Sleeping on Your Vision

Recently, I created a program called Vision Warriors. Vision Warriors are women who are willing to seek God and fight through frustrations, disappointments, and any other distractions to reach their vision for their lives.

So often we sleep on our vision. We walk through our daily lives praying for the desires of our hearts, then impatiently wait for life to haphazardly bring what we desire. Then we become frustrated that the things we so fervently pray for never show up.

There are many places in the Bible where we are given explicit intructions that will bear fruit. For example:

• Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. (Matt: 7:7-8 NIV).
• But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matt. 6:33 NIV).
• Then the LORD answered me and said, "Record the vision And inscribe it on tablets, That the one who reads it may run. For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay.… (Habakkuk 2:2-3 NASB).

And we mustn't forget:

• In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. (James 2:17 NIV).

As Vision Warriors, it is important that we take steps towards seeing the vision for our lives manifest. So often we go throughout life discouraged and frustrated that we cannot go on vacation, purchase a home, or do anything outside of our necessities. As a Vision Warrior, I challenge you to not sleep on your vision! 

Pathology, fear, or trauma we may have experienced in our lives oftentimes mold our belief systems and we don't realize that it is simply our thoughts that keep us from having the best that God destined us to have. The richest people in the world would tell you that it was the incessant belief that they COULD that brought them to where they are.

It's time we discard old mindsets and replace them with the belief that we can actually life out every desire we have for our lives!

If you feel you need assistance in this area, please visit www.sherondalbarksdale.com to schedule your life coaching session to begin to have the life you truly deserve.

Also, you can visit www.sherondalbarksdale.com and join our email list to receive your FREE copy of Vision Never Sleeps by Sheronda L. Barksdale.

Much peace and many blessings.

Your blogger:

Sheronda L. Barksdale

Sheronda L. Barksdale is an author, speaker, life empowerment coach, and entrepreneur. Her motto for life and business is, "Empowering your vision to your path". She believes that through faith, anyone can see their vision for their life manifested. You can also read her blog, Sharing Your Faith....Frfr.

If you have any comments, questions, or prayer requests, please contact Sheronda at: faithfrfr2014@gmail.com. Also,you can go to her website www.www.SherondaLBarksdale.com.  Follow her on Facebook at Sheronda L. Barksdale, Entrepreneur and Life Empowerment Coach, Instagram at: sheronda_l_barksdale, and Twitter at: @SherondaGB.

Living in the Now

                The Anxiety and Depression Association of America reports that, “Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older, or 18% of the population. (Source: National Institute of Mental Health).” As someone who has suffered from these illnesses, and has fought very hard to overcome them, I have found that they are quite related to living in the past or the future, instead of living in the now.

                When we were children, very little stressed us because we knew there was someone there to take care of us and our daily needs. We had no concern about whether or not bills will be paid, if we were safe, nor if we would get a job. This is why I believe Matthew 18:3 tells us to become like children, although this is not the easiet thing to do. As responsible adults, we are called to be good stewards over the things we are blessed with, so we work hard to see that our needs, and our families’ needs, are met. Yet we continue to stress over the things we don’t have or are unable to do, and this comes from not living in the now.

                Stress affects every part of our body. (Take a moment to read this article that substantiates this fact.) Ironically, when we are ill it oftentimes creates stress as well, which exacerbates the illness.

                When feeling stressed, this is the most important time to rely on your faith. The unknown is the most difficult part of life, but we serve a God that has offered so many promises to us if we would just trust and believe Him. In order to fully do that, we must learn to live in the present moment. No, you cannot forget the due date on a bill nor the disappointing prognosis the doctor may have given you or someone close to you. But consider this: What can you do about it in this very moment?

                I’ve shared before that I was healed of diabetes. I wasn’t pre-diabetic. I had full-blown diabetes. When I was diagnosed, my blood sugar was in the mid-500s when normal blood sugar is 80-100. I had difficulty healing when I had wounds, blurred vision that lasted for days, and could drink a gallon of milk a day from being so thirsty from this illness. Instead of stressing about the illness, I did what I could do in each moment: believe in God’s healing, exercise, and eat healthy. In less than a year, I no longer had any evidence of diabetes.

