It’s definitely been awhile since I’ve posted on here! Lately I’ve been fasting and really trying to seek God. In this I’ve found how often I myself and everyone in general runs to these silly “everyday” things rather than Jesus. Most of these things we fill our days and our hearts with are just distractions from the only thing that can truly ease our pain – Jesus. The more I seek God, the more apparent my brokenness becomes. The more these distractions and habits are amplified in my life. The stress and fear doesn’t disappear as I seek things of this world, but merely distracts me from it. But in these moments where I’m resting in my Fathers arms I feel loved, validated, and seen. I feel consumed with a security and apart from Him insecurity and fear sinks in.

I’ve worked through and am still continuing to work through a lot of trauma from the last 2 years. Yet God never ceases to amaze me and meet me where I’m at. He has never once left my side and persistently tells me “I will never forsake you.” He promises “I am with you. You are mine.” In the heartache, in the darkness, in the unknown we don’t always feel Him. I know that sometimes in the trials or when we are being tested we tend to question or doubt His presence in our situation. But Jesus keeps telling me over and over “Just seek me”…”Trust me.” Put down your desires and timeline of how things should be done and allow Him to move. Trust He will not forsake you for He is with you.

The more you seek Him the more your brokenness may seem to appear. But there’s a shift. Like I said God meets you where you’re at and there’s a grace that covers you. You see your brokenness and all that you are, but somehow feel more whole than ever before. As God exposes my weakness and broken pieces I feel all the normal emotions of sadness or pain, but then also joy. I know that my Father will heal me. He will help me pick up the pieces. His word and His presence make that broken feeling disappear and He fills me making more whole than ever before. More whole than anything this world offers to fill you…you can’t explain it or rationalize it. The more you sit in His presence the more you desire it. If you step away for a moment it’s a moment too long. I don’t know about you, but I need to stay in constant communication with God all day long.

In His presence He tears down the lies. He removes the strongholds. He is the Truth and when He speaks it brings healing to every broken piece inside. I want you to know what God has been pressing into me. I know it it’s hard to trust at times when nothing seems to be happening, but God is not a man that He should lie. He is doing what He promised and that promise still stands! Don’t listen to the lies of the enemy or the negative comments of others. God has been telling me to listen … “What is in your heart?” What is the Holy Spirit telling you? God knows you and He knows the intimate desires of your heart. No one else knows.

I’ve had people in the church as well as outside of the church constantly try to change me and tell me what to do and what to think. If I don’t dress a certain way then I’m not really a Christian. If I don’t think a certain way then God doesn’t love me. But the truth is God knows your heart. He knows where you’re at and what you need. If you are actively pursuing Him and His word then He will reveal the way. Nobody else can tell you what is meant for you except Him. I used to be so consumed with the opinion of others and pleasing everyone I forgot to ask the only person whose opinion matters – Jesus. He continually tells me to just seek Him. Trust Him. He desires all of you not just the left over parts. The process can be a roller coaster. Trust me I know! But if you seek Him there is joy in the pain and purpose in the waiting. Nothing is wasted. He is leading you straight into His arms. So ask yourself what are you giving yourself to? And is it working? …..Will you choose to seek Jesus and give Him your heart? Your whole heart ❤

Remember You are Fearfully Made ❤

xoxo Taylor Nicole

To love – Gods greatest calling, command, and honor. But what does it mean to love? It’s not someone’s gifts or ability to do “spiritual” things that makes them Christ like, but it is their ability to love. It wasn’t until I was talking to someone at church recently and they pointed out these things we idolize in others are just gifts, and really don’t even belong to them but God gifted them to that person. Truly what shows someone is a Christian and representation of God is their ability to love. As I’ve gone through trials I’ve had those around me show me what love is and isn’t. It is often that through these trials God grows our spiritual maturity. He was showing me who I could trust and couldn’t trust. Because God loves us He isn’t afraid to correct us. It is out of His love for us that we may experience these lessons in order to teach us and have us grow. God told me the testing of faith is not easy, but is needed in order for Him to take me where I must go.

I used to look up to people with certain gifts and began to pick apart my own relationship with God. I thought I must not be doing something right, and began to let others influence me in their way because “i must be wrong.” But it’s funny how God works. The Holy Spirit will always show you when you go the wrong way. I began to question those I looked up to and allowed God to reveal His way. It’s important to pay attention when you feel disturbed because there is always a reason for it. The Holy Spirit was showing me what was not right and began to grow my spiritual maturity. He began guiding me to those that showed me the love of Christ and helped me see the situation around me more clearly. We each have a specific calling and own set of gifts. Not everyone will go through the same things but God will put each of us in situations to test our faith in accordance to our calling. Some people will not be able to accept the call on your life and that’s okay. God will always give you grace and the eyes to see this. God will always remove to improve. Some people aren’t meant to stay and that’s okay. But with the help of God He will change your perspective – Spiritual Maturity.

