anaelleauguste

Joy Overflows in Affliction

anaelleauguste7@gmail.com (ANAELLE AUGUSTE) — Sat, 26 Apr 2025 16:36:07 GMT

2 Corinthians 7:4 says, “…In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy.”

At first glance, this sounds like an oxymoron. How can someone overflow with joy while walking through affliction?

The word used for affliction here refers to “a state of severe distress or suffering, often due to external pressures or persecution” (Strong’s Lexicon). If that's the case, shouldn’t affliction be accompanied by sadness, hurt, and brokenness?

And yet, Paul says he was overflowing with joy — because his joy wasn’t tied to his external circumstances. His joy came from the Holy Spirit. His relationship with God anchored him in something deeper than what was happening around him.

Jesus never promised us a life of endless sunshine and rainbows. He said plainly, “If anyone wants to come after Me, let him deny himself, pick up his cross, and follow Me.” He didn’t hide the reality of hardship and tribulation. He told us we will have trouble in this world — but He also said we can take heart because He has overcome the world.

Our joy doesn’t come from smooth sailing.

Our joy comes from Him.

It comes from the fact that Jesus is with us in the midst of it all — and His presence brings a peace and a joy that nothing in this world can match. That’s why, even when we walk through things that should have crushed us, we’re still standing. Still smiling.

Our joy is from the Lord, and His joy is our strength!

So yes — affliction and joy can coexist in the life of the believer.

James 1:2-4 challenges us: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds…”

At first, that feels like a stretch. How can we call trials joy?

But the word "consider" (hégeomai) means: to lead, to think, to regard, to esteem.
It’s almost like James is saying: the trial doesn’t lead your experience — you do.

You get to choose your perspective.
You get to choose how you will think about it, how you will regard it, how you will frame it.

It’s not the event that determines your experience — it’s your perspective about it.

Jesus, our perfect example, showed us the way.
He knew exactly what He was about to endure. He could have let shame, fear, and dread overwhelm Him. But Hebrews says He despised the shame.

He looked down on it — He didn’t let it define Him or stop Him.

Likewise, when we walk in our true identity in Christ — seated with Him in heavenly places — we can look down on shame, guilt, fear, suffering, uncertainty, and everything else that comes with trials…
And we can choose joy .

We can be joyful in hope, because Jesus is our Hope of Glory!

As 1 Peter 1:3 says: "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy, He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead!"

We also need patience in tribulation.

If we jump out of the fire too soon, we won’t come out properly refined.
If we exit the pressure too early, the oil won’t flow.

Tribulation makes us encounter God on a deeper level. It produces something precious in us — like fire purifies gold, tribulation purifies our faith.

James tells us: “…the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4)

Patience, or longsuffering, also keeps us from snapping at others because of our own pain. It steadies our souls when everything feels unstable.

And through it all — be constant in prayer.
Prayer builds intimacy with God. Prayer strengthens us in the hidden places.

Luke 18:1 reminds us: “Men ought always to pray and not faint.”
Even Jesus — God in the flesh — modeled a life of constant prayer while He was on earth. How much more do we need it?

A Prescription for Healing: Joy

anaelleauguste7@gmail.com (ANAELLE AUGUSTE) — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 02:52:54 GMT

“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” – Proverbs 17:22

Joy is not just a nice feeling. According to Scripture, it’s a powerful force—one that brings healing, strength, and restoration. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible paints joy as a recurring theme, woven into the rhythms of worship, community, and life with God. In Hebrew, the word is simchah , and in Greek, it’s chara . Whether expressed in celebration or held quietly within, joy is more than emotion—it’s a spiritual reality.

The external expressions of joy—dancing, singing, feasting—are beautiful, but they are responses, not sources. True joy flows from the presence of God. It’s rooted in who He is: faithful, near, and unchanging. According to Strong’s Lexicon, joy in the Old Testament is deeply connected to the covenant relationship between God and His people. It’s both a gift and a response to divine faithfulness.

In the New Testament, we see joy listed among the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22. This reminds us that joy isn’t something we manufacture—it’s something cultivated in us through relationship with the Holy Spirit. That’s why James can write, “Consider it pure joy… whenever you face trials” (James 1:2). This isn’t wishful thinking—it’s a call to live from a deeper source, one not bound by our circumstances.

Proverbs 17:22 isn’t just a poetic verse—it’s divine wisdom backed by both Scripture and science. It says a joyful heart is good medicine. That means the opposite is also true: a heart lacking joy and peace can become a breeding ground for illness, discouragement, and decay.

And science agrees.

Many physical conditions trace back to emotional pain. Depression, anxiety, and grief don’t just affect the mind—they often show up in the body. There’s even a term for it in medicine: psychosomatic illness . These are real physical symptoms triggered by emotional or mental distress—things like insomnia, fatigue, high blood pressure, back pain, ulcers, and migraines.

Perhaps one of the most compelling examples is broken heart syndrome —also known as stress cardiomyopathy or takotsubo cardiomyopathy. It’s a real, diagnosable condition where severe emotional stress causes the heart to temporarily weaken and change shape. The symptoms mimic a heart attack: chest pain, shortness of breath, and even heart failure. It’s the emotional becoming physical—and it’s more common than we think.

But here’s the good news: God already gave us a prescription. Joy.

Not artificial happiness. Not toxic positivity. But real, Spirit-born joy.

Joy that heals.

The word for “medicine” in Proverbs 17:22 doesn’t just mean pills or ointments—it also refers to healing, restoration, and even the miraculous works of Jesus. That’s how powerful joy is.

If you find yourself in a season of heaviness, start here: ask the Holy Spirit to cultivate joy in your heart. Not just for the sake of your mood, but for the sake of your health. Practice gratitude. Rejoice in the small things. Worship even when it’s hard. And surround yourself with life-giving people and environments that help joy grow.

Joy is not a luxury. It’s a necessity. It’s God’s gift for your spirit—and your body.

Because a joyful heart really is good medicine.

Resting in Peace

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 01:39:07 GMT

Resting in Shalom: The Deeper Meaning of Psalm 4:8

"In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety." – Psalm 4:8

Shalom is more than a mere concept; it is a reality, a place of refuge and security. Many people lie down at night on comfortable beds yet struggle with insomnia, weighed down by anxieties and fears. However, Psalm 4:8 reveals that we can lie down in shalom—not just in the physical sense, but in a spiritual realm of true rest and security.

The Hebrew words for "lie down" in this passage also imply rest. This aligns with the familiar phrase rest in peace, commonly associated with death. While this phrase is usually reserved for the departed, there is an element of truth in it for the living: to enter into true peace, we must experience a kind of death—a death to worry, self-sufficiency, and an uncontrolled life. The Apostle Paul expressed this profound truth:

"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me." – Galatians 2:20

Jesus himself laid out the requirement for following Him: Deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow me. True life in the Kingdom requires self-denial, surrender, and a trust that surpasses our own understanding.

The Barriers to Shalom

Why do so many struggle to experience God’s peace? The pressures of performance, achievement, and personal desires keep people awake at night. Some cry themselves to sleep over broken dreams, betrayals, financial struggles, or hurtful words spoken over them. These burdens prevent them from resting in God's shalom.

Paul’s declaration, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13), is often quoted as a statement of power, but in context, it is about contentment—learning to rest in God’s provision whether in abundance or lack. That is true shalom: being unshaken by circumstances because our peace comes from a higher source.

The Great Exchange: Burdens for Rest

Jesus invites us to an exchange: Give me your burdens, and I will give you rest. When we take up His yoke and learn from Him, we find rest for our souls. This is not merely physical rest but a deep, soul-level rest from the burdens of worry, anxiety, and striving.

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort and console me." – Psalm 23:4

David knew that no matter what he faced, he was never alone. His awareness of God's presence gave him confidence to rest even in difficult circumstances. Likewise, our ability to experience shalom depends on our awareness of who is with us.

