Positioned to Prosper with Erica Pyle

#167// It's a sign the enemy's been in your fields when you're not seeing the fruit come forth in its due time.

Let me ask you . . .

Are you letting the enemy into your fields? Are you somehow participating in the destruction he's come to deliver? If I can be direct -- Do you think you could be playing a part in aborting your own breakthrough?

None of us wants to think that we would knowingly and/or willingly be cutting off our own fruit before it's time, but when you allow yourself to get disappointed a few times, and then allow that disappointment to harden into deep despair or bitterness, you can find yourself in a cycle that automatically opens the gate. Now the foxes are in the field, ready to spoil your harvest!

But you weren't made for constant defeat and a cycle of loss, my friend. You are more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus. You were made for breakthrough! It's time to break the cycle and see the fruit, fully formed and harvested, delivered to your table. It's time to celebrate as we bring in the sheaves with shouts of joy! (Psalm 126)

On this episode of the Positioned to Prosper podcast, we're talking about how it actually happens that we find ourselves participating in blocking our own breakthrough. But don't think the delays you've experienced will go wasted! I'll be sharing three different upgrades God gives us as we learn how to stop partnering with the enemy in this blocking the blessing madness. You ready? Grab your Bible, your journal and a pen, and . . . Let's Go!

LISTEN WITH THE SHOW NOTES: Head over to ericapyle.com/167 to grab the show notes which include the scriptures mentioned in the episode as well as links to resources and tools to help you apply the session to your life this week!

RESOURCES TO HELP YOU STAY CONNECTED!
LISTEN TO EPISODE 41 -- How to Trust God Even When People You're Connected to Keep Making Mistakes. This is the previous episode I mentioned today.

LET'S CONNECT ON SOCIAL! Follow me on Facebook for live encouragement on Thursdays at Noon ET and on Instagram where I hang out daily and love to chat via DMs. Let's keep the conversation going!

#166// God provides at a point. A certain place. Do you know where that is?

Seventeen years ago, the Lord highlighted 3 John 2 in the NKJV to me, and I've never been the same. It launched my first ministry -- The Positioned to Prosper Personal Finance Course -- and caught me up into a heavenly understanding of true prosperity and how God really provides.

The starting point for me was to truly understand Biblical prosperity. Real prosperity. Not the kind of prosperity you hear haters on social media screaming about when they see a pastor in a private jet or enjoying a beautiful home and an abundant bank account. But the real thing that envelops not only financial wealth, but also health and relationships and mindset and purpose. True Prosperity is a "full being" experience in the Lord.

Once I could see what real prosperity looked like from the perspective of God (Ephesians 2:6-7! It's such a gift), we then moved into me understanding HOW to get positioned for this sort of provision. In our New Testament, other-side-of-the-cross reality we live in, getting positioned to prosper consists of just two things beyond belief in Jesus. Do you know what they are?

On this episode of the Positioned to Prosper podcast, I'm going to share the two things you need to be doing to get positioned to prosper so you'll be at the exact right place at the exact right time with the right heart, ready to receive His provision. I'm also going to tell you what the true POWER of this positioning can really be in the life of a believer. Are you ready for this? I'm so excited to share out of my own 17-year journey with Biblical prosperity. Go grab your Bible, your journal and a pen, and . . . Let's Go!

LISTEN WITH THE SHOW NOTES: Head over to ericapyle.com/166 to grab the show notes which include the scriptures mentioned in the episode as well as links to resources and tools to help you apply the session to your life this week!

#165// It's Not Enough to Have a Vision.

I know, I KNOW! I'm the girl who's always telling you how VITAL it is to have a Word from the Lord. To have the revelation and the download written down so you KNOW where you're headed (you go where you're looking, Sis!). I mean, we quote Habakkuk 2 around here a LOT! But still, I'm here to tell you that having the vision, though important, is NOT enough.

Neither is effort. Doing lots of "busy things" in the hopes it'll produce is just going to wear you out. Overwhelm lies in wait for you down this road, my friend. No, what you need is a *winning strategy,* preferably from the Lord, that aligns with HIs word and promise over your life. And that's not just my opinion. You know we're going to look at the Good Book . . . 

