BE STRONG!

BE STRONG!
Have you ever been in a really tough situation?  Have you been in a really tough situation and surprised yourself with how you handled it?  

We have had several conversations with many of you and we know that is the case!  Many of you have situations in your past and some of you are going through situations now that have forced you to be strong.  This quote says "...until the only choice you have" is being strong.  BUT, we all have a choice.  We can cower in fear, hide in embarrassment, avoid in denial, or any number of other responses.  However, when we allow God to take control of the situation, when we ask Him DAILY to guide our steps and help us control our emotions, I believe we will be left with the courage to be strong no matter what.  I believe it will end up being our only choice.
I do not wish upon you any tough situation, but if you encounter one, I pray your response is one of strength based on Who is carrying you through it!

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BE STRONG!
Do you have a dream?  Is it a "little" dream?  Is it a "big" dream? Why is it a dream of yours?  What do you hope to accomplish through this dream?
Purpose behind a dream gives it life.  Purpose brings reality to a dream.  If you want to achieve something, if you want to be someone, make sure you understand WHY.  
Look back at your strengths and skills tests from the event.  See if you can attach a purpose behind some of them.  If your strength is communication and a skill is writing, but you don't really know how to develop that strength and skill, put some purpose behind them.  Maybe you have a specific message of encouragement you want to communicate to women who have lost someone. Maybe you want to communicate a method of decorating on a budget to help those less fortunate feel they are living in their dream home.  Maybe you want to communicate instruction to younger girls about staying strong in their convictions within relationships.  Maybe you want to inspire women to become all God created them to be. :)  Whatever the purpose, if you have one, you are way more likely to step out of your comfort zone and set out to achieve the impossible.  
I pray you become a believer in your own strengths and skills, and I pray you seek the Lord's guidance in using them to make manifest the glory of God that is within you!

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BE STRONG!
How does it make you feel when you find out someone was talking about you behind your back.  What if I said they were talking about some wonderful aspect about your character?  Or about your ability to bring out the best in others?  Or about the way they can see Jesus in you when you are kind to strangers? It's not always a bad thing to talk about others behind their backs - just make your words those that will build up and not tear down.  Learn to be an encourager.  It doesn't always come naturally, but what a difference encouraging words can make.  See if you can find ways to talk about the strengths of others even if they will never know we were talking about them.  Complete, don't Compete!  Complete your friendships by genuinely building up your friends - don't compete with them by tearing them down or allowing others to do so.  We all have different strengths, skills, talents, and gifts - let's celebrate those differences and empower our friends.
I pray that you would find ways to bring glory to God when you honor your friends by building them up both while you are with them and when they are not around!

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You are beautiful - you are BECOMING!
Thank you for being you!
jenny