In The Flow with Kelley Johnson, Women Pursuing God's Spirit in Life + Leadership

Ep 21 The Art of Remaining: Surrendering to Stillness & Peace

• Kelley Johnson • Season 2 • Episode 21

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Surrender might seem like weakness in our achievement-driven culture, but what if it's actually the pathway to experiencing God's fullest work in our lives? This soul-stirring conversation dives deep into what it truly means to remain connected to God through every season.

When was the last time you created space just to be with God? Our hosts vulnerably share their personal practices of intimacy with the God – from early morning prayer nooks where God downloads wisdom as the sun rises, to fighting for distraction-free quiet time where listening replaces prayers with constant pleading. These authentic stories reveal that genuine connection doesn't require perfection, just presence.

"At some point you get to a point where you have to surrender because my way is not the best way," one friend confesses. This powerful truth ripples through the episode as each woman recounts moments of relinquishing control and witnessing God move in unexpected ways. Their testimonies illuminate how praying "Your will be done" transforms from mere words into heart transformation when we truly surrender outcomes to His higher wisdom.

Professional counselors join the conversation, adding rich psychological insight about how God's gentle correction differs from worldly shame, how remembering past faithfulness becomes an anchor in present storms, and how peace can "referee our minds" even amid uncertainty. Their therapy-informed perspective reinforces that remaining in God isn't passive resignation but active trust.

Ready to experience deeper intimacy with God? Download this season's companion resource at IamKelleyJohnson.com and join us in the powerful practice of remaining in His presence through every season of life. Your journey of surrender begins now.

Stay in the flow—subscribe wherever you listen, watch on YouTube, and download free devotionals at iamkelleyjohnson.com.

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@iamkelleyjohnson

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Looking for leadership community?
RAYAH is my Spirit-led leadership cohort for Christian women who want to grow in both spiritual authority and executive excellence. Learn more and join the interest list here https://www.iamkelleyjohnson.com/rayah

EMERGE! Rise-up, Be Fearless, Take Possession of Your Purpose https://a.co/d/hrZWQGr
Kelley's book about overcoming trauma to find your God-given purpose.

INFINITE: The Power of Love https://a.co/d/51Fy4eq
A six-session Bible study about diversity, equity and inclusion.

Kelley Johnson is a creator, builder, and catalyst who helps leaders achieve breakthrough—personally, professionally, and spiritually. She spent 20 years in corporate leadership before founding KEIRUS, a learning and talent management firm serving thousands of leaders worldwide. 

This show is not a substitute for professional therapy or advice. If you need professional support, we encourage you to seek a qualified mental health, medical, financial, legal, pastoral or other accredited professional.

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Keywords: Christian women, Spirit-led living, Holy Spirit, faith podcast, women in leadership, working ...

Getting in the Flow

Speaker 1

Let's get in the flow . Hey , I'm Kelly Johnson and I'm so excited you're here . This season we're tapping into the power of remaining in God . Our inspiration is John , chapter 15 , as we explore the Lord's invitation into deeper intimacy and identity in Him . Here's what you'll find in this episode .

Speaker 2

You know , I think that at some point in time you get to a point where you have to surrender , because my way is not the best way . When we surrender , god has so much more ability to move in our lives . So for me it's been really surrendering , really seeking and really worshiping .

Speaker 2

You know where I can get into a place where I'm in my car . I'm either worshiping here through my words or through gospel music , or I'm in the prayer closet . In the morning , when I first wake up , I'm on my knees , I'm on my face , truly seeking to be with him and inviting his presence . I know he's already there , but for his presence to be activated in my presence , so for me , it's really about surrendering .