Trusting the Father's Love

Sometimes, God's protection and guidance place us in uncomfortable situations. We may be deprived of what we desire, much like a loving parent who withholds harmful indulgences from a child. The child may want unlimited candy, but the mother, knowing the long-term consequences, denies the request out of love. In the same way, God withholds or redirects our desires for our ultimate good.

Experiencing shalom means trusting that God is with you, loves you, and has your best interests at heart. No matter what trials come, resting in His love means leaning on His rod and His staff—His guidance and discipline.

Sometimes, shalom sounds like, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him." (Job 13:15). It is the deep understanding that even in suffering, God’s plans are for our good. His thoughts toward us are always good—to give us hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).

The Internal Reality of Shalom

Shalom is not about external circumstances but an internal reality. It is the assurance that "Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world." (1 John 4:4). True peace is not found in a problem-free life but in the presence of a God who walks with us through every challenge.

Tonight, as you lie down, remember: You are dwelling in safety, for the Lord Himself is your refuge. Rest in that truth.

Rest in shalom.

Dedicated to Let Peace Rule

anaelleauguste7@gmail.com (ANAELLE AUGUSTE) — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 15:18:43 GMT

Scripture

Colossians 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Shalom: The Power of Peace in Our Hearts and Lives

When you think of the word "shalom," what comes to mind? Often, it's associated with peace, but there's so much more depth to this Hebrew word. Shalom, in its truest sense, encompasses wholeness, completeness, safety, and prosperity. It is a state of being where everything is in harmony — not just with the world around you, but within you.

In Hebrew, there’s a phrase commonly used to ask someone how they’re doing: "ma shlomcha?" This literally translates to “What is your peace?” or “What is your well-being?” It’s a beautiful way to inquire about someone’s overall health, not just physically, but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Interestingly, the feminine form of this phrase is “shlomech.” The word "shalom" here carries its possessive form — "your peace." It’s more than just asking if someone is feeling okay in a moment, it’s asking about their wholeness and completeness.

Who Rules the Control Board of Your Heart?

Imagine your heart is like a control board, similar to the one in the movie Inside Out, where each emotion has a seat at the table. Who is sitting at the control board of your heart right now? Is it peace? Or is it something else like bitterness, offense, or brokenness?

The idea behind "shlomech" is powerful: we have the authority to decide who governs our hearts. In the same way that we control who sits at that emotional control board, we also have the responsibility to ensure that peace, or eirene (the Greek equivalent of shalom), is the one making the decisions.

Eirene doesn’t just mean a lack of conflict; it signifies wholeness, safety, and completeness. It’s the feeling that everything is complete in your world, that nothing is broken, missing, or damaged. And when peace is in charge, we make decisions based on that sense of well-being. We become fairer, kinder, and more balanced in our thoughts and actions.

Don’t Let Bitterness Be the Ruler of Your Heart

One of the most dangerous things we can allow to control our hearts is bitterness. Bitterness often acts as a silent ruler, making decisions based on past hurts and grudges. Imagine being hurt by someone, and instead of choosing healing, you choose to let that hurt define your future actions. Bitterness, pride, and offense can lead you to make decisions that you later regret.

It’s easy to let these negative emotions take the seat of authority. But we’re encouraged, even commanded, to choose peace. The word “let” in this context is important — it’s a decision. You don’t have to let bitterness or anger rule you. Instead, you can choose peace, even when you’re hurt. You have the ability to choose what governs our hearts.

Choosing Peace in the Midst of Conflict

I once watched a short comedy sketch where two friends debated whether or not to give a big contract to an old classmate. One friend was completely against it, citing a past incident from school when this classmate wouldn’t let him cheat on an exam, leading him to fail. The whole argument stemmed from a petty, unresolved issue from years ago.

The problem? Bitterness was ruling his heart, making decisions in the moment. If peace were in control, the judgment would have been different. Peace would have focused on the present: Does this person have the skills and ability to handle the contract? Not on a past unfounded offense.

Unfortunately, this happens more often than we’d like to admit. We allow past wounds, unhealed offenses, or selfishness to control the decisions we make. It’s time to impeach those negative emotions and let peace rule our hearts.

Selfishness vs. Peace

Selfishness can also be a decision-maker in our hearts. It whispers to us that we need to protect our own interests, win the argument, and prioritize ourselves above all else. While that might feel good in the short term, it can harm relationships and leave you with a hollow sense of victory.

Peace, however, is a more thoughtful and strategic ruler. It helps you see the bigger picture, considering the long-term effects of your actions. Peace will tell you to apologize even when you’re right because it understands that relationships are more valuable than winning a fleeting argument.

Peace makes decisions with longevity in mind, considering the lasting impact on your relationships and your future.

A Call to Let Peace Rule

So, here’s the challenge: Let peace be the one at the control board of your heart. It’s not always easy, especially when emotions like hurt, offense, or selfishness are clamoring for attention. But by choosing peace, you’re choosing wholeness, safety, and prosperity in your life. You’re ensuring that your decisions are rooted in love, wisdom, and understanding.

It’s time to let go of bitterness, pride, and selfishness. Don’t let them rule your heart any longer. Let peace reign.

Shalom — may peace, wholeness, and completeness be the ruling force in your heart today and always.

Growing in Love: Love is Slow to Anger

anaelleauguste7@gmail.com (ANAELLE AUGUSTE) — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 23:32:16 GMT

Love Suffers Long

Scripture

" Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up." 1 Corinthians 13:4

Greek Word Study: Makrothymeo (From Strong's concordance)

Definition: Withholding anger, choosing not to retaliate when wronged, and exercising the same slow-to-anger attitude God demonstrates toward us.

Breakdown:

- Derived from: makros (long) and thumos (temper, passion)

-meaning: slow to anger.

- The ability to endure in the face of provocation.

- Practicing self-restraint rather than hastily retaliating.

- Choosing forgiveness instead of judgment.

- Waiting sufficient time before expressing anger.

Application:

- Think of a time when you wanted to retaliate but chose patience instead. How did it impact the situation?

- What steps can you take to cultivate long-suffering in your relationships?

- How does God's patience with you inspire you to be patient with others?

Prayer:

Abba, help me to be patient. Teach me to withhold anger and extend grace, just as You do. Strengthen my heart to endure with love. Amen.

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Growing in Love: Self-Love or Self-Seeking Love?

anaelleauguste7@gmail.com (ANAELLE AUGUSTE) — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 23:56:50 GMT

Self- Love or Self-Seeking Love

Scripture

"Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." Romans 12:10 (ESV)

Self-love is not selfish, but self-seeking love is often mistaken for true love. Genuine love does not pursue its own interests or make itself the focus of its desire. That is the way of the world—where everything revolves around self. But love is about service; it is about the beloved. Love seeks the well-being of the one it cherishes.

Many enter relationships with a self-centered mindset: “I love him because he makes me happy.” This kind of love is rooted in self-interest. Yet, Jesus loves His bride, and He gave Himself up for her—not because she brought Him joy, but to make her whole. He sacrificed Himself to present her without blemish. Our love for Jesus is not what initiated His love for us; rather, we love Him because He first loved us, even when we did not choose Him.

Love is relational, not transactional.

Loving yourself does not mean you never compromise or make sacrifices. True self-love does not constantly ask, “What’s in it for me?” in every situation. Prioritizing the well-being of others does not mean you lack self-love—it simply means love is not self-centered.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

Please, forgive me for every time my actions did not reflect love according to your standards; forgive me for every selfish action. Forgive me for the time I chose myself over your Kingdom. Help me to love like you do. Help me to relate to others the way you relate to me. Help me to live a life worthy of you.

Reflection

Prayer

What can you do today to show the love of God to another person who would not expect it? What will you do to act selflessly today?

Growing in Love: I love, therefore I Give

anaelleauguste7@gmail.com (ANAELLE AUGUSTE) — Tue, 21 Jan 2025 04:03:17 GMT

I Love, Therefore I Give

"True love is about the other person—the beloved—not the lover."

Scripture

1 Corinthians 13: 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

True love is about the other person—the beloved—not the lover. We live in a society that equates love with the emotions we experience when we are with someone when they speak to us, or how they treat us.

