I know that stinging feeling in my heart too well (you?).  Everyone else seems to be chasing after their dreams and making their lives happen and living fully, and I feel deep inside that this may be the right time for that to happen for me too... but God keeps saying "not yet". He keeps the doors closed for now, He doesn't seem to be saying much about that new season or next step- and so we stay. We remain. And we try our hardest to not get into a rut, as we continue to wait.

Let's be honest, in the middle of God's Not Yet I sometimes just want to lay on the bed and cry/complain to my husband. I've been there- and while those emotions were real and honest and OKAY TO FEEL #thankgod- dwelling in the them was not.

What I love, is that while God may be saying "not yet" to that dream, new place, new relationship, new opportunity- He IS saying YES to something. He is saying YES to our "right now". He's saying yes to where He has us, on purpose, in this moment. This job, this city, these friendships, this season- right now.

There has to be a time when we get to the place where we resolve in our hearts to breathe out and say "okay God, if this is where you're saying yes to, right now- then this is where I'm going to choose to live fully". There is a freedom that comes when we embrace our reality, stop spending so much of our heart/mind pretending we're in a season we aren't and choose to live fully right where he HAS US. Because we know, deep within our souls and bones, that He is worth trusting. That the dreams He placed inside of us won't be left in the dust. That His timing is best.

& we realize that the woman He created us to become, we can start becoming right now.

So how do we embrace God's "Not Yet" without getting in a rut? Without staying discouraged or getting lazy?

1. Realize What's in Your Hand- and Give It Your All

What has God given you right now to steward? What job has He given you, what season is your family in, what friendships or town has He placed you in etc.  And even if those things aren't what you wish they were, how can you give them your all right now? Maybe it's being intentional in spending time with some girl friends, embracing where you live and finding joy in that, maybe it's asking God to use you in your job or as you're leading your family.

Decide that you are going to live this season well because God has you here for a reason, and there is something He wants to teach you here. I don't know about you, but at the end of the way- where God is, I want to be. Because when we choose to buy into God's process for our lives, including where He has us right now, we will find that true fulfillment isn't found in an end goal or a certain circumstance- it's found in Him no matter where we are.

2. Stop Complaining & Find Lovely

There is power in the words that we speak and choose to listen to. Be honest about how you feel but then choose to speak life over yourself instead of complain. Here are a few truths that really encourage my soul in the "Not Yet" seasons:

Isaiah 40:31 "But those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength... they will run & not grow weary, they will walk & not faint."

Proverbs 3:5-6"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."

Psalm 16:11“You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.”

& find lovely. Find things that make you feel alive and do them often. The Lord placed these things in your life on purpose, so take them in and let them bring you joy- even on days when you feel frustrated and stuck. Maybe it's going to the beach or taking in a certain view, taking a yoga class, going for a walk downtown, eating at a certain restaurant etc. Find God in the innocent things around you, and you'll find joy.

3. Find Ways To Grow Where You Are & Stay Inspired

I don't know about you but my biggest desire is to be where God wants me to be, I don't want to force or rush the process He has me in. I don't want to force things to happen when I know right now isn't the time. But I've learned that while God may not be opening that certain door, it doesn't mean He is telling me to give up on my dreams.

I can live in my purpose RIGHT NOW, because my purpose is bigger than a certain goal or career dream. 

Finding ways to grow in your passions, to learn from others, to create and dream right where you are with the what He's given you is important. So who has He placed in your life that you can glean from? What can you create or write or host or do right now with the people in this corner of your world that uses those gifts God has given you? Live in your purpose by loving Him deeply & sharing God's love with others.

& choose to fill your cup with things that inspire you (Joanna Gaines, a certain store etc.)

4. Unfollow People Who Make You Feel "Not Enough", Jealous or Anxious

Friends, this made the biggest difference for me. I had to unfollow a few people that I loved but every time I would see their posts I would feel like "What's the point?! They are doing everything I wish/want to accomplish already" or I would feel inadequate or jealous because of the life they seemed to be living and of course- their pictures were always gorgeous. This is the thing, over everything else, that gets me in ruts. That makes me feel stuck instead of moving forward and living fully with what God has given me.

So I unfollowed, I got rid of something that was constantly showing up in front of me and making me believe that where God had me wasn't enough.

5. Surrender

We can't pass this up friends. Surrender is what happens right before we experience true freedom. So let's do it together. Let's surrender our biggest hopes and dreams, our timelines, our prayers, our control- and breathe in His presence and comfort right where we are.

And at the end of the day, it may still be hard. & that's okay. But if you can surround yourself with people who love you and are for you and embrace where you are, using these tips- you'll embrace all God has for you in this season.

xoxo,

Lanissa