KARLA LEES

Unlike our rearview mirrors, which were designed to help us be aware of what is behind us while we are in our vehicles, our past is not meant to be continuously focused on in our daily lives.

Our past in God’s sight?

➡️In our past. History, to be left there unless He wants to heal something from it as a part of His Story in us. In which case, it becomes something new in our present as He restores us.

Stop dwelling on the past. Don’t even remember these former things. I am doing something brand new, something unheard of.

(Isaiah 43:19-19a TPT)

So if the enemy keeps pulling out his rearview mirror and tried to catch your vision?

➡️Turn away.
➡️Look to God.
➡️Ask for His perspective.
➡️Repeat as necessary.

Friend, this will become more of a positive habit in your life when you stop getting distracted by the past.

You don’t live there anymore.

The emotions that try to suck you back under are meant to remain in the past where they belong.

But you are living here, in this moment where you are now part of His family. The best is yet to come, for He promises His constant presence, His forever love, & an eternal home in our future.

Its time to look ahead into His face, remain in His embrace, and run the race He has set for us while He cheers us on!

If you find yourself stuck in a moment in the past, ask God to meet you there, to shine His light on the situation and show you the way out. He has done so for many people, me included, and as His character doesn’t change – He’ll do it again if you ask Him!

#letitgo #parkinginthepast
#sharingHope

“Getting over a painful experience is much like crossing monkey bars. You have to let go at some point in order to move forward.” ~ C. S. Lewis

This week, let’s chat about one of the hardest things for us to let go – the past.

And why it matters so much!

#sharingHope #letitgo #parkinginthepast

This topic is one that matters a great deal to me for many reasons.

I have now experienced two episodes of mild depression following periods of extreme stress & loss. I am currently in my 2nd one.

One of my best friends in high school attempted suicide by overdose. I was the one who brought her to our school counselor & the hospital for help. I am so grateful she is still here.

One of my boyfriend’s best friends unexpectedly died by suicide that same year. It was a huge blow to our community.

My husband’s family have battled with mental health disorders, in particular anxiety & OCD. His younger sibling died by suicide, leaving a gaping hole in our hearts & family.

My husband is in an exceptionally high stressed job nursing palliative patients& helping their families along that difficult road.

I realized after taking my regular first aid this past spring that I needed more in my tool box to better help those around me.

A few family members & coworkers are coping with anxiety, and I needed me to be more equipped & strategic in how I support them.

For part of my personality is to help fix it. What I have come to realize is unless the person wants to recover/move forward, they won’t – no matter how much I desire to help them.

God reminds us in 2 Timothy 1:7 that He doesn’t give us a spirit of fear, but Holy Spirit who gives us power, love, self control and a sound mind.

We are able to overcome with His help, but we often need supportive people and systems about us to do so.

And that is common, friend.

If you are struggling with panic attacks, anxiety, worry – I see you. I get you. I am you.

Often fear likes to work its way deep within our minds and speak negatively to us.

Sometimes, which it was on my case, my vitamins & hormones were out of whack, and needed balancing in order for my moods to improve physically.
But I also needed people to talk to, a bit of mediation, a change in diet & suppliments, more exercise & sleep in order to regain my mental wellness.

And that is okay, friend.

Need to talk? I am here to listen. Because you matter, just as you are! I want to you stay & live. Let’s talk. ☕

#nationalsuicidepreventionday

Taking a Mental Health Day, literally today, as I take the CMHA Mental Health First Aid Course virtually today. A must needed tool for my skill set. Will share more about this soon. #mentalhealthmatters

“Before I spoke a word, You were singing over me. You have been so, so good to me. Before I took a breath, You breathed Your life in me. You have been so, so kind to me.

(Chorus) Oh, the overwhelming, never ending reckless love of God. Oh, it chases me down, fights ’til I’m found, leaves the ninety-nine. I couldn’t earn it, I don’t deserve it – still You give Yourself away. Oh, the overwhelming, never ending reckless love of God!

When I was Your foe, still Your love fought for me. You have been so, so good to me. When I felt no worth, You paid it all for me. You have been so, so kind to me.

Repeat Chorus

(Bridge) There’s no shadow You won’t light up, mountain You won’t climb up coming after me. There’s no wall You won’t kick down, lie You won’t tear down, coming after me. X4

💙RECKLESS LOVE by Corey Asbury

➡️https://youtu.be/M-qWMqzSwys

#letitgo #farewellfear #bringonthelove

💙”DO EVERYTHING IN LOVE.”

The first time I read 1 Corinthians 16:14, I thought to myself, ‘Really?!’ And dismissed it.

Then I grew to realize that everything we do has a driving force behind it.