The Hebrew word for love is ahavah . One of its root words, hav , means "to give." Love is an action. So, when you say you love someone, it goes beyond their height, complexion, facial features, voice, smile, or any outward trait. The true measure of love is how much you are willing to give to that person.

When Jesus was speaking to the Jews, He said, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son..." For God so ahavah that He hav . The magnitude of the gift reflects the magnitude of the love. God did not give Jesus because He felt “butterflies” in His stomach when He looked at humanity. On the contrary, He gave Jesus to us while we were still sinners—when we were His enemies.

No wonder the Jews approach marriage differently than we do because they understand that love is not based on feelings or emotions but on the lover’s willingness to give to the beloved. When you love, you give—your time, attention, resources, and even your body (when you get married).

In the Western world, love is often defined as the emotional high someone feels based on how another person makes them feel. However, true love is about how much you can give to the person you love.

So, the next time you say you love this man, ask yourself: *"How much am I willing to give to him—time, resources, patience, effort, and submission (if I marry him)?"*

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Loving Father,

I thank you for your love. I thank you for giving us Jesus who is the model of what love truly means. Thank you for loving me before I even knew you. Father, purge me of every perception, concept, mentality, and belief about love that is not from you. Help me to adopt your definition of love. Teach me to love as you love me. In Jesus name! Amen

Reflection

What are some beliefs you have/had about love that are not in alignment with God’s definition of love?

How will the word of God shape how you approach love?

Transformation: Growing in Love

anaelleauguste7@gmail.com (ANAELLE AUGUSTE) — Mon, 13 Jan 2025 01:09:06 GMT

What

\ What is Love?

Scripture

1 John 4:8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

Love is one of the most misused words. We use "love" to describe our acquired taste for coffee, our inclination toward a certain genre of music, or our preference for a dish. Over time, love has been diluted and often used interchangeably with "like." But to avoid misusing or abusing something, you must first understand its intended purpose. The best way to know the correct use and intent of something is to go to its source. The source of love is God. In fact, God is love.

One thing that always captivates my attention whenever I read, hear, or say those three words is this: Love is not an adjective. The grammatically correct form might have been “God is loving.” But it’s no coincidence that the Bible states, “God is love.”

This ties in perfectly with Apostle Paul's words: “The fruit (singular, not plural) of the Spirit is love…” (Galatians 5:22). The verse above also teaches us that if someone does not love, then they do not know God. The inverse is equally true: If someone does not know God, then they cannot truly love.

Love, as described in the Bible, is a fruit produced by the Spirit of God. True love—the God-kind of love, Agape —which Jesus commands us to practice, means selfless, sacrificial benevolence and esteem for others. Our natural tendency is to be selfish, to prioritize what seems best for ourselves, and to avoid making sacrifices. However, the love that flows from God calls us to a higher standard.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for loving me sacrificially, and selflessly, even when I didn’t know you. You chose to send your son to die in my place even when you knew I would rebel against you. Thank you that your love keeps pursuing me, even when I know better and don’t do better. Help me to accept your love and to love you with everything I have. In Jesus name! Amen.

Reflection

What does love mean to you?

What beliefs you have/had about love that's not in alignment with God's definition of love?

What actions can you do today to embrace God's definition of love?

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I Want to Get Married, But I Don't Want to Settle Down

anaelleauguste7@gmail.com (ANAELLE AUGUSTE) — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 23:17:34 GMT

Marriage isn’t a destination — it’s the starting line for a life of purpose, growth, and impact.

I want to get married. I want to have a family and share my life with someone special. But more than that, I want to live an impactful life. Marriage should not reduce me to housework simply because I said “I do.” I desire a partnership, not confinement.

What I don’t want is a man with the mindset that marriage is a destination — a place to settle down after he’s tired of running around. A man who decides he’s ready to “settle” and sees his wife as someone to cook, clean, raise children, and build a predictable life of vacations, savings, and retirement.

Before you label me a feminist, hear me out. Yes, I am strong-willed and independent, but I deeply value the principles of respect, honor, and submission in marriage. I will honor my future husband, but I need him to see me as more than a homemaker. I am industrious. I am a dreamer. I love to inspire others through my blog, videos, and books. I carry within me wild and audacious dreams that fuel my purpose.

I don’t want to be forced to choose between saving my marriage and fulfilling my calling. Instead, I want a man who sees marriage as a starting point for purpose-driven partnership.

I want a man who will be my ally, my encourager, my purpose partner. I want a visionary; someone who is diligent and not complacent. Someone who understands that his role is not to compete with me or diminish my dreams but to create an environment where we can both thrive.

I want a man who believes that my potential is limitless. A man who doesn’t box me into the kitchen or the bedroom but celebrates the visionary in me. Together, I want us to build a life that is bigger than ourselves — a life of impact, purpose, and legacy.

Marriage, to me, is not the end of the story; it’s the beginning of a new chapter. A chapter where two people come together, not to settle, but to rise — higher, stronger, and brighter, as one.

So, no, i don’t want to settle down.

“Settle down” has many meanings, but one definition stands out to me: to become quiet and calm, or to make someone else quiet and calm. Yes, I crave stability, but I refuse to equate that with stagnation.

Marriage, to me, isn’t about silencing my voice or dulling my flame — it’s about growth, partnership, and purpose.

I don’t want to become quiet and calm when I get married. On the contrary, I need a partner whose voice amplifies mine and vice versa. Together, I want us to live boldly and loudly for Jesus.

I need someone with whom I can go to war against the kingdom of darkness. And there’s nothing quiet about war.

I dream of a partner whose light I can expand in this world of darkness, whose brilliance will draw nations and kings.

I won’t settle for a relationship that stifles my voice, quenches my fire, or reduces my blaze to a flicker. I don’t want a relationship that will turn me into a shadow of myself.

No, I don’t want to “settle down.” That sounds like subtraction. I want multiplication — exponential growth. The kind that says one can chase 1,000, but two? Two will chase 10,000.

Grieving with Hope: Made for This

anaelleauguste7@gmail.com (ANAELLE AUGUSTE) — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 04:31:04 GMT

You Were Made for This

You were made for what you’re going through. Sometimes, it takes walking through the fire to discover just how strong you really are. It’s in those moments—the ones that feel like they might break us—that we truly see what we’re made of.

Here’s the truth: God is never caught off guard. Nothing that happens to us takes Him by surprise. He knows every trial we’ll face, and He equips us long before we ever encounter them. Trials are like strength training; with each one, we build spiritual resilience and gain a deeper understanding of His faithfulness.

All Things Work Together for Good

If you’ve read my first book, Single, Saved, and Content , you know one of the most devastating moments of my life. I discovered that the man I loved, the one I thought I’d build a future with, was already married. That betrayal left me shattered, questioning everything. Yet, it became the foundation for something far greater than I could have imagined.

Fast forward seven years, and I faced another heart-wrenching loss—my fiancé went to be with the Lord. It was a blow I didn’t see coming, a grief so deep it felt like it might swallow me whole. But here’s the remarkable thing: the lessons God taught me through that earlier heartbreak had already prepared me for this moment.

During that first storm, I began to grasp the full meaning of Romans 8:28: “All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” At the time, it didn’t feel like anything good could come from my pain. Yet, God proved me wrong. That heartbreak birthed a book, a retreat, and countless testimonies of lives transformed.

So, when my fiancé passed, I grieved deeply. The pain was real, and the loss was profound. But alongside my sorrow, there was a beacon of hope. I thought, If God could bring so much good out of heartbreak, what could He bring out of this season of loss? That question gave me strength and joy in the midst of the chaos. It reminded me that even in my pain, there was purpose.

You Can't Lose

Grief didn’t crush me because I knew I couldn’t lose with God on my side. Even in my lowest moments, God’s promises held me steady. I found comfort, hope, and an indescribable resilience in knowing that my story wasn’t over. The enemy may have meant it for evil, but I trusted that God would transform it for His glory.

