Written by Nicole Collier

I had a revelation recently that anytime I would post an update on my weight loss journey I would immediately self sabotage. Why would I do this? Your guess is honestly as good as mine. I took a long hard look at myself, and why I did this. I would post about another weight loss goal met, an additional 5 or 10 lbs lost, and I would binge eat that day.

The definition of self sabotage: Behavior is said to be self-sabotaging when it creates problems in our life and interferes with long-standing goals.

I came to the conclusion that I am afraid to be a healthier version of myself. I had become accustomed to being the “fat friend”. You know- the funny one who hides behind her sarcasm, and humor to mask how she feels on the inside. The one who projects how she feels about herself on to others with the words she uses. Which are not always life giving.  

I hate typing that as much as you may hate reading it. Trust me. However, this is where my comfort zone was.

How do we find a balance between the woman we are and the woman we are accustomed to being?  The woman we have come to be friends with, whether she is helping or hurting us, and the woman we are created to be.

One way to do this is to take captive our thoughts (2 Corinthians 10:5.) Let us hold true to who God says we are! We are wonderfully and beautifully created in His image (Psalm 139:14.)   When I hold true to this thought, it helps me to want to be my absolute best and give him honor with this body He gave me. Don’t believe the lie the enemy wants you to believe that you are not worthy of being the best you- GIRL, YOU ARE WORTHY OF THIS AND SO MUCH MORE!

Another way is to really understand our triggers by asking ourselves, “what is it that has happened in our past to have such control over us where we sabotage the hard work and effort we have put in?” For me it has been the words that have been spoken over me throughout my life. I had to understand that hurt people hurt, and people will sometimes speak their insecurities in their self to those around them. I have learned to bless and forgive. If I have to stand in front of a mirror and remind myself I am worthy, I am a beautiful person on the inside and out, and I have people in my life who love me, then I will find the largest mirror and do just that.

Remember friends, this life is a journey. It is an amazing journey God will take us on, if we let Him. Let us remember to not sabotage the great and wonderful work we have put in, and let us listen to the words our Heavenly Father speaks over us. May we see our self as beautiful and wonderfully created as He made us, and sees us. Let us hold our head high, straighten our crown and accomplish our goals without sabotaging ourselves.

Nicole Collier grew up in Montgomery, AL. She now lives in Shelby County with her husband, Matthew, and 2 boys, Ethan and Russell. She is a lover of all things creative, including photography and music. She and her family are involved with The Just People Project non-profit ministry serving the homeless throughout the city of Birmingham.

Written by Jodi Davis Lybrand

Negativity was my roadblock to joy…

I’m just going to admit it right off… I am a glass half empty kind of girl. I don’t really want to be, but my melancholy self just leans that way.

No one  wants to be around negativity all the time. I didn’t want to be that person everyone avoids, the one who always complains about everything. But I’m afraid I was, and I was tired of being that person.

I begin to realize it was time to do some serious soul searching. It has taken me a long time to accept my own personality and the way God designed me.

As The Lord was ‘forming me in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13 MSG), as He formed all of us, we were made unique. He made us who we are. He gave us our personalities with all it’s qualities and quirks! We are made in God’s image so our qualities are cause for celebration! The quirks are the things we give to Him to mold into Christlikeness.  The former we take for granted, the latter draws us close to Him.  This marks our dependence on Him. It keeps us coming to Him again and again, which in turn, enriches our relationship with the Lord. If we were perfect we wouldn’t have to lean in so much.

Starting on this joy journey, the first step was becoming tired of the life of pessimism, which was weighing me down, as well as desiring to be a better representative of God’s marvelous grace. It became a high priority in prayer because I knew I couldn’t do it alone.

I couldn’t will myself to do it, though I tried and failed. I wanted it to be authentic and I needed a changed heart.  Oh, how I wish it was a one and done type deal! But no, I didn’t use the word ‘journey’ by accident!

I started intentionally looking for things to be grateful for and searching for the good. A few extra minutes of sleep, a smile from a stranger, a beautiful bargain from the clearance rack! I verbalized my thanks directly to the Lord. Then a funny thing started happening. My heart was responding! The Holy Spirit was transforming me from the inside out! I didn’t have to try so hard. It was becoming…me!

There were some serious challenges.

