6 Keys To Overcome Dead Ends and Discouragement — A Blog Anniversary
FAITH BARISTA'S BLOG ANNIVERSARY IS HERE !
** BY GRACE ALONE NECKLACE GIVEAWAY **
To celebrate, I'm giving away Lisa Leonard Designs Necklace
This beautiful silver sterling necklace features a pendant
with the engraved words: by grace alone.
Enter the By Grace Alone Giveway At The End Of Today's Post !
I've poured you a fresh cup of java, with a view. Pull up a chair?
How do you overcome discouragement when you run into one dead end after another?
Anniversaries provide a wonderful moment to reflect on where we’ve been and the spot we’re standing today. As I step into this month of August, Faith Barista’s blog anniversary, I’m thankful to see you’ve stopped by for break.
Sit down. Take a load off your feet.
I know you only have a few minutes. Let me pour you a fresh cup of coffee, just like the virtual ones we’ve shared throughout this year.
You know, people sometimes say God is silent because He wants to teach us a lesson. I know they mean well, but I have discovered what God does best in the dark isn’t hiding. It’s not so much about instruction, but it’s all about relationship.
I don’t know about you, but I have a tendency of setting my heart to the side, to get through my days as best as I can. Days turn into weeks and before you know it, it’s not too clear what has happened between yesterday and today.
Where there is whitespace and my words comes to a drip, Jesus enters.
Can I come in?
He quietly knocks.
In a moment of intimacy, He assures me.
I know what your heart longs for.
I know what you need.
Just when I think He can’t, God surprises me. I go deeper with Him — and I find friends along the same journey of faith. Our paths all look different, but our goal is the same.
Jesus.
Your faith is like that first sip of caffeine in the morning. It stirs my heart.
I see Jesus in our stories: our pauses, our joys, the questions equally as intriguing as the answers.
I taste God’s grace.
How did Faith Barista first start, you ask?
Let me share a Faith Barista Anniversary reflection with you today. But, before I do, I want to say this –
Thank you, Jesus, for your grace that has brought me here.
Thank you, faith friends, for the stories you share,
as we look to find God fresh in our everyday lives,
and offer our journeys to each other as gifts.
As to how Faith Barista began, I’m remembering a story, told once upon a time…
Once Upon A Time
Iron gates in a garden where I often go for whitespace
If you’ve ever house sat or been volunteered to water your friend’s plants or feed her cat while she was away on vacation, you know how important the keys are.
After you’ve pawed under the mat or turned over the flower pot and come up empty, you figure she forgot to put the key out. The thought of shriveled ferns and a dried out feline drives you to hit the panic button.
You dial your friend’s number.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, you confess you can’t to find the keys.
You’re so sorry, but could the keys be somewhere else?
O, yeah. Your friend chuckles. I forgot. The keys are hanging on a nail. Behind the downspout. Near the back door.
Does this scene sound familiar?
I’m not simply talking about the keys to a house.
I’m talking about the keys to God’s plans for you.
You’ve prayed, read your Bible, and done everything you could possibly think of — to the best of your strengths and even to the detriment of your weaknesses.
But, the keys to your questions can’t seem to be found –
– that opportunity you’ve been knocking down doors to open
– that breakthrough you’ve been waiting for, hanging by a thread
– that big problem you’ve been trying to solve, failure instead of success.
What can you do?
Shock and Loss
I was processing a stack of mail when I pulled it out. It was an official looking envelope from the State of California. It’s the kind of letter you open right away.
Reminder: Your business state taxes are due by the end of the month.
I started a business and became a statistic.
In less than two years, I closed up shop and liquidated all inventory.
It was a shock to me and our bank account because it was the last thing I expected.
I crunched the numbers and accepted the risk. I became a entrepreneur because I believed God was in it 100%.
My needs were real. I was a new mom who needed a job with flexible hours and a greater desire to stay home with baby.
My priorities were godly. Motherhood and family. Slam dunk, right?
My prayers were answered. I prayed and sought God’s guidance for a year, as I did the market research, built a business plan, and prototype. At every intersection along the process, I saw God confirm prayers.
My due diligence. I sought wise counsel and applied my expertise from a career of releasing products for high tech corporations.
Business opened and sales looked promising. I was hopefully optimistic.
Then, the market crashed.
I Never Would’ve Guessed
What happened?
Why would He lead me down a path that He knew would not only be fruitless, but a loss?
The answers to this question merits a book, which I’d love to write one day.
But, I’m telling you this story because I sit here in the red years later, with a business closed and the door to a lifelong passion opened: my writing.
To market my product, I created a company blog.