What I’ve come to see is this: my scars are my credentials. Yesterday’s bears and the lions qualified me to face today’s Goliath. They are proof of God’s ability to heal and redeem. Those scars qualify me to reach people I never could have reached otherwise. As someone called to minister to single women, my experiences have expanded my capacity to connect with those walking through heartbreak and loss. Whether you’ve lost a boyfriend, fiancé, husband, or loved one, my journey taught me compassion and hope that I can share with you.

God wastes nothing. Every tear, every heartbreak, every loss—it all serves a purpose in His hands. Out of this season of grief, I know He will give me beauty for ashes. Maybe it’s another book, or simply a deeper ability to serve others. Whatever it is, I trust that it will be good because He works everything for our good.

There is purpose in your pain too!

So, I endure with anticipation, knowing that the glory is coming. If you’re walking through your own valley of the Shadow of Death right now, I want you to know this: you were made for this. God has equipped you with the strength you didn’t know you had. He is with you in your pain, and He will use it to bless others in ways you can’t yet imagine.

Hold on, sis. Let your scars tell the story of God’s faithfulness, and let your healing become a light for others. The glory is coming.

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My Healing Journey: A Story of Hope and Resilience Amid Grief

anaelleauguste7@gmail.com (ANAELLE AUGUSTE) — Thu, 21 Nov 2024 03:33:02 GMT

If you are going through grief right now, I want you to know this: you are not alone.

Pain is inevitable. As long as we live on this earth, life will break our hearts. But here’s the truth I’ve come to embrace—when you know who you are and whose you are, you are anchored, no matter how close to the edge life takes you. I am living proof of this.

If you’re in a painful season and can’t see how you’ll ever make it to the other side, let me remind you: all hope is not lost.

Earlier this year, my world was turned upside down on what seemed like a typical January day. I started the day like any other, unaware that it would mark a turning point.

That afternoon, I spoke to my fiancé. Hours later, I received a call that shattered my heart. Three words—“ He is gone. ”

I was in shock. My first reaction was to pray and cry out to God. I begged Him to bring my fiancé back. I wondered: What will I do if He doesn’t? How will I survive this? How can I face the people in my life who don’t know God when I’ve always lifted Him up and honored Him in my relationship ?

But in the depths of my devastation, something stirred within me. A decision. A declaration that changed everything.

I said, “God, even if You don’t raise him, I will still praise You. You are my master and everything I have is yours. That relationship is yours, he is your son. So, if you allow this, I will still praise you.” I decided that even if God would let me go through the fire, like the three Hebrew boys, I would not bow. I would not stop worshiping or serving in the church.

Sometimes, you will pray and God will spare you, other times, he will allow life to turn up the heat seven times and throw you in. Your response needs to be “God can deliver me, but if He doesn’t, I will still praise Him.” that’s a whole different level of faith and loyalty to God. Anyone can praise on the mountaintop, but very few can worship in the Valley of the Shadow of Death. This is important because God's lordship and kingship are not contingent on our circumstances.

After talking to God, I still had one more declaration to make. I turned to the enemy and boldly declared, “If you think this will make me step back, you’ve got the wrong person. I will praise even harder.” And I started praising God right there in my living room while playing Walk by Faith by Victoria Orenze. I was on a mission to confuse and frustrate the enemy.

I clung to my faith like never before—it became my unshakable anchor. When life feels like a storm and you’re battling its fiercest trials, hold tightly to God’s promises. In His Word, you’ll find hope that shines like a beacon, even on the gloomiest of days. Even in the darkest nights, you will see flickers of reassurance to guide you through.

If God had chosen to bring my fiancé back, I would’ve had a resurrection testimony to share. But instead, God was writing a different story.

In my brokenness, He revealed a deeper purpose. He didn’t take away my pain, but He sustained me through it. He gave me peace in chaos, joy in pain, and strength in weakness. He reminded me that even in my grief, I could encourage others.

This journey reminded me of Mary and Martha, who knew Jesus as a healer. But Jesus decided not to answer their request to come and heal him so that He could reveal a new dimension of His power. He showed them that He wasn’t just a healer—He was the resurrection and the life.

In the same way, God used my pain to reveal His sustaining grace.

If you’re walking through a valley of grief, let this be your reminder: you don’t have to navigate it alone. God is with you, even in the darkest moments. Your pain is not the end of your story. Joy does come in the morning. It can become the platform for your greatest testimony.

So hold on. Lift your eyes. And know that even when life feels unbearable, there is purpose in your pain.

You are seen. You are loved. And you are never alone.

If this message resonated with you, feel free to share it with someone who might need encouragement today. Together, we can remind one another that hope is always within reach.

Embracing Life’s Hardships

anaelleauguste7@gmail.com (ANAELLE AUGUSTE) — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 22:52:41 GMT

Life is full of unexpected twists and turns, and none of us can escape the inevitable trials that come our way. These moments—whether big or small, brief or drawn out—are often some of the most challenging we face. But they’re also powerful catalysts for growth, resilience, and self-discovery. While trials test our character, patience, and determination, how we go through them ultimately shapes the person we become.

It’s tempting to wish for a life without challenges. Yet, if we look back at our lives, we often find that it’s during the toughest times that we learned the most about ourselves. Our resilience, our inner strength, and even our values are honed through moments of difficulty. But what if we began to view challenges less as roadblocks and more as opportunities for growth? This shift in perspective can be transformative, not only in how we experience life but in how we come out on the other side.

The Role of Mindset in Facing Challenges

Our mindset plays a pivotal role in how we navigate life’s trials. With a positive, adaptive mindset, we can view obstacles not as insurmountable barriers but as chances to learn and grow. This doesn’t mean we ignore the pain or discomfort that challenges bring; rather, it’s about choosing to face them with resilience and a willingness to adapt. It’s about asking ourselves, “What can I learn from this experience? How can I grow from it?”

Consider how an adaptive mindset builds patience and determination. It allows us to keep going, even when the path is unclear or the outcome uncertain. With patience, we can handle setbacks without losing hope. With determination, we can tackle problems, one step at a time, until we reach a solution. Through this, we become more resilient, better equipped to handle future challenges.

Hardships teach us lessons that can’t be learned any other way. When we’re tested, we gain insights about ourselves—our strengths, our limits, and our capacity to overcome. We learn the importance of flexibility and humility, realizing that it’s okay to ask for help, change course, or even start over. In facing adversity, we discover who we are at our core and what we’re truly capable of achieving.

Inner strength, like any other strength, is built through practice and endurance. The more we face and overcome trials, the stronger and more confident we become. It’s similar to physical exercise: just as lifting weights builds muscle, enduring challenges builds inner fortitude. Each trial makes us a little braver, a little wiser, and a little more resilient.

Defining Our Journey through Our Response

Our response to trials is what ultimately defines our journey. When we approach challenges with grace, courage, and an open mind, we create a path filled with growth and self-discovery. We learn to appreciate the ups and downs, understanding that both are essential parts of the journey. It’s not about avoiding trials but embracing them as part of our story.

Imagine looking back on your life and seeing each challenge as a chapter of growth. You’ll see not just what happened to you, but how you responded and grew. Each trial, each moment of perseverance, and each lesson learned will be woven into the fabric of your journey.

Finding Purpose in the Pain

When we face life’s challenges, it can be comforting to know that there is purpose in the pain. While we may not understand it in the moment, every trial offers something valuable. It prepares us for future obstacles and gives us the wisdom to help others facing similar challenges. Over time, we may even find gratitude for these moments, recognizing the resilience and strength they brought into our lives.

At the end of the day, trials are unavoidable, but they don’t have to define us in a negative way. By facing them with a positive, adaptive mindset, we can transform challenges into stepping stones for growth. Life’s trials test us, but they also build us, shaping our character and revealing the depth of our inner strength. So, let’s approach life’s obstacles not with fear but with an open heart, knowing that every challenge is an opportunity to become our best selves.

Embrace the journey. Embrace the growth. And remember, it’s not the trials themselves but our approach to them that defines our success.

