I will be the first to say that I firmly know all good things come from God and He never causes anything bad or harmful on His children. I also believe that God uses all things for His glory and will use the most difficult and dark places to shine His light, all while growing us in the process. Recently, I found myself in that exact spot. April 27, 2019 was my husband and I’s five year wedding anniversary. We were having the time of our life celebrating in Key West, Florida.

We were shark fishing that day, far out beyond any cell service. Our fishing trip had come to an end and we were on our way back in, when I decided to see if I had any service on my cell phone. I picked up my phone and it immediately began to be filled with multiple messages, missed calls and voicemails. As I tried to make sense of what was going on, the first one I read said, “you need to call me right now!” My heart dropped in that moment thinking what if my son was hurt and as I started to tell my husband my phone began to ring. It was as if the moment had froze in time. One of our businesses had caught on fire. As we began to get details we were relieved that thankfully no one was hurt and the building only had minor damage.

We returned from our trip two days later to begin the process of dealing with the aftermath of getting the restaurant reopened and all that it entailed. To say it was a process would be such an understatement. Every single time we thought something was going to get accomplished there was another set back. I could literally feel the weight of the devil on my shoulders and was mentally overwhelmed. We needed to get reopened and get these employees working again ASAP. I was so disgusted with the situation. I felt so overwhelmed and defeated that I honestly couldn’t even pray.

I felt like I was in a nightmare that was never going to end. Fast forward and we’ve reopened for three weeks now! I would be lying if I didn’t tell you there was a fear in the back of my head lingering as to whether we would be busy or not. I am happy to report that God blew that lie up in an instant! We have been doing better than ever!!

You know those times when a storm comes through, and the immature trees seem to get uprooted and destroyed by the littlest of winds yet the big mature trees stay rooted through it all. I am learning that through the storms of life is where our maturity in God is tested.

We all go through storms. It’s just part of life. But it’s in those storms that we get to hold on and let God do what He does best. This was a learning and growing process for me, just as each storm is. I am learning to keep my eyes fixed on Him, to not focus on the storm but the one who controls it all. I am growing, my roots are becoming deeper and deeper, and Father is revealing to me where my roots need to grow even more. It’s ok to admit you feel helpless. It’s ok to feel overwhelmed. Just remember not to stay there. There is always victory in Jesus!

I pray that your roots in Him would grow deeper and deeper and I challenge you to share your growing moments with others. They may be right where you are and need that word of encouragement.

Blessings,
Joanna

Hold On

Have you ever been at you witt’s end? On the struggle bus? Holding on by a thread? Or a mere finger?!

Friend, I have totally been there, done that and am back around again. The truth is it’s so easy to nonchalantly read scripture or pray for people when we haven’t went through something ourselves. But it’s not until the rubber meets the road and you find yourself exactly in that all too familiar place that things get real.

I am here to tell you, “Hold On! Hold on because it will be worth it. You were created for this. And our Heavenly Father is on your side and He always, always wins.”

As much as we all want that magic pill with Amazon Prime shipping to solve all our issues and answer all our promises, it just isn’t so. And rightly for a good reason.

Even in times of trouble we have a joyful confidence, knowing that our pressures will develop in us patient endurance. And patient endurance will refine our character, and proven character leads us back to hope. And this hope is not a disappointing fantasy, because we can now experience the endless love of God cascading into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who lives in us! Romans 5:3-5

It’s in those weak moments, those moments of uncomfortability and stretching, that God reveals who He is and who He created us to be. If God places something in your heart, know that He will come through. It may not look like you expect or when you expect it but I promise it will happen!! Why?! Because He’s a good good Father who keeps every promise He makes. And He never just barely meets our expectations but always exceeds them beyond our wildest dreams.

So when you feel like giving up, when you’re doubting why you ever stepped out in the first place or question if you even heard God correctly, don’t! God is taking you on this journey to the promise land and has equipped you with everything you need. Just remember, He gives nothing but good gifts to His children and He supplies every single one of your needs.

Hold on.

Blessings, 
Joanna

P.S. This song is on my heart and I pray it blesses you
 Feeling Low by United Pursuit

Do you ever hear God whispering to you to take the next step and you push Him to the side, thinking "no way!?" Trust me, I have been there. Actually, I just went through it. I was at that point in my life that I had become quite comfortable; so comfortable that I could just stay warm and cozy in my little spot while patting myself on the back for the nice job that I was doing. I mean, I was doing it unto the Lord, right?!

