This is a heavy question … have ever lost a family member or friend to suicide?
I have.
There’s really no words to express the depth of heartache that goes with this type of grief.
My friend Susan Mead knows this pain all to well. She lost her sister to suicide. While that could have easily paralyzed her life, Susan found God’s grace in the middle of her devastation. She wrote about this in her incredible book Dance with Jesus, From Grief to Grace.
No matter where we are in life, grief hits us from every direction. Whether it’s a bad report from the doctor, a broken relationship, a job loss, a sick child or simply being disappointed in ourselves. Grief can present itself in our everyday lives.
You might question is it really possible to experience the joy of moving from broken to blessed or from grief to grace? Find out the truth through Susan’s powerful words in her beautifully written book Dance with Jesus, From Grief to Grace!
Be sure to click here and check out Susan’s blog today! She is giving away a signed copy of my book, Worthy of a Miracle.
Chapter 15, Speak Truth is one of my very favorite chapters in my book because of the VERYBIGMIRACLE that happened in my life through the act of speaking truth in my life. I cannot wait for you to read about this miracle in my book!
(Excerpt Worthy of a Miracle pg. 195-196) “Going through cancer and the coma, I learned the power of my thoughts and words. When I woke up in the hospital and could not speak, my thoughts quickly turned from defeat to determination. Backed by the power of the prayers of my family and friends, I insisted that I was going to breathe on my own, get out of the bed, and walk again. I believed that God had not brought me this far to quit. No one was going to stop me. My thoughts became my words, which became my reality.
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Rom. 12:2)
This was the Scripture I clung to while undergoing chemotherapy. Little did I know how it would impact the rest of my healing. Words are powerful. All of creation came to be simply through the power of God’s word. “And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light” (Gen. 1:3). God’s word spoke creation into existence.
Our words are like the air we breathe. Our words give us life. It’s time to believe in the power of our words and the positive impact they can have on us. Speaking the truth out loud has changed my life, my faith, and my relationships with my family and friends. It has helped me let go of all the times in my childhood when I had no voice and learned to think my only real value was in how I looked or how I performed. Now I know that when I speak, Jesus is listening, even if no one else hears. I know this because of my personal relationship with him. Today, I know that when we speak God’s word, we have supernatural power and authority through Christ. And when we speak God’s words to ourselves, we do a better job of encouraging and uplifting with positive self-talk as we face life’s challenges.”
Today I want to encourage you to examine the words you are speaking to others and to yourself. Let me know in the comments below if you’ve had any experience with speaking God’s word out loud and what it has done for you.
Several years ago I woke up in the middle of the night and this acronym popped in my mind. JESUS: Just Live Today, Expect Miracles, Speak Truth, Use Your Gifts, Start Now! I put it in my cell phone and it stayed there for about a year before I ever did anything with it. Today I’m thrilled to say this acronym is in Part 2 of my book Worthy of a Miracle.
This week let’s talk about E … Expect Miracles.
If we are really honest with ourselves, we have all wrestled with the question, “Is God real?” On page 185 I wrote …
“Most of my life, I only knew how to do religion. I never understoodhow to be a believer in Christ and how to have a relationshipwith him. I often wondered why I didn’t know the Jesus of the Biblelike the amazing Christian speakers I so admired, or the friends Iinteracted with daily.
Why did they seem to “get it” and I didn’t?
I accepted Christ as a teenager, but somehow my belief nevertraveled from my head to my heart. I tried everything, from teachingchildren’s Sunday school and volunteering at church to leadinghome Bible studies and following annual Bible reading plans. Thiswas the “good church lady” way to live . . . to gain God’s favor andearn angel wings. I thought that if I followed the rules perfectly,one day I would know Jesus and believe I was worthy to be God’sdaughter.”
Have you ever got caught up in the performance or the “doing” to find God? We go to church, listen to sermons, do the bible studies, listen to Christian music but all along there’s still a disconnect from the head to the heart.
It wasn’t until I got to the end of my rope and got over myself, that I stopped performing to find God in my own strength and that is when a miracle happened! Page 186 I wrote …
“This is what I hold true now: God will not force himself on us. Hewaits patiently (giving us freewill) for us to turn to him. That’swhat he did for me. When I finally got desperate enough, I foundhim and fell in love with Jesus when he unveiled the truth in myheart. I am worthy. I am valued. I am his daughter. I am adored. I am perfect in his sight just the way I am.
It is a miracle I never expected.
Out of brokenness, God restores our messes, our mistakes,our lives.”
