I believe life is all about experiences. Experiences that have been created for us giving us an opportunity to choose the overall outcome - regardless whether the experience is a good or a bad one.. and whether it is something we have created for ourselves or have suddenly just stepped into, at the end of the day, we have the power to choose what we make of the experience. Each life and business experience are so unique and all bringing with it lessons to be learned. I know we can all agree that in the middle of a bad experience, we all just want to zoom past it and get to the other side... but after it all and looking back in hind site, we know that all of these moments, each experience, is producing in us a much needed life lesson. Reminds me of this scripture: "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." - James 1:2-4 The experiences we go through in life help refine, mould and shape us to be the person that God has called us to be.
It is up to us what we make of each experience... we either become bitter and refuse to learn from the experience or grow better and embrace the new found life lessons that will surely bring about maturity and wisdom. Such is His design. I believe every experience is an opportunity to grow & 2022 did not fail in bringing about life lessons. Life truly is a school and experience is the best teacher! There's so many life and business lessons learned in 2022 and I can't fit all of them here, so I decided to pick my top 5 and share them with you: 1) We are more resilient than we think.
2022 has been the toughest year for me.. there were so many times I thought I would give up. The past years have bought about battles and challenges too but I must admit this year was the worst. It was the lowest I had been. But thank God He is faithful and He continues to remind us that we are not on this journey alone. Thank God for a faith-filled community like KWE, and close friends and families that have been there for me during these low times. I know I wouldn't be able to get through it without you and God has blessed me with you by my side. Literally like angels sent each time I was alone and needed a simple "hello" someone would be there to see if I was OK. Because of your encouragement and patience with me - for speaking life over me and reminding me that I can get through this with Jesus, I was reminded of God's love each day and slowly but surely I start to regain my strength again.. I thought I wouldn't make it, but this is proof that we are more resilient than we think. God has given us His Holy Spirit to cause us to overcome! Without going through these experiences, we would never know just how resilient we are! "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever." - Psalm 73:26
2) People's actions and attitudes have nothing to do with you.
There will be times when people say or do things that will hurt you. Whether it be knowingly or unknowingly..... there will always be someone that will unfortunately hurt you though action and words. I guess it specially hurts the most when it is someone you love and respect the most.
And it can be an automatic respond to ask ourselves "what have I done to deserve this?" or "what did I do wrong"... But no matter what angle we look at, we need to understand that peoples actions or attitudes doesn't have much to do with you... it is in fact a reflection of them.
I know this one is easier said than done.. definitely need to choose each day not to listen to the lies the enemy want's us to believe. A victim mentality that says it is either our fault or we deserve to be treated this way. We need to change the narrative and look at the situation as it is.
When someone is going thought something, it can manifest in their actions and attitudes and it has nothing to do with you. Give yourself grace and remove yourself from the mentality of being a victim.
3) Knowing your Kingdom Identity & worth is a must.
When going though tough times, the enemy wants to sow in doubt and if we're not careful we can buy into his scheme. Knowing you Kingdom Identity & worth is a must stand in faith no matter what and refuse to listen to the enemy's lies. Put on the full armour and guard your heart at all times. Stand by God's word and use it to confront the enemies lies. "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." - Ephesians 6:10-18
4) You can't have victory if you don't go through a battle.
Do want to be victorious? Then you better prepare for battle.
You can't be victorious without first overcoming something.
How can we truly say we are victorious if we don't go though a battle?
Good news is that God is the one that will fight the battles for us. The key word is to be STILL - this means don't move and don't make major changes or decision in a temporary situation. Wait on God and He will renew your strength. "Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.” 1 Samuel 17:47
"The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” - Exodus 14:14
5) Grace meets you exactly where you are at right now.
The word that God gave me for 2022 was GRACE. I didn't understand it at first as usually the words He gives me are quite "bold" and "big".. like... "Arise" "Empower"... for so long I thought that the word Grace was so soft and gentle, little did I know that the word GRACE was the biggest most boldest word.
2002 taught me a lot about Grace. Today I can say that I have a deeper understanding of this word.
God's Grace is so real and available to all of us.
Remember that no matter what situation, God's grace is with you. Freely given right where you are.
" The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." - Lamentations 3:22-23
"But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Corinthians 12:9
No matter what season and no matter what you might be going through, remember that as much as we give grace to others, we also need to learn to give ourselves grace. The Grace to grow, learn, make mistakes, rest, try again and the list goes on. His Grace is sufficient! These are my top life and business lessons for 2022. What would be on your list? with Love,
Coach Fideliz
_________________________
Fideliz Cruz is a Christian Life & Business Coach and is the Founder of Kingdom Women Entrepreneurs Academy
A visionary who loves seeing women rise up in leadership in any aspects of their lives, using their gifts and talents to build a business & life that honours God, as they walk in their God-given calling. Fideliz is a Certified Life Coach by BYCA & is the winner of the 2018-2019 International Coach Of The Year Award. Fideliz runs a few bespoke workshops in Sydney one of which is the Vision Casting Workshop that aims to help women create their Personal Life Vision and kick-start their journey towards their dreams.
Author and Co-founder for www.wildlilyresources.com an online store providing Christian products such as journals and affirmations cards. You can find her at www.fidelizcruz.com
__________________________
The Kingdom Women Entrepreneurs is a Sisterhood Community for The Vision Builders, Boundary Breakers, Passion Igniters; Called & Anointed To Shine In Their Uniqueness & God Given - Calling.
Come and join our FREE KWE Facebook Community
and join in the conversation!