Hi there. I'm Jill Allen and this is find your fierce, the show designed for women to discover your fierce, unlock and unstoppable mindset. Build unbreakable courage and completely transform how you show up every single day. Each week I will bring ideas, methods and strategies that will inspire you to step into your greatness and live life on purpose. Let's be fit, fierce and unstoppable.
(00:36): Hey there, gang. Welcome to find your fears happy new year. So glad you are here with me and to together kicking off 2022, we are continuing the warrior series this week and with it being a fresh start and that we have a clean slate. I know last week we talked about stepping into confidence and then actually walking that out that you are designed with a purpose. And I just love the fact that life is full of hope, full of opportunity, full of choices. And with this series, we are diving into the fact that we can do and face hard things. We can learn to fight and battle in a completely brand new way that we not only can reach our potential, but to go beyond it just breaking through. And we're gonna talk about how we can step bold with confidence into what God is calling us to do and who he is calling us to become.
(01:26): And I can't wait. It's gonna be so, so good. But before we go any further today, I have to say that I love that you are here listening in and spending time with us. So honored that I get to be a part of your day, that you guys are just so amazing. And I have to thank you for all your love and support, and I appreciate or feedback your reviews and love that you share this podcast and the set free message with your friends and family. So if you could keep on doing that, that would just be awesome. And so thank you for helping be a part of this movement as it helps reach more women and it impacts more lives. And that is certainly what life is all about. So thank you so much. And for those of you who are wanting a bit more, a little bit more personal attention and coaching, more accountability, more breakthrough and connection, and to dive into things on a deeper level, all the stuff that we talk about here on fine, your fears plus so much more that Jeffree sisterhood is opening up another small group mentorship here in a few weeks and it's truly game changing.
(02:20): So be sure to check it out on my website, Jill Allen, coaching dot, you can get started with us there. It's gonna be pretty exciting. Okay. So it's time to dive in. I love a good story, whether it's a good book, it's a whether it's a movie, especially stories that are based on real life. I tend to go to the inspiration tab or based on a true link on Netflix. I just love hearing all about other people's journeys, walks of life, their stories, experiences, and what's going on in just other people's lives. And it's just good stuff. And here's the thing, the ultimate writer, the ultimate story writer of all time, God, I mean, God gives us a story to tell a story of how he saved our life, how he turned it all around, how he flipped the script and how he makes things possible when they seem impossible.
(03:13): Okay. And he's writing a story with your life and my life and it's all every single day, day by day. And so I got to thinking about what things make for a great story. Well, it's never the comfortable, it's never the easy stuff. It's never the guaranteed stuff. I mean, even the warm and fuzzy hallmark movies, which are my all time FA they have all that stuff, right? They have, has to be a little back and forth, you know, it's the ups and downs, the twists and turns the suspense and the climax that actually make for a really good story and think about this our very own God is the best of the best. He's the greatest writer of all. Imagine for a moment, what he's writing for you, he loves a good story, probably because he's the only one that already knows that victory is ahead that the end has already been determined and he has promised what he has promised is gonna be worth it.
(04:08): And he is up there watching over us, the all knowing, cheering us on comforting us when we need comforted, listening to all our prayers and he's mapping out his master game plan. And okay, so for those of you who know me, you know, I love to hike, give me a trail. And I'm there. I think back to when we were in Sedona with my family and I read about the slim shady hike. And to be honest, I just loved the name. And it said it was a moderate six to seven mile hike. It was an add-on segment off the touristy trails. Okay. A little bit more secluded, but it was the perfect length with the five kids since we all wanted to get back and enjoy some pool time in the afternoon. So it was gonna be a perfect morning hike. Now, what we didn't know at that time, when we set off with our backpacks in the morning that was filled with water, that the six mile hike would turn into just a short 12 mile jot putting us into the blazing 115 degree, Arizona heat in the middle of July, that we would all be out of water at mile six, that we would cross paths with three Bobcats Trek up steep terrain steeper than what I read about in the reviews that slim shady really meant no shade.
(05:25): It wasn't just a co name that we might have picked a different path that day. But let me tell you, it was one of the best hikes we've ever been on. And I know that we still talk about it. You know, when we talk about our, our hiking stories, the views, the mountains, the rocks of mean it was just absolutely gorgeous that extra five miles took us along the only water source out there. And it gave us a spot to cool off and, and take a dip. It was just so surreal. And the story we have to tell the story of the family hike is just a good story. Or I got me thinking about what about the time we rescued a German shepherd that we thought was about eight or nine years old who turned out to be just five years old and pregnant?
(06:11): Would we have rescued her? If we knew the chances of that would be pretty slim, but here's the point in all of that? Here's the point in that story is that sometimes all the information will only keep us from experiencing the greatest things in life. We get so wrapped up in gathering all the details, doing the research, making our lists and, and planning the next steps the, for the next 10 years. And we miss the experience. God is offering us right now. You know why God doesn't tell us everything in advance because he knows we wouldn't buy into the journey. If we knew everything right from the start, we probably would not have done a 12 mile hike under prepared that day. I might have to be honest with you, but I would not have taken my kids on it. Or we wouldn't have rescued Gracie and be blessed with one of her PS, let me ask you what experience has God had available for you, but you've been gathering all this information instead of diving into where he's leading you, where you think you need to see the end before you even start.
