One of the things I love about Substack is the ability to foster meaningful connections, conversation, and community.
The goal of these facilitated discussions is to create a safe space and offer connection, encouragement, and support as we go through our respective life journeys, whether that be through suggestions, recommendations, light-hearted discussions, or intimate conversations.
How this works:
I'll pose a prompt/topic/question for discussion.
We will connect and discuss what is posed in the comments below.
Community Guidelines:
No promotions
Keep it H.O.T. (Honest, Open, & Transparent)
Discussion Prompt: The other day I shared on notes that I am in a season where I have a lower capacity for what I can handle and accomplish. There are many days when I feel overwhelmed, and at times, I feel ill-equipped to manage all that is placed before me. Maybe you do too. Maybe sometimes you find yourself repeating to yourself the following phrases:
This is too hard for me. I’m bad at this. I don’t what to do. I’m not smart enough. I feel like an imposter. I’m too young. I’m too old. I don’t have enough experience. I’m too tired. I’m too sad. I can’t do this on my own. I'm not the type of person who is good at these things. I’m scared.
These phrases, shared by author Emily Jensen, are another way of saying, “I feel weak.” In her Instagram post, she shared that when we feel weak, we often feel that we are lacking something — something to accomplish the tasks before us, to continue in courage and strength, to make the right decision, to fight the unique (and sometimes hard) race that is set before us. She goes on to share that when we’re honest about what we lack, we create space for God to fill the gaps, tempering our weaknesses with His perfect and complete strength and grace.
Discussion Question: How do you view your weaknesses and limitations? How do you cope when you feel the weariness of your weaknesses or are met face-to-face with your limitations?
Your support helps me to continue to create meaningful content and discussions to help people surrender their season and trust God in their journey as they partner with him to design a meaningful and intentional life. Subscriptions fund the work that goes into creating this newsletter and keep discussions like this open and free. Consider becoming a paid subscriber today.
Can’t afford a paid subscription to The Life Designer but still want to support my work?Buy me a coffee to receive a one-time one-month comp.
I plan on writing more about this in an upcoming post, but I think it's very easy for me to wallow in my weakness, where my weakness or limitations is all that I can see. One way I've been combatting or working on this is by turning toward the Scripture or some sort of biblical encouragement when I find myself in this place. Lately, I've been going through Emily Jensen's devotional, He is Strong: Devotions for When You Feel Weak. I love how at the end of each devotion she provides Scripture for further reading (and I'm not talking about a verse or two but full on passages that support the chapter's topic) and ample questions for journaling and reflection. I also think I've been learning that it's okay to be weak. Weakness is apart of our finitude and experience as human beings. While at times we can find workarounds or solutions for our weaknesses, I think sometimes we have to learn to sit with them and be okay with the fact that we don't have all the answers. That's where I am right now -- learning how to accept that while still moving forward in Christ.
My life feels so fractured! Sooo much to manage and stay on top of, all of it pulling apart almost at my seams. But when i start to feel crushed or overwhelmed by that i just breathe and take the next step. One thing off the list, one load of laundry, one bed time tuck in. Small steps are the bricks with which we build our lives. Beat out the steps, just keep walking forward. It’s in times like these when i feel the Holy Spirit nudge. He doesn’t need to give me crazy strength or courage or energy, just enough for the next step: step by step - trusting the Way/the I AM. Blessings to you, mama!!
This is so good! I agree, sometimes we don't need crazy strength but that minute-by-minute strength that God gives us to do the next thing. I've found focusing on one thing at a time to be helpful as well in these moments. I'm so grateful for your presence here. Thank you for sharing and your encouragement as well!
For me I think I've learned to just feel those feelings. Sit with them for awhile and try to understand them and their source. What's true? What's not? What areas do I need to mature and grow in? I sit still for awhile, journal, shut everything off and then go into problem solving mode.
Yes. That's where I am too -- learning how to sit with them! I've also been taking some time to process and journal through these feelings when I get a chance. I love that in your journaling process, you call out what's true and what's not. Sometimes we tell ourselves a narrative that supports what we believe is true rather than the truth itself. Distinguishing the difference between that truth and the narrative can bring a lot of freedom and healing as we release the standards and expectations we may have unknowingly placed on ourselves.
I plan on writing more about this in an upcoming post, but I think it's very easy for me to wallow in my weakness, where my weakness or limitations is all that I can see. One way I've been combatting or working on this is by turning toward the Scripture or some sort of biblical encouragement when I find myself in this place. Lately, I've been going through Emily Jensen's devotional, He is Strong: Devotions for When You Feel Weak. I love how at the end of each devotion she provides Scripture for further reading (and I'm not talking about a verse or two but full on passages that support the chapter's topic) and ample questions for journaling and reflection. I also think I've been learning that it's okay to be weak. Weakness is apart of our finitude and experience as human beings. While at times we can find workarounds or solutions for our weaknesses, I think sometimes we have to learn to sit with them and be okay with the fact that we don't have all the answers. That's where I am right now -- learning how to accept that while still moving forward in Christ.
My life feels so fractured! Sooo much to manage and stay on top of, all of it pulling apart almost at my seams. But when i start to feel crushed or overwhelmed by that i just breathe and take the next step. One thing off the list, one load of laundry, one bed time tuck in. Small steps are the bricks with which we build our lives. Beat out the steps, just keep walking forward. It’s in times like these when i feel the Holy Spirit nudge. He doesn’t need to give me crazy strength or courage or energy, just enough for the next step: step by step - trusting the Way/the I AM. Blessings to you, mama!!
This is so good! I agree, sometimes we don't need crazy strength but that minute-by-minute strength that God gives us to do the next thing. I've found focusing on one thing at a time to be helpful as well in these moments. I'm so grateful for your presence here. Thank you for sharing and your encouragement as well!
For me I think I've learned to just feel those feelings. Sit with them for awhile and try to understand them and their source. What's true? What's not? What areas do I need to mature and grow in? I sit still for awhile, journal, shut everything off and then go into problem solving mode.
Yes. That's where I am too -- learning how to sit with them! I've also been taking some time to process and journal through these feelings when I get a chance. I love that in your journaling process, you call out what's true and what's not. Sometimes we tell ourselves a narrative that supports what we believe is true rather than the truth itself. Distinguishing the difference between that truth and the narrative can bring a lot of freedom and healing as we release the standards and expectations we may have unknowingly placed on ourselves.