                Any situation can be relieved of stress if we were to consider only the moment. I have truly put this notion into practice, not only to alleviate stress, but also to enjoy every moment of this lifetime. I have a two-year-old son, and it seems like he is growing up right before my very eyes. There are times that I don’t particularly feel like wrestling on the floor or playing with blocks and trucks. However, I have come to understand that I will never get these moments back, so I sit on the floor and have lots of fun watching his young interpretation of play. It makes me feel young again!

               As an entrepreneur, there truly are no guarantees of when there will be a steady flow of income, so I have had to learn to have faith and to live in the moment. I ask myself daily, “what can you do today that will advance your business?” Whatever God imparts into my heart, I do. After that, I trust that my work will create income, and God will take care of the rest. Matthew 6:26 says, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” We are much more valuable!

              This is not the easiest concept to receive (understand) nor to put into practice. We have been conditioned to consider our future without being taught that what we do now is a direct reflection of our present. There have been many nights I would lie in bed thinking about the next day, or something even further away. I would wake up the next day unrested, irritable, and frustrated. Take a moment to think about what you are thinking about. Is this thought causing you to feel tense in your stomach, shoulders, or back? Does the thought cause you to have negative feelings? If so, let it go. Replace it with something that makes you happy. If you must think of the past, think of a vacation, party, or any moment that made you smile. I assure you, that thing you are so stressed out about will be there, and will also be met with a resolution. 

“Finally, brothers and sisters, 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).

              I encourage you who experience stress, anxiety, and depression to begin to live in the now. I understand that there are times when things around you seem hopeless and there is no obvious way of it getting any better. But that’s your limited view. God’s view is limitless! What can you do right now that will help alleviate your concern for the future? Whatever it is, do it. When there’s nothing left to do, just live. Enjoy your family. Take in some outside air. Read a book. Give each moment your full, undivided attention. Not only will you begin to feel less stressed, but you will gain a new view of the world around you. The best perk is, you will be able to witness God’s unchanging love for you as He fulfills His promises and supplies your every need. A by-product of living in the now is that your body will begin to heal and you will feel healthier. Consider letting go of whatever is stressing you right now and live in the moment. Besides, tomorrow is not promised, so why not enjoy what you have right now?

Peace and blessings!

If you feel you need a life coach to help you strengthen your faith, please contact Mrs. Barksdale at any of the links below.

Sources:

http://www.adaa.org/about-adaa/press-room/facts-statistics

http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/stress-body.aspx

http://rollingout.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Book-Women-Music-Industry.jpg?769134

http://ak2.picdn.net/shutterstock/videos/1638439/preview/stock-footage-ethnic-mom-and-son-family-playing-baseball.jpg

Your blogger:

Sheronda L. Barksdale

Sheronda L. Barksdale is an author, speaker, life empowerment coach, and entrepreneur. Her motto for life and business is, "Empowering your vision to your path". She believes that through faith, anyone can see their vision for their life manifested. You can also read her blog, Sharing Your Faith....Frfr.

If you have any comments, questions, or prayer requests, please contact Sheronda at: faithfrfr2014@gmail.com. Also,you can go to her website SherondaLBarksdale.com.  Follow her on Facebook at Sheronda L. Barksdale, Entrepreneur and Life Empowerment Coach, Instagram at: sheronda_l_barksdale, and Twitter at: @SherondaGB.

An Empowerment Prayer for: Me and You

An Empowerment Prayer for: Me and You

Father God,

Help me to have faith in knowing that all things work to the good of those that love the Lord and are called according to your purpose. (Romans 8:28).

Lord, there are times along this path that things seem unclear. At times it feels that I know exactly what direction I am headed in because your presence is so strong. There are other times when I feel like you are so far away; yet, I am reliant upon you as my compass. Please make my crooked paths straight so that I may continue upon the path of your will for my life. (Isaiah 45:2).

Help me boldly go forward into this call over my life, be it being a parent, a spouse, an employee, a pastor, or an usher. It is in you that I have boldness and access with confidence through my faith in you. (Ephesians 3:12).

Father, I have faith that at this very moment, there is nothing missing and nothing broken from my life that is needed to execute the plans you have. I will obediently use my time and resources wisely, and I believe that every provision I will ever need will be provided by you. (Philippians 4:19).

