You have a choice. You can choose to be frustrated, or you can choose to see the big picture.

It’s hard. This whole “big picture” thing. By nature, you’re inclined to throw in the towel. To doubt yourself. To convince yourself of all the reasons why you’re not qualified.

Stop right there. Don’t allow your thoughts to go any further. Doubt is an old trick of the enemy. It started way back in the Garden of Eden.

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’? Genesis 3:1

Just as with Eve, the enemy wants you to question God’s goodness. Did God really say you are called to ministry? Did God really say that was your job? Did God really say he was your husband?

More than anything, the enemy wants you to question God’s call on your life. He knows he’s powerless. The enemy fights from defeat, while you fight from victory. He can never win; however, he’s always recruiting players for his team.

Your God Size Dream

Do you have a dream bigger than yourself? A dream you know only God can make come true? I do.

During a workout at Revelation Wellness Instructor Training, I experienced the Holy Spirit like never before. There were about 200 men and women moving their bodies for the glory of God. From that moment, I dreamed about creating that same experience for women around the world. I envisioned I’d start the tour leading workouts with Women Thou Art Loosed (WTAL) – call me, Bishop Jakes! Hey, if you’re gonna dream, you may as well dream big!

Needless to say, I haven’t been invited to WTAL, yet, but a few months ago, I was asked to lead a workout for a women’s conference. It soon morphed into a workout plus a presentation on the importance of physical fitness.

God answered my prayer. While it wasn’t quite what I expected, it was close enough. Baby steps, right?

Off I went. Creating choreography, developing a playlist, practicing, creating PowerPoint slides…. I was ecstatic God chose to partner with me. I wanted to make my daddy proud. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks.

What am I thinking? There are so many women more qualified than me. How can I get out of this?

So do not fear, for I am with you; Isaiah 41:10

Once again, I made it about me, not Him. Instead of focusing on me, I turned my gaze heavenward. I relied heavily on God’s power and pressed on.

The Big Picture

Most often, we see the highs of someone’s accomplishments. Very rarely do we see the lows, or disappointments, along the way.

Well, I’m totally going against the grain today. I’m giving you a peak inside one of my recent disappointments. Here goes…

The conference was cancelled. Yep, you read that correctly. The conference I’d been preparing for and praying about since February was cancelled.

The enemy didn’t waste no time slinging accusations at me. You don’t have what it takes anyway. I told you to say no. So much for that answered prayer now. Just give up on the dream, it’ll never work anyway. If it was meant to be, it would be by now.

And that’s when I was presented with a choice. I could join the enemy’s team, believing his lies, or I could partner with the winning team, and receive His promises.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Nothing is wasted with God. At the moment, I have no idea how God is going to use what we’ve created. The message He’s put on my heart to share with other women BUT I’m confident He’s going to use it.

Perhaps it was a test. Do you really mean it when you say, “Lord, send me.” Do you?

Final Thoughts

Things won’t always go according to plan but always, always, always remember GOD IS FOR YOU! You can find comfort in the midst of any disappointment by reminding yourself, “God is for me!”

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

Waiting expectantly…

~Ta-Ta For Now, Teacups

As always, thanks so much for reading. You can find me online on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.

“Don’t quit.”

“Winners don’t quit and quitters never win.”

“Cowards never start. The weak never finish. Winners never quit.”

“Only cowards quit. Stay tough.”

“Get fit. Don’t quit.”

“Life has two rules: #1 Never quit, #2 Always remember rule #1.”

In our culture, quitting is demonized. A person who quits is deemed weak. A failure. We are bombarded with messages, often as early as childhood, to never quit. But, what if… What if quitting leads to an abundance of joy and peace? What if quitting sets you free from bondage? What if the belief that you can’t quit is the source of your bondage? What if quitting leads to life?

My pride wouldn’t let me quit. I was a walking zombie – sleep deprived from fat burners. I was beyond exhausted, from many hours at the gym, and fueled by an amount of food that wouldn’t sustain an infant. I became more and more obsessed with my body. In fact, no mirror was safe. Each mirror prompting the coveted “ab check” – lifting your shirt to ensure your abs are still there.

This girl had something to prove! God kept nudging me to quit but I wouldn’t listen. I valued the opinion of man far above the opinion of God – BIG mistake!

Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the LORD means safety. Proverbs 29:25

Is it OK To Quit?

It’s absolutely OK to quit. In fact, God condones it.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1 NIV

You are allowed to quit, throw off, any and everything that hinders, or entangles you. Is it causing you to lose your peace? Quit it. Your joy? Quit it. Is your relationship with Christ suffering? Quit it. Are you consumed with thoughts of you, never thinking of others? Quit it. Have you become mean, short-tempered, impatient – no longer recognizing the woman in the mirror? Quit it.

What Does It Take To Quit?

It takes strength to quit. God’s strength.

