Tag: rest

hope

My Journey With God, No. 65

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning☀️

Here’s what I shared three years ago in my “Hello Sunday.”

Hello Sunday: February 20, 2022 (entire post)

Happy Sunday! 

I’m currently reading – “The Life You Long For: Learning to Live From A Heart of Rest” by Christy Nockels. So far, so much of her story has resonated with me. Especially the part about being so caught up in the hustle and bustle of life trying to achieve goals and the lifestyle you have always dreamed of that you neglect to live. The funny thing is you believe you’re living until you actually begin living. As Christy calls it, it’s living from a heart (place) of rest. In other words, living from a place of peace and contentment.

As Christy has noted in her book, it takes a moment to get to a place of rest and once you get there, it’s still challenging to remain in that space. Because as we know, we cannot control the things that happen around us, but as pastor and author, Joel Osteen would say, we can control how we respond.

For a few weeks now, more so the last two weeks, I have been thinking about the freedom of choice. As we know, socially and economically, everyone does not have the same level of freedom when it comes to choices; however, all of us do have the freedom to make choices, even small ones. Although it is impossible to control others’ actions or events happening around us, we can control our reactions and actions, which is a choice. So when I refer to the freedom of choice, this is exactly what I’m referring to. Nothing intense. Nothing political. But personal choices that we make daily. 

Since I have been living from a place of peace, I have noticed that my choices are different, they’re better. I respond to situations much differently than I used to. The things that used to make me anxious, no longer bother or upset me. I’m also learning to be kinder to myself. Which is BIG! Y’all, I really was my own worst critic. I’m also less judgmental. I have always loved people’s uniqueness, even my own, but that didn’t stop me from judging. Yes, I’m human. Overall, life is so much better than before and it’s all because I have chosen to make it better – I have chosen to live from a place of peace. Now, I would be lying if I said my life is always peaceful, that nothing happens that throws me for a loop. Y’all, every day.. yes, EVERY SINGLE DAY I’m faced with things that challenge my peace; and every day I make the choice of how I respond. To me that’s freedom! And I’m loving it. 

Word of advice – which is what has gotten me to this place of peace – if it disturbs your peace it’s too costly. Let it go.

About a week ago, I was led to re-read Christy Nockels’ “The Life You Long For …”. I needed to find my way back to the peace and rest I had found. I now realize I must work daily to maintain it. It’s not something that will always come easy, especially when I encounter new challenges. From here on, I must be intentional about making necessary adjustments before my peace is completely disturbed. It’s just too costly to wait.

Y’all, I’m so thankful for God’s love and for how He surrounds and covers me in His peace. I am truly, truly blessed.

I pray you’ve found your place of peace and rest in God. It’s such a beautiful place to be. Wishing you the most amazing day yet!♥️

I love you always,

Shaun

hope

My Journey With God, No. 64

Shaun Bradford

Here’s my update on resting in God.

I am finally settling back into a place of rest and peace, a space I found a few years ago and was doing so well in until a few months ago. As they say, you never know how you’ll react to situations until you encounter them. Honestly, I never expected to react the way that I did—basically having an emotional breakdown because of so many negative things that were happening across our nation. I thought I was beyond being bothered in such a way. I kept trying to find my way back to resting in God, but the more negative news I saw and heard, the more defeated I felt. I felt as if my lifelong dream of a peaceful, kind, and loving world had been shattered and was beyond repair. I know it might seem weird to associate my dreams with my hopes for humanity, but for me, they’re connected—we’re connected. What affects one does affect all. Maybe not immediately, but in time it does.

So, what changed?

I began limiting my time on social media, especially X. Since doing so, I’ve noticed life is more peaceful. I had to set boundaries for myself and stick to them. I haven’t missed as much as I thought I would. Whenever I log on, I’m greeted with wonderful news and encouraging posts (the algorithm is finally working in my favor😌). For some reason, I thought I’d miss things if I weren’t tuned in all day. Fortunately, no one has passed. No one’s been hurt. The world is still intact, and so is my mental and emotional health. Isn’t God good?

I must remember God’s in control, and my life is in His hands. I’m covered, and my dreams are still intact. There is still more good in this world than not.❤️ ~ Shaun

hope

My Journey With God, No. 62

Shaun Bradford

Re-reading Christy Nockels’ “The Life I Long For: Learning to Live from a Heart of Rest” has been more about revisiting my reflection notes at the end of each chapter than actually reading the book. Here’s one about me trying to maintain a balance between pursuing my dreams and staying present (February 2022)—

Balance. Is there such a thing as balance? Either you’re working towards something or you’re enjoying the moment. Seems as if doing both is impossible.

That was written three years ago, written before I finished the book. By the time I finished it, I had found that balance. I discovered I could do both—actively pursue my dreams and stay present. The catch was, and still is, God has to be the center of it all. I cannot live the life I desire without Him being so. When I place myself in the center and try to do things from my own efforts, that’s when I feel off balance. And that’s also when God gently reminds me that He’s in control. Yes, HE is in control. Smiling

Y’all, God is so good. I just can’t express it enough how grateful I am that He loves me. I am so blessed.

Anyhoo… Let me go to sleep.♥️ ~Shaun

hope

Do Not Disturb

Shaun Bradford

I hate to admit this, but one of the first things I do when I wake up (after spending time with God) is look at X to see what national events happened while I was asleep. You know, if the country is still standing. Well, like clockwork, I did it this morning.

Y’all, sometimes I feel like I am the only one in my circle (besides my daughter) who’s paying attention to what’s happening in our country. For some reason, I feel the need to stay abreast of things so I can warn others if something’s about to kick off. Like I’m some kind of guardian or something. Most of my friends are in this state of, “We’re living in the last days, I’m preparing for heaven.” Um… I’m preparing for heaven too, but I’m also preparing to live. What if this isn’t it? I’m pretty sure people who survived wars believed the world was ending then, but guess what, it didn’t!

Well, after I closed X, I finally decided to check YouTube for some inspiration, and of course Pastor Joel Osteen had the message I needed, “Living At Rest.” I couldn’t help but smile when I read the title because God had been nudging me to re-read Christy Nockels’ book, “The Life You Long For: Learning to Live from a Heart of Rest.” I was reading her book during this same time three years ago (February 13, 2022). Here’s what I wrote in my notes:

I can’t say it enough, I love the way God loves me. Y’all, He’s just so good to me. In Joel’s message, he said to put a “Do Not Disturb” sign on things that disturb your peace. He said it’s not for others but a reminder for us to stay in peace.

Again, God is good, and I’m listening to Him. Going to be obedient and re-read Christy’s book—TODAY!

Here’s the link to Pastor Joel Osteen’s message:

“Living At Rest” by Pastor Joel Osteen

I pray you have a wonderful day and a blessed weekend. I’m going to post today’s message on my social media platforms, then hang up my “Do Not Disturb” sign. There is absolutely nothing I can do at this moment besides pray, and I’ve done that and God’s heard me. Now it’s time for me to rest.♥️

Love you,

Shaun

hope

Quietness Is Necessary

Shaun Bradford
Resting in God’s peace.

I believe we could all use a bit of quietness right now. There’s a lot of noise going on. I’m going to unplug for a minute…just a minute. I thought about scheduling my posts for a few days, but that ain’t gonna happen. I can barely schedule them hours in advance because sometimes I change my mind about what I want to share. So…yeah…only a minute. If it’s in the Lord’s will, I’ll talk to y’all tomorrow.

Love you!♥️

Shaun

P.S. Keep the prayers going.🙏🏽♥️