(07:17): If we really knew how painful childbirth was going to be, we probably would not have been so excited about being pregnant. And even then I must have forgot how painful it was because I was blessed with five kids. And if I knew what life with five hormonal teenagers would be like, I would never have taught them to speak, but I didn't know. And I wasn't supposed to. Here's the thing. You don't know how God is going to lead you where he plans to take you. And you're not supposed to. If he gave us full disclosure from the get go, odds are we wouldn't show up. God is the one working on the details of our life. We don't get to see the full picture we're supposed to know only he does. We are the ones working on that limited information. We have to trust that God has a better plan for us, that he's in charge of the proverbial pen to have faith, to be okay, that he is the one holding all the information, all the details and the master plan.
(08:12): Now out there hiking the red rock with my family. He's been one of the best experiences in my life. And I know that we're gonna all remember it forever, but if we would've known all the details in advance, we would've missed the opportunity. Imagine if the all trails app that I use you guys, it's, it's pretty amazing. So, but imagine if the all trails app offered the truth, come hike 5,000 feet in elevation on the red rock terrain, right in the blistering scorching, 110 degree weather in the middle of July, get ready for the adventure with Bobcats and snakes and trails that are not clearly marked not to mention that it's so much fun with five kids and a husband who just like to hang out at the pool. I might not have dragged the kids on that specific trail. And we would've totally missed out on this experience.
(09:00): And if we knew all the details about where God is taking us and the journey required to get there, we wouldn't hop on that trail either. So guess what? He's not going to give us the details. He's going to ask us to trust him and go anyway, will you trust where God is leading you? Will you trust what he is doing? Will you show up every single morning and lock arms with God in the adventure and follow his lead? Will you give up the continual need to gather all the information and plan the details before you're willing to take the first step. If you're waiting for the details, going to wait your entire life, because God knows you wouldn't move forward. If you knew everything in advance, do you remember that story? I have. I'm gonna have to look it up exactly where it is in scripture.
(09:45): But that story, when Jesus walks up to the three fishermen standing on the shore, right? And he says to them, come follow me. There was no detailed plan. There, there was nothing about where they're gonna travel. What they're gonna do. There was nothing revealed. There was no itinerary, not no agenda. There wasn't even an explanation. It was just an invitation to follow Jesus. And their whole world changed with their first step. Guys. My world changed when I said yes to the end invite. And so will yours. Jesus is asking us to come today to follow him, but giving you heads up guys with that, yes, we don't get to know the details in advance. It's not a special pass. It's not a free pass. And if we did get those details, you're gonna have to agree. Life would probably be pretty boring. We would all pretty much stay the same.
(10:40): Never moving forward, never growing. He has a trail of a lifetime for you. He has a slim shady in Sedona for each of us. Won't we just go. And I think back to Gracie, our pregnant self, our family got to experience a puppy. And I have to say, we learned so much. Seven families have a new fur baby. And all the money from the PS is being gifted to a mission trip in Alaska, where 30 people are joining us and serving the needs of others impacting his kingdom. And you know what? All these things make a better story, which by the way, if you wanna join our Alaskan mission team in June, please reach out because that story is gonna keep getting better and better for sure with you and your family with us. So, you know, definitely reach out. I have to add that in there, but God is writing a better story for you.
(11:30): It may include a few crazy moments without water and dry heat and more puppies running around along the way, whatever your worry is, your trouble is whatever the struggle or hardship it is temporary. This will not last forever, but these are the things of great stories. He is writing a better story for you. And what he has for you is better, better than you can even imagine. And I know we talk about this all the time, but your story was created a really long time ago, way before you were created, he started thinking and of you and I before the get go. And it sometimes hard for me to grasp that concept. But in Psalms 1 39 16, it says you saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.
(12:22): Guys' story is epic. It's a best seller. He is writing for you. And I don't want us to miss any life experience because we're trying to gather all the information before we move forward with him. We're not so opposed to know how this is all gonna work out. We are just supposed to show up every day for the unfolding hop on the hiking trail he has for us. Get ready for the adventure for the story of your life. Get fired up. Here are a few questions to reflect on this week. Will you let go of the pen and the need to write your own story? Will you let him guide you? And you just take the next step. Will you show up to the adventure he wants to take you on? Will you surrender the final outcome, the final destination and the final result and release it all to him.
(13:06): And will you go and follow? I absolutely love it. If you're wanting more fire in your day, follow me on Instagram or join us for the just breathe small group. It's a 12 month faith filled mindset and accountability experience, or even our next retreat or the mission trip we've been all over. There's just, we're doing such amazing things. We want you to join us. You can check all of that out at Joe Allen, coaching.com for the updates or join, or just breathe Facebook group. We would love to have you join us there too. Heads up on the next episode, we are continuing the warrior series to start the new year. So be sure to pop back next week. Thanks so much for joining us today. And I pray that we filled your heart with joy. If you could let us know before hopping off here today, that would be incredible. Subscribe, share this episode, link on your social media, if you felt encouraged or inspired. And we all know someone that can benefit, and I would love it. If you would give some feedback and a review as well, talk with you next time. Be fit, be fierce, be unstoppable. See ya.
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