I wish I could say it was easy to quit bodybuilding. As miserable as I was, it wasn’t. My flesh thrived on the notoriety. For a moment, it satisfied my desire to be seen. To be known. To be valued. Perhaps for you it isn’t bodybuilding. Maybe God is calling you to quit a relationship. A job. A bad habit – smoking, drinking, partying. Your flesh thrives on the way it makes you feel. It provides comfort.

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40:29

Will you be a quitter with me? If the Lord is nudging you to quit, quit. Quit the things that don’t make a difference, for things that do. Things so much bigger than you. I’ve found so much freedom on the other side. I’m confident you will too.

//If this blog post resonated with you in anyway, leave me a comment below, or email me at teawithtiffanyp@gmail.com. I enjoy reading and responding to your comments.

Thanks for reading! You can find me online on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.

I don’t know about you but I hate waiting – HATE it! If I want something, I do whatever it takes to get it. Not excluding accumulating $10K in credit card debt. Needless to say, I spared no expense.

In this new season of life (recently married and unemployed), God continues to whisper, wait. For a girl who despises waiting, you can probably imagine, it hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows. In fact, it’s been more like cold, snowy days. You know, when all the roads are closed, and you’re stuck inside the house for days on end. #notfun

I bet you’re a lot like me. You’ve been taught, “Nobody is going to give you anything. You gotta work for what you want.” While I believe this teaching has it’s place, we must be careful. Careful we don’t lump God into the “nobody” category. You see, the gospel is all about receiving. Receiving God’s unconditional love, without conditions – the need to perform.

For it is by God’s grace that you have been saved through faith. It is not the result of your own efforts, but God’s gift, so that no one can boast about it. Ephesians 2:8-9 GNT

My Grand Plan

When I moved in with my husband, I wanted to change everything. I had this grand plan of throwing away all his stuff, and buying all new stuff. In fact, when I visited him during our courtship, I mentally began to make plans for every room in the house. Shhhhh, that’s our little secret. If it were solely up to me, within a month, our home would closely resemble one of the renovated homes on HGTV. Aren’t those homes gorgeous? Being that we chose to become a single income household, I thought it best to file away my HGTV dream home fantasy until further notice.

Can I just be honest for a minute? Promise me you won’t judge. I’ll wait… OK, good. I’m nosey. Like for realzzzzz. My neighbor’s house recently went on the market. I just had to find out the selling price. I told ya, nosey! Anyway, while I was online being nosey, I decided to flip through the photos. As I was flipping through the pictures, I thought to myself, “Ooooooo, that’s nice. That dining room table and china cabinet would look amazing up in here!” Without any additional thoughts, I exited the page.

God’s Grand Plan

God’s answers are never packaged the way you expect. About a week after perusing the photos online, my husband called. He said, “The neighbors would like to know if you’d be interesting in their dining room table and china cabinet.” I was utterly shocked! Like what are the chances of that?

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

Perhaps you’re like me. You’re in a waiting season. You wonder,

When is my time coming?

Will God ever answer my prayers?

Does God even exist?

My dear sisters, we must trust. For trusting the Lord never leads to disappointment. I know it sounds cliché – trust God. Like me, you’ve probably rolled your eyes a time, or two, when someone uttered those two words. Be encouraged. Trust is not a one and done type deal. In fact, we must choose to trust minute by minute, second by second.

You are in a fight with the enemy of your soul, who so desperately wants you to believe that God ain’t good. That He’s not listening. That He doesn’t exist. In those moments of despair may you run towards God. Don’t get mad and storm out of the room. Get mad. Just don’t leave the room. Allow Him to remind you of His many promises.

And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. Hebrews 11:6

//Are you currently in a waiting season? What are you doing to stay encouraged in the wait? Leave me a comment below.  Myself, along with many other women, can use the advice.

Thank you for reading! You can find me online on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.

Are you a water walker?

“Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” Matthew 14:29-31

Comparison is truly the thief of joy

Some days I walk on water; other days, like Peter, I sink. I take my eyes off God. I look around at what “she’s” doing, which inevitably sparks the flame of comparison. I secretly click through “her” pictures on social media – careful not to like one by mistake, oops! you too? – comparing her highlight reel to my reality. Knowing this doesn’t make me feel the least bit better. My mind becomes bombarded with thoughts – She has perfect skin while I’m experiencing my 100th breakout this month. She has the perfect body while I can’t seem to lose 5 pounds. She receives 100 likes on a photo while I receive a mere 10. Her business is growing while I’m not sure what my purpose in life is. In short, she’s #winning while I’m #losing.

I question God. Where’s my platform? Where’s my successful business? Where’s my book deal? Why haven’t you revealed my purpose to me? Why don’t I have hundreds of followers singing my praises? Where’s my husband? Where’s my promotion? Where’s my new car? Where’s my vacation? Can you relate?

As I was reading Esther 8, the footnote referencing verses 15-17 got me ALL the way together. It states, “Everyone wants to be a hero and receive praise, honor, and wealth. But few are willing to pay the price. Mordecai served the government faithfully for years, bore Haman’s hatred and oppression, and risked his life for his people. He was faithful in obscurity. The price to be paid by God’s heroes is long-term commitment, whether or not they receive recognition. Are you ready and willing to pay the price?”

