Liz Blog, Faith

God Knows the Full Story | Peace in the Storm (Part One)

Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.

(Philippians 1:12 NIV)

God has always known the full story.

In January, I challenged myself to read the full Bible, cover to cover, book to book, over the course of the year for the first time in my life.

Trust me, it hasn’t been easy to be consistent! A few short weeks later, I started a new job. My day-to-day life drastically changed, becoming busier than ever, and I’ve rarely had time for myself. 

But little did I know, just as my world had changed, the rest of the world would soon change. The coronavirus outbreak arrived. A storm that no one anticipated. Many plans have been cancelled. Fear and worry emerged. Sickness. Unemployment. An unknown future for many, and for others, perhaps just an inconvenience that they’re waiting to be over.

Either way, for the first time — in my limited perspective — I have seen the world stop. 

Or, at least, being forced to do so.  

Now, there’s something that has struck me in the past months of reading through the Bible that I can’t ignore.

No matter what has happened in this world, God has always had a plan and a purpose.

Continue reading “God Knows the Full Story | Peace in the Storm (Part One)” →

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Liz Blog, Faith

Your Status Doesn’t Matter: God Can Still Use You

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

(2 Corinthians 9:8 ESV)

What’s holding you back?

Too many times we believe the idea that we need to “level up” before God uses us. That we need to look a certain way first, make a certain amount of money first, figured out this or that first, get (insert a major goal of yours) first.

And trust me, I’ve been there, too. We live in a world that demands certain qualifications before the job, the school, the opportunity, the next step. We often base our value on our resumes or the amount of likes we get on Instagram. 

But what if none of these things really mattered?

Continue reading “Your Status Doesn’t Matter: God Can Still Use You” →

Liz Blog, Faith, Trust Series

Stop Being Afraid of Ruining God’s Plan for Your Life | Trust Series (Part One)

We often say we want God’s plan for our life. God’s best for us. God’s purpose for us. God’s blessing for us.

But when it comes to actually discerning His will, things can feel a little blurry.

We easily can fall into the trap of overthinking God’s plan. Feeling confidence one day about a new direction, then complete confusion the next. Asking countless questions without finding peace in answers. Being so hard on ourselves that we think we’re not good enough for what God has for us.

Whether we realize it or not, we may be approaching His will wrongly. Making it an option over a command. Making it a complicated mystery over a practical lifestyle. Making it about fearing irreversible mistakes over embracing growth and truth.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll learn how to understand and follow God’s path for our lives in the Trust Series. This three-part blog series will cover:

  • Having the courage to GO when God says, “Yes” (Part One)
  • Discerning God’s true gifts when they appear (Part Two)
  • Examining our lives to know whether we’re walking in obedience (Part Three)

Today, in Part One, we’re tackling the fear of taking steps of faith. This part is for those with the willing heart. Those who are ready for obedience and who are walking in it, ready for God to move.

Continue reading “Stop Being Afraid of Ruining God’s Plan for Your Life | Trust Series (Part One)” →

Liz Blog, Life

3 Ways to Be More Financially Confident

We all want to be confident. From faith to relationships to everyday life, having a sense of confidence propels us to live the purpose we were created for with boldness. But if there’s one area that can be challenging to gain that security, it’s finances.

Whether you’re in college or tackling the post-grad world, these early stages of adulthood are the best times to organize your financial life! Like confidence, financial peace is a process. However, if we want to improve our relationship with money, we must learn to approach finances with the right mindset.

By adjusting our perspective and making small steps, we can easily build money confidence. Money confidence is having a healthy, realistic outlook on your finances and the knowledge and tools to handle them wisely. With time, we will find freedom from fear and build smart habits that can change our lives.

Continue reading “3 Ways to Be More Financially Confident” →

Liz Blog, Faith

Do It Scared

Whenever I am afraid,

I will trust in You.

(Psalm 56:3 NKJV)

I remember my first roller coaster.

It was a warm, summer afternoon at a small, amusement park outside of town.

Among the day campers, families, and tired employees, there it was–

One of the two only rollercoasters in the entire kiddy park. Tracks shaped into small hills, slight turns, and barely-there dips. A train shaped like a friendly, green dragon that glided through it all.

I started to cry.

I was tall enough to ride the coaster, but young enough to be terrified of it.

Moments later, I was sitting next to Dad, strapped in–about to take it head on. Needless to say, I wasn’t ready. When the ride started, I cried so much that the operator stopped it so I could get off.

Years later, roller coasters became one of my favorite thrills. I don’t remember the time I tried a roller coaster for the second time, but at some point I made up my mind to face the fear–again. And as a result, I found something I love to do till this day.

My most precious experiences in life began with feelings of fear. Getting my first summer job. Taking a driver’s test to get my license. Moving out of state for college. Launching a public blog. Becoming a leader in a college ministry. Pursuing a career after college. The list goes on. Although I might have began these situations afraid, they pushed me towards major growth, deepened my relationship with God, helped me discover interests I love, and introduced me to people I would have never met.

Do you stop at the point of fear when an unfamiliar situation arises? Or do you rise to the occasion?

Continue reading “Do It Scared” →