Barefoot Devotions

Girl In The Mirror

As she stood there standing in front of the mirror with her eyes opened, all she could see were thick, thorny, vines covering her. That is what life circumstances and experiences had done to her. She realized she was suffocating from the cold, prideful, sinful, heartless, hurt, and prideful person she had become. Surely, there was more to life than living it in these conditions. What is like to even live much less breathe without hurting?

There is a better way, it’s the way of Jesus Christ.

John 10:10 NIV | The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full

But as she trusted God’s process, she looks in the mirror and finds who she is becoming. Not who she was or what she has done.

Looking back at her in the mirror is a girl with fewer thorns and open holes from the thorns that God has plucked out. Holes that God has covered with grace and planted His seeds of truth and are beginning to sprout.

This is my 2018. I am her.

After God moved me to the holler, there were many thorns that needed to be plucked away and filled with His truth, grace, and love. It is a process and I have had to trust Him and acknowledge that His ways are higher. God has been a patient and loving Father with me through the process. Although it’s hard and it hurts, I am thankful that He loves me enough to prune back the branches and pluck out the rotten branches that have rooted in my soul. I am thankful that His mirror reveals the truth but does it in a kind and gentle way without shame and full of grace.

The pages of my Bible are tear-stained, worn, and falling out. The paragraphs are highlighted, sticky note prayers inside, completely marked in, and answers to questions only God could answer. You can say it’s been a year full of learning, applying, and walking out God’s truth in my life. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

John 15: 2 NIV |
He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.

If you feel shame, sadness, and despair when you look in the mirror, I want you to take a hard look at yourself and decide it’s time to start following Jesus. Start by reading His Word and apply His truths to your life.

When you align yourself with God and His will for your life, His promises will be yours, His love and peace will be yours, freedom will be yours, and a new life in Christ will be yours.

Hannah Boyd

God’s breath gives life to our bodies, how foolish of us to ignore when our soul thirsts for our Maker and deny our soul its true longing.

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

I come to you with a thankful heart for everything you have done to bring me to this place and I praise you for the things you about to unleash in my life. Though the process hurts, thank you for loving me with a love that can’t be comprehended so that I may live my best life abundantly for you. Continue to guide me as you know I desire to walk and live out Your truth. Pluck any areas that are not of You as I know you know what is best for me.

In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Personal Reflection

  1. As you prepare to enter 2019, what would you like to change about the person you see in the mirror?
  2. What is God telling you to change?
  3. How is God telling you to act?

Prayerfully yours,

Hannah B.

Barefoot Devotions

A Christmas Miracle

As I am sitting here reflecting by the tree, I am reminded of a time of my very own Christmas miracle I experienced as a little girl.

Many years ago I was in a church Christmas play but I just didn’t have my lines completely memorized. I don’t remember much about this Christmas play, the part I played, or even the year. This part I am about to tell you, I remember well.

My mom, sister, and I were on our way to the Christmas play but as we reached the top of our long drive way, my dad was parked at the top with his truck. From the back seat, I heard him tell my mom that I didn’t need to see this. Immediately, I knew something was wrong as my dad neared the window of the car. He told me the absolute worst news I ever thought I’d receive. My dog Daisy had been run over and did not survive.

The pain was heart wrenching and I didn’t understand why this had happened. During the complete hysterical meltdown and out of no where, I knew every word to my part of the play. My crying immediately ceased and my mournful cry turned to joyful cry. For a little girl, it was truly a Christmas miracle despite the devastation that was experienced just minutes before.

As life has passed me by, I’ve often wondered if Christmas miracles really happen anymore. This past holiday season, I have witnessed a beautiful Christmas miracle. It started with a chance encounter with one man that changed my life. With my brief encounters with this man, I have learned the true meaning of Christmas and I have learned that Christmas miracles do happen.

This kind hearted man has been living in a tent under a bridge. He is the most genuine and selfless person you will ever meet and when you are in his presence, you can feel his goodness. He volunteers at the local shelter and gives what he can. Our local hotel has given him a place to stay until his housing is official. Although he has experienced a rough time, he has shown me that love, kindness, and giving are free and it doesn’t take much to make a difference.

For the first time in my life, I truly understand the meaning of Christmas. I thank God for placing a stranger in my life as I have witnessed the pureness, sweetness, peace, and joy of the Christmas spirit and the possibility of Christmas miracles.

When the body of Christ works together in unity, amazing God miracles can happen. This my friends, is why it is important to drench every fiber of your being with God’s word so that you may walk in spirit and truth because you never know what miracle you are missing!

Have a Merry Christmas, my beautiful friends!

With all of my love,

Hannah Boyd

Barefoot Devotions, The How To Series

How To Overcome Rejection: The Life Killer

At some point in our lives, we have all experienced a form of rejection.  This could be early in life by a parent, a friend, a breakup, or simply not being allowed to sit at the cool kid’s table.  Rejection has shaped and changed us and in some cases, it has prevented us from becoming who God called us to be!

Here is part of my story: My Story | Rejected To Perfection

Rejection hurts but the way we confront this action is crucial in order to live a happy and healthy life.  If we do not confront rejection then it hides in our heart waiting for the next chance to come out and wreak havoc on your life.

