by Dr. Karen Lindwall-Bourg | May 20, 2020 | Blog, Celebrate Life!
from GriefBeliefs guide to Reconciling Grief and Mourning
Has someone you love, died or been lost to you in other ways? Is it possible to find a new normal, full of grace? Is a new life after loss within your reach?
Grueling and Full of Grace
I watched the movie “The Impossible” the other day. It’s been described as a film that is grueling and full of grace at the same. I have to agree! “The Impossible” is about the journey of the Bennett family in the wake of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. I suppose “the impossible” is that anyone survived at all and that a family of five survived and found each other after such a tragedy. I remember thinking that even though they did survive, nothing would ever be the same again.
Then I recalled the story of designer Nate Berkus who survived the same tsunami, although his partner did not. Nate came back to the States and talked openly about this harrowing experience and his tragic loss within days of the storm. At the time I was the Program Director of Journey of Hope Grief Support Center in Plano Texas and I read an article in a magazine where Nate talked about trying to find a “new normal” after this grueling experience. This was the first time I had really begun to understand that concept even though I had been widowed myself 11 years before, and striving to experience a full and joyful life after loss.
I was struck with the grace that he portrayed when he visited with and interviewed other survivors, when he accepted gracious care from those who were able to offer it and was patient with those who weren’t, when he responded to his family, his partner’s family and the families of so many who were lost.
From that point forward, we introduced the concept of the “new normal” to our grief group support clients and I still address this idea with clients another 10 years later when we talk about life after loss.
Reconciling Loss as Part of Life
In our book, Strength for the Journey: Help for the Whole Family in the Shadow of Grief and Mourning ($9.99 – all proceeds go to the Journey of Hope Grief Support Center), we added that the family needs to reconcile and learn to live with loss and the realization that life after loss will never be the same. They can gain a renewed sense of energy, confidence, and a desire to become newly involved in activities and to enjoy life again. They can eventually establish new and healthy relationships.
What this new normal means to each person after their unique life after loss is different. But it is possible!
Nate Berkus said there was finally a time when he saw a glimmer of his former self and knew that he had a second chance at life!
New Normal is Possible
As we celebrated the beginning of this New Year, I couldn’t help but think through new resolves that I wanted for this new era in my life after loss and my business. And I was reminded of this “new normal’ concept after a grueling loss, still full of grace and promise. I found a “new normal” after Tim’s death, not because I was strong or because I understood the tasks necessary to grow after such a loss, but because I had a strong faith in the Lord and because I was reminded of His ability to make all things new.
New Normal is Possible, because…
HE MAKES ALL THINGS NEW!
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, …through Christ…”
Read 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 – you are made new!
“ And He who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
Read Revelation 21:1-5 – there will be a new heaven and a new earth, no more mourning!
Listen to the song (God makes) All Things New – Steven Curtis Chapman
You smiled, You made the sun rise
To light up the very first day
You breathed across the water
And started the very first wave
It was You, You introduced Your Glory
To every living creature on earth
And they started singing
The first song to ever be heard they sang for You
Then the world was broken
Fallen and battered and scarred
You took the hopeless
The life wasted, ruined and marred and made it new
You turn winter into spring
You take every living thing
And You breathe the breath of life into it
Over and over again
You made the sunrise
Day after day after day
But there’s a morning coming
When old things will all pass away and everyone will see
Full Lyrics
New Normal is Possible, because…
HE DELIVERS AND RESTORES!
The Lord Had Pity
25 I will restore[d] to you the years
that the swarming locust has eaten,…
19 The Lord answered and said to his people,
“Behold, I am sending to you
grain, wine, and oil,
and you will be satisfied;
Read Joel 2:18-27
The Lord Will Pour Out His Spirit
28 [e] “And it shall come to pass afterward,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh;
32 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Read Joel 2: 28-32
New Normal is Possible, because…
HE REDEEMS AND SATISFIES!
4 He redeems your life from the pit,
and crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5 He satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Read Psalm 103:1-5
Will you believe God will fill you with the Grace of a “new normal” after this grueling loss?
Let me know if you need help!