Shameless: See Yourself Without Distortion

anaelleauguste7@gmail.com (ANAELLE AUGUSTE) — Sun, 02 May 2021 03:37:30 GMT

Can you think of the most embarrassing moment of your life?

Even if you don’t express it, even if no one around you knows about it, you can still experience shame by relieving the experience.

What is shame?

Though guilt and shame both pertain to wrongdoing, there’s quite a difference in the way we experience each of them. They have different outcomes. Oxford defines guilt as “the fact of having committed a specified or implied offense or crime.” In contrast, shame is defined as “a painful feeling of humiliation or distress caused by the consciousness of wrong or foolish behavior.” Basically, guilt says you did something wrong. It is a conflict between your conscience and value. When you feel guilty, you acknowledge the fact that your behavior was inappropriate. With guilt, you experience remorse; you regret what you said or did. That regret will propel you to act differently in the future, to repent, and you will attempt to make amends, repair the damage, and move on.

Now, look at the bold words in the definition of shame. Shame doesn’t say you did something wrong, but “You did this, so you’re a terrible person.” Then the pain, humiliation, and distress follow. When someone feels humiliated, they think little of themselves; they perceive themselves as less than who they truly are. They see themselves through the lens of this one occurrence, whether they were the offender or the victim. Often, shame makes you focus more on other people’s perception of you; you feel that your reputation is damaged, whereas guilt is more between you and your conscience whether others know about it or not. Even if others don’t know about your action, you worry about the way they would see or treat you if they knew when you experience shame. Because shame focuses more on others’ perceptions, moving forward can be challenging. After all, no matter what you do to make amends, others may still see you as that “terrible person,” at least that is the thought process.

The Origin and Consequences of Shame

I’m sure we’ve all heard the expression “I wanted to crawl under a rock” when someone recounts an embarrassing situation. That’s precisely what shame does; it encourages us to hide. Before I get into that, let’s go back to the origin of shame. Genesis 2:25 tells us that the man and his wife were both naked in the garden and felt no shame. They only experience shame after eating the forbidden fruit.

Their following actions were to cover themselves and hide from God. See what the man said in Genesis 3:10 “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” So, sin introduced shame and shame fear. Adam was hiding from the one who gave him his breath, his source of life. When we are driven by shame, we cover up and hide from ourselves; we live in our own shadow. We look in the mirror and can’t even recognize ourselves with all the cover-ups. Shame will tell you, “You are a terrible parent, friend, daughter, etc.; when you agree with shame, you will then see yourself unworthy of receiving love and undeserving of the relationships in your life.

People can experience such intense shame that they feel that they are damaged beyond repair. Many parents, especially fathers, leave their family due to shame. They think they are not good enough; they are worthless and not deserving o their family. They believe the family will be better off without them. Shame is so intense that it takes many to the grave way before their time. Many committed suicide because they struggle with shame. They thought, “the world will be better off without me.”

For a lot of others, shame is more subtle but just as destructive. I’ve met people who will not go to the grocery store without a full-face glam, buy designer clothes and bags they can’t afford, won’t take a picture unless they know they’ll have time to edit their face and their shape. I had a friend who told me how she couldn’t wait to get her degree to work two jobs so she can afford every plastic surgery that there is. There’s a difference between people who like makeup, who find it fun, and those who use it to hide. Others jump from relationship to relationship, trying to hide in their partners. The expensive clothes, makeup, relationships are fig leaves. They can cover the physical nakedness, but what about the nakedness of the soul?

Many remain in unhealthy/abusive relationships because shame tells them that’s what they deserve. “That must be punishment,” they say. If you made a mistake in your previous relationship, if you repented, God has forgiven you. Yes, our actions have consequences, but God does not keep us in the shackles of our past and keep reminding us of our missteps. That’s the enemy’s job to accuse us.

What Does God Say?

Instead, God extends an invitation to settle the matter once and for all, “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”

Yes, God’s grace is for you too. Yes, you! You deserve His best for you through the redemption of Christ because you become his child, and He said if us, wicked know to give good things to our children, how much more would he not give us great gifts? As a matter of fact, Apostle Paul tells us that “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” Romans 8:32. Also, James 1:17 tells us that every good and perfect gift comes from above.

Stop pushing love away!

Some look at their past and say, “there’s no way he or she could have loved me; I am a teenage mom; I used to live a promiscuous life, etc. I don’t deserve a man like him.” That’s not humility; that’s humiliation and shame.

Let me leave you with this; Isiah 54:4 says, “Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood. With shame came fear, but the Lord says not to be afraid because you will not be put to shame.

Which report will you believe?

It’s time to live shamelessly!!!

Contently Yours,

Anaelle

How to Be Content in Singleness

anaelleauguste7@gmail.com (ANAELLE AUGUSTE) — Sat, 17 Apr 2021 23:31:39 GMT

How to Be Content in Singleness

While single, you will experience all types of pressure, internal and external: people around you will be inviting themselves to your wedding while you're not even dating; your parents will be asking when they will see their grandchildren; all your friends will be requesting you to be their bridesmaid; you will notice all the cute couples on social media; others will remind you that your clock is ticking, etc. Then there are the unwanted memories of past relationships haunting you. You thought you'd be in a serious relationship by now; instead, you see your ex

getting married while you're still navigating the ocean of singlehood.

First Thing First: Forgive Yourself

Whether you like it or not, you will meet some individuals who operate with an all-is-fair-in-love-and-war mentality. Others won't always apply the golden rule when you open your heart to them. Those people will use you, abuse you, and stomp on your heart.

When that happens, some tend to blame themselves. You think you allow them to hurt you. As hard as it is to forgive others, sometimes, it's even harder to forgive yourself. However, this is crucial to being content—forgive

the assailant who stares back at you when you look in the mirror.

Stop beating yourself up!

Yes, you may have let your guard down, but their intentions weren't pure. They deceived you. It is not your fault! If you don't forgive yourself, you'll be bitter and resentful. You can't be content and bitter at the same time. 1 John 3:20 tells us even if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts.

Accept God's grace to forgive yourself.

Forgiving others will take a heavy load off of your shoulder; forgiving yourself will break the shackles that bound you.

After releasing blame, shame, resentment, and bitterness, you will no longer presume that everyone you meet is a liar, manipulator, and cheater. You will realize that there are still godly singles out there. You'll then see yourself worthy and deserving of receiving God's best for you.

Face Your Past but Don't Dwell There

When you go through heartbreak, you may experience a state of denial. It is natural. Denial is a stage in the grief process. It's ok if you don't feel like talking about the tragedy for a while; you need time to process what happened. As in any stage or state, denial should be temporary; you are not meant to remain there. However, when some people face unpleasant circumstances, they tend to ignore the issue and get stuck in the denial stage. They think a covered wound is a healed wound. This is a dangerous place to stay!

Why is it necessary to face your past?

Whether you like it or not, your experiences shape you consciously and unconsciously.

To avoid reliving unwanted occurrences, people file them in the back of their

minds. When those files remain there, they are never fully processed. Though

unprocessed, they are still in your subconscious mind, influencing you. As a

result, you can repeat the same cycles or patterns and either find yourself in

the same destructive situations, or you'll pass your hurt onto others.

When pain isn't dealt with appropriately and healthily, it may be expressed into other psychological and psychosocial issues such as depression, anxiety, self-destructive tendencies, etc. Then you may find yourself fighting to cure the symptoms, but until you get to the root of the disease, the symptoms will keep coming back.

You've heard the saying "hurt people hurt people?" If you don't face your past and be healed, you will project your hurt to others.

Assess past hurtful situations, learn from them so you can apply the wisdom you acquire to make better decisions. You may start by talking about the situation, either with someone you trust or a professional if needed. That will help you process the occurrence and get the proper perspective.

Address the issue with the person who hurt you if possible and pray for the strength to forgive him/her.

