Posts Tagged ‘prayer’

Recently, I was given the opportunity to re-enter the workforce in a new industry from my former.  Previously, I worked in non-for-profit religious and before that direct marketing.  This new industry actually is one that has been around me my entire life.  Many of my relatives have worked in it or currently still do so.  That industry is healthcare.

The most important and awesome part about the experience is the opportunity came suddenly after a shocking self examination.  What I realized was that I had been neglecting (in my prayer time) the topic of gaining new employment.  In the natural, I was still being diligent calling my recruiters and applying for opportunities, reviewing my skill sets and working on clarifying my personal brand (online and offline.)

However, spiritually I had stopped thanking God for my new job in advance.  On the flipside, I had begun studying and confessing over my business ventures.  However, I needed to schedule more time for increase study including goal setting.  I was lacking balance and once I realized that and corrected it; it was less than 24 hours that I received a phone call about this new opportunity!

All this was realized when the workaholic in me began to be decoded.  Webster defines the word  ”workaholic” as being a person that is a compulsive worker and one of the definitions for the word “decoded” means to discover the underlying meaning.  The one thing that is powerful about prayer it is supposed to be a two way dialogue between you and God.  When you take the time to stop talking it is amazing what God can drop into your spirit.  For me, it was being shown why I had in the past always seemed so busy and why while I was working on projects, I was not able to close them out.

The Holy Spirit gently corrected and guided me through the process of an honest self assessment of how I had been managing my time.

• First I needed to be realistic with my schedule.  Remembering to put God first.  Giving him undivided time and focus; more than I had before.
• Not taking on new projects without first closing out current ones and consulting God in prayer about taking new ones.
• Re-learning how to and socializing offline with like minded people.
• Exploring my environment for new opportunities (neighborhood and community)
• Not second guessing when God has already given me peace in my spirit on projects that take me out of my comfort zone.
• Tapping into my personal networks, family, friends and former colleagues.   I now have mentors not just supporters.
• Truly seeing my life and myself as God sees me as someone and something that is precious and worthy to be loved, shared and shown appreciation.

Now getting back to the topic of this article the decoding of a former workaholic, my life during the last year has become more balanced.  Though my schedule on the outside looks fuller it is filled with manageable items.

No longer is work, my life it is a function or aspect of it.  I truly know and trust that God is my source and by living a balanced life; I am giving him the greatest of me really for the first time.  I know it is not his will to see me stressed out, cranky and snappy to those I love and care about.

Two questions I now constantly ask myself…

1. How can my spirit yield when called upon by the Holy Spirit if it is stressed?
2. Why should I hold onto concerns He/God has given me the okay to give to Him?

So as I continue to be decoded…

1. Leave work on time
2. Eat my lunch away from my desk
3. Take care of my physical (using my gym membership), mental and spiritual health
4. Foster my relationships
5. And most importantly believing by faith that God plus me is okay

I can confidently say I am a former workaholic that is being not only decoded but also re-invented and classified as passionate.

Lela Jefferson

http://www.memoirsofablackgirl.com

Father God by the blood of Jesus continue to show me how not to operate with the spirit of fear and/or rejection.  I know that you supply all my needs and desires and you have shown yourself true and faithfully.  As I sow friendship and love in the natural and in the spirit.  You will bring me godly connections that will strengthen and edify me.

I release my cares to you in Jesus name.  With your help I will become debt free this year, be employed by the summer and my company will turn a profit, allowing me to sow even more into the kingdom.

Father God use me where and how you need to. Show me and guide me to my true destiny.

In Jesus mighty name I pray this Amen.

By definition the word Termination means to come to a closing, to bring something to an end.

As I look back as another chapter of my life has closed. I smile at the realization that God has prepared a new one for me. I know what I have gone through has only prepared me for what I am about to experience…an explosion of blessings.

On January 29^th, 2009 I was released from my last place of employment. Most people may have looked at the situation and say to themselves “What am I going to do now? I spent the last two (2) almost three (3) years of my life working for this company! How could they?”

In that split second of realization of what was happening to me, that I was being released I made conscience decision. One not to act like a fool or even cry and two that I did not work for this company or Man in general instead I worked for God. Three that I also wanted to leave with grace and peace, so I sucked up the one tear that was trying to fall repented and thanked them for the opportunity. Finally I let them know I would be available if they needed anything and I also did not want to leave without giving them a list of open projects I was working on.

When asked if I wanted to give a written statement otherwise known as an excuse for my actions. I said no. That whatever I needed to say I would take it to my Heavenly Father in prayer and ask him to correct whatever He felt in my character needed correcting.

At that point I was given the honor to go back to my office and prepare for my departure. As I sat for that last time in front of my computer, I thought to myself ‘Why Lord am I doing this? Putting a list together to help them?’ At that moment I heard a very quiet voice which I knew to be the Holy Spirit say … “You are doing this because you are a child of God and not of the Devil. You will not make this challenge a blessing blocker for your life but a stepping stone towards what I have for you. I am not done with you, yet!”

At that moment I felt peace come over me like a wave. Every action I did afterward was almost mechanical. When I finally got home I posed another question not to myself, but instead to my Heavenly Father my Jehovah Jireh (my provider) and said to Him in prayer ‘What do YOU want me to do now?’ Again I heard a quiet voice in my head…the voice told me “Read what I lead your hand to read, watch what I lead your eyes to watch, speak what I tell you to speak and write what I tell you to write.” For days that led into nights… to weeks that is all I did and I don’t believe I have ever been closer in tune with the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit began to open up my mind’s eye after I began to pray for wisdom to show me that I had everything I needed around me. From books I had purchased to articles I had printed out, to writings I kept in journals and a business plan and income generating ideas from years past to people I knew.

He even pressed on my Pastors’ hearts and those of guest ministers at my church to teach lessons on How to pray and hear from God…How not to overcome and recognize the different faces of fear… They even have taught on how to believe in the peace of God and how to SPEAK against bouts of worry and condemnation.

This last month or so has been like God has been speaking directly to me no matter where I am, no matter what I am doing. It feels as if my ears had been clogged and finally they were open again to hear Him tell me what He needed me to do.

I am just thankful for the people he has brought into my life during this time. And for all those that are waiting for me to say “All is not well and that I have fear.” You can keep on waiting for its not going to happen.

I can proudly proclaim that “Fear” is no longer a word in my vocabulary. I am living and have the peace of God. He is not done with me yet!

Scriptures I am standing on:

1 Corinthians 9:19 KJV
For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.

Proverbs 31 (Whole Chapter)

Psalm 49 (Whole Chapter)

Psalm 51 (Whole Chapter)

Psalm 90 (Whole Chapter)

Psalm 91 (Whole Chapter)

1 Kings (Whole Chapter)

1 & 2 Samuel (Whole Chapter)

Nehemiah (Whole Chapter)

Esther (Whole Chapter)

###

Lela Jefferson is an aspiring writer and New Media Public Relations Professional. She is the owner of Urban PR Connection – A New Media PR Firm. She is also working on her first book her memoirs and editing a collection of her poetry scheduled for release winter 2009-10. You can learn more about Lela at her Memoirs Blog: http://www.memoirsofablackgirl.com