The New Narrative
Resources from this episode:
Genesis 37
Proverbs 31
Show Notes:
A narrative is the storyline of your life. Your narrative is filtered through your emotions and life experiences. Though you may not have control over what happens to you in life, you do have a decision in the perspective you take regarding those circumstances. How you perceive what has happened in your past, what you are experiencing in your present, and what you anticipate for your future can dictate the course of your life.
Choose to stay in the positive–through Jesus Christ even the negative things in your life can be redeemed for His purpose. What you think about is what you bring about! If the recurring story you play over in your head is only through the lens of pain, then pain will be your story. Don’t be bound to the victim mentality! It may have happened to you, but don’t let it define you. God has given you the power to dictate your narrative through His sovereignty, so take the pen and begin to write how you want your story to unfold.
It’s been said time and again that we cannot change the cards we have been dealt in life, only how we play the hand. In the Bible in Genesis 37, Joseph chose to win despite the shortcomings that occurred. Joseph’s circumstances weren’t by choice, and his life began to unravel in unfortunate ways. Regardless, he chose to steward his life through the proper narrative, and God was sovereign in every one of his seasons. Friend, you can choose the narrative you want, too! The Lord is in control, but the perspective you choose is completely up to you.
You may not be able to control what has happened, or what is going to happen, but you can control the narrative that goes on in your mind! You do have a choice. Replace perspective killers with perspective fillers.
Perspective killer #1– complaining…
Replace the perspective killer of complaint with the perspective filler –gratitude!
Complaining actually repels God’s presence! When you’re tempted to complain, remember that God is still working in your circumstance.
If your circumstance hasn’t changed, yet–God is changing you through it…there is a maturing in your faith that needs working out in situations you may not have chosen. Trust Him!
Perspective Killer #2 — comparison…
Comparison gives you a blurred perspective of the season you’re in; don’t let comparison steal your happiness, joy, or contentment.
No one else can take the pen from you and write your narrative for you. Don’t blur your perspective. His plans for you are good.
Perspective Killer #3— contemplation…
Contemplation is the number one enemy of many women of all stages of life. If the enemy can get you to overthink or guide your mind to the past, all the emotions come back with it! Before you know it, the pain has power over you again, and it becomes the scope of what you see yourself as.
Know God has good things for you. He redeems your past, He is in your present, and He is the God of your future. Don’t get ahead in the narrative—whatever you face tomorrow, there is grace for it. Recreate a narrative through Jesus Christ. Joseph did and so can you! Ditch complaining, comparison, and contemplation, and steward your heart and perspective from a place of faith, instead. So, look at your past, present, and future—thanking God— because the story only gets better!