I surrender my life to you. In his darkest hour, Christ asked that you remove his cup from him, yet he still surrendered to your will (Mark 14:35-36). In my darkest hour, help me to remember that the burden may be heavy, and my cup may be something I think is too difficult to bear, but you will never leave me nor forsake me (Deuteronomy 31:6).

I thank you God for your perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3). I thank you for your unspeakable joy (1 Peter 1:8). I thank you for your unchanging love (Malachi 3:6). I thank you for the times you have blessed me when I did not deserve it. I rejoice in your new mercies I receive every morning (Lamentations 3:23).

You said you did not give me the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). Allow me to use these gifts to see your name glorified upon the earth.

Help me to not get lost in my way and my will. This world we live in has been formed to teach me to not have a vision that goes beyond what our two hands can do. I want to always remember that your power surpasses anything I can even begin to think of doing; so, when you call me to walk in and on purpose, please allow to always consider that my power does not only come from what I believe about myself and my ability to think positively…my power also comes from your unmatchable power that no one or no thing has the ability to stop it.

Understanding that as a (wo)man thinketh so is (s)he (Proverbs 23:7), I will strive to always think upon these things: whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy. This way I will be whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8).

May my life always be pleasing in your sight.

This I pray in Jesus’ name.

Amen.

Your blogger:

Sheronda L. Barksdale

Sheronda L. Barksdale is an author, speaker, life empowerment coach, and entrepreneur. Her motto for life and business is, "Empowering your vision to your path". She believes that through faith, anyone can see their vision for their life manifested. You can also read her blog, Sharing Your Faith....Frfr.

If you have any comments, questions, or prayer requests, please contact Sheronda at: faithfrfr2014@gmail.com. Also,you can go to her website SherondaLBarksdale.com.  Follow her on Facebook at Sheronda L. Barksdale, Entrepreneur and Life Empowerment Coach, Instagram at: sheronda_l_barksdale, and Twitter at: @SherondaGB.

What if?

What if?

What if life as you know it ceased to exist? What if we wake up tomorrow and all technology has shut down? Internet, telephones, television….gone. Running water, plumbing, electricity….no more. 

What would life look like? Wherein does your faith lie?

What would you do first? Would you begin to plant a garden so you and your family could eat? Maybe find some safe water to drink? How would you get in touch with your loved ones who are far away?

Would you begin to panic? Would you give up? Perhaps you would try to start a business.

Would you rely on your faith to start life over again?

These are the things I consider when I think about Matthew 6:30-33: “But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (ESV)

We have been conditioned by a “hustle and bustle” society that says we always need to be breaking our necks to not only meet our needs, but our wants as well. We work multiple jobs so that we can afford the largest house, newest cars, and name brand clothing, which is absolutely any individual’s choice. But consider this:

What if we actually sought the kingdom and its righteousness first? What if we actually worked in a field that aligns with our higher calling? Would our gifts actually make room for us? (Prov. 18:16) Would we enjoy our work so much that we would work with excellence instead of mediocrity?

This is something I thought of when I changed my profession from being a Patient Care Technician in dialysis, to becoming a Life Empowerment Coach. I was really good at dialysis. However, I knew that it was not my call, and I preferred doing what is important to the kingdom of heaven versus what made more sense to society.

Taking the path that allows your walk into your calling is not always easy. It’s definitely unconventional. Sometimes our call is to be a Patient Care Technician, a nurse, or the VP of a well-known company. Yet, for others, their call may be to become an entrepreneur, a mission worker, or a stay-at-home parent. How will you eat, pay bills, and clothe your kids?

Following the path to your ultimate vision requires great faith. There will be times that you have no idea how you will make ends meet. But if we believe in what Matthew 6:30-33 says, there is no need to worry.

Have you:

                Sought first the kingdom?

                Taken the first step towards developing your call?

                Trusted God that everything you need will be taken care of?

If you haven’t, what if you did? I believe that when we take these steps, all things will surely be added to us.

Nothing is more real than a “final notice” letter coming through the mail, an empty fridge, or an empty gas tank. It is quite frustrating when you have to seek governmental assistance. It is downright discouraging when you have to sit in the dark because you could not pay the bill. But the lack of these things do not define the power of God, nor does it define you as a person. Some of the greatest authors, inventors, and politicians experienced many dark days. Actor, producer, and writer Tyler Perry shared that some of his first plays were written while he was homeless.

