Tag: Encouragement

31 Day Butterfly Journey

31 Day Butterfly Journey: Refresh!

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refreshWow what a challenging day!  Every where I turned there was some situation that was rearing its ugly head trying to sap the life out of those that I care about and love, even me!  I started to get frustrated, like why God not one more thing?!  But in my journey of learning from life’s lessons, I stopped myself and my mind from going any place other than to the one I know can change our future.

I often wondered how people that face a life altering threat can withstand the uncertainty of their situation.  It amazes me how some face their challenges head on, never wavering to consider “why me”; they just keep on moving forward to see what lies ahead of them.  I have witnessed people that have held on so tightly to their faith that nothing that came would shake them.  How do they do it?  What motivates them to face health issues, and sometimes death everyday and not get tired of the pain, the changes, or the limitations?

Well I tell you what one friend told me; she said “I do get tired, sad, and even wanting to give up”, but she said “I can’t”.  I said, “what makes you keep going then”?  She said “it’s the love of God”.  Explain I said, well she began it’s like this, “every time I can’t take anymore of my situation God comes and refreshes me”.  I asked; “how does He do that”? “By taking the pain away or making the situation better for a day or so”? She said, “no not really, it’s more internal (more to do with my heart and spirit)”.  Wow! ” You are telling me that by God refreshing your heart and spirit allows you to go on another day?!”  She said, “yes”!

I took her wisdom and placed it in my heart for such a day like today.  I was even able to pour into someone else that was going through and we both shared a tear or two, but our spirits were okay. . . they were refreshed!

So no matter the circumstance ask God to refresh your heart and spirit.  Begin to praise Him in the midst of your storm and see if He will not only refresh you, but He will restore you to a place in Him that nothing can touch, not even the negative reports or feelings that you may have.  He is greater than anything that we face.  Yet we still may have to face our challenges and sometimes they may seem daunting to us, just know for sure that God will refresh you!

The Butterfly Journey ~ Lisa

31 Day Butterfly Journey

31 Day Butterfly Journey: Go for It!

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Go For It!Well it’s no secret (or maybe it is) that I have a problem with procrastination!  It really is almost like a disease.  You get stuck in a place of not doing anything and you can’t or won’t move forward.  That’s me!  I hate to really admit my shortcomings before the world, but this is what this journey is all about, sharing my life’s struggles and triumphs so it gives wings to someone else.

I have a HUGE opportunity coming up in the next couple of weeks.  I really want to do it, but I am a little afraid of the outcome.  I feel so passionate about it that I can’t let it just go by the wayside.  Oh my what should I do?  I have weighed the pros and cons and I think I am going to GO FOR IT!  If I have nothing to lose (maybe a few dollars), but a LOT to gain, then why not?

What do you all think?  If you were given an opportunity to do something that you have dreamed of doing or trying then would you go for it?  Why or why not?  And how would you come to your conclusion for the choice that you make?

I think in everyone’s lifetime we are offered some sort of alternative or solution to our situation and for some it is a hard decision, even though, we know it just might be the booster that we have been looking for.  Fear gives way to our logically thinking and the heart and mind sometimes don’t agree, then what?  We lose the opportunity that may not present itself again or not for a long time?  Will we have regrets that will haunt us the rest of our lives?  Something to ponder.

Well, I think I just talked myself into going for it!  I hope that I can share the outcome either way it comes out! I want to be open about my progress of learning how to let go and yes, let God!

If you are in a situation where you are contemplating what to do, share and let our community help you.  SHARE!

The Butterfly Journey ~ Lisa

31 Day Butterfly Journey

31 Day Butterfly Journey: The Journey Begins. . .

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I’ve told part of my life’s story (or at least one of the most significant parts) to you a few times via my blog and introduction on my website www.thebutterflyjourney.com.  Today I want to give you a more elaborate meaning of The Butterfly Journey Ministry.