It’s through the love and words of Jesus I realized it isn’t how amazing or perfect someone else’s relationship with God may look. If their heart is not in a posture of love they really aren’t living for God. God is love. He calls us to love. When we begin to rely on and brag about our gifts it starts to turn into a self righteous behavior. This does not make others want to grow closer to God but actually repels them. Through situations of my own I dealt with this and it actually pushed me closer into God and His love. But I can see how dangerous of a situation it can be especially if someone doesn’t know God. Be careful who you listen to and do not be swayed by what man says but listen to what God says. God has been really pressing in to me and telling me to trust what He says and what He says alone. There will always be someone there to tell you their opinion. But what does God say? His is the only opinion that matters.

Being called to love and love like Christ can be a tough and we definitely need to work at it. We go through seasons where people don’t talk to us but talk about us and you may wonder what you did wrong. And most likely the answer is NOTHING! As I said before some people just can’t handle your calling and lack maturity. These situations are learning lessons and help you grow in God’s love as He gives you the grace to do so. It is not always easy but as you follow His prompting and always extend love you gain more spiritual maturity. It is important to pay attention to peoples actions and consistency. What are their actions? Are they consistent with their word? How do they treat others? How do they talk about others? Pay attention to these things! Asking these questions will help you recognize red flags. After seeing Galatians 5:22-23 pop up in church again yesterday it further solidified what God had been speaking to me about love. It also gave me more grace for those that have hurt me. If someone lacks love then be aware because they will lack in all other areas of the fruit of the spirit. Love is the highest calling and command, but if they cannot do that they will lack in all other areas because all other areas flow from love. This is why looking at a persons consistency and how they treat others etc. can help prevent future trials in our lives. Just pay attention to what God is speaking to you and showing you. As long as you pay attention and obey to His instruction He will never lead you astray.

Remember You Are Fearfully Made

xoxo Taylor Nicole

When the storms of life roll through what will you do? In the midst of attacks from the enemy I have been continually pouring into God. He wants me to tell you “Breathe.” It’s okay. Despite the chaos going on around you – You Are Safe. As I sit here writing this a delivery truck drove past. Windows down blaring Christian music and I thought to myself “that is so cool!” But then I noticed the words of the song…”For the battle belongs to the Lord!” This was such an awesome reminder that in the midst of my chaos God cares! And He wants you to know that He cares. He assures me through His word like John 16:33 or through the words of this song that just “happened” to come on. These things are no coincidence. God is speaking! He is telling you that He is in control and Hes got this.

Though trials come He is in control. One of my favorite verses I speak over myself daily is Revelation 21:5 “And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” This encourages me because although the storms rage around me I know I can trust God and what He says. Look at His promise! If it does not align with what is going on around you then you can rest assured the storm will pass. These trials cannot stay especially where God has called you. Often the trials are confirmation that we are on the right track. The enemy will not attack what he is not threatened by. You are called!

Trials will often prepare us for our calling. In the midst of my trials I’ve pressed into God and His word and experienced a deeper understanding of His presence and His love. He has opened my eyes through the people and situations around me maturing my faith. When we go through things we may find unfavorable they actually begin to grow our spiritual discernment. God shows up and He shows you the way. The storm will pass and you will see why the enemy was fighting so hard. So trust in God. Trust in His word and what He is speaking to you. Press through the storm as you pour into God and He will give you the grace to make it through.

Remember You are Fearfully Made

xoxo Taylor Nicole

“When I speak. Listen.” – Jesus. When God speaks into us a promise or purpose it’s easy to trust…or at least a little easier. Even though God may call you to do something it doesn’t necessarily mean that it will always be easy. Obedience will most likely always call us to sacrifice. Walking out in all God is calling can be extremely difficult. The enemy will pull out all his tactics to stop you as he seeks to steal, kill, and destroy. He does not want you walking out in obedience and will do everything in his power to try and stop you. The good news is that God is control! God sits on the throne and if He has called you to something He will do it! Luke 1:37 says “For with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment.” Something Jesus has been telling me lately is that He will not lead me astray. If God has promised or spoken something to you then He will do it! His words hold true! God has been telling me to trust in what He says. He’s calling out asking us to seek his voice.