When we look at people like Gideon, Joshua, Joseph (Mary's eventual husband) and Moses, we find God gave them more than just a vision or a revelation to get them where they needed to go. He also gave them each a strategy that contained three very specific components. And I want you to know, when God gives YOU a winning strategy to build the vision He's called you into, that strategy will likely have these three components in it, too.

On this episode of the Positioned to Prosper podcast, I'm sharing those very specific, three components that tend to show up inside every winning God-strategy we're given. If you're looking to build something big and beautiful to the glory of God in this season, you're going to need a winning strategy with these three things built in. If you're ready to learn what they are, and how to implement them with excellence in this season, grab your Bible, your journal and a pen, and . . . Let's Go!

LISTEN WITH THE SHOW NOTES: Head over to ericapyle.com/165 to grab the show notes which include the scriptures mentioned in the episode as well as links to resources and tools to help you apply the session to your life this week!

NEED A WINNING STRATEGY FOR WHAT YOU'RE BUILDING RIGHT NOW? I'm so excited to invite you into my brand new coaching program: The Jesus Girl's Breakthrough Blueprint! This program has been prayerfully and strategically designed from the ground up to give you EVERYTHING you need to successfully start, build and launch that vision God has given you to build in this season. So, whether it's a book, a blog, a Bible study, a business or beyond, this power-packed, 8-week, live delivery program will get you to Kingdom clarity and momentum, with a proven plan, for your God-given mission and assignment. If you know that NOW is your time to build that thing with God, I don't want you to miss this opportunity to get yourself set on a trajectory for success. You can get signed up here. Don't miss out! This is a limited time experience -- we start August 25th.

#164// Disappointment has driven me to try to quit my purpose and assignment no less than four times in the last six years. Don't be like me, Sis. The relief you think quitting will bring just isn't there. Not even a little bit.

I'm getting super vulnerable on this episode because, if it's possible, I want to save you from making the same mistakes I've made, and from going around the proverbial mountain any more times than God deems absolutely necessary. Want to know what my "Goliath" has been over these last few years?

This thought, born out of disappointment and fear: THIS. ISN'T. WORKING.

From the time I was born until I left the marketplace at age 34, I lived what felt like a spectacularly favored life. Everything worked out for me. Everything. And I'm not just saying that. I actually had a girl tell me once that she spend a couple months mad at me because things seemed to always work out for me so well and with ease. All I could say at the time was, I guess favor ain't fair. 

But it wasn't that my life was easy. I faced significant challenges growing up -- relationally, with self-esteem, health-wise, financially. But as I faced each challenge, the solutions and the resources I needed seemed within my grasp. I had a rhythm of consistent breakthrough and victory going. #ThankYouJesus

But then I left my job. I was at the height of my career success, and had I stayed on, I would have only continued to grow and soar. But I felt the Lord directing me to hang up my tax accounting hat to move into mothering and ministry, so I obeyed. The price tag for that obedience was steep (I share about that in the episode), but I trusted God because He'd always come through for me (and quickly) up until then.

This one step of obedience launched me into a sixteen year season of wilderness living where it has felt, many times, like the favored life I once had was just a dream. And that's when "Goliath" started showing up for me. That thought that started out so small -- "this doesn't seem to be working." -- has grown over the years into a full-sized giant, with a full and thunderously loud voice, shouting with intimidation -- THIS. ISN'T. WORKING!

What do you do when it's taking such a long time to see the GOOD things God has promised you come to pass? How do you wake up and step into your day -- day after day -- when everyday feels just like the last one -- an eternal groundhog day -- and you're just not seeing the breakthrough, even a little bit? How do you get to the place where you can truly believe:

It's going to work this time!

On this episode of the Positioned to Prosper podcast, I'm sharing my sixteen year journey of silence, disappointments and failures, and five powerful lessons I learned, as I've endeavored to see it (finally!) work this time. There is one particularly powerful revelation I'm sharing that is sure to shift your experience as you set your heart on the truth and knowledge found in the goodness, the grace and the faithfulness of God. Do you need this one, my friend? Go grab your Bible, your journal and a pen, and . . . Let's Go!

