn’t convinced that His instruction or command would lead to something positive. I operated in a lot of fear and self-reliance when it came to the Lord because I feared that God wouldn’t come through. I was afraid of trying and failing and reaping harsh consequences. I was afraid of experiencing His anger, disappointment, or even disgust. Unlike Jesus, I didn’t have joy set before me (Hebrews 12:2). I didn’t see how my obedience could be beneficial to others. I only focused on myself. I couldn’t see anything beyond hypothetical failure, mounting fear, and my inadequacies.

For a variety of reasons, ranging from original sin to difficult life circumstances, there appears to be a natural human bent towards not trusting God. Many of us, if not all, experience moments where we’re just not sure if God is as good as He says or if He’ll actually do what He promises. Sometimes we’re not sure if obedience is worth it. We’re not always sure if God, Himself, is worth it. The above quote, however, forces us to really consider the God who calls us to obedience. This quote highlights the fundamental truth that I believe Jesus knew to be true when He prayed in that garden: God is holy. As we recall, God calls us to be holy because He is holy (Leviticus 20:26). And if He’s holy, we must then know, and come to believe, that God’s holiness makes Him perfect. God’s holiness doesn’t give Him the ability to sin. God’s holiness doesn’t give Him the ability to lie. God’s holiness doesn’t give Him the ability to act deceitfully or with malice towards His own. This God, our God, holy and pure, is the One who requires our obedience. It is this God, our God, who calls us to do something beyond our natural ability because it’s an opportunity to see His hand and love, through the Holy Spirit, at work. It is this God, our God, who calls us to lay down that sin or idol because it’s an opportunity to find true fulfillment, joy, and healing in His presence. It is this God, our God, that calls for forgiveness because it’s an opportunity for freedom and healing. It is this God, our God.

When I think about Jesus submitting to His Father and accepting the cup of death, I see that He clearly knew all would be right in the end. Though Jesus would have to deal with hard and horrible circumstances that we can’t even begin to fully understand or grasp, He knew victory from sin and death was right around the corner. He knew that the restored relationship between Creator and creation was right around the corner. He knew that His status as King, sitting at the right hand of the Father, was right around the corner. And while that’s wonderful for Jesus, many of us, myself included, don’t always have that same assurance right away. When God tells us to put ourselves out there, we often don’t know how others will receive us. When God tells us to give up something that brought us joy and happiness, we often don’t know whether God can really fill that void. When God calls us to bear our cross, we often don’t know whether we’ll be able to stand under the weight. And, in truth, those feelings of uncertainty are the absolute worst. Obedience can be really difficult, scary, and uncomfortable. I do not want to minimize or ignore that. And I don’t believe God wants to disregard that either. He knows that we are flesh. He knows all about the weaknesses, fears, concerns, and wounds that make us question Him (Psalm 139: 1-16). He’s not going to beat you up for that. He operates in patience and bestows wisdom, encouragement, and power to help you through it. I’m a witness. But, it’s on us to want to believe He is who He says He is. If we desire to know Him more fully, He will be made known to us (Luke 11:9-13).

For all that’s unknown, there’s one thing we know for sure–we belong to Him. And if we belong to Him, He will take care of us (Isaiah 46:4). He will be faithful to keep us and present us as faultless (Jude 1:24-25). He will be present with us no matter the circumstance (Joshua 1:9). So, with every call for obedience, I encourage you to think on these things. Think on His holiness. Think on His inability to sin against you. Think on His role and responsibility as your Father. Think on His promise to be with you wherever you go. Even in the midst of fear, discomfort, and difficulty, we can still trust our lives and our surrender to the God who is holy, pure, good, and committed to us. Give Him your yes…even in the unknown. He will take care of you.

