Faith & Scripture with Shernel

The Year of Impact: Stepping Boldly Into 2026 with Purpose and Power


As the clock strikes midnight and a new year begins, we often choose a word to guide our journey — a theme to anchor our goals, mindset, and faith. For 2026, the word is IMPACT.

Not just motion. Not just presence.
But impact — the kind that shifts atmospheres, builds legacy, and reflects the heart of God wherever you go.

This year isn’t just about doing more. It’s about doing what matters.

Why 2026 Is the Year of Impact
We are living in a time where the world is hungry for truth, healing, and bold leadership. Culture is noisy, opinions are loud, and distractions are endless — but the people who live intentionally and walk in obedience will stand out.

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.” — Isaiah 60:1 (NIV)

2026 isn’t the year to shrink. It’s the year to show up.
Whether you're building a business, raising children, leading in ministry, writing a book, or simply showing up for your community — this is your invitation to make an imprint that outlives the moment.

What Does It Mean to Be an Impactful Person?
An impactful person isn’t just busy — they’re intentional.
They’re not always seen — but they’re felt.
They don’t just talk — they transform environments through how they show up, serve, and lead.

Key Traits of Impactful People:
Consistent integrity (even when no one’s watching)

Clear vision rooted in values, not vanity

Compassion and empathy that see people beyond performance

Courage to speak truth and take action when it’s uncomfortable

Humility that remembers who the impact is truly for — God’s glory, not personal praise

“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” — Matthew 5:16 (NIV)

How to Hone In On Being Impactful in 2026
✅ 1. Clarify Your Why
Impact without direction becomes noise. Spend time in prayer and reflection asking:

What has God placed in my hands this year?

Who has He called me to serve?

What breaks my heart — and how can I be a vessel of healing?

“Write the vision and make it plain.” — Habakkuk 2:2

✅ 2. Master the Small Moments
Impact doesn’t always look like stages or spotlights. Sometimes it looks like:

Showing up when no one else does

Encouraging someone privately

Praying for someone who didn’t ask

Finishing what you started

Faithfulness in the little is what prepares you for the big.

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much...” — Luke 16:10 (NIV)

✅ 3. Detox from Distraction
Busyness doesn’t equal effectiveness.
Protect your energy, your time, and your voice.
Impactful people aren’t led by comparison or pressure — they are anchored by clarity and guided by the Holy Spirit.

✅ 4. Heal What’s Holding You Back
You can’t impact others if you’re always bleeding internally.
This may be the year you finally go to therapy, forgive what you buried, or let go of fear that’s stifled your voice.
Whole people create lasting impact.

✅ 5. Let God Define the Outcome
Sometimes your impact won’t be visible right away. That doesn’t make it any less powerful.
You plant the seed — God gives the growth (1 Corinthians 3:6).

Be faithful. Be obedient. Be present.
The ripple effect may reach generations you’ll never meet.

Final Thought: You Were Created to Make an Impact
This isn’t the year to play small.
It’s the year to walk in spiritual authority, emotional wholeness, and practical wisdom.

Whether your impact is in a classroom, a conference room, your living room, or a global platform — it matters.
Because everything you do in obedience to God is never wasted.

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit — fruit that will last.” — John 15:16 (NIV)

Prayer:
God, as I step into 2026, help me walk with purpose. Show me how to live with impact — not just for applause, but for transformation. Let every space I enter be marked by Your love, light, and power. Give me wisdom, courage, and humility. Use my life for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

This is the year of impact.
Make it count.
Not by doing everything — but by doing the right things, the God-breathed things, with boldness and joy.

Let this be the year heaven moves through you.

1 day ago | [YT] | 0

Faith & Scripture with Shernel

Navigating In-Laws with No Boundaries: When Love Requires Limits

Marriage is a sacred covenant — not just between two people, but also before God. But what happens when others, especially in-laws, begin to interfere, disrespect boundaries, and strain the union God has joined together?

This is a hard and often painful dynamic many couples face: in-laws who have no boundaries. And while love, respect, and grace are biblical commands — so are wisdom, order, and protection of your home.

Let’s talk about what Scripture says, when to draw a line, and how to navigate — and if necessary, go no-contact — in a way that honors God and preserves your marriage.

Marriage Is Meant to Be Protected
From the very beginning, Scripture establishes the priority of the marriage bond:

“Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”
— Genesis 2:24 (ESV)

This isn’t just poetic language — it’s a command. Marriage creates a new unit. That doesn’t mean parents are abandoned, but it does mean they’re no longer the primary influence.

What Boundary Issues with In-Laws Can Look Like
Speaking negatively about your spouse behind your back

Undermining parenting or household decisions

Frequent unannounced visits or constant involvement

Treating your marriage as “childish” or not valid

Siding with your spouse (or you) inappropriately in arguments

Guilt-tripping, manipulation, or spiritual shaming

Expecting access to your private life or relationship details

If these behaviors go unchecked, they can erode the intimacy, unity, and safety within a marriage.

When to Draw the Line (and How)
Boundaries aren’t unbiblical — they’re healthy, wise, and necessary.

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” — Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)
“Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.” — Matthew 5:37 (ESV)

1. Start with Alignment Between You and Your Spouse
The marriage must be united first. If one spouse is afraid to confront their family, healing won’t happen. Have an honest, prayerful conversation and agree to stand together.