LISTEN WITH THE SHOW NOTES: Head over to ericapyle.com/164 to grab the show notes which include the scriptures mentioned in the episode as well as links to resources and tools to help you apply the session to your life this week!

READY TO GET CLARITY AROUND THE VISION GOD GAVE YOU & A STRATEGY TO GET YOU MOVING AGAIN? Join me for the FREE Vision Builders Masterclass: a 60-minute, workshop-style session that'll get you unstuck & moving with purpose again in the direction of your dreams. Let's get laser-focused on your God-given vision, bust through any mindset roadblocks, and create a personalized plan to get you mov

#163// I'm comin' in HOT on this one because it's TIME to do the DANG THING! We've gotta stop dragging our feet. We're playing with the line of disobedience.

Listen, this episode isn't for everyone, BUT . . .

If you KNOW you're meant to be moving on something in the Lord right now, and you AREN'T --

Sister, let me be your "Come to Jesus" wake up call right now. Don't be Jonah, Girl. Inside-the-fish smell ain't cute, and I hear it's rough on your nervous system and complexion. But seriously, if He's told you to write that book, start that blog, gather those girls for the Bible study, start the business, organize your finances, do the work to restore that relationship, focus (for real) on your healing and health, or finally get that ministry going -- and you're NOT -- then what are you doing, my dear?

On this episode of the Positioned to Prosper podcast, I'm here to help with some strong (tough, but Biblical) love. I've got some capital "t" Truth to remind you of and something super practical that'll help you "shake off the stuck" and get moving again in the direction of your God-given purpose and calling. Ain't no getting swallowed by a big ol' fish for you today if you'll get this in your ears and stir up the "want to want to" (we talk about it in the episode). Is this one for you? Go grab your Bible, your journal and a pen, and . . . Let's Go!

LISTEN WITH THE SHOW NOTES: Head over to ericapyle.com/163 to grab the show notes which include the scriptures mentioned in the episode as well as links to resources and tools to help you apply the session to your life this week!

READY TO GET CLARITY AROUND THE VISION GOD GAVE YOU & A STRATEGY TO GET YOU MOVING AGAIN? Join me for the FREE Vision Builders Masterclass: a 60-minute, workshop-style session that'll get you unstuck & moving with purpose again in the direction of your dreams. Let's get laser-focused on your God-given vision, bust through any mindset roadblocks, and create a personalized plan to get you moving again! You can get signed up here.

#162// You were made to do BIG things in Christ Jesus, Sis. That's why the enemy will try to get you to self-sabotage.

Have you ever been working on something and believing God for the outcome, only to lose faith all of a sudden and find "really good reasons" for taking an extended break or quitting all together? Have you ever found yourself blowing up and exiting a situation or relationship only to think afterwards, "That was a bit dramatic. Why did I do that?" Or how about straight-up quitting because it's "obvious" that you don't have the time, resources, talent, support or gifting necessary to get the job done anyway? Friend, those are all examples of self-sabotage.

Self-sabotage is a self-protective coping mechanism. Sometimes we want to bail before we get abandoned or we want to have some level of control over the "inevitable" failure that seems to be coming. We want to regulate the pain and suffering we're experiencing on the road to the promise, so we create scenarios and situations where it seems "impossible" to do anything other than stop or quit or fail.

On this episode of the Positioned to Prosper podcast, I'm sharing three little lies we tell ourselves that are sure signs of self-sabotage. I'll then share practical strategies for breaking the cycle so you can stop throwing your own self under the bus to get back to making progress on your God-given assignment. Sound good? If so, grab your Bible, your journal and a pen, and . . . Let's Go!

LISTEN WITH THE SHOW NOTES: Head over to ericapyle.com/162 to grab the show notes which include the scriptures mentioned in the episode as well as links to resources and tools to help you apply the session to your life this week!

