Overcoming Complaining

Good Morning to you all! This week, I had an honest discussion with the Lord about some goals I'm wanting to accomplish and I had to confess to Him (and to myself) that my motives were becoming quite selfish. It occurred to me that, deep down, I'm still struggling with the sin and issue of comparing, complaining and keeping up with the Jones'. Anyone know where I stand?

It's so easy for us all to fall into such a trap. You have an idea that you're excited about, you covered it in prayer, read up on various blogs, books and magazines, discussed your goals with trusted friends and feel amped to put the wheels in motion, but as you try moving forward, you begin to notice others who seem so much more successful with their goals than you are with yours. So you start to compare: "She is so much more creative than me", "His networking is so much stronger than mine", "They are really getting lots of attention", "That person just won another award".
It's easy to get side tracked because it's natural to notice situations around us, especially in this day and age of social communities and reality obsessions. It's difficult to complete an entire day without being informed of someone else's success. Despite our efforts to focus on our own agenda, the problems arise when our comparing turns into complaining: "She doesn't deserve that recognition", "My idea was so much better", "He didn't earn that award", "They could never do it as good as I could"...

The problem with complaining is that it occurs out of an ungrateful heart and a lack of trust in what God is doing within us. When we are not satisfied with our own circumstances, we fall prey to complaining, and eventually competing with others, overtime. This robs us of enjoying who we were specifically created to do and to be. We all have special sets of gifts, talents and strengths and each of us are at the mercy of God's timeline. Not everyone's name will be in lights. Not everyone will arise to success at the same time and not everyone's journey to their destiny will be manifested in the same way, but regardless, we have been called to rejoice when others experience success and encourage them on their way; not harboring jealousy or envying their blessings, because you never know what they had to endure within their process to get to where they are. 

In each of us, God is unfolding His perfect plan in our lives and in our hearts, if only we just trust His process and put our lives in His hands. My destiny will look different than yours and yours will look different than others, but at the end of it all, if we keep our hearts on Christ, our lives will unfold in an existence that is beautiful to behold because we put our trust in the Lord and in His leading for our lives and direction for our goals.

Scripture tells us that when we trust the Lord with the good we want to accomplish, He in  turn will make our success brilliant!

Trust in the LORD and do good... Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart.  Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. ~Psalm 37:3-6

I just love that part: the justice of your cause (your goals, your endeavors) will be made to shine like the sun! See, the Lord is proud of His creation and wants to put us on display! They key to it all is to be content where God has you right now, trusting His process as you maneuver through your goals and pursue your endeavors. We must also remember that our steps are ordered by the Lord (Psalm 37: 23). So, as we strive to achieve our goals and produce our ideas, we must be diligent and stay prayerful over the direction and instruction from God, thanking Him with grateful hearts for the opportunities He's blessed us with and seeking how we can help others along the way. Ask Him to make your path clear to you and celebrate with those who are achieving success, encourage those who are needing a boost and love people as you travel along your path. Remember that when life unveils your turn for success, you will want others to celebrate with you, as well! 

Comparing takes away your focus, complaining takes away your joy. We desperately need both for the journey and cannot afford to be robbed of either. So set your sights on things above (Colossians 3:2)! Do your absolute best with what you have, full throttle. Learn from others and share your own lessons! Go hard for God, seeking His face and His approval in all that you do! His plans include you and His path is a sure win! The Jones' have their purpose and you have yours. It is unique to your life, your talents, your strengths and yes, even your weaknesses. Never doubt that you can be used of God and never underestimate the power that is unleashed when we rejoice for the goodness that is being produced in others, and in ourselves.

As I revisit my own goals, I realize that I have the unique opportunity to rejoice for my success, ahead of time, because I am learning to trust God and His process. I don't need to compare, complain or compete with anyone else. If I keep my eyes on Christ, then I will be successful and shine like the sun; my life will matter and most importantly, it will make a difference for the kingdom of God! Who I am and what I am destined to do is purposed for the glory of the Lord! I just want to be authentically who God created me to be and do what He has called me to achieve. I want to celebrate with those around me and encourage those who are still searching for their purpose.  I also want the same for you!

