God – Living Whole Coaching

encouragement, God, golden nuggets, hope, Lessons, prayer, the butterfly journey

7 Lessons I’ve Learned While Going Through My Storm

August 15, 2015 livingwholecoaching

I’ve learned over many years of life that each storm of life holds “golden nuggets” of wisdom that God wants me to learn. But like most people I couldn’t see the lessons while I was embedded in the pain of facing tough life situations. Most recent years I have begun to dig a little deeper to understand just what God was trying to show me about myself during these times.

Once I began to hunger for the truth, God was gracious enough to uncover the treasures that were hidden in the waves of my storms.

1. My relationship with God is the most important relationship of my life.

There is no one in this world that loves me more or with a more perfect love. Don’t compromise who you are for the world.

2. Seek God for direction before making decisions for my life.

I realize that my understanding is limited to what I know and see. God is all-knowing and He is the best one to give me direction for my life. Sometimes our decisions can have an adverse affect on our lives and the lives of those we love.

3. Know and believe God’s promises for my life.

Studying God’s word gives us understanding of who we are and what God has promised to do in us and through us, but how do we know if we do not delve into His glorious word? The trials become unbearable if we have no hope that things can or will get better. His word is the blueprint that gives us everything we need to live our best lives. Jeremiah 29:11

4. Search for the lessons in each situation.

I began to ask God questions. What is it that you want me to learn Lord? How do you want me to wait while in the storm? Every trial has a something that be for your good; build your faith, increase your trust, restore or turn you away from sin. Romans 8:28

5. Be grateful in all seasons of my life.

Sometimes this part is hard especially when you are experiencing pain. This is the time when you really have to dig deep and remind yourself of the wonderful blessings that still are surrounding you. Look for them, make it a point to seek them, they are there! There is a greater glory after each storm.

6. Tell my story to others.

There is always someone who may be going through a similar storm in their life. By sharing your testimony you are giving them hope and encouragement that things will get better.

7. Pray without ceasing.

I can’t say enough about prayer! I have learned early in my Christian walk that prayer changes things, situations and hearts. There is no greater gift than to be able to talk to the Father about all your heart issues. There are some things that will only come by prayer. Learn to pray and continue to develop your communication with the Father. He will never fail you, that I know for sure!

Blessings

Lisa

destiny, finding God, gifts and talents, God, journey, Life Coach, life worth living, mission, purpose, the butterfly journey, women

I Want to Die Empty

August 9, 2015August 9, 2015 livingwholecoaching

I admire those famous people in history that used their entire life serving people and making the world a better place. Those that we had the opportunity of knowing because their lives were showcased to the world. Some that come to mind are Martin Luther King Jr. and Mother Theresa and there are countless more, many more.

But there are ones who we didn’t get an opportunity to know through history or mainstream media. Those that weren’t written about in books. Those ordinary people like you and me, just living out their purposes, using their God-given gifts, talents and life experiences to serve others and making their communities something better than what it was before them.

I always knew that I was born for something. I just couldn’t believe for a minute that God would create me just to exist. It took me almost a lifetime to figure out what it was, but here I am today striving to live my life until I am empty. No not empty in the way you may be thinking, but empty of everything that God gave me and created me for to complete while here on this earth. I wish that I could have had someone to come along side of me to help m figure it all out before now. But God always had a plan. (Jeremiah 29:11)

When I first saw the words “die empty” it confused me; as I asked myself, “Why would anyone want to die empty?” But see God has given me a mind that is able to look at things from a whole different perspective.

To die empty to me means to use all that God has blessed me with and all that He created me to be to serve people in a unique way. It means to be passionate about using my gifts, talents, skills and every life experience (good and bad) to help someone else. It not only means to make the world a better place, but ultimately it means to build up God’s kingdom for His glory!

The discovery of my purpose came during one of my life’s storms. Yep, I discovered my purpose through my pain. It wasn’t very clear at first, but the revelation came after the storm, during my healing process. I went through a lot during that time and even though it was a painful experience, I am glad that God allowed something beautiful to come out of it. (Romans 8:28)

For me to find my purpose, my reason for being here was the most wonderful thing to happen to me! It gives me a specific reason for living, it gives me direction and it gives me peace!

The more I seek God, study His word and follow His guidance, the more I learn about life, my life that is connected in Him! I know for sure that I am here to help people “die empty” and most importantly to know God, for He is who we live and die for!