Speaker 1

Welcome to In the Flow . Thanks for joining me and some of my friends and thought leaders as we pursue living our faith deeply and holistically . I am so excited about the friends who are flowing with me and you . This season , you're going to hear thoughtful stories from Stephanie Blakely , trina Jones , nadia Dixon and Pastor Sheila Walls , infused with theological wisdom from Pastor Amy Cedrone , along with therapy-informed tools from counseling professionals Aspen Hazel and Joy Martin . The conversations are completely unscripted and authentic as we flow in the Holy Spirit . In the Flow is so much more than a podcast . We're creating a movement and to support our growth and personal development , each season I'll share a helpful resource that you can find at IamKellyJohnsoncom . Now it's time for Conversations that Flow . Now let's pull up for a chat with my besties , stephanie Blakely and Trina Jones . Like what does intimacy look like ? How do you do that ?

Speaker 2

For me it's a stillness , it's quietness , it's really preparing my heart and my mind to be in a place where I can be intimate with God . We have so many distractions going on around us and a lot of time that means I need to get in my closet , I need to commit specific time to read scripture or read a devotion or journal , or sometimes it's just crying or being quiet , right , yeah , so for me that's intimacy , when I can clear out all the distractions and the things that are going on around me . That's when I can hear God drop some nuggets or embrace me or hug me or whisper to me yeah , it's so good I think for me .

Speaker 4

We have my husband built a nook upstairs and it is my favorite place to be and I love going there early in the morning before everyone gets up , and sometimes I'll go so early that I can see the sun like rising , you know , to me , and sometimes it's not writing , it's not reading , it's not praying , Sometimes it's just sitting , Sometimes I have a pillow in there and I'll just lay down and it is my time for him to download whatever he needs me to get for the day , for the month , for the year , for whatever . And that's where my word redeemed Cause you know my , my word this year has been redeemed . And that's where . That's where I got that word from .

Speaker 4

I was laying down and I heard him just say clearly like have you noticed how I've redeemed your life ? Have you noticed all the areas that I've redeemed you ? And I got that laying there before anybody had gotten up and that became my word for the year redeemed Cause he's redeemed my life in so many different areas . And he just wanted me to hear yes . So maybe I wasn't really looking around and paying attention , but he wanted me to hear yeah , I redeemed you .

Speaker 1

Yeah . What about you ?

Speaker 1

I'm thinking I mean I agree with everything y'all have said about intimacy I'm learning to fight for my intimacy , like to protect it . Um , I can easily get up hit the ground running and check email , uh , look at the text messages that I have , you know from wherever , and then get distracted to get sucked into my day . And about it was earlier this year , probably around the summertime , the Lord was like I need you to give me some quiet time in the morning , like , like real , like quiet , like stop looking at your phone first . You know , um , that , um , that the the only thing you look at on your phone is the verse for the day , and I need you to just protect that , like to , even though it's not long , like I still want to . I want it to be longer and , um , one of the things I want to do is really think through how can I restructure my life so that it can be longer in the morning .

Speaker 1

But before I would just sort of say my prayers and they kind of . You know , I had like a little almost like a script every morning I'd pray the same thing get up , go and start my day . But about six or seven months ago he was like no , I want you to just be quiet . I want you to just be quiet . It's okay to pray , like do that , but he's like it was like he wanted at least a moment of just stillness and quiet . Like listen , let's have a conversation , don't just talk at me . I want you to hear what I have to say .

Speaker 1

And , um , I had to sort of reframe what my quiet time with the Lord looked like . And I start with gratitude and often I'll pray kind of like whatever my prayers are , especially for friends , for y'all , for friends , for family I tend to get those out the way , and it's around that time that I can start to feel anxious . And so what I typically do is I do a couple of deep breaths , I'll do like a breathing exercise just to quiet my mind , because at that point I'm starting to think about the clock I got to get going , and so I know that that anxiousness in my mind , activating will , it really quenches the spirit . And so I I do a couple of deep breaths and , um , I asked the Lord what's on your heart today ? What's on your heart today ? What is ? Is there anything that you want me to know , anything you want me to focus on today ?

Speaker 2

And I sit , and I listen and sometimes you talk to me too . I take you'll note it , you'll note it , you'll journal it All the time .

Speaker 1

Yeah . So I want to talk about like how , how did you do it ? How did you remain ? How did you choose to embrace that this ? This is where the Lord has me right now .

