Uncovering Life-Defining Moments in Comfort and Convenience

Going down is 4.8 times more dangerous.
WHY? I’m so glad you asked.
Uncovering life-defining moments in comfort and convenience

Times of tension and trials create our character.
Does that little ditty ^^ ring a bell?

Welp, contrary to popular opinion, 
I’m calling their bluff.
And flipping the switch.
I double-dog dare you to believe it’s just the opposite… 

What you do in times of comfort and convenience is most life-defining. 

Do you see the difference? 

What you are made of is determined by how you live out the ordinary, mundane, ho-hum days of life. 

If we haven’t taken the time and intention to prepare BEFORE the storm, we will sink when the storm hits. 

Go out on a limb with me. Or, in this case, a mountain. Mt. Everest, to be exact. I’m gonna compare the largest mountain in the world to your everyday life. For the love of Sherpas, adrenaline junkies, and all the stay-at-home moms, hang on; there’s a point to make.

Mount Everest is the object of fascination for explorers—the ultimate trophy. Summit once and earn bragging rights for life. High and mighty. Silent but deadly- saved for the chosen few {crazy but called}.

She’ll push you far beyond your limits. When you want to stop, she’ll whisper, ‘one more step.’ More enticing than Haagen Daz on a stick, designer shoes on clearance, or a Disney Fast Pass.

If you dare to climb her, she’ll give you 1,000 reasons to turn around. But just one to keep going- the thrill of the ultimate victory. 

But the agony of defeat lurks just around the corner. Of all the deaths from climbing – 73% happen on the descent – the way down!

Yup, that’s right.

Going up:
The crazy climbers are fully in the struggle.
Forced to focus.
Pushing past pain.
Embracing the hard.

Going down:
Crazy climbers aren’t thinking clearly.
Exhaustion is inevitable.
Less concentration.
Complacency sets in. 

The trial is getting up the mountain. It’s when climbers are most dialed in – all traces of sense and caution are gone with the wind.

At the top, smiles for miles, high fives for all, and top-of-the-world selfies abound.

After a sigh of relief- it’s all downhill from there.
And the real trial begins.
Their guard is down – eyes off the prize.
Daydreams of warmth, oxygen, and sleep dance in their heads.
Turning their dreams into nightmares. 

Translation to your world:
It’s easy to focus on your kids when they are in crisis.
It’s easy to focus on your spouse when they say, ‘we have to talk.’
It’s easy to cut carbs and sugar when you are diagnosed with diabetes.
It’s easy to exercise when you are a month away from your wedding or special occasion.

Translation to the Lord:
We are quick to press into God when the doctor gives a bad prognosis.
We cry out to the Lord when relationships are in despair.
We get on our knees when a spouse loses a job.
We dig deep into scripture when our kids are off the rails.
We get prayed up when we can’t pay our bills.

Time to Flip the Switch:
The ultimate measure of a woman is NOT where she stands in challenge and adversity.
Maybe more important is where she stands in COMFORT and CONVENIENCE.

> WHAT IF – All we have to do is continue doing what we would do in a crisis, in the good times?
> WHAT IF – We press in, cry out, get on our knees, dig deep, and get prayed up E V E R Y D A Y?
> WHAT IF – We focus on the Lord, our marriages, our kids, and our health as if our life depended on it DAILY? 

I’m just asking?

I’m not saying adversity won’t find its way to you ever again.
But maybe it’ll be less often?
Maybe it won’t last as long?
Maybe it will build you up and not tear you down?
Maybe it will be less dramatic?

Wouldn’t that be worth it?

The best time to repair the roof is when it’s sunny out. When it rains, it’s too late. But often that is the only time people pay attention to their house.

Are you picking up what I’m laying down?

We are in TRAINING today. 
All-day. 
Everyday. 

The mundane motions of life are what prepare us for all that God has in store <insert your hopes, dreams, and God’s promises>

God says…

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”

1 Corinthians 2:6

That’s God ^^ Talking to you!
That’s a soul-stirring, spirit-soaring life.
Full of abundance, beauty, and love.
I don’t know about you – but I want a piece of that pie.

