I Couldn't Stop Thinking about This...

Hey Friend,

This week we are hearing a lot of conversations around the topic of mental health after the unfortunate passing of Cheslie Kryst, former Miss USA 2019. At the age of 30 this beautiful and accomplished woman jumped to her death.

My heart rips into a million pieces every time I hear a story like this, and I think it’s normal to want to learn as much as we can about what the person may have been going through moments before deciding to end it all.

I remember a similar story a few years ago where another young and accomplished woman decided to end her life as well. One peek into both of these women’s lives (from the outside looking in) and one would think they had it all. They were both successful career women traveling the world with so much to look forward to. But as we all know, mental illness does not discriminate.

When I heard about the young woman who committed suicide a few years ago I started reading through her blog posts and came across her suicide note, and one sentence she wrote gripped my heart for days, leaving me in a state of melancholy.

She wrote, “I have accepted hope is nothing more than delayed disappointment, and I am just plain old-fashion tired of feeling tired.”

Man, I felt that in a way that shook me. At that time, I had been praying and asking God for something specific for a very long time and my heart was sick from the many years of unanswered prayers.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12.

When I hear these stories, I get angry. I get angry at the enemy of our soul whose only job is to steal, kill, and destroy. And because I am fully aware of this, I know the enemy is always behind the evil we see in this world.

That’s why I am so adamant about us all operating in our individual assignments and being able to be used by God because there are so many people who are hurting. I find that so many people are out of position and out of alignment with where the Lord needs them to be and that’s when anxiety, depression, and frustration kicks in.

Perhaps you may be hurting right now. You may feel lost about where you are currently in life. You may long for something so much that at times it may be hard to hold on. The enemy gets us in our longings and desires. Whether that be a longing for (more) success, fame, significance, being married, having a baby, or being seen, if you have a craving that is not being satisfied you may also start to believe that hope is nothing more than delayed disappointment.

In that moment when I started rolling that statement around in my head and pondering over it, these words came back to my memory … And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

In that moment I had to make a choice as to what words I was going to believe because if we are honest, sometimes it’s easier to believe the lies of the enemy as opposed to God’s words because the evidence of the unfulfilled longing is staring us right in the face.

I don’t ever want to be insensitive and imply that mental health is not real-because it most certainly is. (I wrote a book detailing my gruesome decade long battle with anxiety). So, I know how real the struggle is. I know people are looking for answers and there are so many tools out there. But in addition to the tools like such as therapy, I want to also encourage you to lean heavily upon the word of God too.

If I had not known the word of God and had not tucked that scripture away in my heart not even knowing it was there, I may have continued to believe the lie of the enemy and nothing good would have resulted from that.

Friend, I want you to know that you are not alone in your battle to hold onto hope. I want you to know that your hope won’t lead to disappointment.

Here’s what I want you to do. Write out all the negative thoughts you think on a regular basis and find scriptures to memorize to combat those thoughts. And don’t hesitate to find a therapist that can come alongside you and help you process what you’re feeling.

You are needed in this world and you are loved. I pray this life brings you everything you long for and I pray you can hold on a little while longer because it will get better.

Here for you always,

Tiffany

A few more things/helpful resources:

P.S. If you are a career woman, successful in a soul-crushing career and you want to transition into your spirit-led calling I launched a new program a few months ago called, Sacred Side Hustle, for women desiring to make an income while making an impact. If you fall in this category, you can click here to learn more and to apply for the program.

P.S.S. My book Peace Stealers is still getting rave reviews. If you struggle with anxiety and you want to have more peace, this book will help you to do just that. It tackles 21 areas that steal your peace and contributes to anxiety. Click here to purchase. Also, if you have read the book, I would be so grateful if you left a review on amazon. It will help more people to know about the book and sharing is caring :)).

P.S.S. Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram and join me every other Tuesday, starting January 11th, for Tuesdays with Tiffany.

P.S.S.S. You are amazing, and you are doing an amazing job. Don't you forget it!

The Danger of Doubt (Blog + Video)

Hey Friend,

 Have you ever heard some good news and thought to yourself, “This is too good to be true?”

As much as you want to believe, have you ever been afraid to get your hopes up (AGAIN)? The reason I ask is that I know personally how excruciating it can be to put your trust in something or someone after being let down time and time again.

As much as we know intellectually that we live in a fallen world full of flawed humans, we still long to put our faith into something that will not disappoint us.

Because we live in a fallen world with fallen people, disappointment is inevitable. Now friend, I am sure this isn’t news to you because like me, I am sure you have been let down by someone before. I don’t really need to elaborate on the fact that people are fickle and untrustworthy at times. So, I want to approach this differently.

As Christians, we are referred to as believers. We believe in God. We believe in Jesus and in His resurrection, but what I find to be ironic- is just how little we believe in the words of the God we serve when it comes to our own lives.

Because if we are honest, sometimes it feels as if God has disappointed us too, and when we begin to feel this way, it is easy for unbelief to seep in and contaminate our faith.

And no matter how much we try to normalize doubt, as a believer, without faith, it is impossible to please God.

Knowing this makes all the difference because if we do not please God, who are we pleasing when doubt becomes a constant companion?

Continuing our video series based on my book, Peace Stealers; today we are dealing with the peace stealer of unbelief and why it is dangerous for a believer to live with doubt.

