This week on Real Talk with Rachael, I'm chatting with bestselling author and speaker, Nicki Koziarz. As a part of Proverbs 31 Ministries, she speaks nationally at conferences, retreats, and meetings and hosts her own podcast. An evangelist at heart, Nicki inspires others to become the best version of who God created them to be. Nicki and her husband and three girls run a small farm just outside of Charlotte, North Carolina, which they affectionately call The Fixer Upper Farm.

Key Points from Our Conversation:

• “The timing of God is never rushed by the impatience of man.” Although the idea for Flooded was the concept for her first book, it was rejected several times. Instead, she wrote it in the midst of deep loss, grief, and stress.
• After losing her mom to cancer and her brother to suicide just two years apart, Nicki's faith was shaken. Doubt started stirring inside of her and she wondered how she could trust God again.
• When it comes to our faith, we have to be intentional about making decisions that strengthen us and combat the doubt inside of us.
• Wishful thinking uses scripture as a band-aid by applying promises God made to others to our situations. Biblical hope is taking the time to understand the scriptures, which promises are for us, and what we can claim through faith today.
• For every struggle we face, there’s someone in scripture who’s gone through it who can teach what it’s like to overcome with faith in God. She was drawn to the story of Noah who made 5 steps of faith.
• Noah's first step was walking with God. Walking with God is a private, holy place where we decide to get into the trenches with God. This is where we get our strength.
• Noah's second step was listening to God. It's easy to use the noise around us as comfort or distraction. It’s an incredible spiritual discipline to practice being still with God.
• The voice of God will never tell you anything that contradicts scripture or anything that goes against His character.
• The brain never stops changing – you can stop believing something at any point. Rising above doubt will require you to retrain your brain.
• You can’t protect yourself from naysayers, but it’s up to you what you do with their words.
• If you're struggling with doubt, you’re not alone.
• “God, if I have it wrong show me the right way. But if I have it right, help me to stand still until I have this promise fulfilled.”
• There are times when we get it wrong and we should admit that. We need to do the hard work of being still and wait for growth.

Let’s Get Real Practical:

When your emotions are flooded, start by taking time out and doing something to calm down, then practice deep breathing exercises or progressive muscle relaxation.

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