Until next time, be ye holy…authentically ❤️

Relentless

Relentless

by Nikki Rich Writes ♥ 3 Comments

Relentless – Continuing in a determined way without any interruption (Cambridge Dictionary)

When I think about this year, relentless is the first word that comes to mind. Take a moment and reflect on it. Has not the year of 2020 continued in a determined way without any interruption? Has it not continued in delays, in disappointments, and in death? Has it not continued in hatred, in greed, and in injustice? Has it not continued in tears, in isolation, and in frustration? It has continued. Incessant. Firm. Unyielding. How has it been going for you? Regardless of whether you’ve barely been touched or you’ve been deeply hurt and broken by the events of this year, none of us can say we haven’t been challenged in some way. Our lifestyles have been abruptly changed. Our trust in systems have been questioned. Our family dynamics have been strained. Our mental, physical, and spiritual health have been tried. The year of 2020 has been relentless. There has been no escape.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” – James 1:2-4

So what’s the point? Why did 2020 hit us so hard? While I won’t pretend to definitively answer a question only God could with certainty, I do realize that some of God’s best work in us comes through adversity. Think back on some of 2020’s toughest moments thus far. Take Kobe Bryant’s death for instance. His death, for many of us, was extremely heartbreaking and difficult to accept. As the intimate stories about his life and the impact he had on and off the court took center stage, many of us began to reflect on our own lives. Were we living lives of purpose or were we simply settling for good enough? For some of us, his death lit a God ignited fire within us. No longer content with wasting time, our priorities shifted to doing things in this world that would last and have God given impact. What about this current pandemic? Have you done any soul searching and self evaluation with all this time to yourself in isolation? Has the constant reminder of death made you confront your false sense of immortality and seek a real relationship with Jesus before it’s too late? What about the high levels of unemployment and volatility in the stock market? What did that mean for your bank account and your ideas of stability and prosperity? Did being stuck with your kids 24/7 develop patience in you? If not yet patience (I know y’all are tired!), at least a new level of empathy and appreciation for those who care and teach them everyday? Let’s not forget the racial injustices we’ve witnessed this year. Did seeing someone die unjustly ignite your fight for justice and truth? Did you have to learn what it really meant to love and pray for those who persecute you? (Matthew 5:44) This could go on and on. My point, however, is simple. The relentlessness of 2020 gave us the opportunity to address and heal things within us that otherwise may have gone unchecked. For all the pain that this year has provided, the beauty of gratitude, grace, and growth has still been ever present. Count it all joy.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” – John‬ ‭3:16-17‬ ‭

God also comes to mind when I think of the word relentless. When we think about who God is and what He has done for us, it’s clear that His love has always continued in a determined way. It has never failed to save, protect, discipline, build, renew, and heal us. It has never failed to forgive, to grant mercy, to be long-suffering, and to stretch us for His glory and our growth. Even when we have ignored or rejected His love for us, that same love has still remained ever present, ever enduring, and ever willing. Can you pinpoint His relentless love for you even in the midst of this relentless storm of life?

Max Lucado, a Christian author, once said “God loves you just the way you are, but refuses to leave you that way.” While that statement is evident in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, as shown in this scripture, it’s no less clear in the year 2020. God is after our hearts and our affections. He wants us to be dependent on Him. He wants us to be humble and obedient in all that He calls us to do. He wants us to have a heart of gratitude. He wants us to be a giver. He wants us to be like Christ, in words and in actions. Let this season of pruning and refining finish its work. Let this year of relentlessness birth in you all that you are meant to be, for Christ, for yourself, and for each other.

“For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver. You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs. You let people ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance.” – Psalms‬ ‭66:10-12

This pain isn’t in vain, twentysomethings ❤️

Weary Me. Loving Him.

Weary Me. Loving Him.

by Nikki Rich Writes ♥ 2 Comments

Weary Me

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians‬ ‭6:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Many of us know this verse well. It’s all about honoring God, doing our best, and trusting Him to see us through. We know it. We hear it. We believe it. What happens, however, when that verse doesn’t quite feel like enough? When it’s been just one too many days? When your last nerve has been stepped on just one too many times? When you’re unable to hold back the tears any longer? When accepting defeat almost feels relieving? Anything but this place. Anything but this state of being. What do you do when weariness seems inevitable?

