• Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Bonnie J. Wallace

Reaching the World, One Woman at a Time

  • Home
  • About
    • Endorsements
  • Blog
  • Devotions
  • Bible Study
  • Speaking
  • Coaching
  • Resources
  • Contact

It’s Time For A Spiritual Makeover ~ Jo Ann Fore

By Bonnie 2 Comments

LLYK is committed to Breast Cancer Awareness for the month of October.  For the month of October, my gracious friends are Guest Posting.

Spiritual Makeover ~ By Jo Ann Fore

I’m a book-freak—not a big television fan. But I love DIY shows {those brave do-it-yourselfers simply captivate me} and HGTV has a series called The Property Brothers that is one of my favorites.

Brothers Jonathan and Drew Scott come together to help folks find extreme fixer-uppers they can afford, and then transform them into the client’s ultimate dream home. Their fallback when clients arrive on the run-down property for the first time and are in absolute shock at it’s condition? You just have to be willing to look past the ugly.

Oh, the work some of these places need! It seems such a radical risk when you consider their current troubles. But after some well-thought-through decisions, and intentionally focused work, the outcome is always unbelievably positive.

If only I could consistently do that, look past what threatens to block me, look forward somehow to the positive outcome.

Remember the sparring twins Jacob and Esau from Old Testament times? Much like Jacob, I too have endured what seem to be never-ending struggles, running from family history and wrestling with God. Over the years, I’ve fought through countless “this-is-not-fair” moments.

But Jacob modeled for me how to go deeper into this pain, how to consider a different perspective. I don’t know if you remember this part in the story, but Jacob wrestled all through the night with God, his hip wrenching right out of socket. Yet, with hip twisted and trapped, numb and unable to move, Jacob still pursued God’s blessing.

I won’t let go until you bless me.

Won’t let go without the blessing. Somehow, smack in the middle of this unknown, this is where we have to land. This place of willingness to confront our pain, and consider life the other side of it. This place of God’s blessing—an understanding and belief that God is good, and somehow he can take all this ugly and make it into something beautiful as only He can do.

But do we believe God is good? Do we believe he is in control?

Well, do we?

If God is good and is sovereign, why does he sometimes allow such horrific pain, right? I’ve wrestled this one to the ground, trust me. And I’ve come to a couple conclusions that help me sleep better at night.

God is sovereign and he does have a plan. I must trust in this.
God will use the pain {the ugly of our life}—if we surrender it to him.
When life’s not working out as we had planned, it’s so easy to blame and accuse, making excuses. But if we’re willing to fight through the pain and uncover a use for it, that fresh sense of hope somehow helps the original hurt. I promise. I’m living proof.

The work it takes, it probably feels a much bigger risk than any fixer-upper you may have ever wanted to take on, I’ll give you that. But a good remodel is always worth the effort. And without the risk how will we ever experience the reward?

What are you currently facing that seems too big to take on alone? Tell us in the comments section below and allow us to pray for you?

Jo Ann Fore is a popular blogger, certified life coach, and the author of When A Woman Finds Her Voice: Overcoming Life’s Hurts & Using Your Story to Make a Difference. She loves peppermint herbal tea, a great salad, and fistfuls of chocolate. Jo Ann lives in Tennessee with her comedy-magician husband Matt, and she talks incessantly about her grandchildren to anyone who will listen. Connect with Jo Ann online at www.JoAnnFore.com.

Jo Ann Fore
The HOPE Coach
Fresh Hope for Life’s Hard Places

Author of When A Woman Finds Her Voice
Website: Write Where it Hurts
Let’s connect on Facebook and Twitter

joannfore_com

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Pinterest

Comments

  1. Miranda Jones says:
    October 16, 2013 at 3:00 pm

    Like you, I too believe God uses our pain. Earthy things occur that are often out of our control, but God makes purpose in even the bad. Love this post! And thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Bonnie Wallace says:
      October 16, 2013 at 9:36 pm

      Miranda,
      I can say I have been blessed in every circumstance – never alone, never forgotten and never unloved. Bonnie

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Watch for Bonnie's
Give Me This Day Bible Study Ebook

Available January 2017!

default image

"Bonnie Wallace is an encourager of the hearts of women. If you need hope, grace or just a moment to take a deep breath then you're in the right place."