Blessings,
Karen Lindwall-Bourg
“Achieve Levels of Success Worth Celebrating”
*Founder, Karen Bourg Companies http://karenbourg.com
*Owner, President {Inter}National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs/International Christian Mompreneur Network http://nacwe.org
*Founder, RHEMA Publishing House http://rhemapublishinghouse.com
*Founder, RHEMA Lakeside Retreat Center https://www.facebook.com/rhemaretreat/
*Founder, RHEMA Counseling Associates http://rhemacounseling.com
About Karen Lindwall-Bourg
Karen Lindwall-Bourg is the President of the {Inter} National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs [est. May 2010] and the new President of the International Christian Mompreneur Network [est. July 2010], both at http://nacwe.org . She and the NACWE Operations and Leadership Teams work diligently to provide
· Community
· Networking
· Education
· Missions
opportunities to Christian Women Entrepreneurs, Mompreneurs and Nanapreneurs alike all over the world!
Our Core Values are
· Community – we value Connection, Collaboration and Contribution
· Networking – we value Nurture, New relationships and New and innovative offers
· Education – we value Encouragement, Excellence and Expressiveness, and
· Missions – we value Ministry and Making a difference
Karen is wife to Fred, Mommy to 6 kids and 5 in-loves, Nana to “going-on” 12 grandchildren, and treat provider deluxe for a herd of Great Pyrenees who protect their north TX ranch! She is an entrepreneur coach, author, publisher, retreat hostess and more! Learn more about Mastermind groups and “Celebration” coaching with Karen at http://karenbourg.com.
by Dr. Karen Lindwall-Bourg | May 13, 2020 | Blog, Celebrate Life!
from GriefBeliefs guide to Reconciling Grief and Mourning
Recognize these common emotions of grief.
Families experience the pain of grief with a variety of universal or common emotional responses that are at the same time unique to the individual within the family. Some members of the family may experience:
- Denial – “I’m sure the officer has arrived at the wrong house.”
- Disbelief – “This cannot be happening!”
- Shock – “Oh, my goodness!”
- Anger – “Why did he have to buy that motorcycle in the first place?
- Bargaining – “If he survives this accident, I’ll never nag him again!”
- Guilt – “If only I had taken the job closer to home, then we could have shared a ride to work.”
- Fear – “How will I be able to raise the children without him?”
- Confusion – “Who are all these people and why are they here at this time of day?”
- Exhaustion – “I’m so tired, but I can’t make myself stop pacing the floors and just lie down to sleep.”
- Depression – “Life will never hold any meaning for me again.”
- Acceptance – “My grief is great, but I’m learning to live with it and to appreciate the heritage he has left for me and the children.”
These are just a few of the myriad emotions experienced by families in grief. It is important to understand that people experience these emotions in an unpredictable manner – sometimes feeling up and hopeful, at other moments feeling deeply depressed, on other days coasting along and feeling virtually no emotion at all. We have often remarked that the children and teens in our grief support groups experience grief in a roller-coaster fashion – if you could draw the three dimensional ride it would even sometimes come off the page toward and away from you at the same time! All of these emotions are a normal part of the grief and mourning process.
(from Karen’s book: Strength for the Journey)
Understand the emotions of grief from God’s perspective.
- God is always with us; He comforts us. (Psalm 23:4)
- He gives us power and he will transform and change us and we will be like him. (Philippians 3:21; 1 Corinthians 15:52; 1 John 3:2)
- Jesus suffered like we do, He shares in our humanity, calls us His brothers, and frees us from fear. (Hebrews 2:9-15)
- God strengthen us, He goes with us, and He will never leave us or forsake us. (Deuteronomy 31:6) He upholds us with His right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)
- He keeps us in perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3)
- He cares for and understands the brokenhearted; he heals the brokenhearted and binds up our wounds. (Psalm 47:3)
- His compassions never fail and are new every morning! (Lamentations 3:21-24)
- He can restore our joy! (Isaiah 51:11)
Seek to know who you are in Christ while burdened with the emotions of grief.