More often than I like to admit, that for me has been fear.

➡️Fear of opinion.
➡️Fear of failing.
➡️Fear of being left out.

There is another verse that God has been using to remind me of just how powerful love truly is.

💙”Perfect love casts out fear.” (1 John 4:18)

Which is why I always feel calmer and more loved when I draw close to the Father, for His love pushes out ALL fear in its wake.

Everything He does is motivated from a heart of true love.

Not fear.

So this week, I am focusing on asking myself before every decision, “Am I choosing to do this out of love, or something else?” And if the answer is yes to anything but love, I am letting it go, and realigning myself within to respond and act out of love.

Do I always want to? Umm, no.

But as Bob Goff so eloquently puts it in his book ‘Love Does,’ it’s those with the greatest love that make the deepest impact upon our lives, for they change us for the better.

And because Jesus has such a great love for me, I can choose to be more like Him in how I interact with those around me. Because He always acts & responds to me out of love.

May love be the motivation behind all we do, friends. And bit by bit, the more we capture every thought, the more we can choose to live out of love, like God does.

#letitgo #fear #chooseloveinstead

Heading into the long weekend and purposefully unplugging to plug into:

the outdoors 🏞️

my family,

& a good 📘 (or two!) with some excellent iced ☕.

#labourdaylongweekend 🇨🇦

One more day of work today, then my long weekend starts.
Apparently my brain thought it started yesterday, so off for ☕ before my work day begins!

Who else is ready to not work on Labour Day?!?! 😉🇨🇦

👏 to Sandra Boynton for perfectly capturing how I feel this morning, lol!

VICTORY. To overcome, win, battle triumphantly.

In my case, the battlefield has been about 25% physically, 75% mentally. Both of which affect me 💯 emotionally.

When Covid-19 hit, I was already due to have what was to be a minor surgery. Within 4 months, it became a major one. Which is still likely a year at least from being scheduled, let alone being over and done with.

Initially it was hard not to feel like a victim of circumstances, until I started seeing things from a Kingdom perspective.

If Covid hasn’t hit, I wouldn’t be working like I am now, which is much better for me physically and mentally. I wouldn’t have taken the time to work through how I was really feeling, and would still be moving in a ‘woe is me’ victim mindset.

How did my mindset change from victim to Victor?

For me, it took root years ago when I was molested. And the victim mindset continued to grow with every unkind classmate teacher or boss along the way. It came to a head when I met Jesus, and someone took the time to explain that when we partner with something internally, it can modify how we see things in the physical realm. They also explained that there is a spiritual realm, and how we are to take every thought captive, and filter it through the Word.
As His daughter, I am part of His family. And the Word says God is the ultimate Victor over all things.

There are many view points out there about Covid, and not all of them are truth.

As a Christian, my part is to seek wisdom from the Word & wise counselors, and then bring whatever I am concerned about to God in prayer for His perspective.

It took me over a year to decide to get vaccinated, and I refuse to be victimized by anyone else’s view point on my decision. Likewise, I refuse to make anyone else feel less than for their decision not to be vaccinated. This isn’t a doctrinal decision but a medical one for me.

That to me is true victory. Following His lead, and loving others as they do the same.

Will the enemy try to use this for his gain? Yes. But God has assured us His is the victory. So I refuse to partner again with a victim spirit, and align myself with the ultimate Victor – Jesus. 🙌

#letitgo #victimtovictor

“You are always fighting for us, Heaven’s angels all around. My delight is found in knowing that You wear the Victor’s crown. You’re my help and my defender, You’re my Savior and my friend. By Your grace I live and breathe to worship You.

At the mention of Your greatness, in Your Name I will bow down. In Your presence fear is silent, for You wear the Victor’s crown. Let Your glory fill this temple, Let Your power overflow. By Your grace I live and breathe to worship You…

CHORUS: Hallelujah. You have overcome, You have overcome. Hallelujah! Jesus, You have overcome the world!

You are ever interceding as the lost become the found. You can never be defeated for You wear the Victor’s crown. You are Jesus the Messiah, You’re the Hope of all the world. By Your grace I live and breathe to worship You.

Repeat Chorus

Bridge: Every high thing must come down, every stronghold shall be broken. You wear the Victor’s crown, You’ve overcome, You’ve overcome. (Repeat 4x)

At the cross the work was finished, You were buried in the ground. But the grave could not contain You for You wear the Victor’s crown!!!

Repeat chorus

Repeat bridge to end.”

🎶VICTOR’S CROWN🎵by @darlenezschech 👑🙌✝️

https://youtu.be/_2nBOGA6X2g#letitgo #victimtovictor

#letitgo #victimtovictor