I’ve dealt with this many of times: trying to push pass negative feelings but failing, wondering if complacency is really that bad, even entertaining lies that tell me God’s promises aren’t really for me. I allow myself to lose hope and confidence. I question myself and my circumstance. I wonder, for a moment, if God really knows what He’s doing. Why on earth would God tell us not to give up when He knew how hard it’d be not to?

Loving Him

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew‬ ‭11:28‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The more I learn about Christ, usually though the various trials and storms I face, the more I realize how chill He is. The juxtaposition of my frantic and exhausted spirit with His calming and all-knowing spirit is striking. I fight and push and try and fail all while He rests, looks on, and waits for me to turn to Him. As I scold myself, wishing I could hold on better, keep my attitude more in check, or even choose gratitude more often than tantrums, He sits there patiently until I wear myself out. When I get just weary enough to turn my attention back on Him, it’s there that I’m taught, once again, about His long-lasting love.

His love.

It’s His love that calls me righteous, even when I feel like I don’t deserve it (Philippians 3.9). It’s His love that prepares a table for me in the presence of my enemies (Psalm 23:5). It’s His love that keeps a hedge of protection around me (Psalm 91). It’s His love that encourages me (Deuteronomy 31:8). It’s His love that convicts me, molding me into the person He saw while I was still in my mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13; 15-16). It’s His love that provides an abundance of mercy and goodness to follow me all the days of my life (Psalm 23:6). It’s His love that empathizes and understands me when no one else does (Hebrews 4:15-16). It’s His love that never fails to provide comfort (Psalm 119:76). He brings His promises to mind, challenging me to remember that last time He rescued me, favored me, and covered me (Hebrews 8:10). If He did it before, isn’t He faithful enough to do it again?

This post is a plea, for all of us, to breathe. To remember that we aren’t doing this life alone. We have a Heavenly Father more than willing to help us, guide us, direct us, and mature us. Will we let Him? Will we learn the patience, the discipline, and the humility necessary to become our best selves? Will we accept the promises of God even when they don’t seem yet applicable to our lives? Will we choose to believe God loves us, even in the depths of our sins and mistakes?

My prayer is that each and every one of you know that you’re okay. Know that no amount of weariness can separate you from the love and promises of God (Romans 8:38). Know that no matter how hard the trial may be, it serves to produce the endurance and patience needed for your elevation (James 1:2-4). Know that no matter how far it may seem, God’s promises are still yes and amen (2 Corinthians 1:20). Know that though you stumble, doubt, and sometimes even fall, the righteous (which you are in Him) do indeed get back up (Proverbs 24:16).

Take your eyes off of yourself and place them on Him, twenty somethings ❤️

CHALLENGE: Take a verse from this post or in your own study and meditate on it for a week. Aim to memorize it, if you can. What does it say about Him? What does it say about you? Write it down and revisit it often. You can’t trust God, like He wants you to, until You learn who He is and how He feels about you. See who He is and test Him on it.

Overwhelmed

Overwhelmed

by Nikki Rich Writes ♥ 3 Comments

“If I could speak honestly, it don’t feel good. But growing never does. It don’t seem fair for You to call this love. But if necessary pain is the ingredient for change, even when life may be bittersweet, it’s working just for me.” – Kirk Franklin

As a twenty something, I know you’ve felt overwhelmed at least a few times in your life. You may have felt overwhelmed by work deadlines, bill payments, school assignments, business plans, or even just what to eat for dinner. Likewise, I’m sure you’ve been overwhelmed by your dreams more than you can count. Think about it. How many times have you seen yourself in the position you desire, living a life that currently seems unattainable? How often do you space out from the real world and instead fill your mind with creative ideas and plans to propel your career? Despite your dreams and aspirations, admittedly, it can be a real disappointment to look around and see that life appears to be stagnant. While you’re sincerely grateful for what you have and who you currently are in this season, discontentment can still easily creep in when everything you dreamed about seems light years away. What do you do to cope? How do you endure when you don’t really see the light at the end of the tunnel?