Just like it's detrimental to ignore the past, it's unhealthy to remain there. Some people tend to blame everything on the unfortunate things that happened to them. However, after addressing the past and learn from it, move on. Seek ways to use those lessons to your advantage and to grow. If you dwell in the past, you'll assume the role of a victim. Instead, position yourself as a survivor, an overcomer. Whether you were abused, abandoned, and rejected as a child or as an adult, whether you were betrayed or cheated on, no matter what your past looks like, you need to face it if you want to be healed.

Get Rid of the Weight

In your singleness, God will definitely get rid of certain things and people while he's preparing you. Hebrews 12 verse 1 says to remove the weight and sin that easily entangle us. Some things and individuals are not sin, but they are weight. Ask yourself, "What is this person contribute to my life?"

I am not saying for you to base your connection solely on what others can do for you. On the contrary, this is a characteristic of a weight. The Bible says iron sharpens iron. So, it should be a mutually beneficial relationship, whether the person inspires or encourages you in their way of living, without opening their mouths or they empower you and actively contribute to your life.

This principle also applies to a romantic relationship. If he is not serious, don't entertain him! If all she wants is a "situationship," don't hold on to her.

Get rid of them!

Some objects or people will only hinder what God is willing to do in your life, so he will get rid of them. That may not be the way you'd hope he'd answer your prayer, but he's sovereign and knows best. Your singleness may just be a moment to focus on and sharpen yourself, your dreams, and the promises God has for you and exercise your unique gift.

Sometimes, God needs you in an isolated place, free of distraction.

Don't go and add these weights back! You can still get to where God is taking you, but you'll only make your process a lot harder, longer, and more painful.

Don't Be Complacent

Be careful not to misconstrue resentment for contentment.

Don't be contemptuous to those who show interest in you just because you don't feel

the same way. No matter how content you are in your singleness, you have to

value people.

You need to be sure that you don't become resentful toward those who approach you. If your goal is to get married, you shouldn't become complacent in this season of your life. Should you be content? Absolutely! Not complacent.

Complacency leaves no room for a man to fit in the picture later. You shouldn't have a

me-myself-and-I, no-time-for-a-man mentality.

In the article, Laws of Success: Honour, the preacher and life coach Emmanuel Makandiwa states, "What you honor, you attract, what you despise, you repel. Everything that you despise will be kept far away from you. If it is knowledge, it will be kept far away from you, if you despise marriage, it will be kept far away from you."

Yes, God will send his best your way, but it'll require your participation, and the mindset you have while single plays a significant role.

Now, the choice is yours; will you honor what you truly desire, or will you repel it?

Contently Yours,

Anaelle

What If Love Isn't Enough?

anaelleauguste7@gmail.com (ANAELLE AUGUSTE) — Sun, 04 Apr 2021 22:38:28 GMT

You tried to prove your love and loyalty to your partner every chance you got. You were taught that love covers all wrong, so you overlooked the red flags. You thought, "If I love him hard enough, he'll treat me better. If I give him more of me, he'll see my worth; if only I invest more in him, show him I'm wife material, he'll be afraid to lose me."

And then you realize, loving him isn't enough; he only takes you for granted.

When you realized your love isn't enough to make him trade his thorns for leaves or flowers, part of you wanted to let go, but it is a vicious cycle though because when you did let go, part of you missed it so much, so you went back to what was familiar.

That pattern is typical among people in abusive relationships. From the outside looking in, it's easy to ask, why did they stay? Didn't they see the signs? Honestly, they are afraid of letting go; they are fearful of the unknown, the unfamiliarity. Even when they finally build the courage to let go, sometimes they go back to what's familiar. Why? Because familiarity is comforting.

You believed in your significant other when he didn't believe in himself. You gave him wings to fly, not realizing that his roots were connected to your ground. You saw the best in him; you noticed a flicker in his ashes when he lose hope in himself. You think maybe you can have enough hope for the both of you. Suddenly, your ray of sunshine disappeared. Instead, a cloud of darkness covers you. You realize with every glimmer you saw in him; he was sucking on your light. It was never sudden, but little by little, you were trading your light for his darkness.

You don't have to remain in this cycle!

If you genuinely want to live, you can't be with someone who wants to survive. You may think your love can inspire him to live again, but your love will never be enough. He has to desire to live truly, rather than merely existing.

Also, how can you give what you don't have? How can you be surviving with him and waiting for him to love you back to start living? How can you be his resource and expect him to be your source? You can't be pouring into him while hoping he will replenish you. Your partner can't be a vessel and a wellspring simultaneously.

You have to wake up every day and choose to live on purpose. You have to love yourself first; if not, your effort to love him will only drain you.

It is noble to be selfless, but you shouldn't lose yourself in the process of loving someone else!

Contently Yours,

Anaelle

Be Selfish

anaelleauguste7@gmail.com (ANAELLE AUGUSTE) — Sun, 21 Mar 2021 21:18:23 GMT

This is a subtitle for your new post

Dear Zamar,

Some of us were taught that it is selfish to put ourselves first, so we take care of everyone else but ourselves. That, we even do in the name of love. We love others, allow them to treat us below our standards. We stay, hoping if we love them hard enough, if we prove we are worth it, maybe, just maybe they will love us the way we want to be loved; they will treat us the way we want to be treated.

No more! I am learning to love on purpose. For me to do so, I need to love myself first, instead of loving someone else and wish they would love me back, all the while dying for their approval and acceptance.

Listen, you never have to trade who you are for love. Love is supposed to inspire you to be a better version of yourself, not force you to be a shadow of who you are meant to be. Love shouldn’t be draining you but strengthen and empower you. Otherwise, it’s not love; it’s an illusion of love.

You are a great gift to humanity. You are unique; there’s only ONE you. Don’t rob humanity of that gift trying to be loved by someone else. Don’t dim your light to get their acceptance; that’s not humility. Even if your light makes them uncomfortable, keep shining!

Note that Jesus says “Love your neighbor as you love yourself," not the other way around. The order is to love God, love yourself, then love others. His love has to fill you and reach the deepest part of your soul. You have to let his love fill every nook and cranny of your heart, every empty space left by past hurt and heartaches. Once you’re filled you will overflow, then and only then can you love on purpose. If you want to pour into others, let it be from your overflow, not from your leaks. If your heart has been broken, let God mend and renew it and make it whole again. So, as he pours his love into you, your heart will be ready and available to contain it. Once you’re filled with God’s love, you’ll love yourself until this self-love becomes contagious and inspiring.

If loving yourself first is considered selfish by their standards, then by all means, be selfish.

Contently Yours,

Thorny Love

anaelleauguste7@gmail.com (ANAELLE AUGUSTE) — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 00:29:40 GMT

Thorny Love

They say love is a risk, right? How big of a risk are you willing to take? Some people are similar to a prickly cactus. Your safety depends on your distance from them. Cacti trade their leaves for spikes. Why would they do such a thing? You may ask. Unlike many other plants, cacti are usually found in unpleasant conditions. In those harsh circumstances, their survival becomes their main priority. They use their spines to store water, to protect them from predators, to provide shade, which is necessary due to their long exposure to heat.

Just like a cactus, some people had been exposed to so much pain, hurt, abuse, and shame, and the ghosts of their past that haunt them. No matter how much they try to outrun their past, they’re only chasing their own shadows with their backs to the light. In order to survive, they build a wall around their heart, exhibit behaviors that they rely on to survive, but what they use to defend themselves can hurt those who love them. A cactus can’t tell the difference between a predator and an admirer. It has no way of assessing your intentions. A cactus-like person doesn’t know how to receive love or respond to it. They end up hurting those who love them.

Get Your Thorns Covered

Don’t get me wrong, we all have our thorns. We all have some rough patches; but the difference between the cactus and the rose is undeniable. The rose knows it needs thorns to defend itself from predators and petals for its admirers. No wonder cacti don’t make it on anyone’s coffee table on valentine’s day.

