Holistic aging is a comprehensive way to approaching the aging process and the C for Christ allows me to accomplish all things.
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13 ESV
With Christ I can be a woman of courage.
Almost a full year ago I published my first blog post. The topic of that post is fear. I feared creating and publishing my writing. I feared putting myself out there and not being noticed. There are times when I do not receive recognition and feel disappointed. The truth is it takes courage to show up weekly, and I do.
The grow-together.blog is a weekly blog publication which scratches the surface of my struggles with life and sobriety. It is meant for introspection and to question your own daily struggles. Truth Hurts takes a deeper look, sharing my daily struggles in a less formal, more intimate approach,. I will supplement the grow-together post with Truth Hurts digging deeper to spur on healthy growth.
When I fear what people think of me or my writing I turn towards God. I pray for the courage to share my story. What I discovered is even when blogging for an audience of one–being God, that is all I need for my personal healing.
All it takes is a mustard seed of courage and you can share too!
And He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”
Matthew 17:20 ESV
With Christ I can be a woman of confidence.
Over the last fifty-one weeks, if I didn’t receive the recognition I hoped for, I doubted myself. So I took my God-given courage and kept on writing. I receive confidence through writing and when I have a published post to share I feel empowered.
God gives us our abilities and if we use them to please Him you will abound with confidence. Then I question myself, “Am I accurately portraying his truth?”
So I pray for discernment.
And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment,
Philippians 1:9 ESV
With Christ I can be a woman of contentment.
The first fifty years of my life I wasn’t content with life. All of my material needs were met, but I had an emptiness. I had a Christ sized hole in my heart and when I was persecuted for my poor choices, I was desperate for redemption. Finally, peace settled in and I am now truly content.
When I write a blog post which resonates with others I thank God. But then, I have accepted that there will be times when my writing will not be well received. These are the times I need to lean into God.
I need to allow my weaknesses to strengthen me.
For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:10 ESV
With Christ I can be a woman of consistency.
Initially, when I started my blogging journey, I read it takes a good year for a blog to catch steam. And consistency is key. So each week I show up, uninvited and share my blog to my social media.
There are times I question myself, “Why am I doing this?” I talk it over with God and He gives me the courage and confidence to show up each week. I find contentment in being consistent.
Blogging brings me peace so I am already reaping the rewards.
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9 ESV
With Christ I can be a woman of compassion.
During my journey towards recovery I met many other women (and men) who have decided to take their own personal journey. .
When we surround ourselves with women of courage, confidence and conviction it allows no room for competition or comparison.
Hearing their stories makes me want to be more compassionate. The compassion I received from others makes me want to show up as the woman God intends for me to be.
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32 ESV
With Christ I am a woman with conviction.
Writing with conviction means I need to share honestly about my painful, ugly, dark struggles. Most of my adult life I was part of the problem. I added to the brokenness of my community. As a woman who is biblically convicted, openly, I need to be vulnerable so others can see they are not alone. We all will be forgiven after we acknowledge our sins and choose to remain faithful.
My recovery is rooted in the word, but I have found other practices which also strengthen my recovery. Each post I write points back to God.
I found I can do all things through Christ.
How can you be a woman with conviction?
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9 ESV