WANT TO GRAB AHOLD OF ONE OF THE RESOURCES OR TOOLS I MENTION IN THIS EPISODE? I've got a number of tools to help you navigate the journey to your promise while not losing hope or momentum. Check out the most popular ones below:
• Four Questions Prayer Template: ericapyle.com/4questions.
• Thought Exchange Worksheet: ericapyle.com/thoughts.

#161// Have you ever noticed that progress doesn't always follow a straight line?

And yet, all of humanity is taught how to plan for progress in a linear fashion. Start with the desired outcome. Now figure out what steps need to happen in order for you to arrive at said outcome, and then put them all in order. Maybe now you add a time estimate for completing each step, and you then you figure out how long the process will take overall. Now you put it all in your calendar and get to work!

But then, inevitably, something doesn't work according to the plan. Maybe one step takes longer than expected or another part doesn't work out the way you thought it would. You find yourself "off on a tangent" and, if you're like me, maybe you start to blame yourself for getting "lost" on what was supposed to be a simple journey from point A to point B. Have you ever been here?

It can feel even worse if the project you're working on involves a God-promise. When we're working towards something we *know* we heard God say was up ahead for us, we can tend to get more overwhelmed and stressed out because, well -- "God SAID!"

So how do we navigate the journey of pursuing a promise without losing hope or getting stuck (or quitting) along the way? That's what we're getting into on this episode of the Positioned to Prosper podcast. If you're ready to ditch the worldly mindsets that are overwhelming you and delaying your arrival so you can pick up the cadence of heaven for the pursuit of purpose in the Kingdom instead, this is your episode. Grab your Bible, your journal and a pen, and . . . Let's Go!

WANT A LIST OF SCRIPTURES I MENTION IN THIS EPISODE? Head over to the show notes: ericapyle.com/161.

WANT TO GRAB AHOLD OF ONE OF THE RESOURCES OR TOOLS I MENTION IN THIS EPISODE? I've got a number of tools to help you navigate the journey to your promise while not losing hope or momentum. Check them out below:
• Trello Block Schedule Template + Tutorial: ericapyle.com/blockschedule.
• Four Questions Prayer Template: ericapyle.com/4questions.
• Thought Exchange Worksheet: ericapyle.com/thoughts.
• Quiet Time Blueprint: ericapyle.com/quiettime.

#160// How do you *know* if you're focused on and working towards the "right thing" right now?

Is it just me, or do you tend to get a little (or a lot) overwhelmed if you don't know *exactly* what you should be doing *right now* while working towards a goal or a particular outcome? It doesn't even have to be an imminent deadline. I just like to know that I'm "on pace" and moving in the right direction. I don't want to waste my time!

I've found that this overwhelm can ramp up even more if the reason we're transitioning into a new season or assignment is because something else has unexpectedly ended or if the new thing came up super fast and we didn't have a lot of time to think it through first. But I think the worst overwhelm gets served when we've already stepped into something new and have started moving, and then hit a massive roadblock. Now we're questioning whether we're in the right spot, if we're doing it right, or if we even heard God right about this assignment in the first place. Have you ever been here?

On this episode of the Positioned to Prosper podcast, I want to talk about how you can *know* (like, deep down in your spirit kind of knowing) that you're working on the right assignment for the season you're currently in. If you've been wondering "Is this *really* what I'm supposed to be doing right now? Am I on the right track? Am I on time? or Did I just hear Him wrong?," this is the episode for you, my friend. Let's get some clarity, shall we? Grab your Bible, your journal and a pen, and . . . Let's Go!

THE FOUR QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD BE ASKING TO GET TO CLARITY QUICKLY: If you're ready to uplevel your prayer time and really hear God's voice, grab this free Prayer Template by heading to ericapyle.com/4questions. You'll receive a link to a template that lays out the four questions that we should be asking God in every situation and circumstance; questions that will position us for greater clarity and breakthrough in our lives. So good, right? Go grab the link to this powerful resource here.

#159// Underneath the myriad reasons we give for why we can't take time to rest right now lurks a common root cause: We simply do not feel safe to slow down and rest. Ever.

