#JOANSTRUTH

It is not always your job to fix things and people. It may be in your nature to fix and help but IT IS NOT YOUR JOB . Seek God's guidance first because people will always seek your council because you may seem to be in a better place holistically but it doesn't qualify you to fix them. Spiritual warfare is not a joke! P.S. Even if you are qualified to help, remember you are human too, whole people can be broken too. Broken people can break whole people. Protect yourself and consume as much positive and wholesome content as possible. #joanstruth

  I know we are going through a tough time, being swamped with different emotions and work, but remember to always pray and push through. We will get through this. II Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name,  shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face,  and turn from their wicked ways;  then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin,  and will heal their land. #joanstruth #beencouraged #peace #pray

  Life is filled with memorable moments; the good and the bad.  Enjoy the good, learn from the bad. No regrets. Tell your story, because someone needs to hear it! #joanstruth -Joan Phillips-Bennett

  We are almost finished with 2020 and have jumped so many hurdles already, but God wants us to take another leap this leap year; He is not done with us yet.   For many of us, this year has been filled with surprises; a lot of bumps and turns, a lot of sadness and bad news, some happy news and for some, this year is merely a scary roller coaster ride that just won't stop! It starts off as one that is fun at first but this is now the 50th dive and we are now in November. Nevertheless, we can still appreciate that we have gone through most of the year already. Whew! What a ride! Mental Health Although a crucial part of our well-being, our mental health is usually overlooked and often ridiculed, but this is nothing to be embarrassed about. It is just as important as eating healthy, exercising, getting enough rest and getting your regular check-up.  Being alone comes with many internal ups and downs. We are left to our thoughts which can either be positive or detrimental for ...

Today as we begin yet another journey towards a closer walk with God, we are walking away from what we want for what we need, as we serve a God who takes us into the wilderness not to starve us but to strengthen us. He is the supplier of all our needs and He wants us to be able to command the adversary, with all confidence, to flee from us as Jesus did.  In Matthew 4, the adversary used temptations of different kinds such as: using your own human knowledge and power rather than waiting on God because what we see as success may not be what God ordained for us. He used promotion after denying God, even though the adversary knew that Jesus would sit at the right hand of God and he also wanted Jesus to test God.  So as you go through this Lent season, let it not be the same ol' same ol'.  It is not only abstaining from certain foods but also certain behaviours, thoughts and even people who keep us in a spiritually dry place. L eave E very N egative T hing behind as we gro...

We are all human and we do sometimes get drained and sometimes even bored when doing what God ordained for us, church and our spiritual life. James 1:22 says... Do not merely listen to the word  and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says. James is highlighting the fact that we listen to the Word but we do not apply it to our lives; we go to church, have meetings, but that's it! So as a result, it becomes boring, it's now just words, predictable. But God's word is meant to be acted upon.  This concept is similar to practical subjects in school. Application is necessary to master and understand the subject in its entirety. So is God's word; it is practical and He reveals Himself more and more to us as we apply His word to our lives.  Blessings! #Blessings #Joanstruth #Action #move #Godsword #deception

What we can do is find time everyday to hit the reset button so that we can stand firmly and upright. We need to not allow our challenges to accumulate and become insurmountable. TAKE CONTROL for "Greater is He that is in me, than  he that is in the world" 1 John 4:4 This scripture was not a mistake, it was placed in plain sight for your mind to digest it. This means, if the world is great, you are greater! If your problems, challenges, arguments, betrayal, disappointments and worries are great, you are greater than them all! Remember "our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure" (Marianne Williamson). The truth is this is really the enemy's deepest fear, so he tries to distract us in order to prove that we are inadequate. Therefore, be empowered and know that God made you in His likeness. He creates and look at the various things that man has created so far! He gave us a choice to be inten...

We could come up with long lists as to why another person is wrong and it's always our desire to prove just how wrong you are.  Did you know that God knows who we are? Did you know that He knew us even before we were born? Our personalities, environment and daily routines make us different which creates room for groups to be formed. However, when we disagree with people's actions and how they view life, we immediately want to force them to see our point of view. Especially, if we think they are hurting themselves and those around them with their mindset. We may know that our point of view is better for them to grow into the men and women they could become and it becomes very frustrating when they resist. Resisting becomes resentment and resentment turns into a relationships lost. When you have expressed concern, stop trying to force your ideals on the other person. Knock on God's door and let Him know His help is needed. We are God's vessels for His work but somehow...

Why talk about shame? ...because it affects everyone. Even me! It doesn't matter what social level or income level you are at. It doesn't matter what your gender is or even where you come from. What binds people together when talking about shame is that it is based on FEAR .  So, what's your fear? Is it the fear of: Success Failure Being Vulnerable Being exposed Losing people you love, fans, etc. Not being liked Not being right Being uncomfortable...... It is amazing hearing stories about why persons are so afraid of things that other persons see as minor, but the truth is, Wisdom comes from the lessons that we learn from various experiences. This comes with time and exposure; being willing to step out and being willing to leave your comfort zone. I had a big problem with that for a while and it almost paralyzed me because I was so afraid of failing or making a mistake. I did not like the feeling of being vulnerable so it would take me a while to at...

