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Qualified and Equipped for Purpose · WholeHeart Conversations

• 0:00
  Constance Lavonice: God has equipped each of us to have an impactful and purposeful life.
• 0:07
  Constance Lavonice: Sometimes we experience life events that make us think that we've lost our effectiveness and usefulness in life, or that negative life events reveal a character flaw in ourselves.
• 0:22
  Constance Lavonice: Some of you may be going through a circumstance you didn't expect or anticipate, an unexpected breakup, a divorce, being fired from your job, or being a part of a reduction in force, having to drop out of college, not getting accepted into the college of your choice, having a physical limitation, past traumas, current traumas.
• 0:57
  Constance Lavonice: What's the narrative that you tell yourself as a result of these experiences?
• 1:05
  Constance Lavonice: If you're listening for the first time, welcome.
• 1:10
  Constance Lavonice: This is Whole Heart Conversations, a podcast for women that provides biblical encouragement to foster whole heart, spirit, soul, and body resilience.
• 1:25
  Constance Lavonice: I'm your host, Constance Lavonice.
• 1:30
  Constance Lavonice: Negative experiences, especially those we didn't anticipate, the ones that blind side us, can leave us feeling discouraged and dejected, which leads to negative beliefs or a narrative or story that we tell ourselves that often carries a sense of shame, doubt, or even guilt.
• 2:04
  Constance Lavonice: And this belief or narrative leads to limiting behaviors or the freeze response, which causes us to withdraw or place unrealistic limits on ourselves.
• 2:21
  Constance Lavonice: Our spiritual adversary, Satan, loves this.
• 2:26
  Constance Lavonice: He wants us to retreat.
• 2:29
  Constance Lavonice: He wants to use those experiences to quench our spirit so that he can destroy our effectiveness and impact that God has already designed for our lives before we were born.
• 2:47
  Constance Lavonice: Ephesians chapter 2, verse 10 tells us that we were created for good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
• 3:01
  Constance Lavonice: And he who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ.
• 3:13
  Constance Lavonice: That's Philippians chapter 1, verse 6.
• 3:18
  Constance Lavonice: Your experiences do not define your worth or capabilities, and never disqualifies you from fulfilling God's good will and purposes for your life.
• 3:36
  Constance Lavonice: God says in Jeremiah 29, 11, For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you.
• 3:51
  Constance Lavonice: Plans to give you a hope and a future.
• 3:56
  Constance Lavonice: And Jesus says, I have come to give you life and life more abundantly.
• 4:04
  Constance Lavonice: John 10, 10.
• 4:06
  Constance Lavonice: God desires for us to grow and produce fruit in all circumstances.
• 4:14
  Constance Lavonice: So if you have experienced negative events and circumstances that have you questioning your effectiveness or usefulness, be encouraged.
• 4:27
  Constance Lavonice: The devil is defeated.
• 4:30
  Constance Lavonice: You have victory in Christ Jesus.
• 4:35
  Constance Lavonice: 2 Corinthians 3 5 says it this way.
• 4:40
  Constance Lavonice: When you're in need of healing for your spirit, soul, or body, do as instructed in James chapter 4, verse 8.
• 5:17
  Constance Lavonice: Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
• 5:23
  Constance Lavonice: Or as Jesus says in Matthew 7, verses 7 through 8, ask and it will be given to you.
• 5:33
  Constance Lavonice: Seek and you will find.
• 5:36
  Constance Lavonice: Knock and the door will be opened to you.
• 5:40
  Constance Lavonice: For everyone who asks receives.
• 5:44
  Constance Lavonice: The one who seeks finds.
• 5:47
  Constance Lavonice: And to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
• 5:53
  Constance Lavonice: And for those times when you need an extra boost, seek the additional help of a spiritual mentor or a professional that shares your spiritual beliefs.
• 6:09
  Constance Lavonice: Those negative experiences that affect our beliefs and causes us to retreat do not determine our value, worth, qualifications, or significance.
• 6:26
  Constance Lavonice: You have been equipped for every good work to grow, overcome obstacles, and produce fruit throughout your life journey.
• 6:40
  Constance Lavonice: Psalm ninety-two fourteen says, the righteous, not our righteousness, but the righteousness that comes from our relationship to Jesus Christ.
• 6:59
  Constance Lavonice: The righteous will bear fruit even in old age.
• 7:07
  Constance Lavonice: And if this message was helpful, please subscribe and share, and text the show and let me know what's on your heart.