Have you ever gone into a new relationship, job, or other situation with high hopes and an idea of what the purpose was, only to have things turn out totally different? I have. More times than I can count. Something I am learning in those moments of shock or disappointment is that the outcome did not surprise God. Instead of asking, "Why me?" I now ask, "What did I learn from this? How did I grow? Did this experience draw me closer to God? Or did I allow it to drive me away?"

Recently I experienced disappointment, sadness, and discontentedness washing over me like waves. One thing was clear to me: God used the experience to prepare me for something greater. Purpose changes perspective and I realized that the discontentedness I was feeling was meant to drive me to Him and back to my purpose. Sometimes, we hold the answer to our prayers in our own hands. An excerpt from a devotion below beautifully says exactly how I feel - perhaps you can relate too.

"Discontentedness. It's something I'm all too familiar with. Do you know it too? Believing you're not using your gifts; wondering if you're wasting your life. I've been in dead-end jobs where I desired to make an impact but felt utterly unvalued. I remember seasons of dirty diapers and sleepless nights, believing they would never end. I've given my all to projects that didn't go as expected. At times, I wanted to wish those seasons away.

But God helped me discover a great truth. He was using each of my unfulfilling seasons to prepare me to step into the fullness of His plan. He remained at my side through all the moments I believed were wasted. As I look back, I now realize the significance of each one.

I learned, I grew, and I endured training grounds that made me stronger. I became more confident. Through it all, I discovered how to embrace the joy of the Lord and walk in His transforming power." God is not far away. "God doesn't visit us only when we call on Him. He chooses to dwell in our hearts and invites us to abide in Him. He chooses habitation over visitation."

Prayer: "Thank you, Jesus for your extravagant grace, mighty power, and incomparable presence! You are Emmanuel - God with us. God with me. Thank you that in your kingdom, nothing is wasted. Not the mistakes or messes. Not the victories or valleys. Not the tears or trials. You use all of it for a greater purpose. You have been there through it all. Even when you felt distant at the time, I now see you were working on my behalf, for my best all along. I praise you and thank you for your faithfulness and goodness, Lord. Amen."

Join me this year as we explore the Fruit of the Spirit, how nurturing the soil of your heart leads to a fruitful life, and the purpose of pruning in your spiritual growth.

Fitness to Flourish

Our body, mind, and spirit are connected. We are created as holistic beings. One aspect affects the other. Holistic means that the individual parts of something are interconnected and can be explained only by reference to the whole. Do you want to experience better health, greater mental clarity, quality sleep, and improved energy? What kind of food you fuel your body with, the movement you engage in and the thoughts you think all contribute to your overall health. What does it look like for you, to see yourself as a whole - in a holistic way?

In addition to the tips above, I also fuel and nurture my body with Arbonne products. I am a proud Arbonne Independent Consultant and wholeheartedly believe what Arbonne offers is an excellent RESOURCE for pure, clean, vegan & gluten free nutrition, skin care, cosmetics, body and baby care products. Check it out for yourself and learn more HERE.

Something I have discovered in practicing, as well as teaching yoga and fitness, is being present to connect my breath to movement and listening to my body. Your body is speaking to you, are you listening? Pain is a friend to warn us something is wrong. Stress, fatigue, poor sleep, digestive issues, cravings for sugar or unhealthy food, and dry or blemished skin - and a host of other conditions/symptoms - are all imbalances in the body trying to get your attention. How are you addressing any imbalances you may have?

If you have had enough of feeling stuck in your health, Life Coaching can be the bridge to help you achieve the goals and realize the results you want to improve your overall health and wellbeing. Beliefs drive behavior, so let's discover what limiting beliefs are holding you back you so have the Freedom to Flourish in your health and fitness! To learn more, book a free Flourish Discovery Session.

Through this 9-day series written by our guest writer Jill Dreyer, you will explore how the Old Testament laws pave the way for Jesus and the gospel of grace. Learn how God’s promise from Exodus 6:7, “I will claim you as my own people and I will be your God,” is perfectly fulfilled in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ.

We welcome you to join us on this journey through Scripture to allow your heart to ponder Christ’s resurrection. Download the PDF above or sign up to receive the 9-day email series HERE.

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Here's to living your greatest life!

In Joy,

Jen Stone-Sexton

Author, Speaker, Founder, CCLC

Website: flourishchristiancoach.com

Equipping you to Flourish with Clarity, Confidence and Purpose

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