Without being too lengthy I will attempt to share with you my story and how The Butterfly Journey came to be. . . About 5 years ago now, I suffered with depression (a seriously depressed spirit) and once I was delivered and healed (by God), I began to ask questions about my journey into depression.  Through that process God illustrated what had went terribly wrong and why! You will have to buy the book to find out all the details! (The Butterfly’s Journey – coming very soon. . .please pray!)  And through this process a ministry was born!  Ultimately, through my pain came my purpose and from my test came my testimony.  This season of my life truly was the pivotal point in which God revealed my purpose. . .to share my life with other women in such a way that allows them to be open for healing and deliverance from the pains of their life and catapult them into their God-given destiny, with the ability to live their lives in an extraordinary way!

As I have continued on my journey, God has revealed more and more about this thing called LIFE.  And so with this 31 Day Butterflythejourney Journey, I will be using my life as an open book, sharing the magnificent love of God, and sharing the wonderful discoveries about life as it unfolds right before our eyes!  My prayer is that as you walk along side of me during this journey you will be inspired, encouraged, and yes find some direction and healing for your own lives.  I believe as we share with one another and allow ourselves to be vulnerable before a mighty God we can help each other find that perfect place of peace, joy, and abundant life that we all desire to have.

I would love to hear your stories of “living life” as we go through this journey together!  Share your comments here and also join us over on Facebook www.facebook.com/thebutterflysjourney!

It’s time to spread your wings little butterfly and soar!

The Butterfly Journey ~ Lisa

depression, God, healing and deliverance

Depression Almost Killed Me – Part 1

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blackwomantearsI 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

 

God, hope, journey, life, perseverance

And We Journey On. . .

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Everyday God is showing me new things about life, my life.  I realize now that when He began to show me things about myself that helped to heal me from the dark place of depression it would not be the only lessons that I would learn.

To say the least, it has been a learning experience ever since I opened myself up to Him.  When I decided that my own way of living life was limited and literally a mess, I finally turned wholeheartedly to God.  And when I did the “real” journey began.

It has not been easy!  But everyday as life plays out before me, I try to learn what it has to tell me.  What is it that God wants me to understand about the situation I am dealing with.  Sometimes the answer comes quickly and sometimes not so much.  But I continue to persevere to find out.

More and more I am understanding that we don’t just reach a point in our journey and stop learning.  We continue to evolve with each new challenge, every triumph and even with every failure.  One thing I know is that God is consistent in who He is.  He never changes, His promises are true.  He doesn’t lie.  I can trust Him with everything.

There are a lot of things that still leave me wondering what am I supposed to do with that?  But God always has the answer and if I seek Him, He will reveal it to me in due time.

The reason I blog is to tell my story as it unfolds, not scripted or rehearsed but just like it is.  My prayer is that something that I share will help someone else as they travel the road of life.  With God I can be me, the real me.  He knows me better than anyone and He loves me.  Just knowing that for me is priceless!

I will never stop learning and asking God about my life.  I won’t stop because I need to know in order to live my “best” life on this side of heaven.  I want to please my God with my life, it is all I have to offer back for what He did for me!

So as you continue on your journey of life, keep an open heart and mind toward God.  He will give you everything you need to make it.  Yeah, it may get hard some days, but the reward in the end is greater than the worst day you have to live.  One day we will understand it all.

I love you God and thank you for loving me!

The Butterfly Journey ~ Lisa

encouragement, God

Encourage My Soul

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Often times we go along in life with expectations of what we would like to do or see happen in our lives. Sometimes things don’t turn out quite the way we had planned.  Or little set-backs come along to steer us off course.  Things happen to get us down and out and disturb our souls.  Every time something happens that I didn’t plan for (and that is often) I  start to feel discouraged.  Like it is just another thing to hold me back from accomplishing the things that I set out to do.

We must have the wisdom to understand that life is not always good and things do come along to knock you down.  But we must have the resolve to encourage ourselves and others.  Did you realize that when you encourage someone else your own troubles start to feel less intense?  I mean you walk away feeling great about helping someone see the possibilities in themselves.  You actually begin to see the possibilities in yourself!

It amazes me that little words of encouragement can go such a long way.  Just think if we all paid it forward the encouragement that someone has given to you!  What kind of world would we live in?  Where people all over would be affirming one another, coming along helping you to see the endless abilities that you possess.  This would be a wonderful place!  And it can start with you.

If you know God and the wonderful promises that  He has stored up for you, then you can even encourage your own soul!  You can speak to yourself about all the good things that God has given you, has placed in you, has stored up for you and get yourself in a place of expectation!