As much as God loves to see us happy, He loves even more for us to be full of Him and living out the purpose and plan He has for our life. He loves us so much that He constantly has new heights and depths to take us and help us grow. And with new places comes new adventures. 

Last fall, I started hosting a monthly women's worship night in my home. It was a dream that God had placed in my heart a couple years back in a house that we hadn't even built at the time. Two years ago, we weren't even in this house and I only had a keyboard to write and worship. Fast forward to last year, we were in our new home and a baby grand sat there in the corner. Roughly 12 women or so in my home gathered around this piano as worship filled the room. Dreams had come to life. Dreams you could reach out and touch, as tangible as His presence. 

I took this past summer off but started the worship nights back up last month and I will continue them until God tells me otherwise. You see, when I started those worship nights up I felt God was using me to minister to people. Little did I know, He had greater plans to stretch me, to mold me, to change me. I've learned so much in this past year about myself and the way God's Kingdom operates just by hosting these worship nights. I've opened my home to countless women across the community; many who I had never met or seen. I was able to connect with people and just allow God to use me to give them a night of rest in His presence. 

As the summer had been passing, I knew God was calling me to step deeper in. There was an opportunity for me to start playing backup piano at church. I was absolutely not ready for that and felt like I wouldn't be for a while. Playing piano by yourself is totally different than playing with a full band; Not to mention, being live-streamed and in front of an audience. Plus, I was so used to singing all the time and using that gift that I almost felt empty without it being on the forefront.

There were many times I was needing to step up but I just kept avoiding it. After all, I was so comfortable where I was. But of course, God wanted more for me and He used my seven-year-old son to speak to me since I didn't want to listen. Two separate times my son randomly asked me why mommy played piano at home but never at church. My response was simply, "I don't know." Just a day or two after he asked me the second time, I learned that someone had stepped back for a while and the spot would be open for me to help. I knew it was time. Did I feel ready? No. Did I feel like my skills were good enough? Absolutely not. Was it going to be scary? Yes. Was I going to mess up? Of course.

We all want to feel important, to feel known, and to be used. God see's us exactly like that and it's up to us to respond to Him. I was pondering on Proverbs 3:5-6 and just got caught up on that word acknowledge.
 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
 

In all your ways acknowledge Him. How do you exactly acknowledge God? I know that when my husband enters a room, I acknowledge Him. How? Out of respect, I stop what I'm doing and speak to him. Out of love, I see if there is anything that I can do for him. Isn't that how we should be with our Heavenly Father? Each day we greet Him, we take time to listen to Him, hear Him out and see if there is anything He would like for us to do. I know I love my husband so much I want to do whatever I can to make him happy, to please him, to let him know that I care and  appreciate him. That's exactly how our lives for Christ should be.

We have to stop ignoring God and pushing him to the side. It's time we acknowledge Him for who He really is and show Him that our love for Him outweighs any fear we may have. Yes, we may not know exactly where He is calling us or how we are even going to get there. The unknown can surely be scary but listening to God shouldn't be. If God promises to follow us every single day of our life with His goodness and mercy and we know that His promises never fail, then what do we have to fear?!

Fall in love with Jesus. Fall so deeply and madly in love with Him that whatever He asks you to do, you don't have to think twice. Pursue Him above everything else. Comfortability has no place in the Kingdom. If you want growth, change is required. If you want to experience every facet of God and His love, you have to get up, get going, and follow His voice wherever it may take you.

Blessings,

Joanna

It is well with my soul. Those words have been an anthem in my life and have brought such breakthrough when I felt like all walls were closing in. That old hymn still rings true in my spirit and actually rose up from inside of me when I was going through a rough patch last year.

I had came across a sign from a shop online that mimicked the hymn page of that beloved song for quite a while. The only thing holding me back was the price. It wasn’t that I couldn’t afford it but I held out because I just didn’t want to spend that much. Store after store I would see a sign that said “it is well” but none compared to the one I had picked out in my head and pictured on my wall. Fast forward, as months went by and still this particular wall in my favorite room of the house was left blank. This past May, I was on a girl’s trip to Waco and you know you can’t do Waco without a visit to Magnolia and The Silo’s. My name isn’t similar to Joanna Gaines for nothing! This girl loves to decorate!!!

