POV

Life has a way of preparing us for what's to come. It's often through time and reflection that we notice we've made it over or have conquered life's challenges. 
 Today, we have the pleasure of meeting Dr. Goldsby. The first time I met her, I knew she was a woman who was aware of her worth and power. The most beautiful gift is that her softness, kindness, and poise reminded me that our presence alone is enough of an introduction. 
 In this episode, I hope you are reminded of your purpose, passion, and perseverance, and on rainy days, remember to turn lemons into lemonade.

Dr. Goldsby would like to give a shout out to all of her Tennessee friends and relatives.  She’d also like to give a special thanks to her daughter Genese for inspiring and encouraging her to do this!

I ask the Lord for many things. Often his timing is different from mine and that's when the worry sets in.  In those moments, I'm reminded that God's will is better than mine and his timing is perfect.  If I take it to him in prayer, I should leave it there because he knows what the future holds and has always been and will continue to be the supplier of all my needs. So whatever it is, a new job, healing of a broken heart, basic needs, or your wildest dreams, trust that " ask and ye shall receive" was written to free us of stress and worry. I only challenge you to be specific in your request, put "If it's your will" at the end of that prayer, and wait and watch the Lord show out.

One of the hardest things to do is be seen.  Seen for who we really are and not as we present. It's hard to allow people to love us who know our faults and our flaws and it's hard to be loved by those who don't. In one way you feel unworthy and in the other, you feel like a fraud or an imposter. At times we judge ourselves so harshly for going through our individual life's journey. We feel we should know more, do more, have more, be more and it's such a waste of energy. I can speak on this because this is what I do to myself. I judge, I criticize, I chastise myself and I have yet to reap the benefits of such behavior. I have yet to see the positive feedback from this harsh way of self-sabotage so I've decided to stop doing this. It doesn't work. It only deepens the hole of my less-than mentality and feeds the fear. The truth is that where I am is where I'm supposed to be. The lessons I'm learning right now are on purpose. The challenges I'm facing are for my making and not my breaking. In these moments, grace is our friend and God is our support. Lean in and on him. Trust that he has a plan for you. " For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."- Jeremiah 29:11. Rest in the fact that your Abba father has got it all in control.

1 Peter 5:7-9 

6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

This scripture is easy to say and hard to do. The world will have us believe that we stand only in our strength. That the weight of the world is on our shoulders and our power is only found in ourselves. What a lie. We are only made strong through him, not through ourselves. The Lord has an army called in your favor. A path of protection and joy awaits us constantly if we would get out of our own way and receive it. We can rest in the fact that God's got us and we don't have to do anything alone so take that weight off your shoulders and give it to the Lord. His plan is greater than your wildest dream.

Our self-worth dictates our requirements, what we allow to linger, the friendships we hold on to that no longer serve us, the romantic relationships that have run their course, and the job that is the bane of our existence. Why do we stay? Fear, living in a state of lack, of comfortability, and not knowing our worth. We teach people how to treat us based on what we think we deserve. I know this firsthand. I am guilty of not knowing what I deserve, of being quiet when I should have spoken up for myself, of accepting less than I deserve....but not anymore. My life is precious and so is yours. Who you are and what you carry is unique to only you so stop selling yourself short and go for it. Ask for what you need and believe you're worth it because you are.

Love is powerful. It's something we all long for...from family, friends, and romantic relationships but the greatest love is from the Lord and ourselves.  External love can be beautiful and It can lack what we need because we teach people how to love us. We show them what's required by how we love and carry ourselves. What we tolerate and allow. When we learn to fully love ourselves, we elevate, we rise to a place of acceptance and courage and we set a standard that has to be met to allow access to our hearts.  We breathe deeper and smile more. We see ourselves through God's eyes. What a beautiful gift. I challenge you to look within and love you fully. Nothing but good can come of it.

The individuality of you is your superpower. Only you can do what you do.  Who you are is as specific as your DNA, but it's up to you to tap in and share it.  The world would have you downplay, neglect, or belittle your differences while God is waiting on you to see that that's your ultimate blessing. I challenge you to look at yourself in a new light. See your flaws and "challenges" as gifts and blessings and watch your world shift towards your true calling because there is nothing more beautiful than being aware of the gifts you carry. 

Sometimes in life, we hold back out of protection. We don't show up fully out of fear of rejection, fear, or a need to control the outcome. This can be the biggest setup for failure because if we don't commit fully, then we can't stand in the essence of all we are and are capable of. We limit ourselves before others can. We decide that we're not worthy of the love our hearts desire, that new job, or pursuing  our passion. We tell ourselves no before anyone else can. I'm guilty of this. In my desire to control the outcome, I limit my possibilities of more because God's capabilities are limitless....if only I would get out of my way. What are you standing in the way of and how soon can you move? There's no time like the present to go all in.

If you could exist in a world without fear, What would you do? How would your life change?  Would your light shine brighter?  What things would you achieve?  How would you spend your day? Now let go of False. Evidence. Appearing. Real and get to the doing! Fear stunts growth while faith blossoms and blooms. Allow yourself to have faith that you can live the life you've dreamed of.  It starts with your thoughts and manifests through your word and your actions.  We are as powerful as we think we are. Today is the day to allow the Lord to show you just how preciously unique you are.  Our God doesn't have recessions, he has renewals. There is no time like to present to change your thoughts and live the life you desire, so get out of your own way and LIVE!

You are a blessing. Your whole being is a gift from God. The fact that you can read this or hear a transcription of these words is a miracle.   We often ask God for more and forget the gifts we are and possess in the present moment. Our cup runs over just in the fact that we woke up today. That's where gratitude catapults our "more" that's to come. When we see,  appreciate, and nurture what we have now, the Lord tends to bless us, so while you are praying the prayers of increase, check and make sure you're watering your present.