- We are precious in the sight of the Lord. (Psalm 116:15)
- Nothing can separate us from the love of God. (Romans 8:38-39)
- We live by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:6-8)
- We are His children, we will be like Him, and we will see Him as He is! (1 John 3:2)
- We are never alone because He goes with us and will never leave us or for sake us.(Deuteronomy 31:6)
- Gladness and joy will overtake us and sorrow and sighing will flee away. (Isaiah 51:11)
Purpose to respond to God during the emotions of grief.
- We can express our grief to God. David cried out in Psalm 31:9-10, “Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief. My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak.”
- We can trust Him and our hearts will not be troubled. (John 14:1)
- We do not need to be afraid. (Psalm 23:4; Deuteronomy 31:6; Isaiah 41:10; John 14:1)
- We can be confident and know that to live is Christ and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21-23) and He will never leave us or forsake us. (Deuteronomy 31:6)
- We can have hope because “the Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”(Lamentations 3:21 to 24; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52)
ALLOW ME TO BE YOUR COMPANION ON YOUR HEALING JOURNEY DURING GRIEF AND MOURNING.
Blessings,
Karen Lindwall-Bourg
“Achieve Levels of Success Worth Celebrating”
*Founder, Karen Bourg Companies http://karenbourg.com
*Owner, President {Inter}National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs/International Christian Mompreneur Network http://nacwe.org
*Founder, RHEMA Publishing House http://rhemapublishinghouse.com
*Founder, RHEMA Lakeside Retreat Center https://www.facebook.com/rhemaretreat/
*Founder, RHEMA Counseling Associates http://rhemacounseling.com
About Karen Lindwall-Bourg
Karen Lindwall-Bourg is the President of the {Inter} National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs [est. May 2010] and the new President of the International Christian Mompreneur Network [est. July 2010], both at http://nacwe.org . She and the NACWE Operations and Leadership Teams work diligently to provide
· Community
· Networking
· Education
· Missions
opportunities to Christian Women Entrepreneurs, Mompreneurs and Nanapreneurs alike all over the world!
Our Core Values are
· Community – we value Connection, Collaboration and Contribution
· Networking – we value Nurture, New relationships and New and innovative offers
· Education – we value Encouragement, Excellence and Expressiveness, and
· Missions – we value Ministry and Making a difference
Karen is wife to Fred, Mommy to 6 kids and 5 in-loves, Nana to “going-on” 12 grandchildren, and treat provider deluxe for a herd of Great Pyrenees who protect their north TX ranch! She is an entrepreneur coach, author, publisher, retreat hostess and more! Learn more about Mastermind groups and “Celebration” coaching with Karen at http://karenbourg.com.
by Dr. Karen Lindwall-Bourg | May 8, 2020 | Blog, Celebrate Life!
Is It Just Me—trying to “let go of crazy“ during these uncertain times?
As a counseling supervisor I warned my interns when the threat of pandemic began, “When a crisis like this comes upon us, you will find that counseling issues that have been buried deep within the hearts of your counselees, will suddenly rise to the surface.“ These were wise words! This has happened! This has happened for probably all of us who are in helping professions!
But I’m starting to wonder…
Is It Just Me?
- I have lost my purse and my keys more in the last month that I have in my lifetime!
Is It Just Me?
- All of a sudden, or not, when I create a title and record a live video and post said video, even after I’ve confirmed that it posted and re-watched the whole thing, I’ve come back to make another post and found that title sitting there in a unpublished post just waiting for me!
Is It Just Me?
- I’m stress eating and craving the weirdest things!
I’m trying to “let go of crazy“ during these uncertain times!
Is It Just Me?
- All of a sudden, or not, the insurance company I’ve been with for 25 years and my husband has been with for 41 years, is threatening not to cover me and wanting me to prove to them that I’ve been covered by their company for the last two years when, surely, they are sitting on those very records themselves!
Is It Just Me?
- Email accounts that have worked well for me for the past 17 years are not sending emails and, also, not notifying me that those emails were not sent!
Is It Just Me?
- All of a sudden, I am not receiving my own newsletters or blogs when this has not been a problem for the last 14 years!
I’m still trying to “let go of crazy“ during these uncertain times!
Is It Just Me?
- Is the water service different too? I feel as if I am having to shampoo and rinse an extra time to really get my hair to shine.