Here is part of my story: Stronghold Discovery: Rejected To Perfection

The longer we spend believing the lies of rejection and allowing them to dictate our decisions,  we waste our life that God has given us to live happy, free, and healthy.  We will live in a reality that is based on lies from the enemy and we survive on coping mechanisms instead of relying on God’s truths.

YOU ARE HOPELESSYOU ARE USELESSYOU CAN'T DO THISYOU ARE NOT GOOD ENOUGH YOU WILL FAILYOU ARE NOT A NEW PERSON

Have you ever made a decision based on the fact that you are afraid you will fail? Or people will laugh at you if you mess up? Instead of stepping out of your comfort zone,  you decide that you will make the decision that will make you the most comfortable without fear of being rejected.

Do you overreact or lash out in anger during certain situations? Have you ever found yourself wondering why you act in such a way?

If so this is for you!

Here Are Some Examples Of Rejection:

  • Being dumped by a boyfriend/girlfriend
  • Being left out of a group of friends
  • A parent that was not in your life
  • Divorce
  • Infidelity
  • Death of a loved one

Fruits Produced As A Result Of Being Rejected:

  • Rebellion – Aggressiveness, Stubbornness, Defiance, Abusive Behaviors
  • Pride and Arrogance
  • Feeds fears, anxieties, worries, and negativity.
  • Self Mindset: Rejection – Low or No Self Esteem and Inadequacy or Protection of self: Self-centered, pity and selfishness.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 | We’ve been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we’re not demoralized; we’re not sure what to do, but we know that God knows what to do; we’ve been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn’t left our side; we’ve been thrown down, but we haven’t broken. 

Steps To Overcoming Your Fear Of Being Rejected:

  • Repent, Pray and Seek God for deliverance and healing.
  • Accept and Act what God reveals to you.
  • BELIEVE and CLAIM God’s truth for your life
  • Learn scriptures and believe what God’s word says. You’ll need these to fight the lies that will keep popping up in your mind!
  • Forgive those who rejected you and move on!
  • LIVE in God’s truth and WALK in God’s truth (this is putting His truths in action when the time comes – we are bound to be rejected again).
  • Get out of your comfort zone and do something daring for God! Ask Him and He will show you the way. 

Colossians 1:14 | For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,  in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

You are redeemed and you are free from your bondage. Don’t live in it! Step out of it and into God’s truth and flourish! 

2 Timothy 1:7 | As I battled my fears, I knew I had to stand on God’s truth, and you do too. The fear I felt was not from God, so every time it crept into my thinking, I had to remind myself, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”

Xoxo,

Hannah B.

P.S. Did you enjoy this post? Be sure to share on your social media feeds to help those who may benefit from this How-To guide.

You might also enjoy this How-To Guide pertaining to strongholds of the mind:

How To Slay Your Mental Strongholds

Be sure to let me know what you discover about yourself or tips you may have, I love hearing from y’all!

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Barefoot Devotions, The How To Series

How To Slay Your Mental Strongholds

I am going to be writing about my experience with mental strongholds and how I overcame the chains of anxiety and depression that ruled my life.  This is a very sensitive subject but after many weeks of talking myself out of writing this, I am doing it.  This comes from my experience and how I decided to battle these strongholds with the word of God, prayer, and a relationship with Jesus.  After years of depression and anxiety,  I realized that it was my outlook on my circumstances and the perspective that I had.  That perspective was steaming from the enemy and the lies he told me about me.


Lets Start By Defining A Stronghold:

Biblically speaking a stronghold is a belief that is a lie and has taken root and overpowered your ability to think or see clearly according to God’s view and what His word tells us.  This effects you emotionally, spiritually, and even physically.

Lets Look At The Cause Of Strongholds:

It is so easy to get caught up in negativity, a false belief system,  doubts, fear, and our circumstances.  We are trained by the media, by people, and the ways of the world to live and think according to their standards.  We must accept that we fight against unseen spiritual forces of the dark world and that this world is ruled by the dark forces.  Yes, that means demons and malicious spirits that are causing affliction in your mind, on you, and to you.  They have stealthily found a way inside of your mind and they are trying to take over.  Perhaps they already have.

For a cause to take place, there has to be a sin or a circumstance that negatively affected you.  Therefore, that leaves you dealing with the effects.  This could be your sin or even someone else’s sin that has altered your way of thinking and your way of doing things.  If you are unable to let things go, the memory that haunts you can have a negative impact on your life.  If we allow a certain thought to replay in our mind, we start to believe that thought.

Here is an example:  As a child and young adult, I experienced rejection from my dad who was an addict.  Although it was not intentional, his addiction stronghold was the cause of my rejection stronghold.

Ephesians 6:10 | For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Identifying Your Strongholds:

Identifying the areas in your mind that are strongholds require you to take examine your life – the past and present.  It can be uncomfortable at first but as we know from God’s Word, the truth sets you free! Once you begin to identify and see the parallels, you will rejoice in knowing the cause of your afflictions and reasons of why you think or do something a certain way.