Speaker 2

You know , I think that at some point in time you get to a point where you have to surrender Because my way is not the best way . Yeah , and taking your example , you couldn't see how beautiful your life would be right now had you not surrendered . Correct .

Speaker 2

And surrendering comes with so much . It's hard because we think , you know , we're we're literally the little kid at the grocery store who's sitting in the car buggy or shopping cart and that we are truly controlling the will . But we're not . And when we surrender , god has so much more ability to move in our lives . So for me it's been really surrendering , really seeking and really worshiping . You know where I can get into a place where I'm in my car . I'm either worshiping Him through my words or through gospel music , or I'm in the prayer closet . In the morning , when I first wake up , I'm on my knees , I'm on my face , truly seeking to be with him and inviting his presence . I know he's already there , but for his presence to be activated in my presence . So for me it's really about surrendering . I love that .

Speaker 4

I think I'll piggyback on that same thing surrender , I think I realized . When I have control issues , I have control issues and so I have this idea of how I wanted the outcome to be and I thought that I could control it , like Lord , if I just move a little bit more to the left , if I move a little bit more to the right , like trying to control it when in essence I have no control .

Speaker 4

No matter how much I prayed and pleaded and fasted and begged , and God please , it was still not his will . And so for me it is surrender , but for me it is I only want your will . And if your will right , because I'm letting go of something , surely you have something better in store . And so for me it was praying his will . And I realized like praying his will is such a scary thing because that means you surrender all control and his will never looks like what we want it to look like . Until I started to pray that your will , like your will , be done , and I mean that , I would say it , but that's not really what I wanted . But when I started to say it and really mean it in my heart , he started to shift my perspective .

Speaker 1

And that's I love

Exploring Intimacy with God

Speaker 1

what you're saying about . We can pray , Lord , your will , your will be done , not my will . Right , and it's even . You know , it's a scripture and all of that . I feel like when we remain , when we stop striving , stop trying to control and fix the situation , stop striving , stop trying to control and fix the situation .

Speaker 1

I'm not saying , oh , you know , my toenails are too long . I'm not saying I'm going to remain here and wait for the Lord to miraculously trim them . I'm not saying that we don't do like normal , natural things . But when we have exhausted all of our normal means and we continue to hit a block or something's just not moving or shifting , then I feel like that's an invitation , right , it's an invitation to surrender . It's an invitation to say , whoa , maybe the vision that I had was not exactly your vision , lord , maybe the outcome is not the outcome you designed for me , and I feel like the way that I have remained , um is holding fast to his receipts . You know , I I have to when I'm , when I'm low , low , when y'all talk about the thing that bounces , I need to Google what that is . I don't even know what that's called . I don't either .

Speaker 2

Yeah .

Speaker 1

But I love that visual yes .

Speaker 1

But , what gets me from off the ground back to upright is remembering . That's good . Remembering who he is , what his character is like and what he has done in my life . Wow Right , that's good . I know who , what his character is like and what he has done in my life . Wow , right , that's good , I know who . I know who was there when my mother was shot Right . I know who kept me as a kid when I was not safe , when we didn't have any , when our water was turned off Right . I know the times when I didn't know how we were going to afford to pay our bills because I wasn't making a lot of money . But he made a way . That's why I popped back up . It's the only way .

Speaker 2

I think the other thing to add to that , Kelly , is the Bible was created so that we could go through life . Seeing how he has moved and so many people before , us and oftentimes , even in your hurt , in your ugliness , you're quoting scripture Right . So you're going , you're remembering how God has moved in your life , but you're also going back and saying I remember how God moved in the Israelites lives .

Speaker 1

Yeah , you're right , that's what scripture is for , absolutely , and that's one of the things . Not remembering is one of the things that kind of ticked ticked God off about the children of Israel . Right , I brought you out of slavery , I parted the Red Sea for you . Gave you manna . Gave you manna .