Is It Just Me?
- Two printers at the office and one printer at our home are not working. Fred, ever so frugal, worked on them all for hours and just when we were ready to put them in the truck and get rid of them, the one at home started printing beautifully!
Is It Just Me?
- On the way home from the office last night, I found myself sitting at the stop sign waiting for the light to turn! Geez!
Is It Just Me?
- I just tried to encourage a fellow Christian Woman Entrepreneur whose Internet will work in her living room but will not work in her office to purchase a WiFi Range Extender and unplugged it so I could show it to her! Then I wondered why I got kicked out of my own Zoom room/lost Internet connection! DUH! “If I only had a brain!”
I’m desperately trying to “let go of crazy“ during these uncertain times!
What about you?
What’s driving you bananas?
What are you doing to “let go of crazy” during these uncertain times?
ON A POSITIVE NOTE: I hope it’s not Just Me – trying to “let go of crazy“ during these uncertain times?
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17 ESV
I hope it’s not just me!
- I am enjoying time with my family more than ever before!
I hope it’s not just me!
- I am, finally, learning to cook! Well, sort of!
I hope it’s not just me!
- I am leaning into the Lord and trusting our Sovereign God has His Hand on this surreal situation we find ourselves in.
I hope it’s not just me!
- I am praising God that most of my business and ministry was conducted online in the first place because it has meant fewer adjustments for me and for my clients.
I hope it’s not just me!
- Fred and I, after 25 years of marriage, are reconnecting in sweet new ways!
I hope it’s not just me!
- I have to pinch and remind myself of what I have accomplished every week over this last month of sheltering in place; I’ve accomplished more than I did in the last quarter or maybe even two quarters!
I hope it’s not just me!
- I have been prayed over more diligently than ever before, and I have prayed for you more diligently than ever before!
What about you?
What blessings are you grateful for during these uncertain times?
CONTACT US:
Community -When you need a Nurturing, Active, group of like-minded Christian Women Entrepreneurs whose goals are to provide Community, Networking, Education and Missions opportunities – join the National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs (NACWE) on Facebook http://facebook.com/groups/NACWEFreedom / our Website http://nacwe.org Once you’ve gotten to know us, we hope you’ll consider joining our more Intimate and Elite Group as well. NACWE was established in 2010 and has served thousands of women across the United States AND the world!
Coaching & Writing -When you need small group Coaching/Masterminds and/or Individual Coaching with opportunities for trips, retreats, VIP Days and more to achieve extraordinary levels of success worth celebrating, join Me / Dr. Karen Website http://karenbourg.com/work-with-me I’ve been coaching since about 2007 when I opened a Private Practice Marriage and Family Therapy/Biblical Counseling Practice and realized to grow took a whole lot more than “when you build it, they will come”! It took knowing how to run a business/ministry God’s Way!
Conference -Also, we hope you’ll consider joining us for our ANNUAL Conference “Working God’s Way” north of Dallas September 18-19, 2020. Our keynote Speaker will be Shae Bynes, Co-Founder of Kingdom Driven Entrepreneur and the Author of Grace Over Grind. https://nacwe.org/savethedate2020conference/
READ MORE: Part 1, Part 2
Blessings,
Karen Lindwall-Bourg
“Achieve Levels of Success Worth Celebrating”
*Founder, Karen Bourg Companies http://karenbourg.com
*Owner, President {Inter}National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs/International Christian Mompreneur Network http://nacwe.org
*Founder, RHEMA Publishing House http://rhemapublishinghouse.com
*Founder, RHEMA Lakeside Retreat Center https://www.facebook.com/rhemaretreat/
*Founder, RHEMA Counseling Associates http://rhemacounseling.com
About Karen Lindwall-Bourg
Karen Lindwall-Bourg is the President of the {Inter} National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs [est. May 2010] and the new President of the International Christian Mompreneur Network [est. July 2010], both at http://nacwe.org . She and the NACWE Operations and Leadership Teams work diligently to provide
· Community
· Networking
· Education
· Missions
opportunities to Christian Women Entrepreneurs, Mompreneurs and Nanapreneurs alike all over the world!