Just like the rose, Paul had a thorn, but he had enough grace to cover them. Notice, I did not say to hide them, but cover. To hide is to keep out of sight of others. It’s not about the object, but the intention is keeping the object from others. Cover, on the other hand means to place something over, to protect. So, when grace covers our thorns, the intention is not to hide it to provide a false sense of perfection, but it’s to protect us. Some people are not open enough to let God’s grace cover them and protect them from their past shame, regret, and failures that constantly taunt them.

Whether you are a rose or a cactus, God’s grace is enough. If you’re like the cactus, you can trust God enough to get your leaves back, trade them for your spikes. Once you give them to God, your shame, hurt, and pain will not be hidden or disappeared. They will always be a part of you, except they won’t be there to haunt you or hurt those around you. You’ll get the courage to embrace them and turn them into lessons and purpose.

Contently Yours,

Anaelle

Vous Meritez Mieux

anaelleauguste7@gmail.com (ANAELLE AUGUSTE) — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 20:33:40 GMT

Vous Méritez Mieux

Certaines relations sont douces-amères. D'une part, votre cœur aspire à être proche de cette personne spéciale, tandis que les chuchotements dans votre esprit vous disent de courir. Vos pieds deviennent engourdis, alors vous faites de votre mieux pour calmer la petite voix qui veut vous protéger du chagrin. Une partie de vous connaît le résultat final, mais vous êtes prêt à tenter votre chance sur l'amour. Vous vous demandez, et si je me trompe? Et si cela peut marcher? Vous avez entendu dire que l’amour est un sacrifice, alors vous versez et versez en eux jusqu’à ce que vous couriez à vide. Vous vous attendez à ce qu'ils vous rendent la pareille et se déversent en vous pendant que votre cœur est sous assistance respiratoire. Vous essayez de les sauver risquant de vous perdre vous-meme.

Ne tuez pas les chuchotements

Au lieu d'essayer d'étouffer ces chuchotements dans votre tête qui vous disent que cela n'en vaut pas la peine, écoutez-les. Vous méritez mieux que cela. Dieu nous bénit avec le don de l'intuition. Le plus souvent, nous savons qu'une relation n'allait pas fonctionner, mais nous sommes restés quand même. Chaque jour, vous vous enfoncez un peu plus et vous sentez que vous êtes trop loin pour faire demi-tour; vous avez trop investi pour vous en aller.

Vous devez vous réveiller tous les jours et prendre une décision consciente de vous choisir. Ce n’est pas égoïste de vous aimer d’abord, c’est absolument nécessaire. Si vous concentrez votre énergie à les sauver, vous ne vous rendez pas service. Vous allez vous asseoir et regarder votre vie vous passer; vous manquerez votre but. Vous ne serrez plus que l'ombre de vous-même

Laissez les chuchotements se transformer en voix déchaînées jusqu'à ce que le bruit soit trop à supporter, jusqu'à ce que les laisser soit le seul choix qui reste. Ne fermez pas les yeux sur les signal d'alarme. Quand il dit «tu es trop bon pour moi; Je ne te mérite pas. » écoutez-le la première fois. VOUS. MÉRITEZ. MIEUX.

Contentement le Votre,

Anaelle

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You Deserve Better

anaelleauguste7@gmail.com (ANAELLE AUGUSTE) — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 19:29:45 GMT

You Deserve Better

Some relationships are bittersweet. On one hand, your heart longs to be close to that special someone, while the whispers in your mind tell you to run. Your feet become numb, then you do your best to quiet the little voice that wants to protect you from the heartbreak. Part of you knows the end result, but you’re willing to take a chance on love. You wonder, what if I’m wrong? What if this can work? You’ve heard that love is sacrifice, so you pour and pour into them until you’re running on empty. You expect them to return the favor and pour into you while your heart is on life support. You try to save them at the expense of losing you.

Don’t Kill the Whispers

Instead of trying to suffocate those whispers in your head that tell you it’s not worth it, listen to them. You deserve better. God blesses us with the gift of intuition. More often than not, we know a relationship was not going to work, but we stayed anyway. Every day, you get a little deeper then feel like you’re too far to turn back; you’ve invested too much to walk away.

You must wake up every day and make a conscious decision to choose you. It’s not selfish to love you first, it’s absolutely necessary. If you focus your energy on saving them, then you are doing yourself a disservice. You’ll sit and watch your life pass you by, live in your own shadow and miss out on your purpose.

Let the whispers grow into raging voices until the noise is too much to bear, until leaving them is the only choice left. Don't overlook the red flags. When he says, “you’re too good for me; I don’t deserve you.” listen to him the first time. YOU. DESERVE. BETTER

Contently Yours,

Anaelle

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Bon N'est pas Assez- (Good Is Not Good Enough)

anaelleauguste7@gmail.com (ANAELLE AUGUSTE) — Sun, 07 Mar 2021 23:32:07 GMT

Je vous ai aimé. Je savais que vous n’étiez pas bon pour moi. Vous n’étiez pas ce pour quoi j’ai prié, alors j’ai prié et j’ai jeûné afin que les sentiments se fanent, mais ils étaient tenaces. Tellement tenace que j'ai cédé, pensant que Dieu devait être derrière cela. J'ai dit que Dieu voulait peut-être m'utiliser pour vous changer. Je pensais pouvoir vous sauver, mais vous sauver signifiait me perdre. J'ai presque perdu mon âme en suivant mon cœur. Vous étiez une bonne personne, mais vous n’étiez pas bon pour moi, encore moins d’être le meilleur de Dieu pour ma vie. J'ai dû prendre le courage de me choisir.

Cette relation était comme embrasser un cactus. Plus je me rapprochais, plus je me blessais. La seule solution était de vous laisser partir, c'était un cercle vicieux car il y avait un temps que je lâchais, mais je l'ai trop manqué, alors je suis retourné à ce qui m'était familier.

C'était semblable au cycle dans lequel se trouvent les gens dans des relations abusives. Ils hésitent à s'en aller parce qu'ils ont peur de l'inconnu. Même quand ils ont enfin le courage de le faire, ils retournent parfois à ce qui leur est familier. Pourquoi? Parce que la familiarité est réconfortante.

Je ne recherche plus le confort. Je recherche la croissance et votre présence a bloqué ma croissance. Je ne cherche plus la familiarité. Je cherche un but. Maintenant, je me rends compte que le but a toujours été en moi, mais j'étais trop déterminé à te sauver pour regarder au plus profond de moi. Quand je t'ai quitté, je me suis retrouvé, j'ai appris à me connaître, a m'aimer. Maintenant, le meilleur m'appelle, mon but m'appelle. Avec vous hors de l'image, je vois plus clairement, mon horizon s'est élargi et ma vision est translucide.

Aurais-je pu faire mieux? Absolument! Est-ce que je regrette l'expérience? Absolument pas! Vous n’étiez le contraste que j'avais besoin afin de reconnaître celui que Dieu avait pour moi depuis le début. Vous m'avez aidé à réaliser ce que je ne veux PAS. Maintenant, je peux raffiner et redéfinir mes normes. Maintenant, je peux décider d’être célibataire par choix et être contente jusqu’à ce que le meilleur de Dieu arrive.

Contentement le Vôtre,

Anaelle

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F.O.M.O- Traduction Francaise

anaelleauguste7@gmail.com (ANAELLE AUGUSTE) — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 23:01:13 GMT

Ne laissez pas La Peur d'Etre Célibataire Vous Pousser dans une Relation

Vous a-t-on déjà posé la question en or "Quand vous mariez-vous?" Vos parents ont-ils déjà fait une crise de colère à propos de ne pas vouloir mourir sans voir leurs petits-enfants? Vous a-t-on déjà dit que vous étiez «incomplet» ou «insignifiant» parce que vous êtes célibataire? D'autres vous ont-ils déjà suggéré de remettre vos aspirations jusqu'a ce que vous rencontrez Mr. / Mme. Parfait?

Avez-vous déjà été à un mariage et tout le monde vous accueille avec la même phrase: "Quand est votre propre mariage?"

Êtes-vous ennuyé? Frustré, peut-être? Comment répondez-vous?