When you do your best, you can expect God’s best. But seek first the kingdom of God. Things may not always meet society’s standard, but…….

What if?

Peace.





If you have any comments, questions, or prayer requests, please contact me at: faithfrfr2014@gmail.com. Also,you can go to my website SherondaLBarksdale.com.  Follow me on Facebook at Sheronda L. Barksdale, Entrepreneur and Life Empowerment Coach, Instagram at: sheronda_l_barksdale, and Twitter at: @SherondaGB.

Please Lord, No More

Please Lord, No More

Any time I am feeling down, I pull out my journal and reflect on some of my better times. This time I came across a scripture I previously found important to write down: Psalm 119:71, “It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees” (NIV).

Long pause.....

When looking for something uplifting, this most certainly isn’t what I would be looking for. When going through the most difficult times, it is hard, no, almost impossible to come to a mental place to say it is good to be going through it. Most times we want someone, something to rescue us.

It’s even more disconcerting when something happens that seems unjust: a car accident, being laid off, an illness, anything that shifts your life in an unexpected direction.

How can it be good to be afflicted?

I have heard many people who consider themselves atheists say, “If there is a God, why would He allow suffering?” Lord knows I would love to have a clear, cookie-cutter answer to this question. However, in my 35, almost 36, years of life, I have learned these things:

• Suffering has caused me to self-evaluate.
• Hard times made me choose between crawling underneath my covers and refusing to face life, or finding the strength to overcome.
• After seeing others suffer, I was strengthened by their story.
• After I have suffered, others were strengthened by my story.

I have absolutely said in the midst of difficulty, “Please Lord, no more!” It sometimes felt like things couldn’t get any worse, but did. I would imagine that in the spiritual realm my spiritual frame must have muscles cut like a massive body builder. I could not imagine one more thing happening that would require me to have faith to get through. Each circumstance required me to trust that everything would work out without having a clue how that would happen.

But ultimately, your pain has purpose. (I winced as I typed that). It is not easy to tell a person who is being afflicted by hardship that their pain has purpose. But it does. One guarantee in life is that there are no true guarantees. Death, illness, foreclosure, eviction looms at everyone’s door, no matter how secure or healthy things seem to be. However, our faith must tell us that no matter what comes, God’s love was present before the pain, will be there during the pain, and will be there forevermore. Even our foolish mistakes serve a greater purpose! It is difficult to understand how an affliction could be good during the trial, and sometimes we don’t fully understand its purpose after the trial. What is most important is that you rely on your faith in God’s word to see you through.

Allow your faith to turn, “Please Lord, no more” into, “Please Lord, no more….but I trust that you love me, and there is a greater purpose in this that I am unable to see. Thy will be done.”

Peace.

If you have any comments, questions, or prayer requests, please contact me at: faithfrfr2014@gmail.com. Also,you can go to my website SherondaLBarksdale.com.  Follow me on Facebook at Sheronda L. Barksdale, Entrepreneur and Life Empowerment Coach, Instagram at: sheronda_l_barksdale, and Twitter at: @SherondaGB.

Empowerment

Empowerment

I am a life empowerment coach. Every woman who is willing to fight to see her vision realized, I believe, is a Vision Warrior. Seeing your vision to your path is not always an easy task, so my work is to empower women to see their vision clearly, then fight for it to come into fruition.

But what exactly is empowerment?

Empowerment is defined as:

“to give power or authority to; authorize, especially by legal or official means; to enable or permit.”

It may sound strange to some, but sometimes we need permission to be everything we desire to be.

So often we have experienced things in our lives’ that make us believe we cannot achieve what we want out of life. Pathology, traumatic events (rape, abuse, etc.), and self-doubt tells us things like:

• You don’t have enough time to do that.
• There isn’t enough money.
• You aren’t smart enough.

My purpose in life is to empower, give authority to, authorize, enable, or permit every person I work with to see their vision to their path. I have been through numerous life experiences that have required me to find my God-given power to survive and excel. This process has taken a lot of time at times, and some things I continue to have to remind myself. I am now equipped with the tools that will help those who are in need of this type of encouragement without having to take all of the years it took me to acquire this strength. Soon after our work, all of those negative thought patterns will sound like:

• I know that everyone has the same 24 hours in a day, so I will find the time. 
• Although I don’t have a lot of money to invest, but I can start somewhere.
•  I am smart enough to achieve anything I put my mind to.