Speaker 1

When you said you wanted meat , I gave you quail , like I gave you you know , and so there's a lot of commands where God is like remember the Lord , your God , teach these ways to your children . You know he really wanted , he wants to be remembered and I think that's one of the reasons why , like giving thanks and finding ways to give thanks even in the dark , dark times , is how we can bounce back up . But also going back to scripture , I'm so glad you said that .

Speaker 4

And stories . You know , like you said , scripture and story Cause for me . I'm like I'm living my Job moment Right , remember , Job had everything taken right and God replaced it all right , a hundred fold , like . I feel like , yeah , I know how Job felt . Thank you Lord . You know , like I , you go back to , like you said , scripture and stories where you can relate and see him do it and keep his promises to his children .

Speaker 2

Yes , absolutely , he did it for Job . He did certainly do it for little old me .

Speaker 1

Let's check in with professional counselors Aspen Hazel and Joy Martin , and I also think about ,

Remembering God's Faithfulness

Speaker 1

of course , the intimacy that is required to remain in the Lord , to remain connected to him , to really just sit at his feet like Mary did , or to put our head on his chest like John did , right , like that is that's a posture of remaining , or those are examples of postures of remaining . But talk about intimacy . We can take it whichever way you want first . But I mean , we're kind of we kind of started with intimacy across with people , but I feel like the intimacy vertically is connected to how we relate to the people around us yeah yeah , I'll start , sure , um , I'll go personal here for a little bit um and share those stories .

Speaker 5

So last week I brought something I was struggling with to the Lord and I think that's the first part is we have to be willing , even to the creator , because he already knows we have to be willing to , to confess and bring those things .

Speaker 5

And the word says you know , as we confess our sins , it brings healing . And so I was like in this moment of confession with the Lord and I was like , lord , I really struggle with this , I need help , I need your guidance , I need your assistance , because this feels like it's something that's holding me back . As I was doing that , I was journaling the first thing I heard the Lord say was Aspen , you don't pray for yourself all the time . You pray for a lot of other people , but sometimes you don't ask me , and I think that comes from a place of fear , of disappointment and not being fully honest with the Lord , like I . There's a dialogue always , or maybe I should say there's a monologue a lot of times that Shani and God but it was like I want , I want you to bring these things to me .

Speaker 5

And so he ? Um , he brought me to James four and he said open your Bible to James four , which I'm like okay , let me open my Bible to James four . So do you mind if I share what James four is ? I should have had this tabbed and my Bible is a hot mess over here . Um , open your bible to James 4 . And so I start reading and in James 4 it says verse 2 um , this is the CSB translation .

Speaker 5

You desire and do not have . You murder and covet and cannot obtain . You fight and wage war . So at first I'm like what are we talking about here ? Um , you do not have because you do not ask . And I'm like okay , so that's the first thing he said to me .

Speaker 5

And then the third verse was you ask and don't receive , because you ask with wrong motives so that you may spend it on your pleasures . And the confession I literally had with the Lord was I'm spending too much money . And I felt like he was . He was like addressing the first thing , which was you ask , you do not have because you do not ask . But then he addressed the second thing of when you ask and don't receive , it's because your motives are wrong and you're spending it on your pleasures , aspen . And it was funny because in that moment I should have just been like ouch , right , right . But I felt this love flow over my body and I just was like , oh my gosh , thank you . Like it was instant right .

Speaker 5

And I was reminded of the scripture that says he chastises those he loves . And I think our culture has a weird relationship with chastisement , right , and I think sometimes , as the body of Christ , we've not done a great job at chastisement . But this chastisement from the Lord , it didn't just bring me healing , it brought me love and it brought me a heart of gratitude that he said I care about this so much for you that I'm bringing the word up , because he already knew this , it's already in the word , but I'm bringing this up for you right now so you can sit with this . And I really sat in that moment . I was just like Lord , thank you so much . And so it created this intimacy between me and God , because I was like you know , first of all , the Lord knew I struggled with that , but when I brought it to him , he's like here you go .