Holley Gerth
Wall Street Journal best selling author, You're Already Amazing
co-founder of (in)courage
April 19, 2016

default image

"Bonnie's words, whether spoken or written, come alongside the woman who needs to know or be reminded that the living God lives in her. Not only is He living in her, He yearns to take her, daily, to a fresh and deep place with Him. Bonnie is that gentle reminder we all need."


Lynn Cowell
Proverbs 31 Ministries Speaker
Author, Revolutionary Love and Magnetic: Becoming the Girl He Wants
April 19, 2016

default image

"Bonnie speaks a personal narrative of finding assurance of the Father’s presence and purpose in the midst of spiritual, emotional, and physical battles that many women face today. She has truly set her heart on pilgrimage, (Ps. 84:5) compelling women to join her in the journey toward knowing Christ intimately. Through her application of scripture and poetic prose, Bonnie refreshes thirsty souls."


Marsha Gaulden
Women’s Ministry Leader / Steele Creek Church of Charlotte April 19, 2016

default image

"My most memorable moment from Bonnie's Assured! Study was that our opportunity to share Christ and show love is as close as the woman in front of us. Bonnie spoke so eloquently about how we run into people everyday and how a kind word or smile makes an impact for God. Bonnie has cards made up just in case she runs across a woman who needs to know that she is loved and that God cares about what she is going through. Bonnie reminded us that in this world of overwhelming need, the answer to where do I start, how do I help, how do I show grace and mercy, etc, begins with a little notice. Don't be so busy that we don't recognize those that God brings across our paths every day - they may be the very people that God wants us to touch. Participating in the Bible study refreshed me in that area. What a blessing! So now I just try to be a blessing to whoever God brings my way."


Tammy Johnson
Conference Attendee April 19, 2016

default image

"Bonnie J. Wallace is an outstanding inspirational speaker, a true friend to all women, a woman with a heart for God and a burning desire to see all the ladies she meets become connected to the body of Christ, to know His love for them no matter what they're going through now or what they've suffered in the past..."


Karen Pettis
Women's Ministry Leader / Steele Creek Church of Charlotte April 19, 2016

default image

"Bonnie’s heart for selflessly helping women embrace God’s love for them and His purpose for their lives is evident in everything she does. Her love for the Lord and His Word is genuine and contagious, and her smile exudes joy and optimism to everyone around her. Bonnie’s faith has been an inspiration to me and many others!"


Tracie Miles
Proverbs 31 Ministries Speaker
Author, Your Life Still Counts
April 19, 2016

default image

"Bonnie is a woman who reflects God in all she does. She can take anything from a project to a short conversation and turn it into an opportunity to bless others with her authentic style and grace."


Lisa J. Allen
Proverbs 31 Ministries
Executive Director of Ministry Training
April 27, 2016

default image

"The courage in Bonnie Wallace is undeniable, the strength in her enviable. And the pureness of joy that flows out of her sincere desire for Heaven, that alone draws you to want more time with her. Bonnie ministers to a hurting heart without trying, with a comfort that can only come from one who has gone before."


Jo Ann Fore
Author, When A Woman Finds Her Voice April 27, 2016

Receive your FREE E-Book Devotional Assured! 14 Days of God's Presence and Purpose When You Subscribe to Receive Updates.

Download these free printables and other freebies -here-.

My Heart is for YOU!

Beautiful Sparrow,
My commitment to the Lord is to help women embrace their strength in numbers. I believe together, we are more and every connection, online or in person, is a Divine Appointment set by God for this purpose. My friend, you have been reserved, in advance, for this exact time and exact place for maximum impact - individually and together. Let's encourage one another by locking arms and going to the house of the Lord ...together! -EMAIL BONNIE-

Let’s Reach the World, One Woman at a Time

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Subscribe to Bonnie's devotions and receive her
"Assured! 14 Days of God's Presence and Purpose"
ebook devotional FREE!

  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Devotions
  • Speaking
  • Coaching
  • Contact

Copyright © 2018 · Swank Theme On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in