A lot of times we tend to seek validation and confirmation from others. The problem with this is that it can quickly turn into an idol. When we begin to turn to and seek others words and approval above God’s we become ensnared in the enemy’s trap. Although God can use people to bring encouragement and confirmation we must always seek Jesus on things. No one else knows what God knows and what He is speaking into you. God has been continually pressing into me to seek Him and His voice. We are to trust what He has spoken to us because no one else truly knows what His will or plans for us may be.  

Jesus knows all He has for us and desires to share these things. He desires and delights in pouring into us new words of encouragement as we seek him. “Quiet your heart. Quiet your mind. Beloved, I am in control. Have I not guided you? Take my hand. I am in control. I sit on the throne. You ARE mine. I will not lead you astray. Trust me. Trust me. Trust in what I say. You may feel as though your efforts – lost. But that is a lie from the enemy! You are stepping out in faith. Walking in my anointing. I WILL bring every promise to pass. Seek me and my direction. Again, take my hand. You are on the right track. Soon every promise will unfold. Soon everyone will see and all will be made known. Beloved, I hold you and carry you in my arms. You are kept safe in my wings. I promise you no harm. Beloved, keep your head high. Keep seeking me. Seek me as I guide. You possess more than you know. My plans and honor upon you. Anointing is pouring out before you. Do not seek to do things your way. For your plans will fail and fall short. Instead submit all you desire to me. Seek my direction in all aspects of your day. I desire to Bless you.” – Jesus 

Remember You are Fearfully Made

xoxo Taylor Nicole

Sometimes hidden in the shadows I feel alone. Cast aside. Forgotten. But maybe it’s within the shadows we find rest. We are being perfected. What can feel like a place for the forgotten is actually a place of shielding and protection. The shadows keep us hidden from destruction. Hidden from the hands of the enemy. Within the shadows we are built up stronger and can better see the light of Jesus. He is teaching us to seek Him within the darkness. We are covered but not forgotten. Even in the shadows God has His eye on us. I dare to say He watches us even more closely. We should not fear the shadows because they reveal His light. It is in the shadows where we grow to know who God really is. He illuminates His way set before us and better helps us to discern His promptings. The shadows bring clarity for the light of day. No matter where you are God is always watching over you. Not even the darkest shadows can keep you hidden from His loving gaze. He desires to protect you and pour out His love and blessings upon you. He will never leave you. He will guide you and bring you to what He has promised. You will grow beyond the shadows into the light. Trust in Him as He guides you every step of the way. No matter what it looks like or how scary it may feel. He is there and He is waiting on you to take His hand. He desires to lead you into the land which He has promised.

Remember You are Fearfully Made

xoxo Taylor Nicole

In the deepest and darkest places Jesus is there. He can hear you. He can reach you. Listen and you will hear the sound of His waves crashing up to meet you. Only Jesus can draw you in and pull you out of where you’re at. The power of His waves will break every chain holding you captive. You will no longer be bound to the place you are kept. Allow His presence to rush in like a wave and wash over you.

Caught up in the every day I feel it begin to consume me. Pulling me from God. I think we all struggle with the pull of this world and what it proclaims to offer. Until I’m with Jesus. If you know Jesus you know the indescribable pull He has on your heart. His presence like a wave… all consuming. The more you experience Him the more you want to. It’s only in His presence that I want to be drawn in deeper. In His presence He gives me the eyes to see what He is doing. His presence like the waves of the ocean. Peaceful. Washing over all my sickness and pain. In Jesus’ presence we feel rested and renewed. I realized I’m caught up in His wave but completely unbothered. I don’t mind. With each wave He draws me in like the tide pulling me closer into His arms.

With each wave of His presence washing over us we are made clean. Jesus fills us but also purifies us making us more like Him as we rest in Him. Each trial experienced in this world can either push us towards or pull us from Jesus. We begin to see that it is in these dark places that He desires to draw us in so we can experience full healing. Each wave of His presence has meaning as He washes over us and repairs the damage of what has been done. Though you may have brokenness His waves roll over you. They wash away that pain. He restores what the enemy has tried to take. In His presence He makes His plans clear as day. He will illuminate the path He has set before you. In His presence consumed like a wave. There is no greater feeling. He draws you out of the despair and carries you into His arms with each wave.

Remember You are Fearfully Made ❤

xoxo Taylor Nicole