Love Lisa

The Butterfly Journey

http://www.thebutterflyjourney.com

brokenness, encouragement, God, health, the butterfly journey, women

Heart Healthy

February 3, 2015 livingwholecoaching

February is heart health month. During this month you can find helpful information about how to have a healthy heart, or about warning signs when something is wrong with your heart. It is all about the well-being of your physical heart.

February is also the month of Valentine’s Day. A day set aside to show love to your significant other and others you love in a special way. Usually we adorn each other with chocolates and roses. Valentine’s Day is one of the most celebrated and lucrative holidays that we engage in.

What about your spiritual heart? Is it healthy, do you know the warning signs that something may be going wrong with it? Do you have the information on how to keep it healthy? Or have the arteries of life circumstances caused plaque to build up and the flow of love and joy are having a hard time reaching your heart to keep it healthy?

Have you been exercising your heart muscles by showing love to keep your heart strong and in a position to receive love? Your spiritual heart is just as important as your physical heart. It warrants your every effort to make sure that nothing foreign comes in to make your heart beat irregularly or cause damage.

We place things in our heart from experiences that we have encountered in our lifetime. Some things are good, others are bad, but God wants us to make sure that what we put in our hearts are things that will help us live life to its fullest. Good things that will catapult us into a relationship with Him and others. When we have experienced something that was not good and we place it in our hearts, it stays there until we release it. As long as it stays there the more miserable you may become. You will live your life not fully being free to love or receive love.

That’s why God said in His word: Proverbs 4: 23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. NIV

The good news today is that God can help you release the bad things that you have placed in your heart. The things that will keep you from experiencing a true flow of love and joy, but you have to give God all the pieces of your brokenness. He will replace those things with wisdom and love. Trust Him, I do!

Blessings Lisa

depression, encouragement, God, the butterfly journey

Could It Be You?

January 11, 2015 livingwholecoaching

When you are involved in an unpleasant situation, do you naturally look at the other party as the reason for it? I’m not saying that you are wrong for doing that because in some cases it could very well be because of someone else’s role that the situation occurred.

But this is what I want you to think about for a minute…could it be YOU? I know you have examples for me that prove that it is not always you or it never has been you that caused a situation to go south. However, hear me out.

I’ve shared my testimony with you many times, but since I haven’t blogged in a year (and I hope that I will have some new followers) I will give you a little bit of my story. Thank God it has been over 7 years now since I suffered with major depression. During the latter part of my dark journey I started asking myself and God why did I get to the place that I was in? Well talking to myself I could explain a lot of my demise by pointing my finger at others.

God took me in another direction. He pointed his finger at me! Me?! I did this to myself?! But I didn’t fuss with God, I just listened, because at that point in my life that is all I could do. I humbled myself and listened to God. I allowed God to show me, myself. Wow, what a journey that was; not pleasant at all. What it did for me though was examine every choice that I had made. The good, bad, and the ugly.

It was then that my life began to change…for the better. I learned the most life lessons during this season of my life. If you want to truly be free and walk in a better relationship with not only yourself, but God and others, you would embrace self-examination.

Would you agree that God only wants the best for you? When He cares, he wants to show you ways that may be contrary to the what the world teaches you. He wants to move you into a new level of “trusting” Him. And if you can’t trust Him with your life, your entire life, than you have a lot to learn my friend.

Give yourself a chance to be the “best” you and trust God to show you, you.

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within ME.” Psalm 51:10 NIV

Blessings, Lisa

depression, God, healing and deliverance

Depression Almost Killed Me – Part 1

May 2, 2013 livingwholecoaching

I never imagined that my life would take such a drastic turn and leave me struggling to stay alive, but it did.

Over 5 years ago, I found myself empty, lonely, and scared. Life had somehow made a wrong turn and I was spiraling down a dark hole before I even knew what was happening.

Even though it seemed that it all happened in a blink of an eye, I know it didn’t. It was days, months, and even years building up to finally fully embrace me and by then it was too late to escape. Always an optimistic person, seeing live full of promises and dreams, I didn’t believe that depression could attack someone like myself. But slowly it found me and it took every good thing from me. I was engulfed in its overwhelming darkness with no idea of how to get back to the person I once was.