I have always longed to pursue writing. But it passed me by like the midnight train to Georgia.
I faced one dead end after another. I gave up hope and resigned my writing life to an underground pursuit behind closed doors and a motley crew of notebooks.
Then, my business died, along with the company blog.
But, I didn’t want to stop writing.
If I blogged for a product, why can’t I blog for purpose?
What if I wrote about all this stuff in my journals and published it online?
Would anybody read it?
I would’ve never guessed in a thousand years I’d be here to celebrate the birth of Faith Barista Blog with you today.
My disbelief didn’t change God’s plans for me.
Yours won’t change His plans for you either.
The Doors We Cannot Open
Do you have a plan for your life that hasn’t gone the way you expected?
Are you confused to why God’s led you down one path and not another?
We can try to engineer the perfect solution, with sincerity and by faith.
But there are some doors that we cannot open.
6 Keys To Overcome Dead Ends and Discouragement
If you find yourself discouraged, remember the 6 Keys To Overcome Dead Ends and Discouragement:
1. God has the keys to your life and purpose.
2. God hasn’t forgotten to tell you where they are and you aren’t left out in the cold.
3. In His time and wisdom, God will open the doors of opportunity for you. No matter what.
4. No hardship or personal failure can keep that door from opening. No matter how late you think it is.
5. Stay faithful in unchanging situations, while God aligns the needed sequence of events with your heart.
6. If it is time to make changes, set them in motion.
Nothing is wasted. Everything done by faith that is unseen is visible and useful to God.
It may seem door after door is shutting closed in front of you, but God has his hand on the special ones reserved. Just for you.
At the right time, you will walk through them, with a smile on your face and amazement in your eyes.
“These are the words of him who is holy and true,
who holds the key of David.
What he opens no one can shut, and
what he shuts no one can open.”
Revelations 3:7
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What are your thoughts on today’s post?
Pull up a chair. Click to share a comment or subscribe by email.
Because, as you know, I love to read each and every one of them.
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** By Grace Alone Necklace Giveaway **
To celebrate Faith Barist’a blog anniversary, I’ve lined up some goodies this month to usher in a new year of friendship! I’m kicking off the festivities by giving away a Lisa Leonard Designs necklace to ONE RANDOMLY SELECTED WINNER.
** Winner Update ** * Congratulations to By Grace Alone Giveaway winner #114 – Jeri T.!*
I purchased this same necklace after Faith Barista went live, to remind me how I can dare to be who God made me: by grace alone.
To Enter:
1. Share a comment or blog post by Midnight Wed 8/10/11.
For Extra Entries:
2. Subscribe to Faith Barista and leave an extra comment letting me know.
3. Share this post on Facebook or Twitter (Click the “Share/Save” button below) and leave an extra comment letting me know.
*** NOW, IT’S YOUR TURN — FAITH BARISTA JAM! ***
Faith Barista Jam Thursdays – I serve up a topic of faith, you write the post. Let’s encourage each other. Add your voice. Swap our stories.
This Thursday’s Topic 8/4:
Whitespace topic: Share a moment you felt close to God recently.Share your post by clicking on the blue button below “Add Your Link” or just comment directly.
Next Thurday’s Topic 8/11:
The gift of hospitality.
Approach it any way you feel inspired!
Only required ingredient: keep it real. Thanks for serving your personal brews!
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It’s a jam session. As time allows, say hi & drop a comment when visiting the community faith blends!
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Sheryl on What I Killed & What I Want To Write Instead
Vikki Sapp on What I Killed & What I Want To Write Instead
Vicky on What I Killed & What I Want To Write Instead
Debbie on What I Killed & What I Want To Write Instead
Katy on What I Killed & What I Want To Write Instead
I loved all of the advice you offered Bonnie. You’re so encouraging.
Happy Blogoversary to you!
I’m glad we have connected through the blogosphere and I look forward to meeting you in heaven someday.
)
Ok, here is my FIRST entry for the necklace. (Which is lovely!)
Bless you today!
Beth
Beth´s last [type] ..Close to my Beloved
I follow you — SECOND entry for necklace.
)
Beth´s last [type] ..Close to my Beloved
Third entry! I tweeted this: Giveaway to celebrate Faith Barista’s blogoversary! http://bit.ly/rnEMDx #blogfrog #Blogher #Mamavation #SITSgirls #Wordpress #sahm #wahm
And … I’m sharing on Facebook!
Have a wonderful day!
Beth
Beth´s last [type] ..Close to my Beloved
I know exactly how this feels – with all those doors shutting. But it is even more exciting and (can I say it?) scary when new doors start appearing. New opportunities that you never expected or dreamed of. And even more surprising when He starts leading you toward the most unexpected of them all.
