Ep. 22 Tell me bout it: COMPARISON

Howdy chosen fam! Thank you for logging on for another week of TELL ME BOUT IT! Last week we had the honor of hearing Liz's testimony, and this week we are discovering Sarah's story of how Chosen came to be!    Why CHOSEN? What does it mean? What do you tell your friends when they compliment your shirts/merch? Lets dive right in to what being "chosen" really means!   Y'all can find this week's recording on our YouTube channel, or click here to stream our podcast directly from our site, or subscribe to our podcast here on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Play.

Hey hey, Chosen Sisters! This week we wanted to treat you to part ONE of a two part treat we have for you! We truly believe that we overcome by the Word of our Testimony and what God has done for us. Our stories and lives tell of God's faithfulness of what He has brought us through, then it helps others and continues as a domino affect. Praise! This week, we start with a testimony from our very own, Liz! We are so encouraged by her story and how she proclaims that you don't have to go through what the world considers "tragic" in order to have an amazing song and story to sing for the Lord and what He has done for you!Y'all can find this week's recording on our YouTube channel, or click here to stream our podcast directly from our site, or subscribe to our podcast here on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Play.

5 tips for your daily walk with God:DISCLAIMER: You may not see transformation right away! Be patient, God has been patient with you!1. Make It AttractiveFind a translation that you understand!Find a Bible you LOVE! Make it fun! Love to journal or note-take? Get you a cute notebook, girl! No shame! Have a quiet time designated with God that works for you! Not a morning person? Make your time with God before bed! Don't make it hard on yourself.Having a relationship with God isn't just reading your Bible and praying (even though those are HUGE aspects), but listen to worship, podcasts, or a sermon during the day! 2. Make it ActiveHighlighter and pen in hand, girl! Whats your learning style? Do what works for you so that you truly take in the word! Write scripture where you will see it! On a notecard, on your mirror...its there for us to help and transform us! 3. Find a FriendStarting any habit is always better with a friend!We all need ACCOUNTABILITY! You may need that friend to lovingly spur you...you may BE that friend! 4. Remember the GoalStart with the end in mind!Think of what kind of person you want to be when you enter into your quiet time!You will never know about our great God if you don't spend time with Him and in His word!We can never spread the love of Jesus if we don't have the love of Jesus ourselves!What goals do you have for the KINGDOM? Who do you want to be? Each day you spend with God is constructing who you are in HIM.If you're not suiting up, you're gonna loose the war!Don't think of the what, think of the why.5. Supplemental ResourcesUse what we have to our disposal! FREE Bible app online (linked here)Worship music (find our free playlists here)Podcasts and sermons on youtubeannnnddddd...the new CHOSEN GIRL APP! So many free resources on this app we have made just for you! Devotionals, prayers, q&a, tell me bout it recordings and study notes, and so much more! Download HERE!

Forgiveness Defined: stop feeling angry or resentful toward (someone) for an offense, flaw, or mistake. What is the purpose of forgiveness? To move past something that has hurt us.  Why forgive?  Lack of forgiveness is like a bad apple in your soul: it affects EVERYTHING.  Lack of forgiveness is like a splinter that isn't dealt with. It's infected, annoying, and festering.  We forgive for US to be free, not others.  We are representatives of CHRIST and He set the HIGHEST example of forgiveness! He freely gives it, so should we.  Forgiveness is a part of our KINGDOM identity! WHO do you want to be? Why do we NOT forgive? Built up pride Remaining offense Human nature, selfishness HOW do we forgive? A LOT of prayer Forgiveness is a CHOICE Be honest with yourself and seek truth Get to the source of the pain and take it to the Lord Create healthy boundaries if needed Pray for patience, it doesn't always happen overnight! There is a difference between forgiveness and justice!  Why would we wish bad judgment on someone else? That makes us just as bad and in need of forgiveness! It's GOD's job to judge and serve justice, not ours. It's our job to just forgive. There's a difference in forgiveness and being passive: Don't be foolish; you can forgive but separate yourself from a situation. Forgiveness is not "soft" Pray about if God is using a forgiving situation to close a door or separate you from a toxic person/situation in your life!