Have you ever considered that, underneath that pile of "really good reasons" for why you just can't slow down right now might be hiding a root cause of fear? Specifically the fear that, if you stop and stay still for any amount of time, you won't be safe. Something bad will happen. I know, it's uncomfortable to think about.

Years ago when I was wrestling with a bout of severe postpartum anxiety, I suffered from a symptom called akithisia -- a constant felt need to pace and keep moving with a severe sense of dread and heightened anxiety when you try to sit down and be still, even for a minute. I began to research the root cause of this condition and came to understand that my body actually thought I was in danger 24/7 and needed to keep moving. My nervous system kept sending signals to "MOVE, MOVE, MOVE!" I literally didn't feel safe to rest.

But even when I got my PPA worked out and was feeling better, I still experienced moments of dread and heightened anxiety when I thought about being still, sitting with my thoughts or simply "doing nothing." And I began to realize that I was stuck in a cycle of hypervigilance that never really left me. And the roots I uncovered beneath hypervigilance are what prompted me to record this podcast episode. Hypervigilance becomes a lifestyle when you don't feel safe to rest and trust God in the moment, and it'll run you ragged.

On this episode of the Positioned to Prosper podcast, we're digging into the protective coping mechanism called hypervigilance and how it perpetuates a lie we've learned at some point in our lives that we "really aren't safe if we stay still and rest." I'll start us off with some Biblical truth around rest and our capacity and need for it, and then I'll share four practical strategies for helping you to step out of hypervigilance and into the kind of trust in God that *makes* you to be able to lay down in green pastures (Psalm 23). Are you ready to rest without stress, my friend? If so, Grab your Bible, your journal and a pen, and . . . Let's Go!

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
If you want to apply what you've learned in today's episode, grab a tool below:

• If you need to start by setting aside a block of time each day to be still and rest, come download a copy of my Trello Block Schedule Template + Tutorial here: ericapyle.com/blockschedule.

• If you'd like some help digging into the roots underneath the fear of taking time to rest, grab a copy of the Four Questions Prayer Template here: ericapyle.com/4questions. These are four questions you can ask God in prayer that will help you to hear Him better (and faster) as you endeavor to see what's at the root of an issue.

• Once you've identified the lies and/or fears that are messing with your ability to rest, you'll want to grab the Thought Exchange Worksheet here: ericapyle.com/thoughts. This worksheet will help you to give the unproductive, negative thoughts to God so He can give you something better.

• A perfect way to practice resting daily is to have a quiet time with the Lord first thing in the morning. Want to know how to structure a 30-minute quiet time that'll set you up for a great day? Find the Quiet Time Blueprint here: ericapyle.com/quiettime.

• If you'd like to see my essential oil aromatherapy suggestions for establishing a restful environment, check out this blog post.

#158// Have you found yourself "rescheduling" your quiet time to "tomorrow" so you can deal with more "pressing" needs instead? How many times does that need to happen before you start to see a negative shift in your mood, energy, attitude or productivity?

The Daily Quiet Time. It's like a foundational habit in the life of a born again Christian. Until it isn't. For many of us, life just starts to get in the way: a new job with an earlier starting time, a baby or a toddler who makes the morning less of a routine and more of a "spin the wheel" surprise, or maybe even a health situation that's requiring a bit more sleep in the AM. But is our daily connection with God really a negotiable? Will we wind up with anything in that deal if we give it up, day after day?

On this episode of the Positioned to Prosper podcast, I'm sharing the reason why you cannot afford to miss your daily quiet time. And I've got science to back it up, Sis. I'm also showing you how to plan a simple yet effective 30-minute quiet time you can do each and every day, even if you need to shrink those 30 minutes down to 15. Sound good? Alright, then I want you to Grab your Bible, your journal and a pen, and . . . Let's Go!

READY TO GET BACK TO A DAILY QUIET TIME THAT REALLY "WORKS?" If you're ready to uplevel your quiet time so that you're confidently starting each day with Jesus, grab the Quiet Time Blueprint by heading to ericapyle.com/quiettime. You'll receive a link to a worksheet that will help you design and implement an effective 30-minute, daily quiet time. So good, right? Go grab the link to this powerful resource here.