Hello Friends! I am bringing you another amazing guest post and this time from my friend Odile Arisel Perez. She is is a wife, teacher, editor, translator, entrepreneur, and published author, who loves sharing her love for Jesus with others. Odile has a Master’s Degree from the London School of Economics in Global Politics and an undergrad from Rollins College in International Business and Spanish. She co-leads a women’s ministry called Intentional W with her cousin, Dr. Ingrid Atiles. Odile is passionate about empowering women in business, building God-centered communities, teaching children, and serving God. In her free time, Odile loves swimming, writing, and worshipping. Her favorite scripture is Jeremiah 29:11.
I met Odile at the church I attend and we also were part of the same growth group a few years back and has been a good friend of mine since then. It was such an honor when she said yes to guest write on my blog! And I hope her devotional speaks to you as much as it spoke to me the first time I read it. Well here is her devotional…..ENJOY!!
How often do we replay in our minds our failed relationships, our rejections, our unsuccessful adventures, and everything in our lives that hasn’t work out? We spend an endless amount of time toiling with the useless “what ifs.” Inevitably, those replays lead us down a road of self-doubt, insecurity, emptiness, and into a paralyzing fear that prevents us from trying or even believing again.
This is where I found myself a couple of years ago. A lot of things in my life were crumbling. Doors kept shutting, my business was caving like a collapsing roof after a storm, and I felt stagnant.
I must admit that I got stuck believing the biggest lie ever, that I was a failure! Even though I was walking with God and faithfully seeking Him, I was still afraid to try again. Paralyzed in my comfort zone, I buried my dreams. Recovering from the damage caused by believing in those lies of defeat took me several years.
Yet, the more I surrendered my plans to God, prayed fervently, and counseled with my spiritual mentors, the stronger my faith and courage became (Joshua 1:9). With time, God taught me that our failures, which I now like to call “teaching moments,” are simply experiences that shape us, build our character, and redirect us toward God. He reminded me that we are not our failures and that our failures don’t define us nor determine our worth. Failures are simply opportunities to learn how to walk humbly with our God and seek His guidance when facing life’s adversities (Micah 6:8).
But how can we wholeheartedly believe that our failures do not define us? In this season, I learned that we can change what we believe about failure by intentionally seeking the Lord and by DREAMing again.
D– Draw upon the lessons. Draw upon the lessons gained from those “failures.†Take some time to reflect on these questions: What did God teach me through this experience? What could I do differently next time? How can I maintain a greater dependence on God? The purpose of reflection is not to dwell on the old wounds but rather to identify the lessons that God is trying to teach us and give thanks to our Father for transforming us by renewing our minds (Romans 12:2, Philippians 4:8).
R– Reconnect with God. Anchoring ourselves in who our Creator God says we are, is critically important (Psalm 139:4). His view of us is everlasting. His view of us is the truth. Connecting with Him in intimacy awakens our dreams and gives us peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). When we reconnect with God and say, “Father, I need you†and “I cannot do this without you,†He exalts Himself through us, and our breakthroughs begin (2 Corinthians 12:9-11).
E– Envision. God deposits ideas, dreams, and visions within us. After a defeat or failure, we tend to ignore our God-given dreams and vision. Rather than ignoring them, we have to envision them, write them out and make them visible (Habakkuk 2:2). Envisioning our dreams reminds us to pursue our calling and live out our God-given purpose.
A- Act. Take action, one step at a time, and every time you act, put on the armor of God (Ephesians 6). Taking action, fully protected by God, increases our faith, courage, and trust in God’s plans. Ultimately, we realize that with God, we have all that we need to overcome (John 14:8, 1 John 4:4, Philippians 4:13, 4:19).
M- Meditate. As you take action, meditate on the Word of God. The Word gives us peace and wisdom. The Word guards our hearts and keeps us focused on heavenly things (Hebrews 4:12). Spending time in the Word changes our discouragement into encouragement and provides all the light that we need to see the path ahead clearly (Psalm 119:105).
While failing is part of life, the truth is that you are not a failure. You are a conqueror, and even if you fall, you will once again soar on wings like an eagle (Isaiah 40:31). Reigniting the warrior in you may take some time, but with God, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). As you move forward, strip failures’ power over you and choose to see failure as a teacher, not a definer. Faithfully continue to DREAM: Draw upon His lessons; Reconnect with Him; Envision; Act; Meditate.
Remember, you are not your failures; you are indeed an overcomer in Jesus Christ! As His precious children, let’s share with the world our “overcoming†testimony (James 1:12).
WOW!! What a word! Thank you, once again, Odile for this amazing message.
You can connect with Odile at:
www.instagram.com/ntentionalw/
And if you are interested in guest writing for my blog please contact me! I would LOVE to work with you.
With Love,
Heidy
Let’s connect!
Instagram.com/Heidy.Delacruz13
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