Ask: “What’s hurting us? What needs to change? How can we protect our peace?”

2. Establish and Communicate Clear Boundaries
Boundaries are not punishment — they are protection. Let your in-laws know (with love and firmness) what is no longer acceptable.

Examples:

“We won’t be discussing our marriage with others.”

“We need notice before any visits.”

“We’re the final authority over our children.”

“Let all that you do be done in love.” — 1 Corinthians 16:14 (ESV)

Boundaries without love become walls. But love without boundaries becomes chaos.

When Boundaries Are Ignored
Even after addressing concerns with clarity and grace, some in-laws may continue to cross the line — whether due to pride, control, or lack of understanding.

This is where difficult but godly decisions must be made.

“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault... But if they will not listen, take one or two others along... If they still refuse to listen, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” — Matthew 18:15–17 (paraphrased)

This scripture isn't about cutting people off in bitterness — it’s about recognizing when peaceful correction is no longer being received. Sometimes, space is spiritual protection.

What Going Low or No Contact Looks Like (When Needed)
No-contact doesn't mean hate. It means recognizing the damage of repeated harm and choosing safety and unity.

Temporarily or permanently limiting access

Blocking access to personal info or your children

Creating space until there’s acknowledgment and repentance

Keeping communication through only one spouse if needed

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” — Romans 12:18 (NIV)
(Note: Sometimes peace comes through distance.)

If You’re Struggling With Guilt…
You may hear:

“But they’re your family.”

“You’re supposed to honor your parents.”

“Jesus wouldn’t do that.”

Here’s the truth: Honor does not mean allowing harm.
You can love from a distance. You can pray for them while protecting your peace. You can grieve what you hoped the relationship would be, but still guard your marriage.

“Do not be unequally yoked…” — 2 Corinthians 6:14
This doesn’t just apply to marriage — it can also apply to spiritual misalignment in families.

How to Navigate This With God’s Wisdom
✅ 1. Seek God’s Voice Over People’s Opinions
Pray together. Fast. Ask for discernment. Ask God to reveal root issues.

✅ 2. Seek Wise, Godly Counsel
Pastors, counselors, or mentors can help guide difficult family dynamics without bias.

✅ 3. Release the Need to Be Understood
Sometimes your peace will cost you others’ approval. But peace with God and your spouse is more valuable than family politics.

✅ 4. Pray for the In-Laws — Even From a Distance
Don’t let bitterness take root. Pray for healing, revelation, and their own emotional and spiritual growth.

Final Thought
Marriage is sacred — and it’s your job to protect it.

You can walk in love and set limits. You can honor God and guard your home. You can choose peace without enabling chaos.

And remember: Peace is not always the absence of conflict — sometimes it’s the result of a boundary finally being honored.

Prayer:
Lord, give me the wisdom, grace, and boldness to protect what You’ve joined together. Help me to walk in love without tolerating what wounds us. Teach me how to honor others without betraying my spouse or my own peace. Give us unity, clarity, and healing — even when the boundary is misunderstood. Amen.

Your marriage is worth protecting.
Even when the boundaries are hard. Even when others don't understand.
Choose covenant over chaos — every single time.

3 days ago | [YT] | 1

Faith & Scripture with Shernel

The Compromise of Marriage: What a Healthy, Joy-Filled Union Really Looks Like


In a world where marriage is often reduced to filtered Instagram highlights, public proposals, and short-lived “couple goals,” many people quietly wonder:

“Does a healthy, happy marriage still exist?”

Some believe that only older generations have figured it out — and even then, we assume they stayed because they had no choice. Others have seen more broken vows than thriving partnerships. The result? Many now see marriage as either idealized perfection or inevitable disappointment.

But the truth? Healthy, joy-filled marriages do exist — and they’re not built on perfection, but on purpose, process, and daily surrender.

What Is the Compromise of Marriage?
Compromise in marriage doesn’t mean settling. It means mutual sacrifice for shared growth. It’s understanding that while you remain two individuals, you’re now building one life.

Biblical compromise looks like:

Laying down ego for empathy

Learning to listen before defending

Choosing peace over being right

Saying “we” instead of “me”

Fighting the problem — not each other

“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” — Ephesians 5:21 (NIV)

In other words, marriage isn't about losing your identity — it's about learning how to grow alongside another without needing control.

What a Healthy Marriage Actually Looks Like
It’s not absence of conflict. It’s presence of tools, grace, and humility in the middle of it. A healthy marriage is:

Rooted in Christ, not just chemistry

Built on emotional safety, not performance

Strengthened by forgiveness, not scorekeeping

Centered in shared vision, not just shared space

“Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” — Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NIV)

The third strand? God.

Without Him, two people may drift. With Him, even storms can be survived.

Why People Don’t Believe in Healthy Marriages Anymore
They’ve Seen More Divorce Than Covenant
Many people grew up watching divorce, dysfunction, or silent resentment. So they believe that “lasting” marriages are rare — or only for a different generation.

Culture Promotes Instant Gratification, Not Covenant
Modern culture often values happiness over holiness. If someone doesn’t make you happy anymore, you’re told to walk away. But happiness is fleeting. Joy is deeper — and joy is sustainable.