Happy Anniversary, Faith Barista! and as it happens August is my blog anniversary too(but I had to look it up).
Kristine´s last [type] ..Stale Faith
I really enjoy your blog, and I’d love to win!
I subscribe to the blog.
I shared on Twitter.
This is such an encouraging post!! There have been times in my life where I have felt alone and forgotten–even though I know that God is always with me. And yet, I still wondered–where is He?
It was not God that had forgotten me, but me forgetting to seek Him first–always seek His kingdom, His desires for me, and trust, trust, trust….
Beth
Beth´s last [type] ..Pondering
I also followed you!! Second entry!!
Beth
Beth´s last [type] ..Pondering
Forgot to add…I’ll be joining in on the ‘Faith Jam’ when I come home this evening….time to leave for work!!
Beth´s last [type] ..Pondering
Loved, just loved this post. God has a plan for us all, and knows the best for us. Don’t despair when doors shut, and plans have to be shelved. He loves us and is guiding us gently along the road He has made for us.
I would love to win this Giveaway!
I subscribe to Faith Barista, and LOVE it!
Love this imagery of the keys to the door of God’s purposes for me…the tips were so succinct and useful.
And I can’t tell you how encouraging it is to hear of your business failure (sorry, don’t know how to put it less baldly) in spite of God’s leading – so often we think that things ‘should’ work out but God has greater plans. It is so good to hear how you see God opening the door to your writing – probably of more blessing to us all and many more than your business! Bless you!
Angi´s last [type] ..Bent wires
Thank you for this post! Right now I’ve had a door close, but I also know that God is in control and he will open that door again in His own time and not mine. Hope I win the necklace.
Happy Anniversary!
I subscribe to your blog.
I have certainly entertained the question lately, as to why God would lead us to do something that it seems very likely is going to result in loss. I have even wondered did we misunderstand and make a wrong choice. I have to keep reminding myself that God’s ways are not my ways. Thanks for the encouragement.
jackie´s last [type] ..My Love of Color
I am a subcriber.
jackie´s last [type] ..My Love of Color
Okay, I want the necklace, so I definitely want to be entered. Aside from that, I felt like you were telling stories from my last 18 months. Different, unique…but so similar. And identical in the nature of God. I love being a part of this hop. I think through the week about how to approach the subject matter and how to keep it real for my followers. Thank you for hosting.
Jackie Sill´s last [type] ..early morning promise
Oh, and I am a subscriber. Anything for free java!
Jackie Sill´s last [type] ..early morning promise
And I tweeted you
I said “6 Keys To Overcome Dead Ends and Discouragement — A Blog Anniversary http://j.mp/poHwuA via @AddToAny” Have a great day. Be back in a bit to link up
Jackie Sill´s last [type] ..early morning promise
I’ve always dreamed of opening a coffee shop thus named The Hahn Hunting Lodge where we serve up brews and sandwiches made from wild game with a big community board of local hunters and their adventures. Then, I look at the reality of business taxes and how much you need in cash to keep going for the first two years…I think I’ll keep my virtual lodge and write instead and pursue writing…less capital.
Nikole Hahn´s last [type] ..Lesson 2: Why Is This Happening To Me?
Happy anniversary to Faith Barista blog! May the Good Lord continue to bless you, Bonnie & inspire you in yr writing to bring encouragement & help to needy people around the world.
From yr blog I learn about what is whitespace & try to put it into practice. I like the pictures & photos you shared in yr whitspace.
I received tremendous encouragement from your sharing especially on today’s topic. I tried to save my marriage but always encountered road blocked. And my husband had file for divorce. I seek the Lord in prayer but God seems to be silent & seems like the relationship with my husband is getting worse off & looked so hopeless for
By God’s grace & mercy may His will be done on earth as it is heaven.
He is an All knowing God & He is there & is not silent.
May God continue to show His favor upon you, Bonnie & bless you & yr family.
Happy anniversary!
Your blog always lands in my inbox with the most perfect timing. Today you delivered Hope to a heart that is shrouded in heavy fog. Thank you….
I subscribe via email!
Danielle´s last [type] ..Hebrews 4:12 Stories-Guest Post from Laurin
Thank you for sharing your story, Bonnie—especially as our family is stepping into something new, too. Your reminder that “Nothing is wasted”…so encouraging!
Monica Sharman´s last [type] ..The Protection of Illness
It’s funny that you wrote about letting God in today. I am going through a mess with my ex right now regarding my son and I’m tired and upset, etc. and thought I’m not discounting God in this and though I know He has my back, I need to rely on Him even more right now. Thanks for the reminder!
