This week, we are beginning a two-part series on stress. While stress exists, we don't have to allow it to seep into all areas of our lives. We can change our perspective. We are in control of the way we respond to the circumstances in our lives. And it's that choice which either heightens or lessens our stress load. Spend a few minutes with me as we talk about stress, our triggers, and how we can overcome it.

It's tempting to think we accomplish our purpose through significant steps of big accomplishments. But when we do this, we set ourselves up for failure through unrealistic expectations. When we're working towards a goal, including places of purpose, we get there through the consistency of small steps over time. Small steps don't feel significant or glamorous but are monumental when stacked together. Spend ten minutes with me as we talk about cultivating consistency over time.

Sometimes, we feel disconnected from our purpose. We want to give up. We are sure we won't accomplish it and are questioning why we thought it was a good idea. Everyone feels that way at some point. We face this feeling in our jobs, relationships, and ministries. But what matters most is whether or not we stick it out. Spend 10 minutes with me. We'll talk about how to process it and what to do next.

Our journey of purpose is all about embracing our adventure with God and saying, I'm not in complete control of this, but God is, and he's directing me. And he's doing it out of love. God's leading from this place where he knows exactly how he's created me and the things he's placed inside me; he knows I have everything I need for this journey. The first step in our path to purpose is being okay with the reality that we're not in control and recognizing that it's better this way.

Have you ever felt derailed by negative feedback, especially from friends or family questioning your purpose? How do you navigate their criticism without losing sight of your path? Do you end up asking yourself whether or not you heard God correctly? Does their criticism belong in your head? Join me this week as we discuss these questions (and more)! 

Sometimes, we don't have a clearly defined sense of purpose; we can feel lost in it. If you're feeling lost right now, it's okay; there's nothing wrong with you. Take the weight and pressure off your shoulders. You haven't missed it, and now, you have an opportunity to figure out what's next. It's time for a new adventure. Spend ten minutes with me as we dive into purpose. 

Last week, we set the foundation for loving our lives despite our circumstances, and we will build on it this week. It's a choice to say, "I have the ability to love my life even if these things I want don't happen," because, for many of us, life isn't going to read like the story we thought we were writing. But it can still feel amazing. We can still find joy. We can say, with complete authenticity, "I love my life." Spend the next ten minutes with me, and I'll share what I've found.

If we want to love our lives despite circumstances, we must start by admitting that we don't love everything we've walked through. It's okay to say, "God, I don't love this right now, this isn't the life I thought I was supposed to live." And as we admit the reality of how we feel, it opens the door so we can ask Him to help us see more than just the hardship. And that's where loving our lives is birthed from—owning it and looking for more.

Whatever I'm looking for is what I'm going to find. And sometimes, the hard things take center stage. So when I'm looking at them, fixed on them, I start expecting more challenging days. This belief interferes with my ability to believe that God has good in store for me. But it doesn't mean that God isn't doing the good; it's just that I can't see it because I almost don't believe it exists.  Spend ten minutes with me discussing the simple steps necessary to shift our mindset and SEE the good. 

There are times in our lives when it feels like there aren't any good choices. There are no win-win situations; instead, we must determine the least destructive option because either choice will cost something. 

So what do we do, and how do we choose? Spend 10 minutes with me this week. I will walk you through my thought process, and we will talk about perfectionism, comparison, and how to banish the victim mentality.