Why do we get offended? (ask yourself this question!) We are built up on our own pride We have a false expectation of someone else not being met We have a false perception of someone's intent towards us We have a false perception of someone or their words/actions "You're not doing what I think you should." What does it mean to be offended? to be resentful or annoyed, typically as a result of a perceived insult. Greek word: Skandalon, Meaning: Trapped How do we deal with being offended? Ask yourself WHY you are offended! Once you know why, you can better handle how to overcome. Check yourself before you wreck yourself! be honest with yourself and see if this offense is because of an insecurity you have, not due to someone else. Deal with it ASAP! This doesn't mean "going off." This means praying and forgiving quickly. It's who we are as a new creation. Its our Kingdom DNA in becoming more like Jesus. (this takes practice) Pray about your actions and for wisdom, and seek counsel from the Holy Spirit about healthy confrontation. DON'T TELL EVERYBODY AND THEIR BROTHER ABOUT WHO OFFENDED YOU! How do we deal with being offended by the actions of a fellow believer? We have to remember that WE ARE HUMAN. We all make mistakes and have sinned.   Shed your pride! Who are we do be offended? Again, self examination.  PRAY for that person and how to handle it. Ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom! If you are going to confront it, do it in a timely manner and in a healthy, non-accusatory way.  Don't let your feelings lie to you! Offense is a feeling and feelings will lie. Always seek TRUTH! Don't be passive agressive in your actions and stay in offense. Why should we NOT want to be offended? "I don't want to be trapped!" -Elizabeth Sanders (lol) Jesus had every reason to be offended, and He wasn't. Its our goal to be more like Him every day.  We cannot be fully in God's will if we are living in offense. To be forgiven, we must forgive. If we have something against someone, it hinders our prayer life. Mark 11:25 Staying in offense keeps us trapped and hinders us from moving forward in God's full plan for us.  If you're trapped, you can't walk!

How are you treating expectations? Do you put them on God? Others? Yourself? How do you feel pressure from expectations placed on you? How do you experience stress because of the expectations you put on others, or even God?   Here's some DON'Ts with expectations to get you started on the right track: Don't put expectations on other people that they didn't agree to! This only leads to offense! Don't let your concept of God change due to expectations that YOU have for Him to do/come through on. This only makes us bitter toward a God who's timing is perfect and ways are higher.  Don't expect God to bring you something that's not yours! Don't mistake God saying "wait" for God saying "no." Don't mistake taking expectations off of God for not trusting God. Fully trusting Him breaks down the chains of our own agenda we have in mind and how we think God should show up. Its all about HIS way and plan. Don't compare yourself with the world and it's expectations! Its time for the aimless striving to stop.  What can we expect from God? He wants to carry our burdens! Matthew 11:28-30 We don't have to worry! Matthew 6:25-27 He freely gives grace and mercy! Psalm 86:15 We are forgiven! Matthew 6:14-15 He has plans to prosper us! Jeremiah 29:11 He wants to guide our steps! Proverbs 3:5-6 He always wants to do good by us! James 1:17 and sooooo many more! Girl, read your Bible! (LOL) TRADE your toxic expectations for God's beautiful plan. His ways are higher. His thoughts are higher. Let Him replace your ashes from the pressure of expectations for His BEAUTY of trusting and dwelling in Him.    Ephesians 3:20-21 God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.