They’ve Been Hurt and Are Guarded
When people have been betrayed, manipulated, or neglected, it becomes hard to believe that vulnerability in marriage could ever be safe again.

But healing is possible — and so are healthy examples of real love. And yes, they exist in every generation.

Joy vs. Happiness in Marriage
Happiness is a feeling that comes and goes based on circumstances.
Joy is a fruit of the Spirit — rooted in something eternal.

“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” — Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV)
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience...” — Galatians 5:22

A joyful marriage is:

Built on shared purpose

Marked by contentment, even in hard seasons

Fueled by gratitude, not entitlement

Able to laugh and grow, even when it's tough

Joy can coexist with grief, stress, or even disappointment. It says, “This is hard, but I’m not giving up.”

What Does a Marriage That’s Been Through a Lot Look Like?
It looks weathered — but not worn down.
It has scars — but also strength.
It’s got testimonies instead of just memories.

Marriages that have survived betrayal, financial crisis, infertility, grief, trauma, or long seasons of silence aren’t perfect. But many are powerful.

Because they’ve:

Chosen forgiveness when it wasn’t deserved

Sought counseling when pride said “We’re fine”

Prayed through when walking away seemed easier

Learned how to grow through pain instead of apart from each other

“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.” — 1 Corinthians 13:7–8 (ESV)

Practical Advice for Building (and Rebuilding) a Healthy Marriage
✅ 1. Get Curious, Not Critical
When tension arises, ask: “What’s happening beneath the surface?” instead of reacting with blame.

✅ 2. Pray Together Often
Nothing humbles a couple like praying side by side. You get real, and God meets you there.

✅ 3. Go to Counseling Before It’s a Crisis
Healthy couples invest in maintenance. Don’t wait until it’s falling apart to seek help.

✅ 4. Celebrate Each Other Intentionally
Notice small wins. Speak life. Say thank you. Honor each other out loud — often.

✅ 5. Don’t Compete — Complement
Marriage isn’t a race. It’s a rhythm. Learn each other’s strengths and lean into them instead of keeping score.

Final Thought
Marriage isn’t the fairytale. It’s the forge.

It refines, stretches, and exposes — but it also heals, grows, and builds legacies.

Yes, compromise is required. So is grace. So is joy.
But a healthy marriage is worth every ounce of it.

And no — you don’t have to be 70 years old to experience it.
You just have to be willing to choose the covenant — again and again, with the help of God.

Prayer:
God, thank You for the gift of marriage. Help me to walk in joy, not just happiness. Teach me to love well, forgive quickly, and speak life daily. Whether I’m married now or praying for that promise, help me to pursue a covenant that reflects You. Amen.

The goal isn’t a perfect marriage —
It’s a holy one, full of joy, grace, and real love.

1 week ago | [YT] | 1

Faith & Scripture with Shernel

Self-Compassion: The Grace You Didn’t Know You Needed


Have you ever forgiven someone faster than you forgave yourself?
Held space for others’ struggles, but criticized yourself for your own?
Offered grace to everyone else, yet kept yourself on trial?

If so, you're not alone. Many of us know how to love others — but wrestle with the idea of loving ourselves well. And that’s where self-compassion comes in.

What Is Self-Compassion?
Self-compassion is the ability to extend kindness, patience, and grace to yourself — especially in moments of failure, pain, or imperfection.

It’s not self-pity. It’s not selfishness.
It’s not making excuses or ignoring growth.
Self-compassion is simply seeing yourself the way God sees you — with love, not condemnation.

“As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.” — Psalm 103:13 (NIV)

What the Bible Says About Self-Compassion
While the term self-compassion isn’t used directly in Scripture, its principles are deeply biblical:

God is slow to anger and rich in mercy — even toward you. (Psalm 103:8)

We are called to love others as we love ourselves — which implies that self-love matters too. (Mark 12:31)

Jesus regularly extended grace to the broken, not shame. (John 8:1–11)

God remembers we are dust — and meets us with gentleness. (Psalm 103:14)

The same grace He asks us to extend to others is the same grace we need to extend to ourselves.

Signs You May Be Lacking Self-Compassion
You replay your mistakes over and over

You feel guilty for resting or needing help

You constantly compare yourself to others

You struggle to receive compliments or affirmations

You only see what needs fixing, not what’s growing

You hold yourself to a harsher standard than anyone else

These are not just habits — they’re signs your soul is weary and in need of grace.

What Self-Compassion Looks Like in Everyday Life
Speaking to yourself with the same kindness you'd use for a friend

Resting without guilt

Admitting your limits without shame

Allowing yourself to grow without rushing the process

Acknowledging hard emotions without judging them

Saying, “I’m human, and I’m still healing”

“There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” — Romans 8:1 (NIV)

How to Practice Self-Compassion as a Christian
1. Receive God’s Compassion First
You can’t give what you haven’t received. Sit with the reality that God isn’t disappointed in you — He’s delighting in your becoming.

“The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.” — Psalm 145:8 (NIV)

2. Shift Your Inner Voice
Start noticing your inner dialogue. Is it harsh? Accusatory? Perfectionistic?
Replace it with truth:

“I messed up — but I’m not a mistake.”
“God is still working in me.”
“His grace is enough, even now.”

3. Set Boundaries With Your Own Expectations
Sometimes, we’re not struggling — we’re just burning under expectations God never put on us.
Give yourself permission to slow down. To try again. To ask for help.

4. Let Grace and Accountability Coexist
Self-compassion doesn’t mean ignoring growth. It means growing with gentleness.
You can hold yourself accountable without beating yourself up.

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy…” — Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)

5. Surround Yourself With Compassionate People
Healing happens faster in safe spaces. Let people into your process who remind you who you are — not just what you need to fix.

Final Thought
Self-compassion is not weakness.
It’s strength under grace.
It’s spiritual maturity that says, “I don’t have to perform for love — I already have it in Christ.”

So today, offer yourself what God so freely offers you:
Mercy. Kindness. Patience. Love.
You don’t have to earn it. You just have to receive it — even from yourself.

Prayer:
Lord, help me to stop being my own harshest critic. Teach me how to see myself the way You do — loved, becoming, and worthy of grace. Show me how to rest in Your mercy and walk in compassion, not just for others, but for myself. In Jesus’ name, amen.

You are not behind.
You are not a failure.
You are growing — and grace is making room for you.

3 weeks ago | [YT] | 1

Faith & Scripture with Shernel

The Sacred Gift of Rest: Understanding the Different Types of Rest According to Scripture


In a culture that idolizes hustle, glorifies busy schedules, and associates rest with laziness, it's easy to forget: rest is holy.
Not optional. Not indulgent. Sacred.

From the very beginning, God modeled rest — not because He was tired, but because He was setting a rhythm:

“By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested…” — Genesis 2:2 (NIV)

If God Himself paused, what makes us think we don’t need to?

What Is Rest?
Rest is more than just sleep or taking a break from work.
Rest is recalibration for the soul.
It's God's invitation to be replenished in His presence, to release what weighs us down, and to remember that we are not sustained by striving — we are sustained by Him.

“Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

Why We Need Rest
To restore our physical, emotional, and spiritual health

To stay aligned with God’s voice and pace

To avoid burnout, resentment, and chronic fatigue

To live from a place of being, not just doing

To acknowledge our human limits and God’s limitless grace

Rest isn’t a weakness — it’s worship.
It’s trusting that even when we pause, God doesn’t stop working.

The 7 Types of Rest (Inspired by Scripture and Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith’s Framework)
1. Physical Rest
This includes both passive rest (like sleep or naps) and active rest (like stretching, walking, or breathing deeply).

“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.” — Psalm 4:8 (NIV)

Ask Yourself: Am I sleeping enough? Am I listening to the signals of my body?

2. Mental Rest
When your mind is constantly racing, overwhelmed with to-do lists or decisions, this is where you need stillness and margin.

“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

Mental rest looks like:

Taking breaks between tasks

Reducing screen time

Letting your brain "breathe"

3. Emotional Rest
This is the permission to feel, to stop performing, and to admit, “I’m not okay” without judgment.

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” — 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)

You need emotional rest when you’re:

Constantly saying yes to please people

Hiding your true feelings

Carrying burdens alone

4. Spiritual Rest
This is not just “doing church” — this is deepening your relationship with God. Rest for your spirit comes through abiding, not just activity.

“Remain in me, as I also remain in you.” — John 15:4 (NIV)

Spiritual rest includes:

Silent prayer

Scripture meditation

Worship without an agenda

Time in nature with God

5. Sensory Rest
We’re bombarded daily by lights, sounds, alerts, and content. Sensory overload leads to irritability, fatigue, and detachment.

“My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” — Exodus 33:14 (NIV)

Sensory rest might mean:

Turning off notifications

Sitting in a quiet, screen-free space

Soft lighting and stillness

6. Social Rest
Sometimes you need a break from people — especially if you're always the one giving. Other times, you need the right people who replenish you.

“Two are better than one... if either of them falls, one can help the other up.” — Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 (NIV)

Ask: Who drains me? Who fills me? Have I made space for both solitude and soul-nourishing connection?

7. Creative Rest
This is rest that restores wonder — especially for those who are constantly creating, problem-solving, or leading.

Creative rest happens when you:

Enjoy beauty without pressure

Engage in things that inspire you (music, nature, art, etc.)

Let your imagination breathe again

“He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.” — Psalm 23:2–3 (NIV)

Rest Is Resistance
Rest says:

“I’m not what I produce.”
“My identity is not in my performance.”
“I trust God more than I trust my own effort.”

Jesus withdrew often to rest and pray (Luke 5:16), even when crowds needed Him. If He, in His perfection, took time to reset — how much more do we need to?

Practical Ways to Rest Today
Schedule one “do nothing” hour each week

Keep a Sabbath — not just a day off, but a day to realign with God

Journal your thoughts to unload emotional clutter

Read Scripture slowly, not for productivity, but for presence

Take a walk and breathe deeply — not to get anywhere, but to be with God

Final Thought
Rest isn’t about escape.
It’s about returning — to yourself, to your limits, to your Source.

It’s not just a break from your work. It’s a return to the truth:
You are not God. But you are deeply loved by Him.

“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” — Mark 6:31 (NIV)

Prayer:
God, teach me to rest. Help me resist the pressure to perform and receive the peace You already offer. Restore every place in me that’s tired — mentally, emotionally, spiritually, physically. Help me honor the rhythms of grace You designed me to live in. Amen.

You weren’t created to burn out —
You were created to breathe, to trust, and to rest in Him.

1 month ago | [YT] | 0

Faith & Scripture with Shernel

Battling Impostor Syndrome: What It Is, Why It Shows Up, and How God Speaks to It

You just got the promotion.
You’ve stepped into a new opportunity.
You’ve started the business, launched the ministry, enrolled in the program.
Everyone else sees you winning — but deep down, you’re waiting for someone to find out you don’t belong.

That feeling? That’s Impostor Syndrome.

It’s the inner voice that whispers:

“You’re not qualified.”
“You don’t know what you’re doing.”
“You just got lucky.”
“Any minute now, they’ll realize you’re not enough.”

It’s a lie — and it’s common. But the truth is, you can’t walk in your God-given identity and hold hands with impostor syndrome at the same time.

What Is Impostor Syndrome?
Impostor Syndrome is a mental and emotional pattern where you:

Doubt your accomplishments

Feel like a fraud despite success

Minimize your gifts and abilities

Fear being “exposed” as unworthy

Struggle to accept affirmation or praise

Compare yourself constantly to others

It shows up in boardrooms, pulpits, platforms, classrooms — and even in private quiet time with God.

What Scripture Says About This Struggle
God never designed you to live in fear of your identity. The enemy uses insecurity to keep you from stepping into the fullness of who you are in Christ.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind.” — 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” — Psalm 139:14 (NIV)

“Not that we are competent in ourselves… but our competence comes from God.” — 2 Corinthians 3:5 (NIV)

Signs You May Be Struggling with Impostor Syndrome
You downplay your wins and overplay your mistakes

You feel the need to “prove” your worth all the time

You second-guess yourself even when you’re clearly qualified

You think you’re not “spiritual enough,” “smart enough,” or “gifted enough”

You fear taking up space or being visible

You feel shame instead of gratitude when doors open for you

You discredit compliments with jokes or self-deprecation

If you recognize yourself here, you’re not broken — you’re human. But you also don’t have to stay there.

Biblical Examples of Impostor-Like Moments
🔹 Moses (Exodus 3–4)
God called him to deliver a nation. Moses responded:

“Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh…?”
Then he tried to disqualify himself because of his speech, his past, and his fear.

God didn’t argue with Moses’ insecurity — He simply said:

“I will be with you.” (Exodus 3:12)

🔹 Gideon (Judges 6)
God called Gideon a “mighty warrior” — but Gideon was hiding in a winepress, feeling like the least of his tribe.
God wasn’t intimidated by his insecurity. He still used him powerfully.

“Go in the strength you have… Am I not sending you?” — Judges 6:14

🔹 Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1)
Jeremiah told God he was too young and not ready. God said, “Don’t say that,” and reminded him He was appointed before birth.

These men felt like impostors — but God saw leaders, deliverers, prophets, and purpose.

How to Overcome Impostor Syndrome in Your Faith and Life
✅ 1. Know Where Your Confidence Comes From
You’re not standing on your résumé — you’re standing on God’s assignment.

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion…” — Philippians 1:6 (NIV)

Remind yourself daily:

“I’m not here because I’m perfect. I’m here because I’m called.”

✅ 2. Stop Minimizing What God Has Built in You
You don’t need to dim your light to stay humble.
Humility is honesty, not insecurity.

“Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves…” — Romans 12:3 (NLT)

It’s okay to say, “God is using me.” That’s not arrogance — it’s awareness.

✅ 3. Identify the Root of Your Doubt
Impostor syndrome is often rooted in comparison, past rejection, or childhood messages like “You’ll never be good enough.”
Bring those wounds to God. Invite Him to heal them with truth.

✅ 4. Surround Yourself With People Who Call You Higher
Accountability partners, mentors, or spiritual leaders who remind you who you are in Christ are key to silencing the lie of impostor syndrome.

✅ 5. Speak Scripture Over Yourself Daily
Combat the lie of “I’m not enough” with the truth:

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” — Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)
“You did not choose Me, but I chose you...” — John 15:16 (NIV)

Final Thought
Impostor syndrome may feel loud, but it doesn’t have the final say.
You are not a mistake. You are not a fraud. You are not disqualified.

You are chosen, appointed, anointed, and equipped — by a God who sees you completely and calls you anyway.

“The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:24 (NIV)

Prayer:
Father, I confess the moments where I’ve believed the lie that I don’t belong or that I’m not enough. Help me to silence the voice of fear and lean into the truth of who You say I am. Remind me daily that I am chosen, prepared, and equipped by You — not by my own merit. Give me the courage to walk boldly in what You’ve assigned me to do. In Jesus’ name, amen.

You don’t need permission to be who God already called you to be.
Take up your space. Walk in your lane. You belong here.

1 month ago | [YT] | 0

Faith & Scripture with Shernel

Holding Yourself Accountable: What It Looks Like and Why It’s Vital for Spiritual Growth


Accountability isn't a popular word in today's culture.
We love freedom, autonomy, and the ability to do what feels right in the moment.
But true growth — spiritual, emotional, and personal — comes from something deeper: accountability.

Whether it’s with your walk with Christ, your relationships, your decisions, or your daily choices, learning to hold yourself accountable and letting others hold you accountable is a mark of maturity and a pathway to transformation.

What Does It Mean to Hold Yourself Accountable?
Personal accountability is being honest with yourself, responsible for your actions, and willing to correct your course without blaming others.

It looks like:

Admitting when you’re wrong without making excuses

Being faithful to the commitments you made (even when no one is watching)

Owning the results of your decisions — both the good and the bad

Checking your motives and attitude regularly

Bringing your struggles to God first instead of hiding them

“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.” — 2 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV)

Why Self-Accountability Matters in the Christian Life
1. It Keeps You Aligned With God’s Standards
God calls us to live lives that are holy, honest, and whole. Without accountability, we drift into self-justification, compromise, and spiritual apathy.

“The heart is deceitful above all things...” — Jeremiah 17:9 (NIV)
Your heart will convince you you’re doing fine even when you're not. Accountability brings clarity.

2. It Cultivates Integrity
Integrity means being the same person in public and in private. When you hold yourself accountable, you build a life that’s consistent and trustworthy.

“Whoever walks in integrity walks securely...” — Proverbs 10:9 (NIV)

3. It Builds Character and Maturity
You cannot grow if you refuse to take responsibility. Accountability is how God refines your character.

How to Start Holding Yourself Accountable
✅ 1. Set Honest Standards with God
Start with His Word. Let Scripture be your measuring stick — not feelings, culture, or opinions.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” — Psalm 119:105 (ESV)

Ask yourself daily:

Am I living what I claim to believe?

Are my words and actions aligned?

Is there anything I’m justifying that needs repentance?

✅ 2. Develop a Habit of Self-Examination
Journaling, prayer, or quiet time with the Holy Spirit is a way to look inward and ask:

“Where did I fall short today, and where did I grow?”

Self-examination doesn’t lead to shame — it leads to awareness and repentance.

✅ 3. Be Willing to Make Corrections
It’s one thing to admit a mistake. It’s another to change it.
Accountability means making real adjustments — not just saying, “I’ll do better.”

Why You Need Others to Hold You Accountable Too
God never designed you to walk this journey alone.
Isolation is where sin grows. Community is where transformation happens.

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” — Proverbs 27:17 (NIV)

How to Invite Healthy Accountability
✅ 1. Choose People Who Are Spiritually Grounded
Find mentors, friends, or leaders who love you enough to tell you the truth — not just what you want to hear.

“Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.” — Proverbs 27:6 (ESV)

✅ 2. Be Open With Your Struggles
Vulnerability builds trust. Share what you're working through, where you need prayer, and areas where you're tempted to hide.

✅ 3. Ask Specific Questions
“Can you check in with me about my prayer life this week?”
“Can I talk to you if I feel myself drifting?”
Make your accountability intentional and personal.

✅ 4. Don’t Get Defensive
Correction is part of growth. If someone brings truth to you with love, receive it with humility.

“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.” — Proverbs 12:1 (NIV)
(The Bible said it, not me!)

Final Thought
Accountability isn’t about perfection — it’s about progress.
It’s not about control — it’s about commitment to God’s best for your life.
Whether through honest self-reflection or the voice of a trusted friend, accountability keeps you aligned, humbled, and rooted in grace.

You won’t always get it right — but accountability ensures you keep moving forward, eyes fixed on Jesus, heart open to correction, and life marked by growth.

Prayer:
Lord, help me to be honest with myself and accountable before You. Teach me to recognize where I’ve drifted and give me the courage to course-correct. Surround me with people who sharpen me, love me, and hold me to a standard of holiness. Make me someone who lives with integrity, in public and in private. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Growth isn’t just measured by what you achieve —
but by what you’re willing to admit, correct, and surrender.

1 month ago | [YT] | 0

Faith & Scripture with Shernel

The Heavy Weight of a Grudge: How Unforgiveness Impacts Your Body, Mind, and Spirit


We’ve all been hurt. Betrayed. Disrespected.
Sometimes, the pain runs so deep that even after the apology (or lack of one), we still feel the sting. And without even realizing it, we begin to carry something we were never meant to hold: a grudge.

It starts small — a moment, a memory — but if left unchecked, it grows into bitterness that hardens our heart, clouds our thinking, and poisons our spirit.

What Is a Grudge, Really?
A grudge is an unresolved offense.
It’s the internal decision to keep rehearsing the pain, to withhold forgiveness, and to secretly hope the other person pays for what they did.

But here’s the truth: holding a grudge doesn’t hurt them — it hurts you.

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” — Ephesians 4:31–32 (NIV)

Signs You Might Be Holding a Grudge
Grudges aren’t always loud — sometimes they show up in subtle but powerful ways. Ask yourself:

Do I feel a tightness in my chest or stomach when I think about that person or situation?

Do I replay conversations or offenses over and over in my mind?

Do I feel satisfied when I hear that person is struggling?

Do I avoid them, but still harbor resentment?

Do I struggle to pray for their good?

Do I say I’ve forgiven, but still treat them with coldness or sarcasm?

These signs don’t mean you’re evil — they mean your heart is still healing and needs release.

The Physical Cost of Holding a Grudge
Medical studies show that unforgiveness and bitterness can affect your body.
Chronic stress from holding grudges can lead to:

High blood pressure

Sleep disturbances

Weakened immune system

Digestive issues

Tension headaches or muscle pain

Fatigue or burnout

Your body wasn’t built to carry spiritual weight like unforgiveness.
When you don’t let it go emotionally, your body begins to carry it physically.

“A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones.” — Proverbs 14:30 (NLT)

The Spiritual Consequences of a Grudge
1. It Blocks Your Prayers
“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” — Mark 11:25 (NIV)

When we hold grudges, we cut off intimacy with God. Bitterness creates static in the spiritual connection between you and heaven.

2. It Corrupts Your Character
Unforgiveness rarely stays in one place.
It spreads. It makes us more reactive, cynical, and guarded. Grudges change how we treat others — even people who had nothing to do with the offense.

3. It Robs You of Freedom
A grudge is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.
You think you're punishing them — but you're chaining yourself.

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” — Galatians 5:1 (NIV)

How to Know if a Grudge Has Festered
A festered grudge doesn’t just hurt — it starts to infect.
Here’s how it shows up:

You define yourself by the wound (“I’ll never trust again”)

You turn the offense into your identity

You avoid healing conversations out of fear or pride

You fantasize about payback

You withdraw from community or people who challenge your perspective

Your relationships start to feel draining or shallow

How to Release the Grudge and Begin Healing
1. Acknowledge the Hurt Honestly
God never asks you to pretend it didn’t happen. Healing starts by telling the truth.

“Lord, this hurt me. I didn’t deserve it. But I no longer want to carry it.”

2. Forgive by Faith, Not by Feeling
Forgiveness is not saying what they did was okay — it’s saying you won’t be held hostage by it anymore.

“Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.” — Luke 11:4 (NIV)

3. Pray for the Person — Even if It’s Hard
Jesus said:

“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” — Matthew 5:44 (NIV)
It doesn’t feel natural — but it realigns your heart with heaven. It shifts your spirit from bondage to blessing.

4. Release the Right to Be Right
Sometimes we stay stuck because we want justice. But God says:

“It is mine to avenge; I will repay.” — Romans 12:19 (NIV)
Letting go means trusting God to be the Judge — not you.

5. Consider Counseling or Inner Healing Ministry
If the pain runs deep, seek help. Some wounds require safe space and skilled support to walk through.

Final Thought
You weren’t meant to carry bitterness.
You weren’t created to nurse a wound that keeps bleeding.
You were made to walk free — in spirit, mind, and body.

Letting go of a grudge doesn’t mean you forget what happened — it means you choose peace over poison.

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” — Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)

Prayer:
Lord, I bring You the hurt I’ve been holding. I’ve carried it long enough. Help me release the weight of this grudge. Heal the parts of me that are still bleeding. Teach me to forgive like You forgive — fully, freely, and without delay. Restore my joy, my peace, and my heart. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let go.
Not for them — for you.
Because freedom is too costly to forfeit over someone else’s offense.

1 month ago | [YT] | 0

Faith & Scripture with Shernel

The Silent Killer: What Comparison Really Looks Like and Why It Destroys From Within


Comparison is sneaky.
It rarely announces itself.
It hides behind innocent scrolling, subtle envy, and silent measuring sticks we hold up to other people’s lives.

But the truth is: comparison kills.
It kills joy. It kills gratitude. It kills purpose. It kills sisterhood. And worst of all, it distances us from who God created us to be.

“Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else.” — Galatians 6:4 (NIV)

What Comparison Really Looks Like
It’s not just jealousy. Comparison can take on many forms:

Looking at someone else’s life and feeling “behind”

Feeling unworthy when someone else is praised or celebrated

Thinking you need to change your personality, gifts, or pace to measure up

Dismissing your own growth because it doesn’t look like theirs

Constantly checking for likes, validation, or applause

Trying to one-up someone to feel better

Telling yourself, “If I had their life, I’d be happy”

Whether it’s beauty, status, career, ministry success, relationships, or influence — comparison will always tell you: “You’re not enough.”

Why Comparison Kills
1. It Destroys Identity
When you compare, you stop valuing what makes you you. You start wishing you were someone else, slowly rejecting the identity God handcrafted for you.

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” — Psalm 139:14 (NIV)

2. It Breeds Discontentment
Comparison convinces you that what you have is not good enough — even if it’s exactly what you once prayed for.

“Godliness with contentment is great gain.” — 1 Timothy 6:6 (NIV)

3. It Hinders Your Assignment
You can’t fully run your race if you’re constantly looking sideways. Comparison will paralyze your progress.

“Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus…” — Hebrews 12:1–2 (NASB)

4. It Robs You of Authentic Relationships
It’s hard to celebrate others when you’re secretly resenting them. Comparison creates silent tension that poisons connection.

How to Recognize When Comparison Is Taking Over
Do you leave social media feeling less than inspired — more insecure or defeated?

Do you downplay your own growth when others seem ahead?

Do you struggle to compliment others without feeling small?

Do you find it hard to appreciate your own season?

If so, comparison might be quietly stealing your peace.

Practical Tools to Overcome Comparison
1. Limit What Feeds It
Unfollow or mute accounts that stir up insecurity instead of inspiration. Guard your eyes and heart.

2. Practice Daily Gratitude
List what God is doing in your life. Gratitude silences the voice of “not enough.”

3. Celebrate Others Out Loud
The more you genuinely uplift others, the more you train your heart to root for people instead of resenting them.

4. Return to Your Assignment
Ask God:

“What have You asked me to do in this season?”
Purpose keeps you anchored. It helps you stay in your lane without drifting.

5. Speak Truth Over Yourself
Replace lies with Scripture. Say:

“I am enough in Christ. I have purpose. I am not behind. God’s timing for me is perfect.”

Final Thought
Comparison doesn’t come to inspire you — it comes to consume you. It will whisper, “Look at her…” until you forget to look up at God.

There’s room for all of us.
Room to grow.
Room to shine.
Room to run the race God specifically designed just for you.

“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.” — 1 Corinthians 12:4 (NIV)

You don’t need her life — you need to fully live yours.

Prayer:
Lord, help me recognize the voice of comparison when it creeps in. Remind me that I am chosen, loved, and complete in You. Help me to see others through eyes of celebration, not competition. And teach me to stay focused on the race You’ve marked out for me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

You are not behind.
You are becoming.
Comparison is the lie —
but your purpose is still the truth.

1 month ago | [YT] | 0

Faith & Scripture with Shernel

When You're the Villain in Someone Else's Story — Breaking Free From the Victim Mentality

We all want to be the hero in our story. The one who was misunderstood, mistreated, or wronged. And sometimes… we truly were.

But what happens when we stop there?
What if, in focusing so much on being the victim, we miss the times we were actually the villain — or at the very least, the one who caused harm?

It’s not easy to admit, but it’s necessary. Because spiritual growth requires honest self-reflection, not self-protection.

“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me...” — Psalm 139:23–24 (NIV)

Why the Victim Mentality Is So Common
A victim mentality is when someone sees themselves as always being the one wronged — and rarely (if ever) sees how their actions contribute to the problem.

It can come from:

Childhood trauma or abuse

Unhealed emotional wounds

Constant invalidation in relationships

A lack of accountability growing up

Fear of being seen as the “bad guy”

The truth is, it’s easier to feel hurt than to feel responsible.

Signs You May Be Stuck in a Victim Mindset
You often say things like:
“Why does this always happen to me?”
“They misunderstood me — again.”
“I’m always the one getting hurt.”

You struggle to accept feedback

You rewrite situations to make yourself look more innocent

You avoid owning your part in conflict

You often feel like people are against you

You rarely apologize — or only do so to keep the peace, not from true ownership

“Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.” — Proverbs 18:2 (NIV)

Understanding Your Role: You’re Not Always the Hero
It’s humbling to realize that someone may be praying about the pain you caused them.
That while you were telling your side of the story, they were telling theirs — with you cast as the source of hurt.

This doesn’t mean you’re evil. It means you’re human. And humans need humility, grace, and accountability.

Think of King Saul — he believed he was justified in pursuing David, but his insecurity, jealousy, and pride made him the villain in David’s story.

Then think of David — the man after God’s heart — who became the villain in Uriah’s story by taking his wife and plotting his death (2 Samuel 11). Even the godliest among us can cause great harm if we aren't self-aware.

Practical Tools to Break Free from the Victim Trap
1. Ask the Hard Question: “What Part Did I Play?”
Even if you were genuinely hurt, ask yourself:

Did I ignore red flags?

Did I fail to communicate clearly?

Did I hurt them in a way I haven’t acknowledged?

This isn’t about blaming yourself for others’ behavior — it’s about being honest about your own.

“Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.” — Lamentations 3:40 (NIV)

2. Practice Radical Ownership
Say things like:

“I see now how that affected you.”

“I didn’t intend harm, but I can understand why it felt that way.”

“That wasn’t okay. I’m sorry.”

Owning your impact doesn’t erase your pain — it shows maturity.

3. Invite Feedback — Even When It Hurts
Ask trusted people:

“How do I show up in conflict?”

“Are there blind spots I have?”
Be willing to listen without defending.

4. Resist the Urge to Retell the Story One-Sided
The more you repeat a narrative where you’re always right, the harder it becomes to hear truth.

Remind yourself: "My story may not be the full story."

“Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise.” — Proverbs 15:31 (NIV)

5. Seek Inner Healing and Counseling
Sometimes the victim mindset is tied to unhealed wounds.
Therapy and spiritual guidance can help uncover why it’s hard to take ownership.

What Happens When You Begin to Own Your Role
Relationships deepen — because trust grows where honesty lives

Self-respect increases — because maturity replaces defensiveness

Spiritual growth accelerates — because God can only bless the real you, not the version you perform

You become safer to others — because people know you can handle truth and accountability

“Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.” — Psalm 32:1 (NIV)

Final Thought
It’s tempting to believe we’re always the ones who’ve been hurt.
But healing comes when we acknowledge we’ve also caused hurt — knowingly or unknowingly.

Being the victim doesn’t make you right.
Being honest makes you wise.

It’s not about living in guilt — it’s about walking in grace, accountability, and truth.
Because when you face what’s real, you can finally grow beyond it.

Prayer:
Lord, help me see myself clearly. Remove the blind spots that keep me from acknowledging my role in conflict. Heal any wounds that keep me stuck in a victim mindset. And give me the courage to own my faults, receive correction, and walk in humility — not defensiveness. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Sometimes freedom starts with the words:
“I was wrong, and I want to make it right.”
That’s not weakness — that’s wisdom.

2 months ago | [YT] | 0