Speaker 5

Right , I love you . It was like love you , baby Right . And that moment for me , love you , baby Right , and that moment for me it was just like oh , I was a hot mess in my room and I think that God wants to do that for all of us . But first of all , we have to be willing to open this . Okay , like we have to , and if you ? I just want to say this real fast because a lot of people will say like , well , I don't , I struggle reading the Bible and I get it . There's a lot of things in the Bible that are like I have no idea what's happening , I don't know what , how to pronounce that name , Right . But I think it's important that , if you don't know how to read this either , you find somebody you know who reads it and can understand it . You find there's tons of resources out there to help you read the word .

Speaker 5

Bible studies studies , you know those kinds of things . Commentaries , you know like there's so much out there that I feel like we don't have an excuse anymore .

Speaker 6

Yeah , in different translations on your phone right on your phone . Yes , yes , we just want to . Oh right , it's like , do I really want to know ?

Speaker 5

right , yeah , right , because it is a sword , right , like it does cut , yeah , but if I view this cut as I'd rather the Lord bring this up and do it in his way than to be taught through a trial or to be taught through a really hard test not that he won't do those things Right , but it was . It was just this moment , and it's so beautiful that he would do this for us . He does it for . He will do it for all of us if we're willing to open our word , spend time with him , right , and and that's what he wants more than anything to be with us .

Speaker 1

So , yeah I love that story and I appreciate you sharing it with us and being so courageous and with your vulnerability , um , but to when I hear that story , it's an example of how he see . You were seen . You know , like the the love to me , the loving aspect of that to me is that you were seen . You were heard right . How many times do we not feel seen or heard ? How many times do we feel overlooked or ignored or discounted or dismissed ? And it's like you brought it to the Lord . You were vulnerable , you were real , you were authentic and he answered fast yes , Right , Because sometimes , you know , he feels a little slow .

Speaker 1

You know , it feels like it is , but you know , and it was so specific , so specific , Like , like , where else can you really get that Right ? Yeah , and it just , it makes me it really kind of it's like a mind . To me those are mind blowing moments where it's like I know I've read James four before .

Speaker 5

For sure .

Speaker 1

Right , yeah , but right now it's like leaping off the pages , like we're in the matrix . It's like whoa yeah . Well , it's a living word , sorry , joy , it is a living word , it's a living word .

Speaker 5

It's living active alive .

Speaker 6

Yeah , and I can read that same verse , probably in a month and I'd be . You know he'll convict me of something different . You know we're different people and you know , like I have seven kids , so I have a mom of seven and Mike , that's my thing . You know like I worry right about them all individually and I always , you know , I think they're gracious that usually they switch around to who has the problem .

Speaker 5

You know , thank God , and they're not all falling apart at the same time .

Speaker 6

So I'm like , okay , this is the time , okay this one , okay this one . And so just 20 minutes ago , you know , before this podcast , my daughter's calling me coming home from school and she's like god this is all and I'm like , okay , baby okay , I have to go and it's hard .

Speaker 6

But you know , think with you . Know , a couple of weeks ago I was reading and I was doing my study and there's Romans 8 and it started talking about you know , how we're going to be glorified , right at the end , and it talks about how nature grows right . It says that we , when we have the lack , when we're just in that pain and that difficulty , whether my child is heartbroken and suffering and I'm just like right , that groan , that painful , like I don't know what to say , I don't have the words to ask God . I don't know what the answer is , I really have no idea he sends the Holy Spirit to pray for us and make intercession for us .

Speaker 6

And so not only has god provided from the very beginning that he has chosen each and every one of us all the way to , through sanctification , to glorification , but everything in between . He also provides for even the prayers when we don't have the words and when we're just like ouch , and I feel like I'm in ouch mode a lot . Yeah , right , it happens all the time , and I know she's heard some stories and I'm like I don't know , like it's killing me . It's killing me . I don't know what to say , I don't know the me . I don't know what to say , I don't know the right answer , I don't know , and I'm just , it just hurts my heart that my kids are suffering , right , yeah , yeah , and then they're going to go through pain in this life and it's just what I want them is to just hold on , hold on to the Lord , and it's just like but God , I know , but God which ?