Today I want you to take a moment and be completely honest with yourself. You don’t have to share here if you’re not comfortable. Have you wrestled with your relationship with God? Have you struggled to find him through doing? Have the words of the page of the bible been flat to you and not really come alive in your life? I want you to pray today, I want you to Expect a Miracle! Just like the miracle I had in my life, God WILL reveal himself to you.
What miracle would you never ever expect to happen in your life? That is what I encourage you to pray for today.
I feel like I want to quit so bad this week! Do you ever feel this way?
After running my longest run of the season I’ve been struggling with my mindset. It is totally crazy because I actually did very well on my 8 mile run.
For some reason I’m wrestling with a negative mindset and keep questioning myself … Can I really do this? Am I really strong enough?
And then I go to a long list of “what ifs” …. What if I get an injury? What if I don’t finish the half marathon?
Have you ever done this? Worrying about the future and not living in the present moment?
Earlier this week I shared with you about Chapter 13 in my book Just Live Today. Honestly some days I can live in the moment and embrace what’s right here in front of me and then there are other days, like today, when I struggle feeling overwhelmed, stressed out and insecure about all kinds of things worrying about the future.
As much as I would like to tell you I’ve got it all figured out and I Just Live Today perfectly that simply is not true. Life is a balancing act. When you think about balancing, it does not mean that you are perfectly steady but that you are still slightly juggling things to keep the balance. I like to tell my clients, “Life is about progress, not perfection”.
Leave me a comment and let me know if you are struggling to Just Live Today and live in the moment? If not tell me what you are doing to stay live in the present.
Worthy of a Miracle is a two-part book. Part One is about my personal story of God’s physical and spiritual healing in my life. Part Two is more of a guidebook and inspirational practice to deepen our awareness of worthiness and our relationship with Jesus.
Several years ago I woke up in the middle of the night and this acronym popped in my mind. JESUS:Just Live Today, Expect Miracles, Speak Truth, Use Your Gifts, Start Now! I put it in my cell phone and it stayed there for about a year before I ever did anything with it. Then one day when I was really struggling I pulled the acronym out and started journaling about how it applied to my relationship with God. Little did I know that years later this acronym would be in a book! Over the next few weeks I will share more here with you about each letter in the acronym.
This week we are going to focus on the J … Just Live Today. Below is an excerpt out of Worthy of a Miracle, Chapter 13.
“When I was diagnosed with cancer and was afraid I was going to die, I wanted my time back. I wanted to undo the days I’d let slip through my hands . . . the slow and sweet moments with my husband, and the simple and silly moments with my daughter. I would sit on my front porch swing with the sinking feeling (the new reality!) that I only had that very hour, that very day. I could not go backward, and I was not guaranteed a future. I just had “today”.
Looking back, I am finally aware of what a tremendous gift it was to recognize that all I had was that single moment.” (pg. 177)
Focusing on today is one of the key points in Part Two of my book. We all struggle in this fast pace world with actually living in the present moment. I personally get so overwhelmed with my “To Do List” and I constantly stay a day ahead or at least a few hours ahead in my mind.
So how do we actually live in the present moment?
Here are my top 5 Just Live Today habits that help me live in the present moment. (Excerpt from Worthy of a Miracle pg. 179)
For the month of October I am giving away this beautiful custom-made Worthy of a Miracle necklace. Everyone who shares this blog and any #WorthyofaMiracle #JustLiveToday content on social media will be entered to WIN!!!!! Leave me a comment and let me know what #JustLiveToday habit you will begin to practice. If you would like to purchase a Worthy of a Miracle necklace for you or a friend click here!
The WINNER of The Mended Heart by Suzanne Eller is Melissa Chambers who commented on
I’m inviting you to pray this today: “Search the inner depths of my heart and expose anything that is not of You so I can be set free of it.”Excerpt from Stormie Omartian’s book The Power of Prayer to Change Your Marriage.
What do you need to be set free from?
In my quiet time I was reading Psalm 5:11-12 and part of it reads “Let those who love Your name be joyful and exult in You.” All of a sudden my eyes were opened to a “bad” habit I have. I have a habit of not being joyful, instead I have a habit of anxious thoughts and worrying.
I’ve decided I want to create a new habit of gratitude, thankful and joy filled thoughts to replace my bad habit of anxious and worried thoughts.
Let me know what “bad” habit you have and what new habit you can replace it with?
*I will be announcing giveaway WINNER next Tuesday, be sure to leave a comment to be entered to win The Mended Heart by Suzanne Eller.
