Hey Family!
Great News! My Stormy Season has come to an END! Yes, the blog series…but also in real life. Until this Sunday, I was content with the thought that I would walk into a new season with the new year; that I would just have to endure this storm a bit longer. However, this Sunday, I heard God (via my pastor). See, he went on one of those “off-topic tangents” that actually speak right to your situation and your mindset. Anyway, I’m walking into a new season RIGHT NOW. I’m not sure what it will bring, but I know that God is in control. I’ve learned A LOT and grown in my faith…but PRAISE GOD for freedom from this Stormy Season!!!
“See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland”Isaiah 43:19 NIV
Just as I was preparing to end this blog series, God tested me again. Last week it felt like everything was happening at once. I felt like I was being tested in every area of my life. I honestly wanted to curl-up in a ball and cry. Then, I remembered all the lessons that God has taught me in this season. I remembered how much He has brought me through in my lifetime. So, I changed my approach. I reached out to friends who would I could trust to pray. I practiced self-care. I breathed. I was vulnerable. As a result, I felt peace, healing, and freedom. So, maybe you’re not going through a storm right now. That’s Great! When you do, re-read this series and change your approach. Reach out to me for prayer if you don’t know who else to ask.
Lesson # 3 : Valley Experience VS. Uphill Journey
Sometimes your stormy season leaves you feeling powerless. When you face one battle after another, you begin to feel completely out of control. I know the feeling. Fortunately, we have to power to choose how we approach the stormy seasons of our life. It can be a Valley Experience, or an Uphill Journey. You choose.
Valley Experience: It feels like you’re stuck. You don’t seem to be making any progress. There seems to be no point. You are depressed. You feel broken and alone. Your hopes and dreams appear to be completely unattainable. The world/the system/the odds seem to be stacked against you. You just want to give up. So, you start making plans to settle where you are. You decide to accept defeat. You are too exhausted to fight for what God has for you. So, you stay in the valley. You can’t ever seem to find true joy, or peace. You ARE stuck.
Uphill Journey: It feels impossible. It seems like you’re nowhere close to your destination. Yet, you choose to still hold on to your “mustard seed” of faith and hope. You reach out for community, for support, for prayer. You ask God for strength to keep moving forward. You reflect on the seemingly impossible goals that you have already attained. You recognize that God is ordering your steps. You remember that God already has the victory. You decide to accept the challenge. You are exhausted at times, but you know that God will give you rest and that he will carry your burdens. You remind yourself that with God all things ARE possible.
2 Count it all joy, my brothers,[b] when you meet trials of various kinds,3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
James 1:2-5 NIV
Special thanks to the following people:
Pierre. Nakiah. Chandler. Olivia. Alma. Mike. Brittany. Shelby. Elsie. Jean. Kristin. Amanda. Janae. Ajah. Holly. Cristina. Xavier. Mike.
and last, but not least: MY BIG SISTER and MY DADDY !!!
Thank you for your feedback and encouragement throughout this series. Your support and prayers were much appreciated. May God bless you for reading, responding, and sharing. I love you. Jesus loves you. Greater is coming!
Stay tuned for new blog posts and new series as God continues to give me wisdom to write, perspective to share, and as I continue to grow along this uphill journey.
Love, Monique Danae
black. blessed. becoming 