Bearing Fruit

Are you a people-pleaser who is constantly drained by trying to seek constant validation and approval from human beings? Well, I used to live that life and boy was it a very sad one! I was the ultimate people-pleaser who would do anything to gain praise and approval from others at the expense of my own happiness, beliefs, values and morals. I would do anything people asked me to because if it made them happy, then I guess I was too? Well, that couldn't be further from the truth. I gave up the people-pleaser life a year ago and oh my goodness did my world just turn upside down! A lot of people weren't used to me standing up for what I believed in. In-fact, they probably had never heard me say no ever, and boy did it ruffle some feathers. But the moment I stopped seeking validation and approval from human beings, who might I add are literal dust, and started to seek approval and was only interested in pleasing the Lord, I attained this new found level of freedom that I had never in my life experienced before. Sure, I might have lost some people along the way, lost some respect from strangers but I am not about to live the one life God gave me to pursue approval from the world. If you are on the same boat, I want you to know that it is so normal to feel this way, but also that it is totally possible to break free from the bondage of people-pleasing. Join me in this week's episode to hear a few of my experiences and what it did for me, as well as what the Bible has to say about the dangers of people-pleasing.

Welcome back to this week's episode where we discuss this crippling fear, also known as Imposter Syndrome? I'm sure every one of you at some point in your life, have felt this anxiety or have gone through this psychological thought process of unworthiness, or inadequacy despite our successful abilities. This crippling fear that feeds you lies of your incompetence, if you're not careful, can run your lives and dictate your future. Many of us due to Imposter Syndrome, fail to chase our dreams and follow our goals. In this week's episode, I share with you the Lord's antidote to this fear. We also reflect on a famous story in the Bible, where we witness one of Jesus' disciples also being struck with Imposter Syndrome. I also share with you some of my own personal experiences and what could have come of it, had I listened to the enemy's lies. 

When someone does us wrong, our immediate innate and human response is to play tit for tat by either holding a grudge or treating them back just as they treated us. How then, do we follow the goodness of God if we can’t even bless our enemies? Blessing our enemies doesn't necessarily mean that we are asking the Lord to bless them with a new car, or a new job... but instead blessing our enemies can involve the hand of the Lord on them opening their eyes to the wrong they did us. Blessing our enemies therefore, allows a way for the Lord to work. If we were to right our wrongs ourselves, we will end up living miserable lives. After all, the Lord has said that vengeance is his and he will repay. So let's our do our part by blessing our enemies and showing them the love of Jesus through us. It's definitely not easy, but the Lord has instructed us his children, to overcome evil with good. So lets trust that he will give us the strength to bless and love our enemies. 

He is not here, he is risen! What exciting news for us Christians! Jesus' resurrection is proof that death is not the end for us. There is life beyond death and the resurrection of Jesus had to occur to fulfil this prophecy. In this week's episode, we discuss the importance of this incredible event that took place following the crucifixion of Christ. Jesus' death washed us of our sins, but his death would have meant nothing if he remained dead. His death played an integral role in the resurrection and it is because of his resurrection we can live hopeful. God planned this perfectly. As we grieved the death of our saviour on Good Friday, the stone was being rolled away on Easter Sunday. Jesus is well and truly alive, and because he lives, we are free. 

As we enter the week of Good Friday and Easter, we remember the most beautiful, most greatest sacrificial love, the death of Jesus. In this week's episode, we reflect on this amazing and life-saving event that occurred, just so that you and I could be saved. We reflect on this victory that occurred when Jesus the Son of Man defeated death. Although this was a powerful and life-saving death, we can't forget the pain and the suffering that Jesus took upon that cross for our sake. He bore the pain of the whole entire world just so that we can be free from sin and damnation. Join me on this week's second episode of the Easter series as we discuss this life-changing event that a sinless and perfect man took upon himself. He died so that we may live. 

Temptation is one of the hardest struggles that mankind faces. Temptation when succumbed to, leads us to sin that corrupts our world, giving the enemy exactly what he wants. This week’s episode is our first Easter episode, and we discuss the story of Jesus who too was also tempted by the devil. We dissect what it means to be tempted and the nature of temptation. It’s so easy for the enemy to tempt us when we are at our weakest, which is why it is so important to have the Lord by your side during those weak moments. Join me as we chat about some personal experiences of temptation that I too have faced, as well as some easy and practical ways to overcome temptation. One thing to remember however, is when we fall into temptation and sin, the Lord is so quick to forgive. His mercies are new every morning!

The Bible can seem like an overwhelming book to start studying, and you may feel like there's certain rules and methods of how you should study the Bible. However, there is no such thing as studying the Bible in a correct way. Delving into the Lord's word and getting to communicate with him through the Bible, is a very personal and intimate form of communication, that is so moulded to your very own relationship with the Lord. In this week's episode, I share a few suggestions of how you could get started reading and studying the Word of God if you are a beginner, as well as how I study the Bible, and explain the importance of having this Holy Book, as your greatest weapon and guide to living a joyous life. 

In this week's episode we talk all about peace and the importance of protecting your peace. Especially living in the world we live in right now, it's so incredibly important to not let the worldly matters disrupt the peace that the Prince of Peace himself, gave you. The enemy's number one goal is to try and sabotage us, through the immersion and continuous stress we take on from the daily news and the daily garbage that we consume. In this episode, we talk about the importance of setting up personal boundaries, and actions that you are required to take when you feel like your peace is under attack. Jesus came into the world so that we can have and enjoy life to the fullest. So, are you living a peaceful and joyous life, regardless of the circumstances?

WE ARE BACK! In today’s episode, I briefly share an update on why I took a mini break. We also talk about rejection! Yuck, I know! But I think we have all faced some sort of rejection in our lifetime, and as painful and hurtful that rejection may feel in the moment, I’m here to tell you that what if that hurt and pain was a blessing in disguise? What if that rejection, was actually God protecting you and from something you can’t see? Join me in this week’s episode to discuss what an incredible and beautiful thing can come out of something so ugly and painful. No way are we going to let rejection scar us. Let’s shift our perspective on why God could’ve brought that momentary pain, for something far greater he has planned for us.

In this week's episode we talk all about the 12 year old Jesus who got separated from his parents for 3 whole days. We talk about the anxiety that must've been induced for Mary and Joseph and we also talk about where Jesus was found. But more specifically we discuss the deep meaning of this story. Jesus even at the age of 12 had his priorities in check and knew exactly how to grow in knowledge and wisdom, and I think he sets a perfect example for his followers. Join me as we dive into our last Christmas episode as well as the very last episode for the year.