For a couple of years it took all the things that I loved to do and made them far away memories in my cloudy mind. I clung to the memories of a better time, but soon they eluded me and all I had was a pit of darkness surrounding me. With small groans and moans of desperation I cried out in prayer to God for deliverance from this place that was threatening my very life. It was all that I could do. . .

This is just a small part of my story and I will share more as the days go by. I pray that my testimony will be a part of your healing if you are suffering from depression today. Be encouraged, there is hope!

Connect with me at www.facebook.com/thebutterflysjourney, www.thebutterflyjourney.com or email me at lisa@thebutterflyjourney.net

Lisa ~ The Butterfly Journey/Christian Life Coach/Writer

believer, Faith, God, the butterfly journey

Can You Imagine?

April 24, 2013April 24, 2013 livingwholecoaching

Can you imagine what our life would be like if we truly believed in God for who He really is? That is a question that I have pondered over the last several weeks and the other night I was having dinner with a close friend of mine and she asked me this same question!

What if we really believed in the God that we serve for who He really is? What would our lives and the lives of those around us look like? Yes, I know what you are thinking, if we are Christians then we do believe. But go along with me for a minute.

How many times in your life have you wavered in your faith? It is easy to believe when things are going well and blessings are flowing freely, but what about the times when things get a little scary and unknown? Do we still hold to the same level of faith and belief in God that we should? I am just asking the question because in my own life I have wondered and doubted my own faith when things came out of nowhere to “test” what I believe. My stance wasn’t so sure, my confidence wasn’t so strong and truth be told I was pondering will this all work out for my good?

As the world in which we live becomes more and more complex and troubling will we have the level of faith that Israel had when they found themselves stuck between the Red Sea and Pharaoh’s army? Would we have stepped into the sea to escape or would we have retreated back to the place that threatened our freedom? I often wonder if I would have been so trusting in such a scary situation.

But the hope is that we can believe and trust in God! We can build our faith and belief to limits that go beyond our own understanding, if we just continue to believe. We can believe that God is who He says He is by having a “true” relationship with Him. We can stand firm in the midst of trouble, pain and the unknown if we position our hearts to know Him (God). Trust begins with knowing and knowing starts with realizing that we can’t live this life alone outside of God. He is the one who holds the future and knows all things!

As your relationship with God develops and you begin to see that He is faithful and gracious to us, we begin to build a bond with Him that can never be broken unless we decide to turn away.

If we begin to believe God for who He is then and only then can we be a force that could change the world! Will you believe with me?

The Butterfly Journey

God, God has ordained, purpose, the butterfly journey, vision

What Are You Waiting For?

November 18, 2012 livingwholecoaching

What are you waiting for?

That’s what I ask myself when I am reflecting on the vision that God has placed over my life. God gave me the vision and He made it plain, but how do I start with all the little details that need to be carried out in order to reach the vision?

Sometimes, I feel like I am on a roller coaster ride, anticipating the thrill of reaching the top, then comes the fear bubbling up inside as I plummet down the other side of the unknown.

I am always searching for answers and feeling overwhelmed when I think about the process that I know I must face. I am trying to find the place where I can be calm and just be in the moment and learn every aspect of this glorious vision. But to be truthful, it’s hard!

I am confident of one thing though, that God will bring me to the place that I need to be in order to fulfill the vision. I trust Him that He will do what He told me He would do. Then what am I waiting for?

Mostly I am waiting on me! For me to remain faithful to my vision and the life that God has ordained for me. To be still and know that yes, God is in control. For me to continue to ask and seek and understand the process and learning stages of my journey! It is me who I am waiting for. . .

I challenge YOU to reflect on what it is that is holding you back from the life that God has for you. Are you afraid of the commitment, are you scared about failing, or it could be that you are just comfortable with life as it is now and exploring new areas of yourself is not an attractive option at this time. Well I pray that you would allow all those things go today and begin to allow God to perfect in you the vision He has for your life.

Today I am telling myself: “self I wait for you no more, you will walk in the destiny and vision that God has for you no matter what comes or goes!”

Blessings – The Butterfly Journey

birth day, God, grace, journey, love, the butterfly journey

Celebrating My Second Birth!

September 20, 2012September 20, 2012 livingwholecoaching

Happy Birthday to me! Today is my birthday and I am blessed to have turned. . .well no need to go into the details there. I was reflecting on how blessed I am to see yet another year of my life with all of its experiences, milestones, celebrations and challenges.