This is me. Every morning, I wake up thinking about the hopes and dreams I have for my life. Despite my faith, the gaping holes between my now and my hope to be still feel overwhelming. Though I make attempts toward my goals, I find myself unsure and slow moving, not nearly as graceful as others around me seem to portray.  I hear tons of advice from family, friends, and spiritual leaders but still feel a void, wondering how, if, and when it’ll all apply to me. I feel tired by my exertion while simultaneously annoyed by my rest. I’m in the middle of this thing, trying to fight for the dream, while resistance around me taunts me to settle. The hike is all uphill and if I don’t make it to the top, I’ll succumb to the land of complacency. Overwhelmed.

I’ve recently been obsessed with Kirk Franklin’s new song “Just for Me”. He asserts and assures the necessity of the fight, of disappointments, and of dreams deferred. What I love most about the song is the declaration that everything is working out even though the process is tumultuous and unnerving. As a Christian, I’m often tempted to operate out of a false righteous strength during more overwhelming seasons. This “strength” disregards real hurt, pain, and disappointment and replaces it with a smile unaffected by affliction or heavy pruning. The strength asserts that everything going on is fine and dandy because in time, God will make it all better. Though it is true that God will make everything right in its time (Ecclesiastes 3), that doesn’t mean I enjoy the waiting and wondering. I’ve learned, especially during difficult times, the importance of being honest about your stress, worry, and weariness. God cares when you hurt. He doesn’t want you to try to figure it all out on your own. He isn’t interested in you being tough and unbothered. What He really wants is dependence. He wants you to lean on Him not just for direction but also for perspective and revelation. It is only when you rest in Him, away from your plans and schemes, that your mindset starts changing and you experience real strength.

God’s revelation and perspective will change your outlook on slow-moving and difficult times in your life. You will be able to admit how painful the feelings of insufficiency and inability are while simultaneously using those feelings as the motivation necessary to keep fighting for the dreams you know God placed down in you. You’ll acknowledge how tiring it is to constantly hike uphill yet still see the hike as an endurance builder, preparing you for the more you’ll have to conquer at your next level. Simply, you will no longer see yourself as a failure. You’ll see every struggle, every overwhelming moment, and every mistake as preparatory steps. You’ll realize that you had to go through those situations in order to become better equipped for when your time actually comes. Though overwhelming moments will continue to threaten your peace, the change in your perspective will be the way you push pass them and continue believing. Remember, God called you for His purpose. He will make sure it gets done. The key, then, is really to hold on and trust God’s timing with your life. You need to relax. You already know God works everything out for your good (Romans 8:28). You already know that God will give you everything you need to fulfill His purpose for your life (Philippians 1:6). Don’t give up. Your dreams are not in vain.

Its working out for you, twenty somethings 💕🙏🏾

Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop

Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop

by Nikki Rich Writes ♥ 4 Comments

Last month I wrote about the importance of submitting your will to God. I wrote about the growth in your confidence once you realize that God is not here to harm you. I wrote my plea for you to give God a chance and allow Him to lead you, in His timing, to all your destiny has to offer. There were a few things I didn’t write, however. These things were principles that I learned this past month, after failing a few tests He gave me. These were things, that now I see, prove crucial to keeping your faith steady and strong during life’s shakiness. Let’s dive in.

Not too long after I wrote my last post, I found myself in a position to pursue some of the things God revealed about my destiny. Full of faith and expectant, I took a leap, believing that God gave me His “ok”. I made a connection here. A friend helped me there. My heart was overjoyed with the thought that I was finally focusing on something I really wanted. I felt like I was on the up and up until suddenly, I wasn’t. Out of nowhere, it seemed, a wave of “no” crashed into me so distinctly that I had to stop, feeling unsure of why or what to do about it. Instantly I looked at God for an explanation but I didn’t receive one. “Did He not give me the go ahead? Why would He do this?” I thought, upset and dejected. I let the disappointment settle on me until it turned into despair. I went from bad to worse, allowing my sadness to isolate me from others, to stifle my creativity, and to keep me in an ugly mood. Doesn’t this sound contrary to what I wrote about last month? God knew I had more learning to do.

