Have you ever heard the term or phrase “Open Door?” Many people, especially Christians use this or declare this to others as a prophetic word or Oracle of God. It’s not a bad thing to declare but just like with many other prophesies, the Bible warns us to test the spirit to see if it is in fact from God or the evil one.

Truthfully, there are some doors I refuse to walk in or through. When I lived in an older apartment, I refused to go to the basement. Just the thought of what was behind there creeped me out. Some of us need to have that same caution and reserve before we start getting excited about new and sudden doors opening, regardless of how bright it may seem.

Jesus said, if I stand at the door and knock and if anyone hears my voice, and open the door, I will come in (Rev. 3:20). With that being said, You not only choose what doors you walk through, but which ones you open. Even at my current home, where the neighborhood is safe and neighbors are friendly, I’m still cautious before I open my door. I make sure that I not only recognize the person’s voice, but I peep out the window to make sure it’s actually them before I open my door.

Be aware of those New and Sudden Open Doors Ladies!

I will never forget how guilty I felt after buying myself something for the first time in years. For years I bought things for my children and husband. My needs were obsolete. I didn’t think twice about myself. My friend would always say, “You need to do for yourself sometimes,” but honestly I had lost sight of my own needs. It was my duty as a mother to make sure my children needs were met first. By the time I spent money on them, it was hardly ever enough to meet my own needs, and I was okay with it.

By the time my children graduated, I was stuck in that pattern and mold of neglecting me. They were grown and gone and my husband and I had an “empty nest” and I still found myself calling my children on the phone asking, “Do y’all need anything?” That same friend reminded me that my children were adults and it was time for me to invest in me!

I was stuck. That guilt of taking care of me first was screaming “Don’t do it, you have children.” Funny how guilt was only present when it was time for me to take care of me but was absent as long as I was taking care of everyone else. Well, I learned to celebrate me with the guilt until guilt was silenced by my choice to be free.

Please hear me ladies/gentlemen do not let guilt stop you from taking care of you, because you are more useful if you are healthier and free, than you will ever be feeling guilty. Celebrate you without the guilt.

My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalms 139:15,16

There are so many things that will come and probably have already come to challenge your abilities, your intelligence, and your purpose, but NEVER allow any of it to cause you to question your existence. You are not a mistake. God knew you before you entered your mother’s womb, and he declared your days before they were written in his book.

Don’t look at the success of others and feel like God has forgotten you. Don’t allow setbacks to cause you to regret the day God carefully and wonderfully crafted you. He knows you and he has a plan for you. It may not be on center stage. It may not be on the cover of a magazine. It may not be on a billboard. It may not be in the lime lights, but know this, YOU are in His perfect will.

He is not interested in outward appearance. He is concerned with the gratitude of your heart. So, start today being GRATEFUL for life. Be grateful that his thoughts toward you outnumber the grains of sand. Be grateful that his plans and thoughts toward you is for good and not harm. Be more GRATEFUL and watch the manifestation of the things you are grateful for drown out all the challenges that comes to make you ungrateful!

What consumes your mind controls your life!

We all have about 70,000 thoughts that flows through our mind daily, but how do we know which ones to grasps, hold on to, meditate on, and put into action without feeling like we’ve ignored the most important ones? It is said that the working memory can hold about 3 to 4 things at a time and someone with an excellent working memory can hold about 7.

For some of us, its nearly impossible to focus on 3 to 4 thoughts at a time, let alone 7, but 3, 4, or 7 is better than trying to hold onto 70,000. To help you filter through your thought process, and minimize a large portion of your anxiety, I want to give you 4 points that may STIR you to be laser-focus, and help you to become more purpose driven.

Grab you a pen and note pad, and answer honestly:

1. What thoughts Satisfy you most in life? Every time you think about them, it brings so much joy, peace, contentment, and freedom to your life.
2. What thoughts Transforms your negative into positive? No matter how many bad thoughts you may have throughout the day, there is the one thought, that has the ability to transcend your doubt, fear of the unknown,  your stress, worry, and anxiety. These thoughts have the power to motivate you and thrust you into that moment of excitement and encouragement?
3. What thoughts Ignites you to push pass the pressures of difficulty, impossibility, and challenges?
4. What thoughts Remind you that you have purpose, you have potential, and that you are destined for greatest?

Finally, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things.

Philippians 4:8