Guest post by Joyce Harrell
Turning fifty was life changing for me. Something about looking back over my life, about feeling regret that my dreams had not turned into reality. Why I was not living my dream life? Uncertain that I even knew what that dream life looked like, I simply knew I wasn’t experiencing it. That event started my journey to freedom; freedom in my mind.
Shortly after my birthday, I was blessed with a visit to a beach home with a co-worker .We enjoyed three nights and four days in the cool of the autumn—embracing the moment. Yet, I was unsettled; disconnected between my dreams and reality.
In the evening, we sat on the porch and talked. One night of our talks, the tears came without end. My friend couldn’t figure out why I was so emotional over this birthday. I appeared successful in my career and marriage (married to my husband almost 30 years), had three wonderful children and three grandchildren and made great money as a nurse. We lived in a modest but nice home. Why did I feel so empty?
You see, I had one dream that wouldn’t subside. I read every book I could get my hand on related to natural health. I strongly believed that God desires us to be whole, healthy, and fulfilled. I got involved in every sort of company possible to make extra money so that eventually I could be financially free and live out and share my true passion.
“Joyce, why don’t you just share your passion and let God take care of the rest?” My wise husband challenged me. Why didn’t I just listen to him? So here I was: fifty years old. Still waiting for that boat to sail by and usher me into my dreams.
My mind wasn’t renewed. All the self esteem issues, my feelings of unworthiness and unbelief that I had anything of value to other prevented me from moving forward. Until that night at the beach. I decided to make changes. I earnestly prayed and told the Lord I would listen very carefully to His instruction and I believed that night for the “more of God in my life” to manifest. It was a mind shift. Romans 2:12 became rhema Word to me. “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
I walked through one door after another. My mind shifted. No, I wasn’t free overnight. The old mind tapes continued to play from time to time. But I realized all previous experiences had prepared me for the journey ahead. I incorporated my knowledge as a nurse into the natural health arena. One verse that has become my mission verse comes from 3 John 1:2, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” This verse is awesome—God is concerned with all of us: Body, Mind, Spirit, Finances.
Different experiences continued to prepare me for this journey until my mind received renewal. Today, I press forward to the mark of the purpose wherein I have been called. Look out 53—here I come!
What mile-marker are you on in the journey? What shifts do you need to make in your mind to see yourself where God see’s you? What belief do you need to accept? What commitment do you need to make?
Joyce Harrell is a Christian RN Health Educator who wants to share victory and hope with women in the Body of Christ. Visit Joyce at www.lowglycemicnurse.com orwww.facebook.com/poweruphealth.