While we were shopping in The Silo’s, I came across a sign that said, “it is well with my soul” and while I loved it, it just didn’t live up to the replica of a hymn sheet that I wanted. I started telling all my girlfriends the backstory and decided to take a picture with the sign in the store.

The very next day, we went to an antique store in downtown Waco. We were shopping around and lo and behold, there was the exact thing that I had been holding out for and it only cost $35!!! I snatched it up as quick as I could and squealed! I could not believe it.

This had made my whole entire trip. You see, God knew how much that sign meant to me. Sure, it was just a sign to some people but to me it was so much more. That sign with those words brought truth and hope every time I saw them. I couldn't help but sing them and my mind couldn't help but wander back to where God used those lyrics to deliver me. It was such a sweet reminder of how much God truly does care about His children and delighting in bringing them joy.

When I give my seven-year-old gifts, I delight in seeing how happy it makes him and the light that sparkles in His eyes. Father God loves to give His children good gifts. Never minimize the things you care about because you think God doesn’t. The fact is, if it matters to you then it matters to Him.

So if you, who are sinful, know how to give your children good gifts, how much more so does your Father in heaven, who is perfect, know how to give great gifts to His children! Matthew 7:11

Blessings,

Joanna

I was pondering this morning on God's goodness and I couldn't help but think about the encounters, experiences and lessons I have had with Jesus. And then I began to think about what a blessing and encouragement it is to hear about other's stories and God began to speak to my heart. May we fully experience God’s love for ourselves. As good as it is, we cannot live off of what other people experience and their encounters. We must taste and see for ourselves.
 

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Psalm 34:8 NIV

Drink deeply of the pleasures of this God. Experience for yourself the joyous mercies he gives to all who turn to hide themselves in him. Psalm 34:8 TPT

The Passion Translation says, “The Hebrew root word for see is taken from a word that means to drink deeply." What does it really mean? That we don’t need just a sip of God. You know that saying, “A little dab will do”?! That’s definitely not the case with Jesus. We are called to drink deeply and that means each and everyone of us.

God created us to have an intimate relationship together. It can be so easy to want to reap the reward from someone else’s harvest but that won’t get you very far. Hard work and perseverance pays off and so does experiencing things for yourself. You know those times you hear people talking about something and inside you immediately connect with them and what they’re saying because you have personally been there yourself. It’s like the difference between book smarts and street smarts. There’s nothing quite like going through something, enduring the trials, rejoicing in the reward, and fully living your life for God. Nothing compares to intimacy with God and fully knowing who He is, experiencing Him for yourself, and making memories together.
 

There’s a mentality in the world today that tricks us into thinking we don’t have to put in hard work and figure things out for ourselves but rather just live off someone else. This mentality is a form of laziness and causes us to want to always eat from someone else’s plate instead of fixing our own. And while there’s nothing wrong with sharing, God wants a personal intimate relationship with you; not just mutual friends. You know those people that you don’t really know on a personal level, just through mutual friends on Facebook. And while you follow their life on social media and like their posts you still don’t really know a thing about them besides what you see through there.

Fear lies to us by convincing us relationships aren’t for everyone. You could get hurt so just keep your distance. Why put in the work when I can get the same thing for less work?

Wrong.

There is no bland, one sizes fits all with Jesus. There’s only intimacy. He wants all of you. He wants you to know the deepest parts of His heart and walk through every valley and mountain top with you. Open up. Let Him in. Invite Him to be a part of everything you do and who you are.

We can be sure that we’ve truly come to live in intimacy with God,  not just by saying, “I am intimate with God,” but by walking in the footsteps of Jesus. 1 John 2:5-6 TPT

Continue to grow and increase in God’s grace and intimacy with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. May he receive all the glory both now and until the day eternity begins. Amen! 2 Peter 3:18 TPT

Listen here. Intimacy by Jonathan David Helser

Blessings,

Joanna

I feel like there is this constant battle with being content where you are yet knowing God has more for you. Have you ever received a word from someone regarding something in your life, longed for change in a situation or even wanted something? I know I have. I also know some changes and answers come quickly and some are still yet to be fulfilled. And you know what? That’s ok.

Everything isn’t meant to happen right away. The old saying is so true, “Change doesn’t happen overnight.” As true as it is, it sure doesn’t make it any easier. I’ve been where you are, playing the not-so-nice waiting game. In fact, I am right now. It’s very uncomfortable when you’re right in the middle of being molded. On one hand you are settled where He has you but on the other hand you still feel the expectancy of His promises that are to come.

As much as I want to know all the answers to every problem, I don’t. So I choose to rest in the fact that God does, and since He is my Father and won’t hold any good thing from me, I will sit here and wait. I’ll wait as long as it takes. It may be tomorrow or it could be 20 years. Trust God’s perfect timing, infinite wisdom, and abundant answers. Don’t resist what God wants to do but also don’t rush it.

I was asked a couple months back to write a song for a young women’s night at my church that was being led by a dear friend. When she told me she wanted me to write one just for that night, I already had a song I had just finished writing and settled for that one. Lo and behold, God had other plans. The night before the women’s ministry, God laid a song on my heart so quick and clear and I wrote it right then.


Songwriting is a process. Sometimes it comes so easy and other times nothing ever comes of what I started. And although the message is about being content and expectant at the same time, it’s also about being obedient. I settled for a song I had already wrote at first but then when I finally began to really ask God what He wanted (out of obedience), He let me know. Maybe what you’re waiting is meant for now. Maybe it’s not. Just make sure you’re obedient with what you have.
 

God takes great pride in His work. He puts all His attention into each detail and makes sure everything is just right. He is creating a masterpiece and that masterpiece is you. The song I wrote for the ladies night is titled, Masterpiece. Below is a link to listen. I pray it ministers to you.

Listen here. https://youtu.be/mgOGHZKQ8zI

Blessings,

Joanna

Take a moment and think. How many times have you learned to live with your problems, issues, illnesses, etc? I know I certainly have. We believe the lie that things aren’t going to change and we adapt and settle. But when you settle for something, it’s not what you really wanted or what you had your heart set on and when you settle for something against God’s word it isn’t what He intended for you either. Settling is accepting mediocre. Mediocre is barely getting by, just normal or average. God didn’t send His son to die on the cross so you could just live a mediocre life! He came so that you would live abundantly!

A thief has only one thing in mind—he wants to steal, slaughter, and destroy. But I have come to give you everything in abundance, more than you expect—life in its fullness until you overflow! John 10:10 TPT

For far too long, we have allowed the enemy to come in and steal from us. We’ve let him continually beat us down and believed the lie that it’s how life is going to be. God has more for you and everyone around you! He has so much more for His Kingdom! It is time to quit settling. There is more. There is greater. Dare to believe!

Dare to believe. This phrase has such great meaning to me because while I was praying and asking the Lord for direction while I was designing shirts last year, I came upon these three words in Mark chapter 5. As I’m sure most of us are familiar with, there was a woman with an issue of blood who had been bleeding for 12 years. Her problem had not gotten better but actually worse. She had been to numerous doctors and done everything possible but nothing helped. I’m sure at some point she settled. She learned to live with her issue. She identified with it and believed the lie that it’s how life was going to be.

Until one day, her desperation surpassed her choice to settle. She heard about Jesus and decided that she was going to do whatever it took to get to Him, if that meant walking out in public where she was looked down upon as unclean and dirty, if it meant pushing through a crowd of people, if it meant stepping out and acknowledging in front of everyone she had touched Jesus, she didn’t care. She moved pass comfortability in order to obtain abundance. As soon as she touched Jesus' garment, she was healed and His reply was,

“Daughter, because you dared to believe, your faith has healed you. Go with peace in your heart, and be free from your suffering!” Mark 5:34 TPT

Last year, right after Thanksgiving I was hospitalized from strep throat and became septic. I was severely sick and in the worst pain of my life. At one point I thought things had started getting better but then they started getting worse again. One night in the hospital I was literally in so much pain that I could barely swallow and was using tissues to spit so I didn't have to swallow. Even drinking lidocaine didn't help the pain and my nurses wouldn't give me any stronger meds until the next dr came. I was in such desperation that I began to cry out to God from my hospital bed in the middle of the night. I was desperate for change. I didn't care who heard me or what I sounded like. I needed a healing!

Dare to believe. Dares aren’t easy. They are hard, intimidating, seem impossible and scary. I can vividly remember as a child playing truth or dare and just waiting for the other person to dare me to do something that was way out of my comfort zone. Jesus said, “Dare to Believe”. Believing involves action. What's holding you back from acting on what God has from you? Is it fear, disappointment, embarrassment, ego, etc? Don't allow these tactics from the enemy to hinder you any longer. Until you become desperate enough for change, you'll keep wallowing in the lie that life was meant to be that way. Change is a big dare; like a triple-dog dare. I dare you to believe that there is more for you, that it's better than where you are now, and now is the time to receive it!

Where are you today? Are you barely getting by? Are you settling in so many areas of your life? Do you feel like you have to pick and choose where you are thriving? Dare to believe. What is it you need? Healing, restoration in a relationship, a job, finances, salvation for someone, etc? It doesn’t matter how impossible it seems or long it’s went on. God wants your life to align with His will and His will is is that all creation would look like Heaven. God has a life of abundance for His children! Don’t settle for anything less.

 

Blessings,

Joanna

Dare to Believe Raglan Triblend Tee

Some days go as planned and others don’t and if we're being honest some days just plain stink. But right there in the middle of you throwing yourself a pity party, God's there to gently remind you that you're not in control, He is, and He’s got it all worked out.

Letting go; Something that is talked about so much yet is rarely fully embraced. Why?

We all have that area that grips us, that we are dead set on and has a strong hold on us. Do you know what that area represents? A place that you’ve allowed the devil's lie to become more real than God’s truth. It wasn’t overnight. Most of the time it never is. It’s over time that the enemy’s whispers become louder and louder until fear settles in and we forget who God really is. Or maybe you never fully understood God in that area of your life.

There’s something so manipulative about being in control that convinces us we’re a better person if we’re in charge of something. We feel this need to take ownership of things and hold them hostage.

The truth is God has been and is in control of it all from the very beginning. We tend to waste so much time and energy trying to fight for things that aren’t even ours to begin with; our finances, marriage, relationships, career, etc. 

If all good things are from Him and you are doing all things unto the Lord then why are you trying to control what only He has power over? And if you trust that He only has good things for you then why don’t you leave it all up to Him?! (I’ve heard His track record is perfect, by the way.)
 

Go ahead and make all the plans you want,
    but it’s the Lord who will ultimately direct your steps.
 We are all in love with our own opinions,
    convinced they’re correct.
    But the Lord is in the midst of us,
    testing and probing our every motive.
Before you do anything,
    put your trust totally in God and not in yourself.
    Then every plan you make will succeed.
Proverbs 16:1-3 TPT

Fear. Fear is the ultimate liar. It’s always up to no good, tricking us into believing that we can do a better job than God. And if you aren't careful, fear will rob you blind of all your peace. But thank God for His grace. Even when we try to do things on our own, He is always there to help us get back on the right path: His path. It's less about what we control and more about what we can let go of. After all, letting go tends to make the load lighter for the journey.

Wherever you are on your path today, know this: Whether you are experiencing turbulence or smooth sailing, severe storms or sunny and 75, all that matters is that you're on His path and He never takes us down the wrong one. Let go. Trust Him. He's got this. 

Listen to Letting Go by Steffany Gretzinger


Blessings,

Joanna

Have you ever gotten to the end of the rope? You feel like you just need to settle and move on from that particular dream in your life. That place is all too familiar to me but then something happened when I refused to settle for less than what I know God had for me. It can be so easy and tempting to become comfortable with the lies of the enemy. We can tend to have this now mentality that leaves us falling short of God's promise when we don't see the results in the time frame we want. And then there's the naysayers; the people who have spoken curses over our dreams that they will never come to pass. Well I'm here to tell you that you were born to defy the odds. You were created to live past your means and in the abundance of God's kingdom. 

Today marks one year. One year that I released my EP: Let's Run. I cannot begin to tell you the numerous times I had been prophesied over about released cd's and writing songs or the number of prayers and wishing and dreaming about it. God gave me this calling before I was ever born that doesn't mean it was going to be easy. Sometimes we have to fight for what we want and part of fighting includes waiting.

And there's something about when things finally come to pass that you have prayed for, longed for, and sewn into that is too powerful for words. It's not only a sigh of relief but a release for greater things because there is always more in God! He promises to do greater things than we can ever imagine. 

So I want to encourage you. Don't give up. Whatever that word that was spoken over you was, whatever that dream you have in your heart, whatever that breakthrough you are seeking for in your life, DO NOT GIVE UP!! Trust His timing and stand on His word! He never fails us and always does things bigger and way better than we can ever plan and even imagine!



You can listen to Let's Run EP by Joanna Jones on Youtube, Itunes and Apple Music. Physical copies are available for purchase on the site.



Blessings,

Joanna

Have you ever felt like there was a wall between you and God? Almost, as if something blocked your relationship with Him that you really wanted. I have. In fact, there was a time when I was consistently growing in God but I was frustrated because I still felt like there was so much more He had for me and somehow I couldn’t reach it. My prayers turned into pleas and begging. And then came this dream that changed everything.
 

I had went in to get a massage at a local spa and I drifted off to sleep as I usually do but this time it was different. God spoke to me in a dream right there on that massage bed. I saw myself sitting on God’s lap as I so often do when I close my eyes in worship but this time was different. This time, I could hear what me and God were talking about. As I came and sat in His lap, Father God asked me what was it that I wanted in such a genuine way. My reply, “to go deeper in you.” That really was and had been my heart cry for those past couple of months. He responded to my cry in the most bold yet sweetest way saying, “ What are you waiting for?!” He took me by the hand and showed me this place where there were endless fruit trees. The fruit represented all the things of the Kingdom and he spoke these words to me: “What’s mine is yours.”

Mic drop. Something so simple yet profound that broke that barrier down between us. All that time I had felt something blocking me from what He had for me when it was just a lie that I had believed; that I had to ask God like a stranger for everything. When all along, He had already given me full access to everything He has because He is that good of a Father. You know when you go to your parents house and you’re hungry, you don’t just tip toe around and ask for everything or even wait for them to ask you. You are so comfortable and established with them that you open the fridge and get whatever you want. It’s already understood that you can have anything you see.

That is the very nature of God.

His heart for us is the very definition of a Father and the model of family. When we acknowledge and understand who He wants to be to us and how He wants to do life with us, everything changes right then and there.

“If you, imperfect as you are, know how to lovingly take care of your children and give them what’s best, how much more ready is your heavenly Father to give wonderful gifts to those who ask him?” Matthew 7:11

He wants to do every day life with you. From the time you wake up to in the middle of the night when you dream. He longs for such a deep, intimate relationship with you. And even more than that, He wants you to know who He is because when you really no someone then you are able to think and act like them.

That dream represented then and now breakthrough. It erases all the misconceptions I had about who a Father was and established what my Heavenly Father wants our relationship to mirror. And out of that dream birthed a song. A song that allowed me to process that I don’t have to wait for God to come to me for things. He has given me complete and total freedom as His daughter to access anything that is His. Below are the lyrics to the song and here is a link to listen.

Today marks Good Friday: The day that Jesus made the decision to endure everything we ever would so that we could experience every part of who He is. That veil of separation was torn so that you can have intimacy and freedom instead.

And now we are brothers and sisters in God’s family because of the blood of Jesus, and he welcomes us to come right into the most holy sanctuary in the heavenly realm—boldly and with no hesitation. For he has dedicated a new,life-giving way for us to approach God. For just as the veil was torn in two, Jesus’ body was torn open to give us free and fresh access to him!
Hebrews 10:19-20

Blessings,

Joanna

Already Here
Written by Joanna Jones

Vs1
I don’t have to wait any longer
I don’t have to break through
‘Cause you’re already here
You’re already here

Chorus
Come and crash down my walls
Invade my space
Come and wreck me with your love
And move in this place

Vs2
I don’t have to work up a feeling
I don’t have to beg you to come
‘Cause you’re already here
You’re already here

Bridge
I’ll take all that I can get
I’m ready to receive
What’s yours is mine
And you have all I need

If you’ve ever struggled with insecurities, you know they can be a best kept secret. And just when you feel great about your life, you see someone make a post on social media or overhear someone talking and you start comparing.

They say comparison is the thief of joy. It’s more than that. Comparison will rob you blind if you let it. A friend and I recently had a conversation about comparison and how for her, just even getting on social media causes her to want things that she didn’t really want in the first place and forget about the blessings she already has. The truth is this: That new house isn’t going to make you eternally happy. That new body isn’t going to fix your internal issues. Whenever you look at someone and then immediately have negative thoughts about yourself, there’s a deeper root at issue.

It is a key part of the Kingdom of God that we celebrate one another, not compare. I heard Bill Johnson recently say this and it spoke so strongly to my heart: “Jealousy is the mindset that God doesn’t have enough for you.” When you become jealous of someone or something, you choose to partner with the lie that God doesn’t have enough for you when in reality God has nothing but good things for you. In fact, His plans are so great for you that He has even better than you can imagine. The problem is we so easily want to look at what everyone around us has instead of what we already have in front of us and what God says He has planned for our future. Trust me, I am in no way saying to not have nice things or to choose a life of poverty. I mean to tell you to not get so distracted on what everyone else is doing that you miss what God has for you.

We must focus on what we already have and make a choice to live from a heart of thankfulness. Thankfulness is posture of the heart, not an emotion. It is a firm grounding that you live daily from, not a place you sway back and forth. You have to learn to be thankful even when you don’t see the things in front of you. Thankfulness is more than materialistic things. It’s a mindset that whatever God chooses for you, you will trust Him and thank Him for always doing what is best.

That girl who has the perfect body: good for her!

That family that just built their dream home: awesome!

That person that just landed that amazing job: great!

Learn to celebrate people, not compare them to yourself.

Everyday, choose to have a heart of thankfulness.

Thankfulness comes from being confident in who God is and the plans He has for you.

Next time you are feeling insecure and unaware about who you are know this:

 Lord, you know everything there is to know about me.
You perceive every movement of my heart and soul,
  and you understand my every thought before it even enters my mind. You are so intimately aware of me, Lord.
    You read my heart like an open book and you know all the words I’m about to speak before I even start a sentence! You know every step I will take before my journey even begins.
You’ve gone into my future to prepare the way, and in kindness you follow behind me to spare me from the harm of my past.
    With your hand of love upon my life, you impart a blessing to me.
This is just too wonderful, deep, and incomprehensible!
    Your understanding of me brings me wonder and strength. Where could I go from your Spirit?Where could I run and hide from your face? If I go up to heaven, you’re there!
    If I go down to the realm of the dead, you’re there too!
If I fly with wings into the shining dawn, you’re there!
    If I fly into the radiant sunset, you’re there waiting!
 Wherever I go, your hand will guide me;
    your strength will empower me.
 It’s impossible to disappear from you or to ask the darkness to hide me,
    for your presence is everywhere, bringing light into my night.
 There is no such thing as darkness with you.
    The night, to you, is as bright as the day;
    there’s no difference between the two.
You formed my innermost being, shaping my delicate inside
    and my intricate outside,
    and wove them all together in my mother’s womb.
 I thank you, God, for making me so mysteriously complex!
    Everything you do is marvelously breathtaking.
    It simply amazes me to think about it!
    How thoroughly you know me, Lord!
You even formed every bone in my body
    when you created me in the secret place,
    carefully, skillfully shaping me from nothing to something.
You saw who you created me to be before I became me!
    Before I’d ever seen the light of day,
    the number of days you planned for me
    were already recorded in your book.
Every single moment you are thinking of me!
    How precious and wonderful to consider
    that you cherish me constantly in your every thought!
    O God, your desires toward me are more
    than the grains of sand on every shore!
    When I awake each morning, you’re still with me. 
Psalm 139: 1-18

Blessings,

Joanna

I’m not writing this to simply make you feel warm and fuzzy. And I’m definitely not writing this to waste your time. I want to be real with you. After all, that’s what you want isn’t it?!

News Flash: As if you already didn’t know, life can throw some major curve balls your way. The thing is this: in every situation we are dealt, we have the greatest power, a choice. We cannot always control what happens to us but we always get to choose how we will respond.

