“We hold ourselves back in ways both big and small, by lacking self-confidence, by not raising our hands, and by pulling back when we should be leaning in.”
That quote is from Sheryl Sandberg’s book Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead. After I read this book I was intrigued with the idea of Leaning In . . . to God. Throughout the book one message rings clear, if you want something or want to do something then you have to stand up for it and sometimes fight for it. Are you, as a Woman of Faith, ‘fighting’ for the ONE relationship that matters most?
Let’s look into this concept LEAN IN. I love acronyms so I have devised this one to help you visualize the actions behind it.
L- listen to God
E- evaluate and re-frame your viewpoint
A- access His power
N- note or place your attention, reflect
I- imitate the Father and Christ
N- His name, your reputation and whose you are.
Only by pulling together each of these actions can you have a growing faith-life that is not dependent on your church attendance but is dependent on God.
What is possible by Leaning In to God? Everything. First, you need to fill up on Him each day by taking time with Him. Then you can access His super-abundance by creating habits that matter. You take control of your spiritual growth by cooperating with God. AND, you show your commitment to the Father in your actions each day.
Leaning In to God takes your Heart, Soul, Mind and Strength. It begins with looking on the inside. Your Heart represents your feelings and emotions. Your Soul is that part of you that is imaginative and just knows when something is right, your intuition. The Mind incorporates your intellect and also gives you your ability to reason. Your Strength includes your actions and your experiences. God tells us to love Him with all these parts of ourselves. Only by cultivating practices that grow your faith in a way that makes sense to you will you actually follow through and be consistent in Leaning In to God.
This decision sometimes occurs because you desire it and make the choice to pursue it. Other times it can be thrust on you and it hits you at the core of your being, and then you grow into the spirit-filled woman God desires.
Where are you right now? Are you at a place where God has stripped you of something you thought was important? Is He placing this desire in you to know Him better?
Don’t wait! I don’t want you to have to go through something devastating to realize that God wants your attention. This inside work is the most important work you will do. Understanding YOU better and how you are wired is the key. Learning to love God with ALL your Heart, Soul, Mind and Strength will satisfy you.
How? The Personalized Faith Plan. It cuts through the ins and outs of trying to figure out what type of Bible study really motivates you to be consistent in your time with Him, and it gives you unique ways to pray so that you connect your heart to God’s heart. This personality profile driven method helps you understand yourself better so you can connect to God in the way you were created.
Imagine, Leaning In– to God, in your way; Leaning In to God the way He designed you. Don’t hold back from Him out of your fears or out of a lack of self-confidence. Raise your hand and say, “I will do it”. Step forward and make a commitment TO do it. And, Lean In to God . . .
Be filled to overflowing,
Deneen
P.S. To learn more about a Personalized Faith Plan (PFP), connect with me to set up your discovery session.
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