“I meditate on Your precepts and consider Your ways. I delight in Your decrees; I will not neglect Your word.” – Psalm 119:15-16

Though in my feelings, I never stopped talking to God. While, admittedly, I went through some days of whining and complaining (I’m not perfect y’all), I did continue to seek Him out for understanding. I wanted to know how I could get a “yes” in my spirit and then suddenly, as my joy grew, get kicked back down with a “no”. Without answering my questions, He brought me back to a notebook I had laying on my table. If you’ve been reading for a while, you would know that I wrote a post about that notebook and how I used it to battle my insecurities. He reminded me of how I used that notebook to grow in my faith and to learn His promises. He also reminded me that I hadn’t written in that notebook in weeks and perhaps my answer might lie there. Sighing, wishing He could just explain Himself to me instead, I grabbed that notebook and my Bible, and went on a hunt for some answers.

Searching for scriptures that addressed disappointment, I found myself in the book of Psalm, reading how David encouraged himself in the Lord. No matter how difficult things got, how much David messed up, or how many struggles David faced, His eyes still focused on God. Though he might complain in the beginning of a chapter, by its end, David would be magnifying the Lord’s name, confident that God loved him and had a plan for his life. As I began to write these various verses down, the light bulb went off. Did I not know about God’s faithfulness before? Did I not know that God promised to bless me?  Was it that I didn’t know these things or was it, perhaps, that I allowed myself to temporarily forget? This revelation made me realize why God brought me back to the notebook in the first place. To avoid even the temptation of thinking God had an ounce of malice towards me, I needed to keep my focus on His word and His promises. If I wasn’t meditating on them daily, reading them, and writing them down, life’s highs and lows would definitely weaken my faith. This was a reminder to focus on Him, not just in theory but in practice, daily, so that I would be assured, no matter the circumstances, of who He said He was and who I was in Him.

“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.” – Hebrews 12:11-12

When I was able to recall the goodness of God and His care, love, and faithfulness in the lives of His children, I was able to humble myself enough to apologize and start the process of wiping away the ugliness I had in my heart.  Digging deeper into what the Bible had to say about God, that wave of “no” soon began to retreat. I realized then that the “no” had less to do with stifling plans and more to do with checking my heart. How could I say that God’s will came before mine but get mad when He exercised said will? How could I pray to be a light yet still operate in darkness? How could I say that I had faith in God yet crumble at opposition? It’s not that God expects perfection, but He does expect me to trust His word and stand firm. He doesn’t want me to be a baby in Christ forever. It’s time that I start eating solids.

“The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:24

I wrote this to remind and challenge you to make this Jesus journey a forever thing. While we may be motivated and uplifted in one season, there will always be opposition and trouble to threaten our peace in the next. We must constantly check in with God. We must faithfully study His word and seek Him for clarity and guidance. We must recall His attributes and allow them to encourage us always, especially in our low times. God loves us, even when we tend to forget. While it’s normal to have these moments, it’s imperative that we don’t stay there. Let’s level up.

We aren’t babies anymore, twenty somethings ❤️

Growing Pains

Growing Pains

by Nikki Rich Writes ♥ 4 Comments

growing pains = temporary difficulties and problems at the beginning of a particular stage of development. (Collins Dictionary)

Adulting seems to be all about making gains. Most of our goals include making more money, having greater influence and pull in our social groups, becoming more mature and responsible, and of course, loosening the dependence we have on our parents. While those are all great accomplishments in the adulting journey, truth be told, the process in getting there is extremely difficult. We may succeed for a while, thriving as “full grown” twentysomething adults, but inevitably, we always have that hiccup that pulls us back into the reality that we still have more growing up to do.