Hey hey, sweet friends! Welcome to another week of TELL ME BOUT IT! If you're new to Chosen Girl, "tell me bout it" is where we dive into God's word and wisdom for guidance on everyday struggles we all face. We've covered so many real topics with truly real talks on topics like dating, fear, anxiety, waiting, and more. Do you ever say "yes" to not let others down? Are you spread too thin due to overcommitment? Does your skin crawl when you don't have a hand in every little thing around you? We got you sis. This week we are diving into an issue we all face...saying "yes" all too often and a major contributing factor, "FOMO" (fear of missing out). Yes, its time to have this conversation! When is "yes" the right thing to say? When is it wrong or unhealthy? And most importantly, what does the Word say? Face it, sister, you've spread yourself too thin on the wrong "yes'." We know because we have lived it, and are still living it... who's ready to OVERCOME?!? Its time to redirect our FOMO from other's expectations to God's plan. I don't wanna miss out on what He has for me, y'all. Disclaimer: This talk isn't a "never say yes" talk...its a "seek God in ALL" talk! YES, God has assignments for you to say "yes" to! NO, not all assignments are for you! This is a priority talk, sisters. A choice talk...and we are preaching to ourselves more than anything! Y'all can find this week's recording on our YouTube channel, or click here to stream our podcast directly from our site, or subscribe to our podcast here on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Play.   Here's some high points you DON'T want to miss or forget: Colossians 3:23If we are giving into everyone else but God, then that's when everything else becomes an idol. Are you spreading yourself too thin to please someone else?The 2 most important words in the English language are "yes" and "no."How we spend time is like currency. What is how you're spending your time worth to you? We are only given 168 hours in a week. How are we budgeting our time? Once its spent, you can't get it back!Don't justify what God is calling you to! What is more important...His way or yours?There's ALWAYS a tradeoff with how we spend our time. No prayer, no peace. No Bible, no wisdom. How are you spending your soul?"Yes" may be "less" sometimes, but trust that God is always positioning you for MORE with your "yes" for HIM. Don't mistake God saying "wait" for God saying "no." The "wait" command from God is always for your good. God will not tell you to wait unless the wait is worth it. God will not tell you to stop or say no unless He is protecting you. Trust Him. When you know who you are in CHRIST, decisions come SO much easier. The Holy Spirit is here to HELP you! Do you truly believe that God has the BEST yes and intentions for your life?

What does faith in God look like vs. faith in yourself? We screw up where God doesn't!  Biblical Faith Defined: Hebrews 11 Having faith in GOD is taking one more step past HOPE, and thats taking ACTION in our faith... Putting weight on something. Its so easy to put your faith in what you can physically see and physically put your weight on. BUT, faith isn't faith if you can see it.  Its jumping when God says jump and not refusing to jump because of the circumstances around you...but because of the God who told you to jump! What does it look like to have faith when everything isn't going the way you planned?  Start with an attitude of gratitude!  When you cant see the end in sight, remind yourself of WHO is in control. HE is the only one who can fix your situation.  Whats the difference between CAN and WILL? Do you believe that God CAN do it, or that He WILL do it?  We limit God by limiting our prayers. Don't put God is a box! He wants you to put your full weight in Him.  Remember that whatever He does...it is good. Trust His ways, even if you don't understand right now! Its all about being in His will!  Here's some high points you DON'T want to miss or forget: If you don't have it, you can't spend it!  Putting your FAITH in GOD is a fountain that will never run dry.  Faith is just like a muscle...we have all been given muscle but their strength depends on how much you exercise it!  Are we a church operating on demon level faith? Even the demons believe in who God is and what He is capable of!  FAITH IS IRRELEVANT TO OUR CIRCUMSTANCES! Thats what faith is...believing in what you cant see! I would rather have prayed and not get what I prayed for and trust that God's answer is best, than never to pray and not display faith.  Don't have "passive aggressive" faith! Don't pray without belief behind it. There's no use in praying if there's not belief!  Train your tongue to SPEAK LIFE! Be around others who speak life into you!  Don't crack the door of your life for Satan to slip his foot right in! CLOSE THAT DOOR WITH FAITH SISTER! Having faith on DEBIT means there is a SUPPLY behind the action. Thats having faith in GOD!  Are you treating your faith like used gift card? "Hopefully this works?!"

Why should we honor others? Its a command! Jesus tells us to honor our Mother, Father, and leaders.  YOU WILL BE BLESSED when you honor others. 1 Peter 3: 8 MSG Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless—that’s your job, to bless. You’ll be a blessing and also get a blessing.   Here's some high points you DON'T want to miss or forget: They will know we are Christians by our LOVE. There's a HUGE difference between being agreeable and agreeing with someone! You do NOT have to agree with someone to honor them.  OUR ONLY JOB IS TO LOVE AND BLESS! No matter how we feel, we are called to honor.  Honoring goes against EVERYTHING our flesh wants to do. Thats why we need to feed our spirit.  There's a huge difference in being condemning and holding a friend in faith accountable with love and the Word.  Just because grace abounds, does that mean sin should abound as well? NO, of course not! Thats taking advantage of God's grace! But its NOT our job to fix someone's sin. That's GOD's job. Its OUR job to love and point to God.  1 Peter 4:8 Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything.