Have you ever happened upon something and thought, “Yes! Thank you, Lord! This is what I need.”
Well, that’s what happened to me when I started doing the #SheReadsTruth devotionals.
Let me back up a little bit…I had slowly started to re-enter the online world early in 2012. I had taken a long hiatus from my blog (that I started as a newlywed in 2007) after several career changes and having our daughter, Annie Louise, in 2010. I had lost my “place” in the world of blogging, a world that I had been a part of for so long. I had made many online friends through my blog, but those had gone by the wayside.
When I felt a gentle nudge towards my blog again, I wasn’t sure where I belonged.
I was a full-time working mama, with barely enough time to get the bare minimum done. I felt overwhelmed by all the changes that had taken place during my absence.
Twitter. Sponsorships. Facebook pages. Link-ups. Followers. Pinterest.
Overwhelmed, I tell you.
I craved something meaningful, something life-giving, but all I felt was jealousy, intimidation, selfishness and greed. Those feelings didn’t sit well on my heart. Instead of declaring those feelings as toxic and telling them to hit the road, I let them settle in. I let them take roots deep down in my heart. I let them change me.
Those feelings of inadequacy ruled my life, and I had to prove to everyone that I was actually something good. So, along the way, I decided to fool everyone. IF I could pretend that I had it all together and do all the pinterest-inspired projects and literally control every aspect of my family’s life, then no one would see the real me – the Lena that struggled with enormous amounts of guilt and shame and remorse and feelings of absolute worthlessness. It was an ugly cycle.
I was barely hanging on, and then I hit rock bottom.
Because I had such a tight grip on everything in my life, if one tiny thing went wrong, I went extreme. I was spiraling out of control, and it was happening quickly. I was so captivated by what the world thought of me, how others defined me, that I had no idea who the real Lena was. I was scared and lonely and desperate.
That’s when I decided to seek help.
“The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” – Psalm 34:18
I’m blessed to have found an amazing Christian counselor, who has been helping me on a road to recovery. And I’m even more blessed to have found the #SheReadsTruth community.
I started when I saw the buzz over twitter about a new community of women coming together, to study and dive into the word of God. I immediately downloaded the YouVersion Bible app, and I haven’t looked back. I have done every single devotional and study since this community began, and it has changed me for the better.
If you follow me on instagram, you know it’s the very first thing I do most every morning (after I make my coffee) – and I can truly say that there is nothing, I mean nothing, better than starting my day with Him. It’s the place where I can be just me – nothing else. I don’t have to pretend or lie and put on a mask – I’m just Lena, and that’s just enough. Even on my gloomy, lonely days, I am not alone. He is with me, holding my hand, as He leads me through those dark valleys. And for that I’m immensely blessed and grateful.
“I have told you these things so that you would find comfort in Me. In this world, you will suffer; but be courageous, for I have overcome the world!” – John 16:33
As far as the community of #SheReadsTruth? There is nothing better. I love clicking that hashtag and just seeing rows and rows of scripture. Women being vulnerable and sharing their hearts – now that is beautiful! Through this community, I have conversed with women in all sorts of seasons and all sorts of walks of life, but we all have something in common…and that’s Jesus.
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him, to enable them to fulfill the purpose for which they are called.” Romans 8:28
So, if you’re on the fence about joining this community, let me ask you, “What’s holding you back?” There’s no time like the present. Join us – there is no right or wrong way. The only thing that matters is you are there.
// Lena’s Blog //
Leave a Reply
45 thoughts on "lena warnock: value"
You completed some nice points there. I did a search on the topic and found mainly people will have the same opinion with your blog.
http://www.edsheeran.co.uk
nfl jerseys online nfl clothing sale
wholesale nba throwback jerseys օld baseball jerseys
Every one of these tips in locating low cost jewellery can be achieved without leaving behind the house. It may take thirty minutes or higher, if you want to build your look for far more comprehensive. A little diligence and patience is you need to obtain a wonderful purchase.
Under Armour Curry 6
cheap jersey knit fabric Ьy tɦe yard china soccer uniforms
Harajuku style may be the title regarding avenue fashion trends that will leave your Harajuku Stop area inside Tokyo, The japanese. The free form, creative style is preferred among adolescents and young adults in the region. Due to its freeform dynamics, Harajuku style is hard in order to define. It may be deemed eclectic, influenced by anime as well as manga character designs and overthetop love. Abide by these steps to be seen inside Harajuku style.
kate spade backpack
The Fishing Vessel Lucille operates out of Dutch Harbor, and the crew offers guided halibut fishing from the docks.Wade wound up scoring 12 straight Miami points, and his assist set up Shane Battier’s 3pointer that made it 8775 with 2 minutes left.”I don’t think (Wade) ever had a bad game against us,” Van Gundy said. the north face cheap jackets Even religious places, which should be decorated daily with natural flowers, are not spared of artificial flower arrangements nowadays.However, with a thrilling overtime win in Ottawa lastnight, the Senators have evened up the series at 22. North Face Outlet Mall This means that no matter what your outdoor needs are there is a fleece that will meet North Face Fleece Clearance during the holiday.For companies handling electrical products, devices and appliances, fire safety supplies are very important.
Randall said he expects this year’s Black Friday sales will top figures from last year, when only a handful of Macy’s locations were open at midnight.As soon as I could, I left and went everywhere else Boston; New York; Cape Town, South Africa; London and I’m just returning from a yearlong fellowship in Berlin. north face discounted i’m really just getting going; running has just started to feel good and to be something i look forward to, so i don’t want the weather to stop me.The company changed its name to Polartec, after its most popular brand, and Vecchione was appointed chief executive. clearance winter jackets Meanwhile she did research for Paul Hawken groundbreaking book, of Commerce, before traveling to South America, where she started Silk for Life, a silkworm collective as an alternative to coca farming.The next step is making the fabric into gloves, the company said, and then creating airconditioned fabrics that can keep a person cool. Mountain Hardwear’s Sable Vest ($135) for women has a windproof, laminated fleece outer, soft chamoislined chin guard and zip handwarmer pockets.
Lena: Thank you for sharing your story. There is so much pressure for us to appear "together" all the time, but this is the world's expectations, not God's. God wants us to lean on Him, but as I am learning more and more, we have to learn to leave certain things for Him to work out in HIS time. God Bless You!
Starting my early morning (5:30AM) with SheReadsTruth has truly transformed my every day perspective. Thank you SO much for sharing! :D
I’m praying for Ingrid & all the ladies here reading SRT. No matter what the circumstances in our lives may be that pull us (and our thoughts & hearts & bodies & strength & energy) in a million directions, I pray that in some moment each day God gives that wonderful nudge back to Him. Ingrid, keep your chin up & fix your eyes on Jesus. I feel your stormy seas but there really are peaceful waters ahead of you and for all of us. Take care, wishing you all grace & peace as we begin a new reading plan tomorrow.
Lena, so proud of you for sharing your story here and so glad to have you in this community. Love you, friend!
Proud of you and thankful for all the ways you are allowing God to do His work in you!
Lena, this hits home. My sister and I just relaunched our blog, and we feel so excited and blessed to be starting out on a new path. But there's so much temptation to compete, and I've found myself spinning out of control trying to juggle my full time job, the demands of my husband's super stressful PhD, the apartment, errands, life, and then to be immediately "successful" or something with the blog. Just this weekend Jesus was calling me to step out and just give everything to Him again. It's so easy to get sucked into that trap, and I'm grateful that His word is a lamp to our feet and a light unto our paths. Thanks for sharing!
Lena, thank you for helping me realise that I am not the only one intimidated by modern media! I am in my early 50’s, and trying to keep up sometimes is overwhelming. But, you are so right. Being involved with #SRT is so exciting! I can’t wait to wake up and dive into scripture and learning thru everyone’s personal experiences, without worrying about which”face” I have on. God is teaching me so much thru this site. Your testimony made me shout”Yes, I have felt this”. Thank you :)
Ingrid, you are in my prayers. Life can be so overwhelming, but the Lord delivers us. Just hold on tight to his loving embrace every single day.
This was such an inspiring testimony. I loved your comment that in Christ, " It’s the place where I can be just me – nothing else." So many of us wear masks and think we have to do the same when coming to our Heavenly Father. But He knows every fault, every mistake made, every sin committed and He loves us anyway! I just found SheReadsTruth recently and am slowly being pulled in more and more. What an amazing group of ladies to worship with!
Lena, thank you so much for this! I just sent it to my husband to encourage him about where I am in this crazy world of blogging.
You're a good egg sister. You're bright cheery face reflects His light daily sister! Thank you for writing and sharing! LOve you!!!!!
This is beautiful! What a great reminder for me to keep my eyes on Jesus, instead of on myself or those around me. What matters is what He thinks and He thinks we are all pretty special!
Is the YouVersion app just for the iphone?
no, i have it on my android. Just search for it in the play store.
I did and it did not come up:( I typed in YouVersion Bible App
Search for bible- the app is just called bible and it is published by lifechurch.tv <– its the you version bible app :)
This is so me. i get so bhung up on social media, twitter, facebook, etc., that I get stressed if my ride comes to go to work and I haven't gotten through all my facebook posts and tweets. Asking god to help me in this and to do only what He wants me to do, not what I want to do. like today, I am posting and looking at SRT even though it is late and I haven't gotten through any tweets yet! and my ride just came, so I own't either. Oh well. I have to let it go and not stress about it. thank you so much for this.
Thank you for sharing. Reminds me of Ephesians 1:15-19. Encouraging scripture yo begin the day.
Thanks for sharing, Lena! So glad I found the SRT community where I can be inspired and encouraged and hopefully do some inspiring & encouraging myself! Blessings all!
So appreciate SRT….. I have never been connected to social media mostly out of fear and ignorance. I am a very private person and couldn't really understand why people wanted to share their life stories with the world. But srt has brought me out of my "shell" and made me realize how much community with y'all has given me such inspiration! I have always tried to start my day with the lord, but usually stray in and out of devo's. Thank God for this for I am loving and looking forward to it every morning and learning so much more about myself and God and how to truly have a "relationship with the Lord".
Good morning! I Love waking up to srt. I started this group about a month ago and I can’t seem to get enough. I Love the daily testimonies I find each one encouragaing.I am so greatfull for this. Thank You lord Jesus
I can so relate to your story. I had a successful blog in 2009 and shut it down. I always felt like an outsider and have dealt with 'not being in the cool kids club' often when it comes to blogging. Since I've rekindled my romance with my faith..I realise that my words will be used in whatever space they're needed. For the 2.85 readers I have now on my blog or with a friend or in whatever capacity they're needed to be in. Reminding myself that jealousy doesn't help me move in my own growth, has been such a good grounding mechanism for me. I think it takes cutting things back to let things shine the way theyre supposed to in our lives, with the things that are MOST important to us.
Lena- thank you so much. This post cut straight to my heart. I constantly feel as if I am battling issues with jealousy, intimidation, feeling overwhelmed, etc. when it comes to the online world of blogging and social media. That subject was the majority of my loud & venting prayer yesterday. :) Thank you for this. Learning that my true identity is in HIM and not what the world sees in me. Blessings to you, Sweet Lena.
Thank you, Lena, for your testimony!! I saw myself in every word. I am so very grateful for finding the SRT community. Being among my beautiful sisters each day has introduced me to the scriptures and to who I am with my Heavenly Father. I love this place!!
Thank you for your encouraging testimony Lena. I know this may not be the response to a testimony, but i feel like i need to ask anyway. Please ladies am asking for your prayers the past couple of weeks i have been struggling to keep my focus on God and trust him in every circumstances. I keep feeling like am falling away and find it really difficult sometimes to pick myself up. I am a single mom of a nine year old am studying part time in college doing my Maths and English GCSE i find things really difficult sometimes to understand because i didn't go to high school or leave with any qualification. I work part time for a hour and ten mins each day at a school at lunch hour am looking for more hours of work to fit in with school time with no luck yet. sometimes i feel like I've been a burden to people asking them to watch my daughter while i go to college ect. I need a breakthrough,i know all what i've just written may not make much sense or a bit long winded, but am sure someone can relate. Please pray for wisdom, direction, understanding and clarity. Thanks ladies for your prayers. God blesses you all.xx
YES! I can relate. Having "issues" with work as well. I'm with ya,' lady! :) Will be praying for you this morning! The Lord will be enough to see you through. (((Hugs)))!
I am praying for you right now, Ingrid!!
Lord, please lift up our dear sister. Give her strength to know you are right there with her, carrying her through her hard times and her busy times. Help her feel the love and support around her. Let her see what a strong role model she is for her daughter and for the people she encounters because of her strength and perseverance. When she grows weary or frustrated, send her people to revitalize her. She loves you, Lord, and we love her. Be with her, Lord, and give her your peace. Amen
God's got this, Ingrid. Don't give up!
I think I hit "thumbs down" by accident…if I did, ignore it! Couldn't have said it better myself =) Keep your head up Ingrid, you're doing a great thing!
Praying for overwhelming peace for you today! Walk in His strength! He is in control! Thank goodness, huh? Will be praying for each specific need you mentioned!
This is also what SRT is about Ingrid, so we pray for strength, peace and guidance every day. Help her to know she is not alone and that You love her Lord and we care about her too even though we may never meet in this life. Give her the wisdom she needs for today and grace and direction in the most wonderful name of Jesus. Amen!
"….when my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the Rock that is higher than I. For Thou hast been a shelter for me and a strong tower from the enemy." Psalm 61:2,3
And thank you Lena for being so transparent with us.
Ingrid I applaud you for being honest enough to ask for help. Praying for God's solution.
Not sure if this will help, but there are many part time jobs that you can work around your schedule. I too was once a mom who needed some part time work, but wanted the flexibility to do it in MY own time. You might check Hallmark. com and click on careers which will take you to their hiring website. Another good site is NARMS.com they have companies that hire part time help where you pick and choose when you can work. Please let me know if you have any questions or need more detail.
HI Sue i live in the UK so those website may not apply. Thanks for your concern, prayers and encouragement. god bless.xx
Will be praying.
Thanks to all you loving sisters in Christ out there who take the time to pray for me today i really felt your prayers and was overwhelm with emotions to all your response and words of encouragement. If God is for us who can be against us, he is still on the throne no matter what. God bless you all.xxxx
Ingrid – there is absolutely nothing wrong with you asking for help/prayers. That's acknowledging that you can't do it all! You are never a burden to anyone – I will absolutely pray for you. I will pray that the Lord will help you find all the desires of your heart – that He will give you the wisdom and direction to follow His will. That He will put people in your path that will LIFT YOU UP and help you get to your goals. Thank you for reading, Ingrid, and thank you for being honest and asking for help! Blessings to you, sister!
This morning I thank God for She Reads Truth and women like you Lena. Thank you for your testimony!
(Consistently) Starting the day spending time with God, in His word, and the encouragement I find in the #SheReadsTruth community makes a big difference. Some days, some mornings (like this one), it’s harder to face the pre-posthumous existence than others. Depression sucks. Life is frustratingly hard. But, God is good. God is good. God is good. I KNOW God led me to #SheReadsTruth at the beginning of this year. It’s funny, I usually avoid women’s groups, but this one called out and resonated to me so much. With my daily ups and downs, it’s a real blessing to find the support I’ve found here, and it’s kept me keeping on better, more consistently, daily, in the Word, than ever before; seeking God, and finding Him, right in the midst of the darkness. And, it’s the Word that changes us…my stubborn mess of a mind will be renewed!