Speaker 6

is our phrase , but God intervenes and sends the Holy Spirit to pray for us and make intercession for us to the Lord .

Speaker 1

I mean thank God , you said something earlier that the Lord woos us all the time Like say more about that , because I feel like you're kind of referring to it now again . But I thought that was so beautiful .

Speaker 6

Yeah , so I do think that there's . I think what's going to happen is . I love God's sovereignty , right , I do love that so much because there is something beyond me and above me that , like there , he is in control . Yes , he is in full control of what's going to happen and he allows things to happen in our lives , right , but we don't know . At the time , right like joe , he had no idea that all that mess was happening and what was going on right in the heavenlies . He just experienced the moment .

Speaker 6

And I think that all of those things , if we have , if we have a shift of perspective where I know that god is doing something in my life to draw me to him , then we see things a lot different , right , and I think that's what he's doing . He's wooing us . He's really working through life and people and our children and our difficulty at work and our clients and just all this . There's always something that he's like remember me , remember me , remember me , right , he's gentle and I , you know , I've always , like , I've often gotten the question . It's like well , how do I know when I'm convicted that it's God and that or it's guilt in just this world ? Right , and I'm like God is gentle and he's specific . The world is gentle and says you're just , it's shameful , right , god is not shaming us . God is convicting and disciplining us as his children , and so he's constantly

When God Speaks Through Scripture

Speaker 6

drawing us to himself .

Speaker 6

And remember me , remember me , remember the things that I've done for you , remember what I have said . That is gonna happen at the end . Right , it's already written . He is nobody can snatch us . I can't even snatch myself out of his hand . I can't do it . Yeah , and so it's just that , and I think that's just such a amazing picture and I , when I sit and think of that , when in my quiet time and I'm constantly like you know , I think the woman part and the remaining part is like thinking about that all the time like , wow , like a song reminding me . But we gotta put it ourselves in those spots right to be reminded , whether it's music or other believers or church or Bible studies , or putting ourselves in those situations that will woo us and will lure us to God and what he's doing .

Speaker 1

I want to read a verse when you were talking about you know , remember me , remember me . He's always wooing us and trying to , like , bring me into this . That is definitely a season that I I know that he's really trying to heighten my awareness of like I just want to be with you . Yeah , I just want you to be my daughter , like cause I . I want the , I want the action , I want the assignment . Lord , tell me what to go do . I'm going to go try to kill it . You know I'm going to have it on brand .

Speaker 1

You know I'm going to like , that's what I want , that's my default . But his response has been for quite some time just be my daughter . Yeah , just just be my daughter , yeah . And a couple of nights ago I was doing some studying and I was brought to Colossians 3.15 . Yes , and this is the Passion Translation . So good , which is , I think it might be my favorite translation now , I think . But it says Colossians 3.15 , by the peace of the anointed one , christ , who called you to peace as part of his one body and always be thankful .

Speaker 1

And what I love about the Passion Translation is that they really get to the root of the Greek origin or the Hebrew origin . The meaning of the word and what this actually means in the original language is it says the Greek literally means let peace be the umpire of your minds . Like a referee yeah , right , yeah . Like let peace control how you think about stuff . Yeah , let peace control how you respond . Let peace be what shapes your perspective . Yeah .

Speaker 1

Right . And so this verse was just like for me the other night when I was reading it , and it's like , okay , if I'm a daughter of God and his peace referees my mind , then that controls the way that I , or should control or inform , the way that I think , perceive things right . If I feel hopeless , that doesn't sound like peace yeah peace says to have hope .

Speaker 1

It's ugly , it sucks , I hate it . But peace says hope . Hope in me . Do you think I'm not going to take care of you , right ? Yeah , you know , I didn't really grow up in church where a church where we would sing like old hymns or old Negro spirituals . But literally one night , one morning this week , I woke up with this song on my heart , and almost every morning I wake up with some praise and worship song already going in my mind . Like .