Empowerment is a necessity for anything you want to do in life. Being a great parent, starting a business, or developing an exercise regime all requires you to believe that you have the power to do it. Yet, it can be difficult to convince yourself that any of it is possible. I would love to be your life coach, but if this is not something you can do right now, surround yourself with people and things that are encouraging and uplifting. This way, you can begin to recognize the beauty and talents that were specifically assigned to you, and you can begin to act on these things. You have the right to be empowered!

Peace.

If you have any comments, questions, or prayer requests, please contact me at: faithfrfr2014@gmail.com. Also,you can go to my website SherondaLBarksdale.com.  Follow me on Facebook at Sheronda L. Barksdale, Entrepreneur and Life Empowerment Coach, Instagram at: sheronda_l_barksdale, and Twitter at: @SherondaGB.

References:

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/empowerment

Photo by: Omoleye Adeyemi

What is a Life Coach?

What is a Life Coach?

                I am a life empowerment coach, which essentially is a life coach who empowers. Many people do not know what a life coach is nor the benefits to hiring one. This blog intends to give a better understanding, and will hopefully encourage you to find a life coach that will suit your needs.

                A life coach is a person who encourages someone or groups of people in areas they may be struggling with in life. There are many types of coaches: fitness, nutrition, career, motivational….the list goes on. I specialize in personal and spiritual growth, time and stress management, relationship/couples coaching, and motivation for women and teens ages 13-18. My belief is as a life coach, we should always guide our clients into making decisions that best suits their life, as well as ensuring the client feels so empowered that they can encourage and empower themselves in the future.

                I use many techniques when working with clients, and the technique is always based on the client’s need. One technique I do like to use with every client is the development of a vision board. A vision board is a visual representation of what we what our goals to look like. For example, if your goal is to have a better marriage, you would create a vision board that displays what this looks like to you. You would then post this board in a place that will allow you to intentionally look at it daily as a reminder of what you are working towards.

                I also like to dive into any pain, unforgiveness, or frustrations you may have experienced in the past that may be causing a hindrance in reaching your goals. Many years ago I was a victim of two separate sexual assaults (one a family member, the other was through a date rape drug). After experiencing these things within 3 years of each other, my self-worth was extremely low. It took many years to regain my value. If I had the opportunity to have a life coach, the healing time would have been cut drastically. My desire is to help people to heal from their pain in order to reach their highest potential.

                There are things that a life coach should not do. A life coach is not qualified to diagnose. My degree is in Counseling and Human Services, so I have been educated on how to identify many psychological disorders such as suicide, depression, and narcissism. However, I am not a licensed counselor, so I cannot treat anyone for any psychological disorder. My duty as a certified life coach is to refer anyone experiencing these symptoms to a qualified professional. Also, a life coach should not impose their opinion on your life. They can make suggestions, but you should never feel pressured to do something that will not accommodate your life. A life coach should push you past your comfort zone, but you do not have to do anything that will be a detriment to your physical, emotional, mental, spiritual or financial health.

                Now what does having a life coach have to do with faith? The Bible defines faith as “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”. (Hebrews 11:1 KJV). As a life empowerment coach, I want to encourage every person I work with to have faith that they can reach heights that seem imaginable. The work each client does calls for them to believe in what is seemingly impossible, but with God all things are possible. (Matt. 19:26). Your faith, along with your hard work, will bring your vision into reality.

                Now that you have a better understanding of what a life coach is, I hope that you will find a coach that is best for you. I am currently offering a discounted rate which can be found on my website: www.SherondaLBarksdale.com. When you contact me, you will receive a free 15-min consultation that will help determine if we are right for each other. I look forward to working with you to see your vision for your life realized!

Peace.

If you have any comments, questions, or prayer requests, please contact me at: faithfrfr2014@gmail.com. Also,you can go to my website SherondaLBarksdale.com, follow me on Facebook at Sheronda L. Barksdale, Entrepreneur and Life Empowerment Coach, Instagram at: sheronda_l_barksdale, and Twitter at: @SherondaGB.