Finding Strength in Him today and everyday

Strength in Him

Have you ever needed help in your life, have you ever you needed a deliverer either in a real life situation or from your own mind and thoughts? I know I have, probably more in my head than not, our thoughts get the best of us if we don’t rely on Him. I try to do things all on my own and then I get stuck feeling like a failure and self talking my failure thoughts. This is where I want to take a step back and ask Why! why do I feel like I need to be stronger than I am, why can’t I fully rely on His strength, His protection. I think we all have a desire to fall into the arms of protections and strength and He offers this so freely we can run to him and seek Him. It’s OK not to be perfect, to stumble, to want to do more but in so relying on His strength as you go about your day.

We don’t live where there are a lot of rocks but one of our favorite places to go is to Stone Mountain and climb that granite mountain. Hiking up that mountain has been a tradition for years and if I stop and think about the massive rock and comparing the Lord's protection and strength to that one rock which is huge to us but is so minimal to the refuge and protection He offers to each one of us if we ask for it. I hope you learn this verse write it on your heart. and simple “I love you Lord, my Strength” does wonders for the soul and your thoughts when you are weary and need help.

Verse: I love you O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the strength of my salvation, my stronghold.  Psalm 18:1-2

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I know my strength comes from you alone and I thank you, allow me today to rely on your strength as my refuge from a dirty house to a bill that desperately needs to be paid or a diagnosis that will lead to many doctors visits. I stand here today proclaiming you and you along as my refuge in whom I turn to first and before all else. Thank you for your promise of a safe and strong tower and a shield of protection, I know life won't be easy but I also know you are here with every step I take and in that I’m grateful and find my strength is truly only in you Lord, Amen.

"I'm not that mom" - My thoughts while cooking meatballs

Most of you know my husband and I own a massage studio and my kids and I spend Tuesday  - Saturday from 9:30am - 8:00pm on most days here, so when I talk about busy I know busy, when I talk about setting priorities I know priorities, when I say I just want to order fast food it's real, when I say I've learned to say no to things and I've gained a new perspective on well simply wasting time. When I say put your husband first and everything else falls into place I mean it.

Just over a year ago I was the stay at home mom of 3 with the coffee pot always hot, the house super clean and having playdates and daily adventures, nap time & my workouts at 2pm.

News Flash!!! I'm not that mom anymore!!! That mom was always thinking of her dreams, her future for helping others through a wellness center and as I sit here I can say honestly  I can't afford to be that old mom and guess what that's ok, that wasn't the real me, it was someone I thought I was supposed to be.

I never thought I'd be a "working" mom but not only do I work, I run 2 business, homeschool my kids and still do everything for our household and the difference is I know there is a time to chill with coffee in hand or a family day and I know when it's time to work. Balance...there is no such thing in my world but there is such joy doing what I do as mom, wife and boss I get to share so much with others, everyday, it's diffetebt yes, but it's our different.

If I got stuck comparing our household and daily activities to other's around us it would lead to problems, so as I was cooking today I thought of this and  yes some have said I focus on me and my health & fitness too much or I share everything on social media it's TMI and that's selfish, so I say in return "I'd rather be focused on me sharing the real me then trying to be someone else."

True happiness & contentment aren't hard to find when you focus on what really matters, being true to yourself.

Be you! Find your calling and live it  unapologetically,
Coach Joy

New August Challenge Groups Focused on helping you reach your healthy lifestyle goals

I hope you were blessed over this past week during our 5 Day Devotion week.
I believe you can not truly make lasting results in your health until you heal or mend your heart and mind, so that is why I started refocusing on helping my challengers with personal development over all and then nutrition and fitness.

I'm taking it one day at a time focusing on the body, mind and soul, as a whole. I'd love to have you join me in one of my next challenges. leave a comment here with you email or send me a Facebook message and tell me what you are interested in or fill out the application below let me know more about you and your fitness goals and together let's make it happen.

Application for my next Challenge group

New Groups opening in August

5 Day Get FIT challenge
30 Day "Sweat - it - Out" in my private accountability group
5 Day Clean Eating Group   

JoyforFitness

Day 5 Devotion: Prayer "Whispers with God"

Day 5: Prayer

I begin the new year with reading the Power of a Praying Women by Stormie Omartian and I’m simply reminded more each time how God wants our first thought to be communication through prayer. He created communication for our relationships, they are based upon talking to one another and as I read through this book every year my heart craves talking with Him in the most simplest ways, but as the year went on I used to fall back into a boring selfish routine of coffee and social media or mindless activities, but this year I made it a point to have endless devotions and scripture right with me that I could read and dive into before the kids would wake up and sometimes they cuddle next to me, as I read and I have seen a difference when I spend my time with Jesus and when I simply put Him aside when I awake. Prayer is the most intimate and personal way in which we have to communicate with our God, there is a direct line of communication that we take for granted in our day to day activities. My children and I do the ACTS prayer in the car A-adoration C-confession T-thanksgiving S-supplication and although they choose crazy things or sometimes all the same things it gets Jesus real in their life and in our day. Think about ways you can make Jesus real in your life today through prayer not just over food, a big decision or at bedtime, but over a tough car ride, traffic, bills, vacations parties etc.in all things bring Him along in your everyday life, don’t allow the devotion or bible to close without inviting Him to join you in your ongoing life.

Verse: Evening and morning and at noon I will pray; and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice Psalm 55:16

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we come to you today in Adoration for you alone are worthy of all of our praise, We Confess we get busy our minds get filled with nonessential thoughts and day to day struggles that we think we must handle on our own and we forget about you and your promises. We Thank you for never walking away from us, for your protection, steadfast love and your forgiveness. Lastly Lord, We bring our Supplications before you, asking that you guide us from day to day, that we learn to seek your will and purpose for our lives and in so doing we shine a light into this dark world that would be a representation of your Great Love. Thank you Lord for your word that we can read it, study it, and rely on it to bring us closer to you, Amen.

Joy Bracero: Daily Devotions for Women- Aligning Your Everyday Life According to His Plan and Design