On a personal level, I have been dealing with some issues. Note to self and to others reading this: googling your problems doesn’t help. I have prayed and prayed and prayed and asked for prayer and confessed my answer 50-11-100 times. Do you hear what I’m saying?! I desperately want to be healed. Last week, I literally threw my hands up and just lost it. “God, I don’t know what else I can take.” And then these words followed”...but God I trust you and I know you are good.”

Satan wants me to quit so bad. He has been on my back trying to stop me in my tracks. But every time he thinks he has won, I just give me a good throat punch and confess how much I know that God is in control and always ALWAYS has good plans for me! When things are difficult and we don’t see the change like we want, it can be so easy to want to give up. Don’t let your impatience and lack of understanding rob you of God’s plan for your life. You will never understand all of God’s plans or know the answer to all His ways so stop trying and start trusting. Satan wants to use your weakness for his gain. Instead, ask God to reveal where you are lacking and to fill you in all areas of your life.

I know that I know that I know that everything good is from God and everything else is not. It hurts my heart for people to question God’s will and to settle for something that isn’t part of God’s plan. So many people pray for God’s will to be done but then when things happen and they don’t fully understand why, they just throw it off on “it must be God’s will.” What is God’s will, exactly?! On earth as it is in Heaven. It means that your life and everything around you would be an exact reflection of God and who He is. So, let’s set this straight.

Sickness and disease. Not God’s will

Broken family and relationships. Not God’s will

Poverty and living in debt. Not God’s will

Bottom line: if it doesn’t exist in Heaven and doesn't align with His word, then it is not His will.

God’s will is for you to be completely whole and flourishing physically, spiritually, mentally, emotionally and financially. Whatever you do, do not stop until life and those around you look just like that. Hint: it’s a life journey.

Trust in the Lord completely, and do not rely on your own opinions. With all your heart rely on him to guide you, and he will lead you in every decision you make. Become intimate with him in whatever you do, and he will lead you wherever you go.
Proverbs 3: 5-6 The Passion Translation

Blessings,

Joanna

P.S. Listen to this song by Rita Springer "Worth it All"

Love is the answer 

I will not be overcome by fear for I am already an overcomer in Christ Jesus. The shooting in FL left me quite speechless yet one thing always remains: His love. And His love always wins. His love always overcomes darkness and fear. That is the answer. We have been given the power to spread God’s tangible love every single day everywhere we go.

Don’t take it lightly. Don’t let another day pass by and then shift back into your own circle. I am speaking to myself. We have to do better. We have to understand and put into action that the message of Jesus is about community and discipleship.

Never underestimate the power of God’s love. Surely, if it is strong enough to put death in its grave then it’s nothing for love to heal this nation!

Love. Even when it’s not convenient. Even when it’s uncomfortable. Even when it hurts. Love is a sacrifice. Real love, Christ’s love is how we heal. It’s how we grow. It’s how we show people the difference between phony love and real love. God’s love always stands the test of time.

Politics doesn’t win people over. Opinions don’t win people over. Hate doesn’t win people. Fear doesn’t win. Christ’s Love does. People are so hungry for something real. They are searching for something to quench their thirst and it’s our job as believers to show people what they are missing. It isn’t easy and there’s never a perfect time but oh is it worth it. Love is always the answer.

Blessings,
Joanna

If I could write a letter to me growing up, it would say:

Darling,

Things won’t always go your way.

You won’t be the popular girl.

People will be mean and exclude you from things.

They will talk about your freckles and call you ugly.

You won’t be invited to the parties or sleepovers.

The popular boys won’t like you.

But none of this really matters.

What matters is this:

You are enough.

You are beautiful.

You were created in God’s perfect image.

He has and always will be endlessly pursuing you.

Don’t worry about anything else besides pursuing Him back.

And when you do that, you will find your true identity in Him.

28 years old and I'm discovering more and more each day how desperately I need God more than anything else No matter what age or what I go through, His goodness is always the answer.

I don't know what your life was like growing up or even how it is now, but this one thing I do know: Darling, you are loved. You are sought after. You are priceless. You are worthy. You are chosen. You are important.

Today God wants to highlight you. He wants to let you know that no matter how anyone or anything has ever made you feel, the truth is who He says you are. You are His beloved. There's no better way to ring in the New Year than being confident in who God created you to be. So, hold your head high darling.