I woke up this morning very tired, quickly focusing on the various things that I had to cover and the week is almost finished. Yes, I prayed, I dived into the word but my mind drifted. Just thinking about the different things on my list made me more exhausted but I had to do them all; no room for excuses. I wanted to take a break and just isolate myself but leading involves dealing with adversity and challenges. Then I started to think about God; what if He was like us? What if He was afraid of challenges? We would not stand a chance here on earth! So often we wake up and are consumed as leaders, not only leaders of organisations, businesses, clubs, groups, families and the list goes on. The daily tasks take a toll on us and it leaves us exhausted; but God is saying, you have these tasks for a reason and you are a fit candidate for this journey. He gives His toughest battles to His strongest soldiers but He wants to be with us on the battlefield. When we are exhausted, He is so fi...

Normally after days, even months of working, we get drained. Our productivity slows down as our bodies tell us it is time to hibernate. However, society tells us that success requires commitment, consistency and never slowing down. We see hashtags everywhere on social media promoting constant work such as #teamnosleep #alwaysonthegrind and the list goes on. These phrases are normally interpreted by us to mean 'never rest or you will lose everything' but even animals have mastered how to operate in this world. After a day of work they all unwind. We too as God's people need to unwind through recreation and rest. Lack of sleep affects our health and our productivity so it is okay to rejuvenate. Do not let society determine who you should be because you are not of this world. I used to think that I was an energizer bunny and I kept going, and going, and going..., but it always led to weight loss, not remembering to eat and even #nosleep. "But what was the purpose of pus...

I have always thought about the reasons why we hold ourselves back from our purpose. Why is it we block our destiny even when we know what is ahead? This time, we look in the mirror at a fearfully and wonderfully made gift and talk ourselves out of dreams, visions and purpose.  These reasons are locked in our trust. Who do we trust? Have you ever stopped to ask yourself? Really, in whom do I put my trust. But remember.....Be Honest with yourself! The way we talk to people, treat people, the way we act, the way we think can all be lined up with who we trust and our priorities. Here are some things that trouble us, whether it is one, a few or all of these... Self Esteem I remember always comparing myself with great people which propels me to work extremely hard but this can be both a blessing and a curse.  The good side: We become better as we see our role models as a future reflection of ourselves. So we strive and grind as they did. The bad side:   We starve...

"OMG!!!! My day was horrible! Nothing that I planned was done. Something always came up!" Do you ever have a day like this? You are extremely upset at the way your day went or should I say THE day because you never owned it! Why does this happen? You plan to go to the store, your brother calls you to help him out with an urgent situation. You plan to go to the beach after bringing home a family member but the family member becomes ill and you need to stay a little longer. WHAT IS UP WITH THAT??? Maybe there was something that God was trying to keep you from, had you gone to your planned destination. Maybe you would have hated the experience more than these unexpected happenings which detoured your plans. Instead of quarrelling about how bad your day goes, be grateful! DARE: I dare you to welcome unexpected changes, just say: "Lord, I trust you because you alone know what's right for me and you alone can take care of me and my situation better than I can". ...

It is amazing how we are quick to criticize each other when the other person steps out and does something positive with his/her life. We are quick to give advice and tell them everything that was done wrong.  Have you stopped to think they are still a step ahead and maybe they did something right? We don't want to commend them for their efforts, after all, we were not taught to make mistakes. We were taught to get all A's on our reports. REALITY CHECK: A's on a report does not equal a fulfilled life. Are you at your climax? Or are you at the lowest point of your life watching others succeed .  I DARE YOU TO REACH YOUR CLIMAX! DREAM AGAIN AND GO FOR IT!  Repeat the words of Les Brown :- "It is not over until I win!" #YOUCANDOIT #ReachUrClimax#JOANSTRUTH 

Do not live selfishly, believing that everyone one is catering to himself. Be powered by service or your living will be in vain. Inspire others. You were inspired by someone who lived before you. Teach others and your legacy will forever live on! Thank you forefathers! Someday, someone will also tell you #THANKS #LIVEALIFEOFPURPOSE #BEPOWEREDBYSERVICE #JOANSTRUTH

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF because NOBODY is going to believe in you until you accomplish your goals! STOP BLAMING OTHERS FOR YOUR PROCRASTINATION AND DO IT NOW!!!!!! #DOITNOW #JOANSTRUTH

Do not allow bitterness, anger and ignorance to eat at your emotions. It makes you MORE BITTER, ANGRY AND IGNORANT . Talk about it and LET IT GO! #MoveForward #BeHappy #JoansTruth 

Do not make assumptions or draw conclusions on the behaviours and decisions made by the persons around you because these things DO NOT define who they are. They may shock you, whether negatively or positively! So keep your eyes in the mirror and not on other people. #BeBlessed #LiveYourLife #JoansTruth 

Live life with NO regrets. You would not be the person you are today without going through yesterday. Love yourself, learn from your mistakes and live positively! A better future is right in front of you. #NOREGRETS #JOANSTRUTH

It is a challenge to look in the mirror and analyze how we treat people and how we treat ourselves because we know that w hatever we give, it will always come back to us in one way or another. It is a truth we know but always seem to do the wrong things expecting positive results. But it is true!  LOVE EQUALS LOVE!   Whether it is taking a day (or hour) off to prevent an overload or illness. Or it is a favour for a friend coming back to us in the form of a caring gesture from a co-worker when we needed it, or when we give someone money (especially when we are compelled to hang on to it) and it comes back as a gift from a relative, etc. We often argue about the things persons are not doing for us and we then choose to return that negative energy in the same way which eventually affects everyone around us, but stop! You can change your energy, ONLY if you want to. Let us choose to operate in love! God is love and we were made in His image. Sow love and you WILL reap love i...