Here is a list of the most common strongholds relating to the mind:

(Be in prayer with the Heavenly Father, ask Him to reveal yours to you, and be open to listening to His answer)

  • Rejection
  • Fear
  • Doubt
  • Shame
  • Hopelessness
  • Worthlessness
  • Negativity
  • Anger

Lets Look At The Solutions:

Now that we have identified what a stronghold is and the cause, let us start taking a look at how we tear down the strongholds and replace them with God’s truth about you.

First, you must repent and turn from any sin that is unconfessed.  Once we have done so we will be able to break free from any sin that is causing negative effects.  You must remember that God has already won the battle and you must have faith to fight through.

Second, you must know and accept that God is sovereign.  He is the supreme authority and all things are under His control.  Without Him, you can not win. You need Him to fight a supernatural battle.

Third, you must believe and accept that you are forgiven, our sins and past are washed away by the blood of Jesus! You have the power to live free in Christ.  This is His desire for you!

2 Corinthians 5:17 | Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

Fourth, you must act!

Great! So, how do you act?

This will require you to put your faith in action and when you experience the enemy placing thoughts or past memories into your mind, you must exercise your authority in Jesus Christ to reject your past way of thinking and replace your thoughts with all good things that are of Jesus.

Philippians 4:8 |  “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.”

Accepting The Past Is The Past

Unfortunately, the enemy knows about who you were and all the things you have done and said that you are not proud of. There will come a day when he is smearing it in your face and putting every sordid detail back into your mind.

When you start remembering the past, you must stop replaying past memories. You can not allow yourself to be controlled by your past – no matter how painful and haunting it is! It happened and it can not be changed! Get your head out of the past and strain your neck to look forward into your future! Your past is not there!

Philippians 3:13-14  | Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Renewing Your Mind

Romans 12:2 | Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

You must ask the LORD to guard your mind and to help you keep your mind focused on what is right in the eyes of Him.

Every day you have to wash and bathe in God’s living word.  It refreshes you and each day you will learn something new about the characteristics of God and how he truly feels about you! To renew your mind is to spend time with the LORD, read the Bible, and pray daily!

Taking Every Thought Captive

2 Corinthians 10: 3-5 | For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh.  For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.  We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.

Every thought that comes to mind must be tested. Ask yourself – is it from our loving Heavenly Father or is it from Satan who is set out to steal, kill, and destroy?

With God there is life.

With Satan there is death.

With God there is truth.

With Satan there are lies.

With God there is hope.

With Satan there is hopelessness.

With God there is a future.

With Satan there is a past.

With God there is confidence.

With Satan there is fear and doubt.

With God there is boldness and bravery.

Life TruthHopeFreedomFutureConfidence BravenessBoldness (1)

Ask yourself, does this thought come from God or Satan?

If it comes from Satan, then you need to hold that thought captive, pray and ask God to slay this thought and replace it with His truths.  Seek His word and learn what He says in scripture.  Rejoice and praise God for the truth that He is replacing in your life.  Slowly, you will see just how each thought, especially thoughts that seem to be on repeat can cause depression, anxiety, and fear!

Xoxo,

Hannah B.

P.S. I hope you enjoyed this blog and if you did be sure to leave a comment down below and share across all of your social media feeds!

Disclaimer:  I am not a doctor and encourage you to seek professional help to determine what is best for your situation and I am not encouraging you to stop current treatments.  I do believe that with physicians and the hands of our great physician, you can be healed! Almost always, there is a root cause and I do believe that we need to get down into the roots to properly heal.

Barefoot Devotions

You Are What You Think

I came across this quote from a fortune cookie, “Your Mind Creates Your Life.” As I began pondering this quote and delving into it, I couldn’t help but think how true it is and how saturated our minds are with junk.

Just like the food you intake in your body, it can provide you with life or death. Real and whole food can be used as medicine and has healing properties for our bodies but junk food can have the opposite effect. It makes us sick and over time we develop diseases that lead to death.

Our minds are the same way and whatever we feed into our minds will lead to the life or death of our life. If we surround ourself with real and whole thoughts, words, positivity, love, and encouragement they can lead the way to a life filled with joy, peace, and a positive mindset. When we are in a better frame of mind, we are able to focus on Jesus’ calling on our lives, serving Him and others, following through with our goals, and living our life to the fullest.

Now, what if you are negativity talking down to yourself, expecting things to go wrong, expecting to not go any where in life or expecting to have a bad day? Chances are you are going to have a rough day. If we are consistently thinking about the things we have done wrong, the things we are not good at, and are focused on the things that aren’t going right in life then eventually you will be diseased with anxiety, depression, fear, and in a contact state of discouragement. When we are in this state, we are not able to find joy in things that we used to love to do or we won’t be able to discover our true purpose if we allow ourselves to stay in this mindset.

If you are what you eat, then you are what you think.

What are you thinking on? Maybe it’s time for a mind detox.

You are the only one who can change your thoughts from negative to positive. Cultivate Your Mind to Cultivate Your Life.

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

Drop a line in the comments and be sure to share on all of your social media feeds.

Xoxo,

Hannah B.