Speaker 1

I'm already singing even as I'm waking up in my heart . And one day this week I woke up and the song His Eyes Are On the Sparrow , where I was like his eyes are on the sparrow , I know it and I've heard it . But you know , I didn't really grow up in churches where that's what we would see , right , and I was like , ooh Lord , we going way back .

Speaker 6

They're like poetry really . You take the book and you just start reading through them . Yeah , I mean , it points to Christ all the time . It points to God . Yeah , it points to God , it's beautiful .

Speaker 1

Yeah , you know , I'm just a little bit more Maverick City .

Speaker 5

Sure .

Speaker 1

That's more my jam . Yeah , I was like wow . But he wow , but he's like you know , my eyes are on you . Oh yeah , my eyes are on you . Yeah , I got you girl . Yeah , if , I take care of that bird .

Speaker 1

I take care of worms , yeah , I take care of everything else in nature that is operating on instinct , right , like they don't have a relationship with the Lord , like we do . But I'm feeding them , I'm giving them what they need . Yeah , I'm telling them when to go to sleep , tell bears when to hibernate , I tell ducks when to fly south . Do you think I'm not gonna tell you where I want you to go ? Yeah , you know .

Speaker 5

So , anyway , that was a little tangent , but no , but , but it's good . And I think what you're pointing to as well is , you know , when we study the word , we can't always use our carnal mind to study the word that we would invite the Holy Spirit in to help us understand to . You know , find translations . I love the passion , and Colossians three is literally my favorite chapter in the Bible , and so when you read that I was like , yes , I love it . But I think the other piece too is if we struggle with this on a day to day , you know , I'm a big proponent of anchors and like , not you know , the anchors in the sea , but just like having something to anchor to .

Speaker 5

And so I remember , um , my husband and I were in a season of infertility for three years and a friend was like you know that song , way maker , miracle worker , promise keeper , light in the darkness . She was like I don't know , there's something about that song that I feel for you and I was like that's really interesting . And so I got this on Etsy , because I love Etsy .

Speaker 5

I got this , you know , like little wooden sign that has those words on it and it's in my kitchen and so every day I'd go in my kitchen and , as we're believing to get pregnant , I would just sing that song way maker , miracle , miracle Worker , promise Keeper , light in the Darkness , right . And you know that song also says even when you don't see it , he's still working . Yes , and you know we hear all the time in the church , especially if you grew up in the church . You walk by faith and not by sight and it's like , okay , but can I get ? Some sight .

Speaker 5

Because I feel like I need to see and I think sometimes that piece that you're talking about is not needing to know the next thing .

Speaker 6

Oh , wait , wait we don't like that so much . Hold on . We don't like that so much .

Speaker 1

I love you , Aspen , but you've just gone too far now , too much , sorry not sorry , but really it's like I don't see the full picture .

Speaker 5

I'm actually thankful I don't see the full picture because , if I think , I think , if we're real with ourselves we would mess it up if we saw the full picture . Yeah , I don't

The Power of Surrender

Speaker 5

see the full picture . I just see this one thing in front of me , this one challenge , this one step , this one door , whatever it might be , one situation . And so , even when I don't see it , he's working everything out for our good , right , and it's it's also to be aware of the spiritual warfare element , right ? We have to remember that God is great and he is amazing . We also have to be reminded that the word says that we don't fight against flesh and blood , but we fight against principalities and rulers of the air , and there's an enemy out there who wants to do what Steal , kill and destroy , and the thing that I think we have to understand as believers is he would love nothing more than to steal our peace . He may not be able to steal something out of your house , but he might steal your peace . He might , you know , bring something into your life that you know kills your joy . Right , and I think we have to be reminded of that . And so part of some of my remaining and just that intimacy with God is reflecting on Ephesians and putting on the full armor and envisioning what that looks like . Right , we know that we come from a place of victory as believers . We know that God is on our side , that he fights our battles right , so we know that we come from a place of victory as believers . We know that god is on our side , that he fights our battles right , so we know that . And so it's like , when I lock arms with the lord , it's like I have that helmet of peace , right , I've got , I've got that strength from him , only not from myself , from him , right , and I don't see the full picture , but I'm ready , right , and um , some mentors of mine have talked about , you know , when certain people , you know , wake up in the morning and their feet hits the ground ,

Finding Peace as God's Children

Speaker 5

you know Satan's like , oh snap , she's up again . And like that , like I want to terrify him because I know his place , which is beneath our feet , right , and so it's not that we're not victorious . We come from a place of victory , right . And so I may not see everything , I may not know why God is doing what he's doing , the conversations I'm having , the people he's connecting me to .