Growing up, spiritually, works the same way. It reminds me a lot of God’s pruning process, which I’ve touched on previously. Pruning is designed to get rid of those characteristics and habits that are less than who you truly are. It is also designed to stretch you, building a new and improved version of yourself. As I thought more about pruning, I couldn’t help but relate it to the term “growing pains”. Most of us know that growing pains occur when children are getting bigger, often growing in height. The Collins Dictionary definition really touched me specifically, as I could directly see the ties between growing pains in the natural and in the spiritual. Read over the definition again. For me, the two words that stuck out most were “temporary” and “development”. Let’s dive into each of these for a second.

The word temporary feels comforting. We can look at our most difficult experiences, both spiritually and naturally, and recognize that it didn’t last forever. Even in particular situations that still have lasting effects on our present day, there has been some relief, some healthier alternative, or at least, a growing mental capacity to handle the situation better than you once did. Similarly, pruning is temporary. The varying levels of discomfort that pruning brings never lasts forever. You may struggle through it, you may be annoyed by it, and it may stress you out in the moment, but always, relief does come and growth does occur. The second word, development, ties right in. Our goal, no matter what we are doing, is to be better than we were the day before. We can’t do that, however, unless we submit to the process of development: the stretching, pulling, and evolving it takes to become a better us. This process is one God specializes in. The question is, as always, will we take a backseat and let God do the work, even when we think we already have it together?

Thinking I already have it together is a problem I fall into, more times than I’d like to admit. Though I’ve touched on many of my insecurities and struggles, I do also have attributes and capabilities that I’m particularly proud of. Unsurprisingly, God recently decided it was time to test those capabilities out. Did I really have it together? Absolutely not. After I was put in multiple situations that tested my patience, my attitude, and my ability to “be like Christ”, it didn’t take long before the “absolutely not” was obvious. I could feel moments, at the peak of those difficult situations, when my temper rose, where my annoyance reigned, and where my desire to give up almost overtook me. The situations felt more like an attack than any standard and simple pruning. To be honest, I was highly annoyed at God for the unwanted turn of events. I wanted things to go back to how they were. I wanted to ease back into that comfortable space I once found myself in. I wanted my mom! (shout out to my awesome adulting skills!) Thank God for His love, patience, and comfort, however. Though He let me struggle and fight for a while, He soon enough came with a message. In my stillness, He let me know that this wasn’t about the painful attack, but rather, the opportunity for growth. Sitting on that word for a second, I immediately became frustrated. It felt like just another tick off my character. It was another fault or problematic issue that I had. God countered me quickly, assuring me that that wasn’t the problem either. This wasn’t about highlighting my faults so that I’d feel bad. This was about development. This was to prepare me so that I’d be ready for the next step in God’s Will for my life. Understanding this, I was left feeling humbled and grateful. Though the process was irritating and uncomfortable, knowing that this was for my future blessings and provision left me joyful.

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. -James 1: 2-4

I share this with you in hopes that you’ll be encouraged when attacks come your way. Before you jump to conclusions and get full of anger, take a step back and reassess the situation. Is there anything you could learn from the attack? Is there anything you’re praying for that may need this sort of character building in order to be manifested? If so, consider it an opportunity for joy. This is not a disregard to the ill ways others may treat you. This is not a disregard to your feelings or emotions during difficult times. This is, however, an opportunity to switch your perspective, allowing the painful but powerful work of growing pains. The result will always be taller, stronger, and wiser you.

Let’s see that height, twentysomethings. ✨

How Do I Win?

How Do I Win?

by Nikki Rich Writes ♥ 3 Comments

I’ve noticed that there’s a common thread tying many of my life problems together: insecurity. While insecurity is something we all go through, I believe many of us don’t discuss the work it takes to break free of it. Often, we don’t do the work at all, allowing it to be “just how I am.” As a way to break that belief, I want to share a journey I’ve been on in trying to overcome insecurity. While this may not be the solution for everyone, I hope that all of you who struggle with this can grasp something and apply it in your lives. We don’t have time to be jealous and insecure. More than ever, it’s time to fight back. Our destiny is on the line.