In this short video, titled, “The danger of unbelief,” I explained why we cannot casually entertain doubt, and I offer practical steps to help you eliminate this peace stealer from your life to experience answered prayer and the stability available for you.

I pray it is a blessing to you.

Until next time my friend.

Tiffany

Your Word For 2021

Hi Friend,

I pray you had a Merry Christmas, even if it looked a little different than the previous years. I know 2020 has been unlike any other year, but I also know that this year hasn’t been all bad.

God is faithful, even when our circumstances seem to contradict this truth.

With so much loss, pain, and heartache going on around the country and the world, it may be a struggle to even think about what the New Year will bring. If that is you, I pray that this love letter brings some much-needed light to your day.

As I was lying down for bed a few nights ago, these words started playing over and over in my mind; 

“A crown of beauty instead of ashes. 
The oil of joy instead of mourning.
And a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.”
 

I picked up my phone, opened my bible app, and pulled up Isaiah 61, where this verse is found, and this entire passage in Isaiah blessed my socks off. 

Last year around this time, many people said that the new year would be the year of 2020 vision (how clever, eh).

And while I do believe this year has personally brought me clarity and sharpened my vision, I don’t think any of us were intending a pandemic to be the catalyst for this said clarity.

I never bought into this word fully because I didn’t personally hear God on this.

But this year is different.

You see, when I opened my bible a few nights ago to Isaiah 61, the subtitle of this passage read; 

“The Year of the Lord’s Favor!”

Let’s just say I didn’t go to sleep right away, as I got chills and became excited at what the New Year will bring. I’m always in awe when God speaks in a way that I can’t dismiss.

You see, I didn’t have time to question whether this was a coincidence or not. I simply got into an agreement with the word of God and started declaring that favor will be my reward and inheritance in 2021 and beyond.

Friend. this word is not just for me. It’s for you too. If you will simply agree with God and not with the world, the news, your feelings, or your emotions, I believe you will see the favor of God in every situation you invite Him into. 

So, I hope you will agree with God! Even if it’s hard to get your hopes up AGAIN.

If your answer is yes, I need you to understand what you have agreed to. God’s favor (aka grace) simply means God is giving you the ability to do something which is humanly impossible for you to do.
 
Friend, I believe that this New Year is going to be the year where God does what has seemed impossible for you to do.

Get excited, stay excited, and get ready to see the favor of God all year long.
 
Lastly, I encourage you to read the entire passage of Isaiah 61. I have been reading this over and over because it is that good, and I hope you’ll do the same. That’s how you get to build your faith muscle (Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God). 

Happy New Year, my friend,

You are Being Summoned for Duty

Hey friend,

I know it’s been a while since I’ve been in your inbox. I’m not even going to deny the awkwardness of this moment. Nevertheless, I have missed writing and sharing my heart with you. I hope you’ll forgive me for disappearing.

So much has changed since our last encounter, and sooner than later I’ll get around to sharing that story.

But for now, I really wanted to check on you and see how you’re enduring this year of interruption. It’s been a lot to take in, hasn’t it? I wouldn’t blame you if you were already over this year.

I keep hearing the phrase cancel 2020, and I can’t help but cringe at the thought of letting these next 5 or so months float by while waiting for the new year.

I want you to realize that God specializes in interruptions. That is His sweet spot.

Think about the story of Mary. Mary was in the middle of planning a wedding, picking out dresses, and filling out invitations. Then out of the blue, her plans were interrupted by an unexpected encounter with an angel carrying some heavy news.

That encounter led to a pregnancy that wasn’t on her calendar. This interruption almost cost her her soon to be marriage. It also smeared her reputation. I’m sure Mary was wondering, what in the world is going on God?!

 But soon after, she gave birth, and that birth led to something we still rejoice and celebrate today.

So, friend today I want to ask you, is the Lord speaking to you about birthing something that could change the world forever?

In the midst of what the world sees as a pandemic, I see possibilities everywhere. I see interruptions as divine appointments and if you will lean into God like never before, I believe you will truly discover why you’re still here.

At this particular time in history.

You were created to birth and bring fourth life in whatever sphere you find yourself in. That dream doesn’t have to make sense to anyone else.

That dream doesn’t have to appear big and grand. It could simply be pouring into you children and showing the love of Christ everywhere you go. That may seem small, but raising a child is one of the most sacred responsibilities one can have.

And the possibilities are endless from what could happen through the life of your child.

No matter what God sized dream you’re dreaming of, just know that your dream matters.

You matter.

And nothing that has happened in 2020 has caught God by surprise. That’s where I draw my comfort from.

God has a lot to say right now, about you, your dream, your life, and the events going on around you.

But you’re not going to hear him where there is lots of noise.

So, while everyone else is scrolling, googling, listening to the news, finding new ways to use the word entanglement (giggle), and just trying to get by...I need you purposefully focusing on the next half of the year. Praying about your next steps and waiting in anticipation for an encounter with God.

Friend, you are Mary. Without Mary, there would be no Jesus. She was the only girl for the job. And the Lord is looking for the modern day Mary’s to stand up and give birth to something the world desperately needs.

And you are the only girl for the job.

It’s time for you to report for duty. We’re all waiting on you.


Until next time my friend!