Speaker 5

If I believe he is sovereign , I believe he's omnipresent , omniscient , all these things , even clients . You know , there's times where I'm like God knew that they had to start on my caseload at that time , right Because of what ? Maybe I'm going through what they're going through , and I find I don't know if you find this , but I find a lot of times and I don't know if you find this , but I find a lot of times clients will come in and they're struggling with something and while over here I'm struggling with a similar theme or just finished struggling , and I'm like this is funny , they don't even know it , but I'm over here struggling or had struggled with this , and they just walked into my door Like there is no coincidences . And I actually firmly believe coincidences are Christ-ordered incidents . They are not coincidences , they are Christ-ordered . God saw fit that you would be in that place at that right time , right , and so , anyway , that was a lot but divine intervention divine .

Speaker 6

I sorry , I call them divine appointment . Divine appointment yes it's good , it's true . I mean , nothing happens in our world , right as believers , nothing happens without him having absolutely . The tricky part is when he doesn't answer what we want right and that's where it's like oh , what am I gonna do with that right now , right ? And it's like am I gonna trust god in that right ?

Speaker 6

because we often hear like oh , we are the overcomers , we are right but you know , is that , yes , at the end we will be glorified , it will be all make sense , right , but from our perspective , this is what I want , and he's not answering that way , yeah , and it's like wait , what am I gonna do ? And how am I gonna think about that ? How am I gonna look at that ? And that's what we really have to trust the lord and know that he's got a plan and that he has it yeah , I feel like that's what this whole season is about .

Speaker 1

Right , remain . We have to remain in those seasons where he hasn't resolved it yet , right , yeah , it's not only for those seasons , like we were talking about earlier . Even in the good seasons , there is a discipline that comes , there's an accountability , there's a connection or a community that can come . There's an accountability , there's a connection or a community that can come . Even in the good seasons , we remain connected to him . But especially in those seasons where Lord , I don't get this Like , I just don't understand , and I think that's why I just felt like the Lord was like that's what we're going to talk about this season , right , and it's . It's where I am right now . All I can do is remain , all I can do is stay at his feet . All I can do is learn to actually put my head on his chest .

Speaker 6

I love that picture I do too . I think mine is where I literally and I keep my long hair for purpose , because I feel like I wanna , when I get to heaven , I wanna sit on his feet and I wanna wipe his feet with my hair . That's what I want to do and so that when I feel like I need , I always say that I give myself a pep talk every day . When I'm like struggling , I'm like okay , that's all right , you know , and I just see myself just wiping his feet in my hair and that's why I really do . It's just like I don't know , it just helps me , it's a visual .

Speaker 6

I love that yeah so I think visuals like are really helpful .

Speaker 1

We have to hold on to them .

Speaker 6

We picture ourselves like , okay , what is this going to look like ? And I know people are afraid of the book of Revelation , but , wow , I mean it is amazing to kind of get into that and read what is going to happen , because he's told us so that we can have that hope . We know what's going to happen . We will be with him , he's told us , so that we can have that hope . We know what's going to happen , you know we will , you know , be with him and he will be on he is on his throne .

Speaker 5

He will be on his throne and every knee will bow , every tongue confess , that's right .

Speaker 1

Before you move on , I want to encourage you , take a few moments to practice stillness and ask Holy Spirit what he wants to say to you right now . If you're feeling an invitation to go deeper , head over to IamKellyJohnsoncom to download this season's companion resource . Thanks so much for flowing with me .