I am grateful for having another year of opportunities that have come across the paths of my life. I am thankful for my earthly birth in all its splendor.

But I am more excited about my second birth in Christ, where my life really began. Through the unexplainable love of a God that saw His broken creation and gave me another chance to really live life! I am excited about this undeserved grace that God extended to me through His son Jesus, so I could live the life that He had originally ordained just for me.

I marvel at the plans that God has for my life today and the vision that He has shown me for my future in Him. Every part of my earthly journey is preparing me for my eternal journey. So as I celebrate my earthly birth, I recognize that my spiritual birth is the one that I work toward, the one that will last long after my flesh is gone!

Happy Birthday to me! Thank you Lord!

Lisa ~ The Butterfly Journey

Faith, God, journey, self-discovery, the butterfly journey, vision

Wings Spread Wide!

September 1, 2012 livingwholecoaching

Well I’m back! After a 2 month sabbatical, I am finally back with wings spread wide! I decided to take some time off from the Butterfly Journey in order to get clarity and direction from the Lord. Like Joseph, I knew the dream and vision God had given me, but still something didn’t feel quite right. I was struggling with the details.

I read and prayed a lot for the direction and clarity that I needed and boy was it refreshing to hear from the Lord on so many levels. He is so wonderful, He gave me what I needed and more.

These are the things that God shared with me:

This journey (ministry) is my life’s purpose! Keeping the end result in mind at all times; winning souls back to God. Helping people be “free” in understanding just how much God loves them – priceless!
There is a preparation stage. That means “testing”; we need to allow God to perfect our gifts and the spiritual things that we need in order to complete the assignment.
There is a process. God is a God of order and every step needs to be followed through His instructions.
Keeping the Faith. God will give us, ask us, tell us to do things that we may not understand at the moment. Prayer is essential for the journey.
Conquering Fear. Allowing fear to come in to the equation will stop you dead in your tracks. We have to know and read the word of God to remove fear.
Commitment. Never, ever, ever give up on your journey! Press!
Rest. God rested on the 7th day and we should too, don’t allow the “things” of life, even ministry to consume all of your time, remember that it is all about the Lord and we need to refresh our spirits, mind, and body every once in a while. Don’t love the gift more than the Giver!

I pray that you will find answers and understanding for your life as we journey together. Be steadfast and unmovable in your faith to God! He has so much to show you and give you, open your wings and find freedom in living your life to the fullest through Him!

Be blessed!

Lisa ~ The Butterfly Journey

God, Life Coach, purpose

Are You Running From Your Purpose?

June 26, 2012 livingwholecoaching

I have always wanted to know the meaning of my life. It has always been a part of my curiosity to figure out exactly why I was born in this world. I would never understand why anyone consciously wouldn’t want to know their purpose in life.

But I see that some people actually are running from their life’s purpose. Some run perhaps because they are afraid of success, others run because of fear of failure and still others run, because it seems to require too much energy to figure it out.

I was reading about Jonah this morning and him running away from what God had asked him to do. His reasons were of a selfish nature. He didn’t want God to have compassion and grace for the people of Nineveh. They had done a lot of evil things and didn’t honor God, but once Jonah completed his assignment to preach judgement to them, they repented and God was gracious and compassionate with them and saved them. Essentially giving them a next chance to get it right. (We all need next chances) Why wouldn’t Jonah want that for the people of Nineveh? Are your reasons anything like that of Jonah? I pray not, but you know whatever it is that God has purposed for your life just might be the saving grace that someone needs. Why would you withhold that from them?

I’ll admit that when God showed me my purpose I was afraid, because the task seemed so daunting. But I knew in my heart of hearts that if what God asked me to do would heal, deliver, and set free women from where they are and set them on a path to knowing God, how could I not do it! My purpose has become bigger than me and has become more about pleasing God and bringing healing to my sisters than any of my fears.

What purpose are you running from today? Who will suffer because you are not willing to fulfill your God-given purpose? These are some deep questions to ask yourself, but I pray that you will ask them and seek the answers from God. Not only because someone somewhere needs what you have, but more because God ask it of you. Do you want to end up in the belly of a big fish, I think not!

Embrace your purpose and I will be praying for you!

The Butterfly Journey ~ Lisa (www.thebutterflyjourney.com)