Our Core Values are
· Community – we value Connection, Collaboration and Contribution
· Networking – we value Nurture, New relationships and New and innovative offers
· Education – we value Encouragement, Excellence and Expressiveness, and
· Missions – we value Ministry and Making a difference
Karen is wife to Fred, Mommy to 6 kids and 5 in-loves, Nana to “going-on” 11 grandchildren, and treat provider deluxe for a herd of Great Pyrenees who protect their north TX ranch! She is an entrepreneur coach, author, publisher, retreat hostess and more! Learn more about Mastermind groups and “Celebration” coaching with Karen at http://karenbourg.com.
by Dr. Karen Lindwall-Bourg | May 6, 2020 | Celebrate Life!
WHAT DO YOU DO TO SEE THINGS FROM A NEW PERSPECTIVE? FOR YOURSELF? FOR YOUR BUSINESS OR MINISTRY?
My Inspiration to Seek New Perspectives and Have FUN Doing It!
A friend of mine posted a picture of herself with her kids sitting on their kitchen counter.
Megan: “There’s a couch. And we have a table. We are a strange little bunch. Apparently sitting on the counter is comforting.”
Karen: “(1) I haven’t sat on the counter in so long, I can’t remember! (2) There is no room to sit on the counter around here! (3) I resolve, in support of Team _____, to clean off and sit on the counter this week!”
Megan: “Brandon and I have had some of our biggest breakthroughs in our marriage while sitting on counters – something about sitting up there helps everyone open up!”
Karen: “(4) I will build an opening-up counter in our next counseling offices!”
Now, I just can’t stop thinking about sitting on the counter!
Do You Need New Perspectives on Life’s Problems and God’s Solutions?
Perspective very simply means: the way in which things are viewed; a way of regarding situations, facts, etc. and judging their relative importance; or one’s outlook, attitude, or way of looking at things; our frame of reference.
We very often need a different perspective in our lives, so we’ve sought the Lord and His Word for answers, we’ve asked trusted others to listen to our stories and to offer their advice, and we’ve tried on different choices to see how they “fit”!
The more we know about our Purpose and our Passion as we wear various hats in our families, with our friends, and in our communities, the better we will serve!
Do You Need a New Perspective in Your Business or Ministry?
We very often need a different perspective in our counseling offices, so we have switched seats in the counseling room, or counseled in a different office, at a table instead of from the couch, and with pipe cleaners or crayons or buttons or stones to inspire creative ways of looking at solutions to our problems. But never have I asked one of my clients to sit on the counter!
We often need a different perspective in our businesses and ministries, so we have hired business coaches, joined networking groups, listened to webinars, and read books (SO many books!)
The more we know about our Purpose and our Passion as we wear various hats in our entrepreneurial ventures, with our associates and vendors, and in our networking communities, the better we will work!
What Does the Bible Say About New Perspectives?
8 For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are My ways higher than your ways
and My thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55: 8-9 English Standard Version (ESV)
We had a Pastor once who quoted this verse and said that if it was true, we ought often to look at what we felt were solutions to our problems backwards or upside-down. He warned, “These new perspectives might actually be closer to God’s ways than our own!” It’s difficult and counter to being “me”, but especially when things are going well, I try to look at things backwards and upside-down!
In an article titled, What the Bible Can Teach Us about Perspective, Bro. Aaron Reisinger points out that we see a man who is blind, but Christ saw a man that needed salvation. The healed blind man saw men walking as trees, he had a blurred perspective (John 9:35-41).
(http://www.holybiblesays.org/articles.php?ID=479 )
- In anger, Moses smote the rock and lost the opportunity to bring God’s people into their land.
- In bitterness, Naomi changed her name to Mara (bitter) without turning to God on her journey of grief and mourning until God graciously provided for her and for her daughter-in-love Ruth.
- In discouragement, Elijah wished his life was over, but God had just given him a great victory on Mount Carmel.
- In disobedience, the prophet Balaam couldn’t see the error of his ways, so God spoke to him through a donkey!
- Because of peer pressure, King Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, allowed his perspective to be blurred and lost the kingdom. We must be sure that those we allow to influence us are walking with the Lord and living according to His commands.