I stopped and questioned myself: Am I willing to pay the price? Are you? If the husband you’ve prayed for never shows up? If you never receive the promotion? If you’re never patted on the back for a job well done? If the book deal never comes? If the business you’ve dreamed about never comes to fruition? If the family member you’ve been praying never shakes the drug addiction. Will you continue to pray? Will you continue to trust God? Will you continue to be faithful in the present? To whatever God is calling you to today?

4-part heart check

As I pondered, “Am I willing to pay the price?“, the Holy Spirit impressed upon my heart 4 things:

1. Check your motives. Is it really about God or is it more about what God can do for you? Are you really concerned about the needs of others or is it all a front? James 4:3, “And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong–you want only what will give you pleasure.”
2. You have what it takes too. You’re lacking nothing! Stop thinking you don’t have what it takes. You have the mind of Christ. You have the Holy Spirit living on the inside of you. You’re powerful! Are you tapping into your power? Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you…”
3. God has a plan for you too. It may seem as if everyone around you has it going on while you’re stuck in “no-purpose” land but that’s a lie from the pit of hell. Jeremiah 29:11, For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
4. God has assigned people to you too. Someone’s deliverance is tied to you. They need you to get over yourself. Stop thinking, “she’s already doing it.” While that may be true, you are still needed!. John 3:26-27, “So John’s disciples came to him and said, “Rabbi (John The Baptist), the man you met on the other side of the Jordan River, the one you identified as the Messiah, is also baptizing people. And everybody is going to him instead of coming to us.” John replied, “No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven.” Both John the Baptist and Jesus served a purpose in God’s great plan of salvation. Don’t deny God the gift of you.
   

My dear sisters, stop looking to the left or the right. Keep your eyes lifted towards heaven. Fixed on the Jesus. Let Jesus, and Jesus alone be your reason.

//Can you relate to this post? If so, how do you overcome the comparison game? Please share your thoughts in the comments below, or via email at teawithtiffanyp@gmail.com, I would love to hear them.

Thank you for reading! You can find me online on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.

Are you aware of God’s nearness?

A friend and I were on our way to the park a few days when the topic of intentional living came up. Ironically, I’d been having the same conversation with God for a few weeks. The excitement in my voice as I spoke was very apparent. When I finished speaking my heart was racing, I sat there quietly and thought to myself, “That’s passion!”

Close your eyes for a second. Go ahead. Do it. When you closed your eyes, you were immediately aware your vision was gone. What if we had that same awareness when we’ve taken our eyes off God? When we’ve allowed the flesh to control our actions?

If you’re anything like me, you’ve often wondered, “Where is God?” The truth is, He’s right here with me, and there with you. Scripture says He’s always with us. If He’s always with us, but we fail to recognize Him, that means, you and I are not always with Him.

While wandering through the wilderness, the Israelites depended on God to provide food. Today we say we depend on God, but do we really? For example, before eating, my husband and I give thanks. I began to question if our hearts are really postured towards true dependence on God as the source of all things. Has saying grace just become habit? Did God really provide the food or did we work and provide the food ourselves? In the busyness of life, it’s easy to go about our day, rushing from one place to the next, going through the motions on autopilot. But, does it have to be this way? Can we cultivate nearness in a busy world? Can we cultivate complete dependence on God in a culture that promotes, “every man for himself”?

What if, like loss of sight, we’re instantly aware when we’ve ventured from the sphere of His nearness? What if we slowed down and really postured our hearts towards absolute dependence and appreciation of the gift Giver? … I get it. It’s hard to slow down. We have so many things vying for our attention. The pressure of getting things done weighs heavily on us. As a result, stillness with God is deemed unproductive; however, the stillness is where awareness is found.

 “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14

“Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act.” Psalm 37:7

Stillness is intentional. It’s not something that just happens. It’s something that must be practiced. Like with anything else, if we want to be great, we must practice. Being still is no exception.

Prayer: Most gracious God. Help us to be still. May we stop striving to do more, be more, have more and just be still and know. Help us to live intentional lives, always with You. Open our eyes to see You. Open our hearts to receive what You’re doing right now. Today. In this very moment. Our souls long to commune with You. We’re so grateful for your unending grace and mercy. All praise, glory, and honor belongs to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

How can you live more intentionally aware of God’s nearness? How can you practice being still? I’ve committed to being still, without any distractions, once a day. I’ve been lying on the floor, on my back, with palms open. In this posture, I envision myself receiving everything God has for me. In these sacred moments, it’s just He and I. His love and presence consumes me. Today, I’ve also scheduled a lunch date with God. When I sit down to eat lunch, I will turn my phone off, sit in complete silence, and allow Him to speak to me. Now it’s on you. I wold love to hear your plans for being still in the comments below, or via email at teawithtiffanyp@gmail.com. I’ll respond either way. Talk soon!

Thank you for reading! You can find me online on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.