Trust His process!
~Pearls

Newest Video on our Youtube Page!!!

Hi Everyone!!!

We just wanted to share with you some updates on what God has been teaching us in our personal lives. In this video, Ashley and Katrina are back with another beautiful Pearl, Noelle!!! Watch this short video and spend some time with us regarding the lessons God has shown us on gratefulness and purpose!

Love Always,

~Pearls

Who Am I?

It's an age old question and trend. "Who am I"? Individuals travel the globe to 'find themselves'. People change religions, change careers, and even change spouses to discover or re-discover themselves. There are quizzes one can take, quotes to inspire you, millions of books and self-help seminars on the matter, songs and more songs, there are even coaches you can hire to help you answer the question: "who am I?".

In 2013, the Huffington Post published an article, Finding "Yourself". I thought it curious that the word, 'yourself' was in quotations and it made me wonder... Those who are seeking themselves are doing so from the perspective that they must create themselves. But scripture tells us that not only were we created by God, for God (Romans 11:36), we were also already created with a specific assignment and destiny to fulfill within our lives (Joshua 29:11). No re-inventions necessary!

As I began to read the article, a young woman explains that, in order to find one's self, one must not allow anyone else to interfere in your self-seeking process. Instead, you must consider your wants, create dreams that will satisfy you, and avoid those who will not support your decisions. Of course, the article wasn't written so candidly. Actually, it was an amazing article! It was well written and well thought of. The author gave some amusing examples and some very positive suggestions. But the truth and issue of the matter is that, much like the books, the songs and the quotes on the subject of Self-Discovery, it's all about you.

The problem with this take on life is that it opposes the Word of God. Our God celebrates community. He is a relational God who has commanded His church to stay connected with each other (Romans 12:4-5), to inquire for wisdom and godly council/advice from others (Proverbs1:5) and to seek direction that is pleasing to The Lord (Psalms 32:8-9).
Our culture tells us that we should be independent, considering our needs first, deciding what is best for us and pursuing what we want, without regard to others. It is a social norm, expectancy and a generally accepted belief that you will be a happier person if you do things your way, for your pleasure and for your own fame. But, if that is truly the case, then why are there so many of us who are unhappy and without true identity, constantly searching for ourselves and for our purpose in this life?

In the scriptures, Proverbs gives us the solution to the problem of Self-Discovery:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

-Proverbs 3:5-6 

You see, our lives are too grand and to delicate to be trusted within our own care. When we give our lives to God and put our trust in Him, the way in which we should go and the person that we were created to be becomes so clear. Our existance isn't accidental, and our lives are not made without order. Scripture says that God is the Alpha  and the Omega- the beginning and the end of all things and He has already created those plans for you! Many of us miss it because we're asking the wrong questions and walking shambled paths that we have tried to create and layout for ourselves. I wonder, if instead of asking, " Who am I?", what if we began to ask, "Who are you, Lord?", because the answer of our
identity lies in the knowing of our God! In Him
lies all the answers and all of the wisdom and all of the plans for our lives. When we look into ourselves, we have uncertainties, but when we look to Heaven, and seek the word of God, we find truth that is applicable to all of our questions. We are limited. He is limitless. We are inconsistent. He never changes. We make mistakes. He never fails. We ask the questions. God has the answers.

Let me end by challenging you all to stop looking inward, and start looking upward. The Lord has great promise for you, but you have to trust Him in who He is, what He says and where He leads. I promise you, if you follow Him, you will never get lost! He knows the way, because He made the path! As you grow closer to His heart, you will begin to discover yours in the process!

Your true identity is in Jesus! Follow Him!

~Pearls