- Because his perspective was blurred by prejudice, Jonah was unhappy that God extended mercy to the Ninevites forgetting his own sins and unworthiness of God’s grace until finally his obedience led to their repentance.
- Due to stagnant Christianity, Eli’s eye “began to wax dim”, and he allowed the lamp of God to go out in the temple. 2nd Peter exhorts us “add to our faith” and grow in our Christian life on a daily basis so we will see the commands of God as a precious thing that requires our attention and devotion.
- Under great stress, we allow stressful situations to determine the way we view God and our circumstances, and we believe we surely are not exactly where God wants us, forgetting how He delivered His people out of Egypt. Moses told them, “Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.”
- In worldliness, Demas looked at a short-term solution and forsook Paul and Luke when he could have followed and learned from one of the greatest Christians who ever lived with long-term blessings and successes (Colossians)!
LET’S ASK GOD FOR HIS PERSPECTIVES ON OUR LIVES, ON OUR BUSINESSES, AND AS HIS SERVANTS!
HOW CAN I HELP YOU RECEIVE A NEW PERSPECTIVE THROUGH COACHING?
Blessings,
Karen Lindwall-Bourg
“Achieve Levels of Success Worth Celebrating”
*Founder, Karen Bourg Companies http://karenbourg.com
*Owner, President {Inter}National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs/International Christian Mompreneur Network http://nacwe.org
*Founder, RHEMA Publishing House http://rhemapublishinghouse.com
*Founder, RHEMA Lakeside Retreat Center https://www.facebook.com/rhemaretreat/
*Founder, RHEMA Counseling Associates http://rhemacounseling.com
About Karen Lindwall-Bourg
Karen Lindwall-Bourg is the President of the {Inter} National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs [est. May 2010] and the new President of the International Christian Mompreneur Network [est. July 2010], both at http://nacwe.org . She and the NACWE Operations and Leadership Teams work diligently to provide
· Community
· Networking
· Education
· Missions
opportunities to Christian Women Entrepreneurs, Mompreneurs and Nanapreneurs alike all over the world!
Our Core Values are
· Community – we value Connection, Collaboration and Contribution
· Networking – we value Nurture, New relationships and New and innovative offers
· Education – we value Encouragement, Excellence and Expressiveness, and
· Missions – we value Ministry and Making a difference
Karen is wife to Fred, Mommy to 6 kids and 5 in-loves, Nana to “going-on” 12 grandchildren, and treat provider deluxe for a herd of Great Pyrenees who protect their north TX ranch! She is an entrepreneur coach, author, publisher, retreat hostess and more! Learn more about Mastermind groups and “Celebration” coaching with Karen at http://karenbourg.com
by Dr. Karen Lindwall-Bourg | Apr 29, 2020 | Entrepreneur Endeavors
Are you growing your business using Established Steps?
As a business owner or entrepreneur it is so easy to work ALL the time. We eat, breathe and sleep our business. Your to-do list is the first thing you think of when you wake up. If you’re like me, you keep a notebook or your phone close to your bed for those things that pop in your head when you are trying to go to sleep or awakened in the middle of the night.
Your purpose in life is likely deeply integrated into your business. Your business is linked to what you hope to accomplish for yourself and for God. Your purpose gives you passion and drive to accomplish your goals. It’s such a fulfilling way to live life. But it’s also something we need to be careful about because our business can easily take an unhealthy priority in our life. So how do you keep things in check or with Established Steps, how do you keep your eyes on God and not let your business become an idol?
Your Purpose with Established Steps
Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt on a journey which included amazing feats like parting the Red Sea. Can you image witnessing something like that – how would it boost your faith? But then two months later, it’s as if the Israelites lose their collective minds! Moses went up on the mountain to receive the 10 commandments and didn’t come back for a while. In the meantime, the Israelites build an idol and worship it. They even make sacrifices to it (see Exodus 32).
They became discouraged when they didn’t see things happening. They freaked out, felt lost and didn’t know what was going to happen next. So they took matters into their own hands rather than trusting in God’s love for them.
God has a purpose for you. When you aren’t sure of the exact next step or the right decision to make – trust God’s plan. Focus on the fact He loves you more than you can understand. You may not see things happening but God is working. He is making the way for you.