I have been getting injections in my left eye for about two years. On one visit the nurse was about to numb my right eye. I said, “Stop! You are treating my left eye” He said, “Oh, we are so used to doing both eyes”. And there it was, a choice. I could be bitter about having to get any injections or choose to rejoice that there was only one eye affected.

I chose joy.

That’s all part of the journey.

Choosing.

I’m not talking about a ‘fake it ‘til you make it’, rose colored glasses, afraid to speak a negative confession lifestyle. I’m talking about getting to know the love of God in such a powerful way that you know you are His. He will work all things for good. He is for you, not against you.  He loves you with an everlasting love. And there is so much more!

I found this by committing to read the Bible through. I used a one year, chronological Bible. Immersing yourself in the Bible, God’s active and alive word will be the key to successfully journey to joy!

Oh, my sweet friend, join me on this journey! You have a greater joy awaiting you!

As you begin your journey I pray:
That Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will go deep down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.

Jodi Davis Lybrand is a lifelong resident of Shelby County. She is married and has raised two wonderful sons, has a beautiful daughter-in-law and 3 of the most adorable grandchildren ever!
Her favorites include playing with those awesome grand sweeties, enjoying long walks and sunsets, visiting with friends, old and new, painting and working on her bucket list!
A Bible teacher for 30 years, teaching preschool to senior adults (before she was one!) Jodi jests that she can teach you a Bible lesson in sixty seconds or sixty minutes! Most of all she loves to encourage people through the truths found in God’s holy word.

Written by Jodi Lybrand

Walking is my preferred choice of exercise. I love walking the trails on my very wooded property. Many times it is a multi-tasked walk. When I am frustrated my walk is a bit more intense, it is my stress reliever.  Some days are pure worship, enjoying God’s creation. Other days it is filled with prayers and petitions. Away from phones, social media, chores, errands and all other distractions I can hear God’s voice most clearly.

On one recent walk, my attention was drawn to a large patch of green I had never seen before. Leaving the pathway to take a closer look, I discovered it was Surprise Lilies. These are flowers that grow grass-like leaves, these go away and months later  single stalks and flowers emerge. This group was about thick three feet square. They had to be growing for years! Why haven’t I seen them before. I must have passed by them hundreds of times!

Have you ever felt like these lilies? All your work, serving and sacrifice have gone unnoticed? Have you spent years honing your giftings but seemingly not using them to potential? Do you feel like you have  endlessly labored overlooked while others have their dreams fulfilled? Has your dream died?

Oh, my sweet friend this is not true! The great prophet, Isaiah felt the same way. Knowing he was called by God, he still thought his work was in vain. (Isaiah 49:1-4) In a similar  fashion Paul felt his labors among the Thessalonians may have been useless. (1 Thessalonians 3:5) You are in good company!

We all get tired from time to time. We are prone to discouragement. As the scripture states, Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when dreams come true there is life and joy. (Proverbs 13:12 NLT)  Being stuck at the comma is challenging! Waiting is difficult. It is hard living in the in-between.

While we are waiting we need to learn not to compare ourselves with others.  It is a must! Jennie Allen tells us that “Comparison robs us of the joy of obedience.” We are all on different time tables with the Lord. Find your joy in what He has called you to do today.

Also during the wait share your dreams with someone who will encourage and remind you of God’s promises. Remember,Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. (Ecclesiastes 4:9)

My dear friend, I don’t know when your ‘now’ will come, when your special dream will be fulfilled but know this, God sees you. He knows your heart, He sees your efforts. He loves you. Don’t give up! Be encouraged with this truth from His word  ..stand your ground. And don’t hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for me is a waste of time or effort. (Corinthians 15:58 Message)

One last thought. Do you know what another name for those lilies is? Resurrection Lilies! I’ll just leave that one for you to reflect on!

Jodi Davis Lybrand is a lifelong resident of Shelby County. She is married and has raised two wonderful sons, has a beautiful daughter-in-law and 3 of the most adorable grandchildren ever!

Her favorites include playing with those awesome grand sweeties, enjoying long walks and sunsets, visiting with friends, old and new, painting and working on her bucket list!

A Bible teacher for 30 years, teaching preschool to senior adults (before she was one!) Jodi jests that she can teach you a Bible lesson in sixty seconds or sixty minutes! Most of all she loves to encourage people through the truths found in God’s holy word