Oh, I am a follower and I am sharing this message via Twitter and FB
April´s last [type] ..Changes Coming
Happy blogoversary!
Those doors are shutting for me in one particular part of my life and I wonder if any door will ever open. I feel like God gave me a promise a year ago, but now I question if I heard or felt right. I’m staying faithful, not perfect, but faithful.
Bonnie, I am touched by your story. I started blogging over four years ago to help my husband’s business. We needed to learn more about social media. In the process, I rediscovered my love for writing and engaging people.
I’m so glad you continued blogging since I wouldn’t have ‘met’ you otherwise.
I love Lisa Leonard jewelry and this piece is awesome. I posted this on my Facebook wall.
I hope to write a post later today and link up too.
Blessings and love,
Debbie
Debbie´s last [type] ..Ongoing Blessings
I already follow you but I tweeted about this too.
Debbie´s last [type] ..Ongoing Blessings
IMHO, I think disappointments and discouragements aren’t supposed to be overcome. They’re like a cup of strong, black coffee that you pour every single morning, and for weeks the bitterness is hard to take. Then, one morning, the bitterness tastes sweet, and you think, “Man, that’s one good cup of coffee!”
Megan Willome´s last [type] ..Drought & Marriage
I am a new Faithe Barista reader and I have enjoyed your work. Today’s message was something I really needed to hear and I plan to pass it on to others I know that are in the same place.
Thanks Bonnie
Happy Anniversary!
I always look forward to updates on your blog. You have been given a beautiful gift from God and I thank you for sharing your gift. I am in my late 40′s. Gave up my college education at senior level because life got way to hard and I could not afford it. Then I became a care giver to my mother for 9 years. I am now going back to school after working as a paralegal for 15 years. So here I am in college, the oldest in my class. But I know that this is God. I have quit my job and my husband has taken on an extra second job, for he believes in Gods Plan for me. I have heard the discouraging words and have been faced with some trials. For example my husband works for a NASA contractor….. will we have a job in the next months?? But God overcomes those thoughts and sends me forward. Gods plan does overcome everything. We do have to focus on His Face and not look away, for it is the only way to overcome. Thank you so much Bonnie for who you are and hearing God in the silence. Sincerely Lisa Freeman
I also posted on Facebook and Twitter.
Kristine´s last [type] ..Stale Faith
Happy bloggy anniversary, my beautiful friend! So thankful this world of words and the Word brought us together!
It’s about the one year anniversary of when I started reading your blog. Thanks for serving up faith so beautifully for the last year.
Wow…I know of a few young ladies I can pass this article on to. They are really struggling right now and this will be encouraging to them.
I shared on facebook!
I subscribe in Google reader
Happy 1st anniversary! Thank you so much for your encouragement. The last 2 years have been a series of one discouragement and dead end after another for myself and my family. I know God has been working on us and is with us. Today’s blogpost is definitely timely. Thank you for your ministry!
I am a subscriber through email as well as RSS feed.
It never fails to amaze me how well God provides. This is what I needed to read today. Thank you!
Thank you for this post, my husband and I are in the middle of a faith process and it is easy to become discouraged and weighed down with worry. It is a relief to remember that God’s silence does not mean we are forgotten or unimportant.
Also, I’m a subscriber
I just wanted to say, “Great minds think alike!” I had just written on this topic, albeit from a somewhat different angle: http://bit.ly/pPY8ME More important, I wanted to tell you how encouraging is this post. Happy Anniversary!
Diane Yuhas´s last [type] ..Got A Vision For Ministry?
Shared the link on Facebook
I’ve had many roadblocks in my path the last 9.5 years. One thing I spent a lot of time at first, crying to God, asking him what I was supposed to “Do”. His still small voice got louder and louder as he repeated reminded me to “Love the LORD your God with all your heart…. and love others.” I’ve come to understand that nothing – NOTHING can take those two keys to perfect life from me. No circumstance or loss can hinder my pouring all my love out to God and considering how I can love others.
Thank you for the reminder again today Bonnie. Though I KNOW this… every roadblock makes me go back and review it.
~Melanie
Melanie´s last [type] ..Review: The Lords Prayer by Richard Jesse Watson
I shared on FB and Tweeted!
Melanie´s last [type] ..Review: The Lords Prayer by Richard Jesse Watson
I also subscribe to emails
Melanie´s last [type] ..Review: The Lords Prayer by Richard Jesse Watson
Happy Blogoversary! I love your blog. I am inspired by your words and comforted by the fact that I am not alone on this journey.
Thank you.