Please take the time to look outside of yourself and encourage someone along life’s way.  You will be amazed at how it makes you feel.  Encourage your soul today, the world needs what you have!

The Butterfly Journey – Lisa

change, destiny, Down the Path of Worthy, God, God has ordained, hurting women, journey, life, purpose, the butterfly journey, worthy

God Is Not Through With Us Yet

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Several women joined me for a virtual journey this month called – Down the Path of Worthy.  This week marks our final trek.

We have only begun to scale back the pieces of our worthiness during this journey.  There is so much more work that we need to do.  We have found out that it is not an easy task walking back to places in our lives that have caused us pain.  But we had to go there in order to re-write the scripts of our lives back to the original content that God had written for us before we were even a thought in our mother’s womb.

We have realized that this process of finding our true worth in God was more exhausting than we thought it would be.  But we are dedicated to reaching the place that we most desire and that is figuring out our purpose and destiny.

Sometimes the emotional journey is too much and we have to rest along the way.  It’s okay, we understand that we have to press to reach the top of the place that we want to be.   We have to dig deep!  We trek on!  We won’t stop here we will push ourselves with the strength that God gives us to make a difference in our lives and the lives that we touch.

We are not convinced that everyone will understand the process but we hope that all will trust it.  We share this experience because it is the very thing that has helped us; it is our testimony for others to know that it can be done.  God can and will turn our ashes into beauty!

We encourage all women to join us in this journey of a lifetime.  It is not about changing our habits, but it is about transforming our lives for a better life that God has ordained for us to live.

Be encouraged, God is not through with us yet!

The Butterfly Journey – Lisa

be all you can be, change, comfort zone, Faith, God, hope, Jesus, journey, life, live, New, prayer, purpose, the butterfly journey, travel, women

The Change Zone

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Traveling to a new place is sometimes a little scary.  You don’t know what to expect.  You don’t know if the people will be friendly or will you make new friends.  It is just a big unknown.  That is how it is changing your life from one level to the next.

We don’t know what the new level  will be like because we have become accustom to where we are right now.  Most people tend to stay in their comfort zone; well because it is comfortable.  To me the thought of never trying to reach that new level is even more scary.  Never trying to be all that you can be; just living the ordinary life.  For me if I didn’t ever try, I would always wonder if I could have made it to the next level and actually enjoyed the benefits of living that extraordinary life.

I believe you go through a series of emotions and growing pains when you decide to launch yourself into the new level of life.  It isn’t an easy process; that’s why so many of us will decide not to venture out into the new zone.  No one wants to fail, so we stay comfortably in the place that we may or may not be excited about being.  The thought of stepping out is too daunting.

When I decided to walk a life of faith in God and allow Him to grow me into a new level; I never thought I would feel so indifferent.  I know God is great and would always lead me to a better place in life with Him.  But the journey isn’t easy and each day is a challenge just to stay on course.  I can only imagine what Jesus felt as He walked through His journey on earth knowing His ultimate assignment was to die.  I am grateful that He did complete the assignment for you and me!  It allowed us to have hope and  a future!

God is not asking me to die for Him, but He is asking me to walk into this new level with Him.  When I think about Jesus, He didn’t have many who understood His journey and at the end some of the ones closest to Him would betray Him.  But that didn’t matter to Him, He knew He must fulfill His calling.  He did suffer; and we too sometimes will have to suffer in this life in order to reach our full potential in Him.  To complete our assignments.

My prayer for each of you is that you trust God in your journey whatever that may be.  You are better off  finding your true self than remaining in a place of unfulfillment.  More so, I pray that you will have someone there to encourage you through the tough spots that are sure to come.  I vow to be that someone who will come along side you when things get unbearable and pray you through.  I will be that one who you can express your feelings to that will understand, because I too am on my journey and I can relate to the rollercoaster of emotions that come with growing into that person that God would have you to be.

The butterfly’s journey isn’t easy; what you see when you see it fluttering freely through the flowers is the end result of its journey to become what it was meant to be.

Don’t stand still in the place that you are in right now; God has something greater for you!

The Butterfly Journey ~ Lisa