Insecurity is vicious. Starting seemingly from birth, we are surrounded by constant comparisons, competitions, beauty standards, and harsh words/ opinions from people. It can get so bad that no matter what you accomplish, you still can’t see your greatness. I was that person, someone so deep into feeling less than that I couldn’t see anything else. It wasn’t until I grew tired that things had the opportunity to change. We often cope with insecurity by shying away and lowering ourselves or by bringing others down to lift ourselves up. I definitely fell into the first category and while feeling sorry for myself “worked” for some years, I couldn’t let it continue to define me. I knew that if I stayed in that place, I would never get all that was meant for me. I would be too scared, too shy, and too blind to see my worth, my power, and my purpose.

Knowing that things had to shift, I began to pray about it and ask God how to overcome this struggle. After speaking with one of my friends (shout out to you Yung Claxton!), the solution became obvious: discover what God says about me, ask follow up questions to make sure the promises belonged to me, and be bold enough to accept it as true,  EVEN WHEN I  felt less than worthy of it.

This method may sound extremely cliche, but hear me out. For me, I always believed that I wasn’t pretty enough, I sinned too much to be worthy of God’s love, that I didn’t have talents or abilities that could hold a light up to my peers, and that my voice didn’t matter. I thought the lowest of lows about myself and it had been that way since I could remember. When I started this journey, I became extremely uncomfortable, as I had to face myself, discover why I felt the way I felt, and choose to believe God’s truth over the world’s truth that had been ingrained in my heart since the beginning of time. I used a journal to write exactly how I felt. It was sad but also therapeutic to confess how I perceived myself. There’s such freedom in being honest instead of giving the standard answers of “I’m fine” or “I’m not bothered.” As I read back what I wrote and got that sick feeling in my heart, knowing I shouldn’t be so hard on myself, I began searching for God’s responses to my feelings. I’ll give you a real example of one of my sessions, in hopes of bringing clarity and helping you start your journey towards victory.

Session 1

The Struggle: I feel unworthy of God because my flesh likes to rise up more times than I’d like. I have bouts of jealousy, doubt, and fear. I’m scared that I don’t measure up. I’m unsure about what I am even doing with my life. Is it enough? Am I doing too much?

God’s Response (1):

“Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” -Psalm 139:16

-This scripture hit me because simply, it told me that God gets it. He’s not surprised by my doubts and fears. He’s not amazed at how significantly I sinned. He’s not turned off by my weariness. He understands me better than I understand me. He knows me better than I know me. Despite all my perceived flaws, He’s still here loving me, growing me, pushing me forward, and favoring me. There’s nothing I can do that separates me from Him. If He knew all of that and still sent Jesus to die for me, I ought to calm down and breathe. All that self critique and condemnation isn’t necessary. He’s still at work in my life.

-Despite that realization, the stubborn part of me couldn’t let it go. I still felt like I couldn’t measure up and be all that God wanted me to be. God came through with the follow up.

God’s Response (2):

“For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.” – Romans 8:29-30

-The beauty of this scripture was that while Psalm 139:16 told me that God already knew me, this scripture told me that because He knew me, I was predestined to be like Christ (the ultimate goal), that I was called by God and had a purpose in this earth, that I was justified or declared righteous by God, and that I was glorified and special.

-The understanding of Romans 8:29-30 gave me a rebuttal to the world’s truths that shaped me previously. How could I be unworthy, not talented enough, and not beautiful, when God JUST told me that I was righteous and had a purpose so great that He called me specifically for it?

At the end of this session, I was left with the final step of believing God’s truths. This is the hardest step because it’s a fight to actively agree with God over the lies you’ve accepted as fact for so long. This step takes time. The more you meditate on the promises over your life and talk back to the lies that flood your thoughts, the easier it gets.

I encourage you to stay in the fight for your destiny. There’s too much greatness over your life for you to continually play small and measure yourself against other people who are battling their own issues. Discover who you really are and walk in that power. You didn’t know before but now, there’s no excuse. Go ahead and live your best life, one truth at a time.

Keep winning, twentysomethings. ❤️