Enlarged…
Whether you turn to the right or the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” - Isaiah 30:21
Life can enlarge us, but only if we see it that way. I grew up around this mindset, allowing me to adopt this approach more quickly than most. However, in the fall of 2015, I experienced a new understanding of this life stance.
Here’s why…
It was 3 a.m. one mid-August dawn when my body jolted out of bed. I was convinced to leave my corporate career and follow my lifelong dream — I couldn’t deny the intensity of the timing to “do it now.”
Later that day, my husband and I were in our living room. Sitting cross-legged on the couch, I shared what I felt compelled to do. I knew I was asking him to trust me and my gut and to let me step away from everything safe, comfortable, and financially stable to chase my dream, and this ask would add pressure to him and our family finances.
He asked a couple of questions and then said, “OK. Just don’t mess it up!”
With his blessing and my passion in hand, I launched my coaching and speaking business, but just a few months later, I received a call that changed everything: I had cancer. I was unprepared for this, significantly when I had just stepped away from a predictable and secure income.
This was the beginning of my real journey of growth. Although I thought I was already growing, I quickly realized that what I had done was commit to this perspective when life threw challenges my way—choosing to be refined, not swallowed up by them.
As Joyce Meyer says, “Trials ‘try’ us, and tests ‘test’ us, but their purpose is to reveal our character. We can think highly of ourselves, but until we're tested, we don't know what we're made of.” Going through trials helps us understand ourselves better; it exposes the hidden things in our hearts. Until they are told, we cannot do anything about them.
Everything we all go through ultimately does work out for our good because it makes us stronger and builds endurance; it develops Godly character; it helps you to know yourself and to be able to deal with things at an honest level with God. We are instructed in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 to "Give thanks in all things," which means we should give thanks amid difficult situations, trusting that God is working it out for our good. This guidance reminds me of the song "God Will Work It Out" by Maverick City Music, which speaks of God's love and commitment to those who believe. It moves us to believe that even in the most challenging seasons of life, God is present and working, and we get to trust in His promises of hope to guide us forward.
Encouragement for Inspired Growth
Despite significant life events layered on top of each other unexpectedly, I learned valuable life lessons that will stay with me forever. The writings on this blog are fragments of my life story that I believe will add value to yours.
“Those who leave everything in God’s hands will eventually see God’s hands in everything.”
Photo by Averee Kreutzfeldt at Bar 33 Ranch, Blaisdell, North Dakota