We are in training for our promises.
It’s time to rise up, take courage, and live different.
Not because I say so, but because God says so in Proverbs 24:10…
Let’s count the ways {aka read all the translations}

– If you faint in the day of adversity, Your strength is small. ESV
– If you fail under pressure, your strength is too small. NLT
– If you are slack (careless) in the day of distress, Your strength is limited. AMP
– You are a poor specimen if you can’t stand the pressure of adversity. TLB
– If you fall to pieces in a crisis, there wasn’t much to you in the first place. MSG
– If you are slack in the day of distress, Your strength is limited. NASB
– If you faint when under pressure, you have need for courage. TPT
– If you fall apart during a crisis, then you weren’t very strong to begin with. VOICE
– If you are weak in a crisis, you are weak indeed. GNB

Okay, ladies, it’s time to tighten those ponytails.
We aren’t going down like that.
Let’s rewrite our script.

God says if we fall apart, it’s most likely because we aren’t strong.
Not on our watch!

Are you ready for some spiritual training?
Boot camp for your spirit, baby!
Build up your spiritual muscles by building up your Spirit Man. 
Ready, aim, fire…

Not if, but WHEN trials come {take your pick}:
Hard times.😬
Sickness. 🤧
Financial strain.🙁
Rebellious kids.😩
Global Pandemic.😷
Addiction.😫
Relationships don’t go the way we hoped.😭
Diagnosis from the doctor.😥

Death will not defeat us!

Back to Mt. Everest: while the ascent (aka crisis) is thrilling, it’s the descent (aka ho-hum) where pressure is off when folks fall to their death.

Walk it Out: How to Overcome Adversity
3 Simple Steps to Preparing in Times of Comfort and Convenience.  

#1: Stick to the Plan

What things MUST you do every single day? Think of a few things that will build up your mind, body, and spirit. Define them & do them. Live like it’s Groundhog Day; on repeat, over and over again. 

Small habits completed consistently over time equal HUGE IMPACT. 

It’s training time. Get out of your comfort zone – nothing ever grows there anyway.

God says…

“Appreciate your pastoral leaders who gave you the Word of God. Take a good look at the way they live, and let their faithfulness instruct you, as well as their truthfulness. There should be a consistency that runs through us all. For Jesus doesn’t change—yesterday, today, tomorrow, he’s always totally himself”.

Hebrews 13:8

Here’s a glimpse into my daily plan:
Bible: Read it. Everybody in the word, e v e r y d a y. 1 min or 1 hour. Just read.
Pray: Out loud, in tongues, alone, with my husband, and with my girls.
Earn my Shower: Move my body for 30 min a day. Sweat enough to warrant a shower.
Healthy choices: Chug a ton of water, eat a bunch of green stuff, and get quality sleep.  

Your turn: Create your own list of 3-5 things that work best for you. Just make sure it propels you toward your purpose and prepares you for the storms ahead.

#2: Visualize & Dream

All those things you’ve always wanted to do? You should go do them.
What would life look like if you chased after your purpose and dreams? How would you feel? What could you accomplish? How many lives could you impact? What would you do? 

Remember Mt. Everest – the dream fuels the drive to the summit. Everybody is somebody’s assignment. Just as someone has been assigned to you, you have also been assigned to someone else. God needs you, and so do we.

God says…

“Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Proverbs 29:18 (KJV).

Proverbs 29:18

Here’s a look at my purpose: Share my story and live authentically to disciple women to rise up, take courage, and live different.

And here’s one of my dreams: See women set free and on fire for Jesus so they can wake up from spiritual death and walk out their God-given potential.

Your turn: Dare to dream. Link arms with God {the One who makes the impossible possible}. Write out your vision. Make a plan. Be relentless in your pursuit. Watch God show up and shine. 

#3: Set up accountability

My accountability: I have set times each week to meet with significant gal-pals. We walk + talk with God. There is no hiding, faking it, or idle-chit-chat. We do serious business with the Lord and each other. It’s my lifeline.

Your turn: Identify the trusted female souls in your life (e.g., friends, family, pastors, leaders, etc.). Be clear about your intentions and expectations (e.g., “I’m looking for accountability with x, y, z”). Prepare to be transparent (e.g., share the good, bad and ugly). Arrange a consistent time to check-in. Stick to the plan. Watch God move.

Let’s make our mundane days meaningful. Train for your trials on your good days, and your bad days won’t seem so bad. You can, and you will rise above the storm. You can do hard things – because God is with you. He will never leave you or forsake you!