Eh bien, une chose que je peux vous dire, NE CEDEZ PAS À LA PRESSION!

Certaines personnes maîtrisent l’art d’attendre la prochaine étape dans la vie d’autres personnes: quand obtenez vous votre diplôme? Quand allez-vous vous marier? Êtes-vous encore enceinte? Quand retournez vous travailler? Pourquoi n’avez-vous pas encore acheté une maison? Ne pensez pas qu'une fois que vous vous êtes marié, les questions cesseront de venir; ils en sortiront de nouveaux de leurs collections. Cette prise de conscience vous donne une meilleure perspective, et lorsque vous ne cédez pas à leur pression, cela vous évitera des ennuis.

J'ai récemment publié un message et j'ai demandé "Êtes-vous célibataire, sauvée, et contente?" Quelques uns ont dit que non, l'une des raisons était à cause des jolis heureux couples qu'ils voyaient. Donc, ils ont senti qu'ils manquaient quelque chose. Ils ont senti qu'ils étaient en train de rater quelque chose. Une des filles qui a commenté s'est connectée avec moi et a partagé une phrase qu'elle a lu: «Une fois que vous êtes célibataire, vous voyez beaucoup de couples heureux, une fois que vous êtes marié, vous voyez beaucoup de célibataires heureux.» La plupart de ces couples souhaiteraient peut-être être célibataires. Vous ne savez tout simplement pas. De nombreuses personnes se trouvent dans des relations malsaines parce qu'elles ont peur de l'alternative. Elles sont terrifiés à l'idée d'être célibataires et quand on leur demande «pourquoi?»

Citation de Célibataire, Sauvée, et Contente (Single, Saved, and Content) "Si le seul désir d'être dans une relation est de vous échapper de vous-même, alors vous fuyez votre propre ombre."

Vous pouvez dire que vous ne fuyez pas vous-même, mais si vous désirez une relation par peur d'être célibataire, alors vous essayez définitivement de vous échapper. Maintenant, demandez-vous, pourquoi l'idée d'être célibataire vous fait-elle peur?

Ne laissez pas F.O.M.O (Fear of Missing Out) ou la peur de rater quelque chose vous pousser dans une relation dont vous savez ne vous convient pas. Vous ne devriez pas être dans une relation si vous ne vous voyez pas avec la personne dans le futur ou si la relation vous oblige à faire des compromis excessifs. Une bonne relation nécessite des compromis, oui, mais si vous devez abaisser vos normes et vivre à un niveau inférieur pour être dans une relation, alors cette relation ne vous convient pas.

Naturellement, la peur est un mécanisme de survie. Elle est utilisé pour éviter les situations dangereuses. Donc, si votre envie d'être dans une relation est basée sur la peur, alors votre célibat vous menace. Si votre célibat vous menace, vous ne pouvez pas vous contenter de cette saison de votre vie.

Maintenant, que nous dit la Bible sur la peur? 1 Jean 4:18 nous dit que l'amour parfait chasse la peur. Faites en sorte que l'amour de Dieu vous remplisse jusqu'à ce que vous vous voyiez comme le Grand Je Suis vous voit, et sachez qui Il dit que vous êtes, alors vous n'aurez pas peur d'être seul. Même si vous faites confiance à Dieu pour le mariage, vous comprendrez à quel point votre célibat est important. Alors et alors seulement, vous pourrez accomplir le dessein que Dieu a pour vous en cette saison de votre vie.

Que l’amour de Dieu vous fasse passer de la peur à l’épanouissement!

Contentement Le Vôtre,

Anaelle

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Good Isn't Good Enough

anaelleauguste7@gmail.com (ANAELLE AUGUSTE) — Tue, 02 Mar 2021 20:24:42 GMT

I loved you. I knew you weren’t good for me. You weren’t what I prayed for, so I prayed and fasted the feelings away, but they were tenacious. So tenacious that I caved, thinking God must have been behind this. I said maybe God wanted to use me to change you. I thought I could save you, but saving you meant losing me. I almost lost my soul following my heart. You were a good person, but you weren’t good for me, let alone being God’s best. I had to build the courage to choose me.

This relationship was like hugging a cactus. The closer I got, the more I got hurt. The only solution was to let you go, it was a vicious cycle though because there was a time that I let go, but I missed it too much, so I went back to what was familiar.

This was similar to the cycle people in abusive relationships find themselves in. They are reluctant to let go because they are afraid of the unknown, the unfamiliar. Even when they finally get the courage to do so, sometimes they go back to what’s familiar. Why? Because familiarity is comforting.

I am not looking for comfort anymore. I’m looking for growth, and your presence hindered my growth. I’m not looking for familiarity anymore. I’m looking for purpose. Now, I realize purpose has always been within me, but I was too fixated on saving you to look deep within me. When I left you, I found me, I got to know me, I love me. Now, Better is calling, purpose is calling. With you out of the picture, I see more clearly, my horizon is widened, and my vision is translucent.

Could have I done better? Absolutely! Do I regret the experience? Absolutely not! You were the contrast I needed to recognize the one God had for me all along. You helped me realize what I DON’T want. Now, I can refine and redefine my standards. Now, I can decide to be single by choice and content until God’s best comes along.

Contently Yours,

Anaelle

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F.O.M.O

anaelleauguste7@gmail.com (ANAELLE AUGUSTE) — Wed, 24 Feb 2021 03:59:22 GMT

Have you ever been asked the golden question “When are you getting married?” Have your parents ever thrown a temper tantrum about not willing to die without seeing their grandchildren? Have you ever been told you’re “incomplete” or “insignificant” because you’re single? Have others ever suggested that you put off your aspirations until Mr./Mrs. Right comes along?

Have you ever been to a wedding and everyone greets you with the same line, “When is your own wedding?”

Do you get annoyed? Frustrated, maybe? How do you answer?

Well, one thing I can tell you, DON’T GIVE INTO THE PRESSURE!

Some people master the art of looking-forward-to-next in other people’s lives: when are you graduating? When are you getting married? Are you pregnant yet? When are you going back to work? Why haven’t you bought a house yet? Don’t think once you get married the questions will stop coming; they’ll pull out new ones out of their collections. This awareness gives you a better perspective, and when you don’t give into their pressure, it’ll spare you some trouble.

I recently made a post and asked “Are you single, saved, and content?” A few people said no, one of the reasons was because of the cute happy couples they were seeing. So basically, they felt they were missing out. One of the girls who commented connected with me, and shared a meme she read, “once you’re single you see a lot of happy couples, once you’re married you see a lot of happy singles.” Most of these couples may be wishing they were single. You just don’t know (more on perspective later). Many people are in unhealthy relationships because they are afraid of the alternative. They are terrified of being single and being asked “why?”

Quote from Single, Saved, and Content “If the only drive to be in a relationship is to escape yourself, then you are running from your own shadow.”

You may say you are not running from yourself, but if you desire a relationship out of fear of being single, then you are definitely trying to escape yourself. Now, ask yourself, why does the idea of being single scare you?

Don’t let F.O.M.O (Fear of Missing Out) push you into a relationship you know isn’t right for you. You shouldn't be in a relationship if you don’t see yourself with the person in the future or if the relationship requires you to over-compromise. A good relationship requires compromising, yes, but if you have to lower your standards and live on a lower level to be in a relationship, then that relationship isn’t right for you.

Naturally, fear is a survival mechanism. It is used to keep out of dangerous situations. So, if your drive to be in a relationship is based on fear, then your singleness threatens you. If your singleness threatens you, then you can’t be content in this season of your life.

Now, what does the Bible tell us about fear? 1 John 4:18 tells us that perfect love cast out fear. Get the love of God to feel you until you see you the way The Great I Am sees you, and know whom He says you are, then you won’t be afraid to be alone. Even if you are trusting God for marriage, you will understand how crucial your singleness is. Then and only then can you fulfill the purpose God has for you in this season of your life.

May God’s love take you from fear to fulfillment!

Contently Yours,

Anaelle

Listen to F.O.M.O from the Contently Yours podcast below!

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