Learning a New Way to be with Established Steps
The Israelites had to learn to do things differently. They were rescued from slavery and captivity but they had been in the Egyptian culture so long it was familiar and even felt profitable to them. They understood and knew the practices of the Egyptians. Egypt was home. The Exodus was a miracle but it took them from the only home they knew.
They had to turn their trust toward God, Whom they could not see, from the idols of the Egyptians they could see. They had to learn to get out of their comfort zone. It was all new. They had to learn how much God loved them and how to love him back. The start of that difficult lesson was waiting on God’s plan to manifest, which began with Moses receiving the Ten Commandments.
When you make the choice to submit all of your business choices to God purpose with Established Steps, you must step out of your comfort zone. It is a new way of doing business – to rely on conversation with God to help you plan your business growth strategy.
God’s Way of Doing Things with Established Steps
God has an order for things. Look at how He organized the days when He created the world (read about that here). There are proper steps toward make things happen. When it comes to your business growth strategy, organize according to God’s plan and trust God’s plan for you. Sometimes it means waiting for the plan. Other times it means listening to what He is instructing and advising.
God doesn’t want us to do nothing. We have to step out in faith. When we set our hearts and intentions to follow God’s plan for us He will honor our intentions.
“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 ESV
Trusting the Process with Established Steps
Trust God has a plan for you – this is so hard. You have this general idea of what God wants for your lives. You even have a personal mission or vision for your future. But then what do you do today? Do you spend money on advertising here or there? What do you charge? Should you take this client?
This is when you must again trust the love of God and have faith in His Words; taking the time to remind yourself of God’s faithfulness and love toward you.
There have been times in my life when it’s as if I had a map light in my hand and I knew exactly where I was going and where I would end up. It was all very clear. In comparison to more recent times. I’ve been instructed to cross a rushing river via stepping stones but sometimes the only stone I see is the one I am standing on. I know exactly where I’m headed – I can see the shore. But the journey requires stepping on one stone and a time.
Not knowing what is next is part of the process. It builds faith. It requires me to wait and listen. Sometimes you stay in the same place because there is something you are meant to learn.
Knowing, really knowing God’s intense affection for you will bring you peace in the times when you must step out of your comfort zone and toward that unseen stepping stone! Understanding He is always faithful and will never abandon you is essential when you have to make big decisions or just don’t know which path to take.
WHAT NEXT STEPS AND BIG DECISIONS DO YOU NEED TO MAKE?
HOW CAN WE HELP YOU TAKE THOSE NEXT STEPS THROUGH COACHING?
Blessings,
Karen Lindwall-Bourg
“Achieve Levels of Success Worth Celebrating”
*Founder, Karen Bourg Companies http://karenbourg.com
*Owner, President {Inter}National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs/International Christian Mompreneur Network http://nacwe.org
*Founder, RHEMA Publishing House http://rhemapublishinghouse.com
*Founder, RHEMA Lakeside Retreat Center https://www.facebook.com/rhemaretreat/
*Founder, RHEMA Counseling Associates http://rhemacounseling.com
About Karen Lindwall-Bourg
Karen Lindwall-Bourg is the President of the {Inter} National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs [est. May 2010] and the new President of the International Christian Mompreneur Network [est. July 2010], both at http://nacwe.org . She and the NACWE Operations and Leadership Teams work diligently to provide
· Community
· Networking
· Education
· Missions
opportunities to Christian Women Entrepreneurs, Mompreneurs and Nanapreneurs alike all over the world!
Our Core Values are
· Community – we value Connection, Collaboration and Contribution
· Networking – we value Nurture, New relationships and New and innovative offers
· Education – we value Encouragement, Excellence and Expressiveness, and
· Missions – we value Ministry and Making a difference
Karen is wife to Fred, Mommy to 6 kids and 5 in-loves, Nana to “going-on” 12 grandchildren, and treat provider deluxe for a herd of Great Pyrenees who protect their north TX ranch! She is an entrepreneur coach, author, publisher, retreat hostess and more! Learn more about Mastermind groups and “Celebration” coaching with Karen at http://karenbourg.com
