Hey there! Have you found yourself in a season unlike any other? Maybe it’s a season of pressure, sacrifice, etc. Either way, it can cause you to want to give up or ask God if you did something to deter you from the promise or favor of God. BUT it’s in those seasons that God’s word manifests itself and helps you to understand why God has strategically allowed those circumstances to arise in your life. Can I share something with you?
2022 was one of the worst years of my life…I had to put my dog down, thought I would lose my grandfather, and I was stressed out from trying to complete my degree. I remember how I started falling behind at work. I wasn’t getting an adequate amount of sleep and my diet went down the drain. I gained about 15 pounds.
The pressures of life started to consume me. I went into a really dark place. I told God a couple of times that I was done trying….I just wanted to check out of life.
And then God spoke into my spirit last year that 2023 was going to be the year of release. That gave me hope when I wanted to give up.
But here’s the crazy thing…I had some major accomplishments in 2022: I graduated from college with my master’s in communications, launched my podcast, made a year living in a new city, and I made a year working in digital marketing. I also received a dream job offer to become a reporter for my hometown county’s newspaper. Can I get a, “But God!”
It’s easy to allow the dark moments to overshadow the beautiful moments of life, but the pressure was needed to push me into the spaces that God was calling me to. I have taken this concept with me into 2023; fully betting on myself in a way like never before. I made a promise to myself this year to be bolder and take advantage of the opportunities set before me.
I share my story because I hope it can encourage you to see a light at the end of the tunnel in the midst of darkness.
What has 2023 been like for you? Did you set any goals and aspirations? It’s never too late.
Do me a favor…write down your vision for this year. If you are anything like me, you have been tired of playing small and sitting on the sidelines of your life. So go after it today! It’s time to prioritize YOU. Do whatever it takes to find your lane and your voice this year.
I believe in you. 🙏🏽❤️
-Shayla
Check out the video below of my journey to becoming a reporter.