~Praise for Worthy of a Miracle~
Linda Kuhar extends an invitation to find an extraordinary God at work in the middle of our ordinary lives. She offers faith, encouragement and, most of all, hope. Whether you’re going through a difficult time or are simply looking for inspiration and a new perspective, Worthy of a Miracle will meet you where you are and help you see what could be. – Holley Gerth, Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author of You’re Already Amazing
I knew Linda’s story would be inspiring, but had no idea how much her book would touch my heart as a woman, a wife, a parent and a believer. Seeing how God orchestrated small and life changing miracles in her life literally moved me to tears as I witnessed the tangible proof of the power of God at work. Her story is a beautiful reminder of God’s sovereignty, packed with scriptural promises and practical steps for growing our relationship with God, while reminding us all that we are worthy of His miracles too. – Tracie Miles, Christian Speaker & Writer, and Author of two best-selling books, Your Life Still Counts: How God Turns Your Past Into A Beautiful Future and Stressed-Less Living: Finding God’s Peace In Your Chaotic World.
Preorder your copy of Worthy of a Miracle here! Read what other’s say about this book here.
Linda Kuhar is a Certified Christian Life Coach, Board Certified Life Coach, Certified Human Behavior Consultant, Author, Speaker and Mentor. Click here to learn more about coaching with Linda & frequently asked questions.
Click here to subscribe to my blog for future inspiration and exciting giveaways.
I remember it all too well. Six years ago is when this miracle journey began.
I am so AMAZED & GRATEFUL that I have you, this blog community, to love, encourage and inspire one another. When I was diagnosed with cancer I prayed to have more time on earth to share the love of Christ with others and that is what I get to do here!
Today I want us to share our gratitude to God for all the miracles in our life in this very moment!
I am grateful that I get to make this video and talk with you, that I’m training for a half marathon, for my health, that I can breathe on my own without assistance from a machine and most of all the Gift of Life!
Everyone who comments will be entered to Win a copy of The Mended Heart by Suzanne Eller. Lets praise God and share what we are grateful for today!
~Praise for Worthy of a Miracle~
Linda’s story is an amazing example of God’s mighty power and faithfulness. If you’re believing God for something that seems impossible, let this book empower you to believe you are worthy and He is with you! – Lysa TerKeurst, New York Times bestselling author and president of Proverbs 31 Ministries
My friend Linda is what I call “Gospel-strong”! In the pages of Worthy of a Miracle, you will see how in Linda’s weakness, Jesus made her “Gospel-strong”! You will not regret buying this book; you’ll like it so much, you’ll buy five more for your family and friends. – Derwin L. Gray, Lead Pastor Transformation Church, Author of Crazy Grace for Crazy Times Bible Study (Lifeway)
Preorder your copy of Worthy of a Miracle here! Read what other’s say about this book here.
Linda Kuhar is a Certified Christian Life Coach, Board Certified Life Coach, Certified Human Behavior Consultant, Author, Speaker and Mentor. Click here to learn more about coaching with Linda & frequently asked questions.
What are clients saying about their personal coaching experience with Linda? Read here.
Click here to subscribe to my blog for future inspiration and exciting giveaways.
Have you ever prayed, “God, I’m handing this sin over to you … I repent.”
You might even journal about it promising to God and yourself that you are done with a particular sin. But within 5 minutes you find yourself turning right back to that very same sin!
That’s exactly what happened to me this morning. Immediately I told God I’m never going to change. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
Through his word he reminded me to pick myself back up and continue moving forward and hand it over to him once again. There’s no need to beat myself up.
Have you ever experienced this before? I want to encourage you to pick yourself back up again. Sometimes we have to multiple times a day. Share in the comments below your experience with this.
{Thank you to all those who are praying for me and who have joined my prayer team for Worthy of a Miracle to be released this November. I am blessed by you. XOXO}
Linda Kuhar is a Certified Christian Life Coach, Board Certified Life Coach, Certified Human Behavior Consultant, Author, Speaker and Mentor. Click here to learn more about coaching with Linda & frequently asked questions about the experience.
What clients are saying about their personal coaching experience with Linda? Read here.
Click here to subscribe to my blog for future inspiration and exciting giveaways!
Back and forth, back and forth as I rubbed my sweaty palms together.
Breathe. You just need to remember to breathe Linda.
It was almost time for me to enter the classroom for the very first time and I thought I was going to have a panic attack.
This is totally crazy! Why in the world am I freaking out? I speak in front of people all the time. Why is this any different?
Honestly, I was puzzled by how I was physically reacting. I could literally hear my heart beating and I even felt light-headed.
I signed up over a month ago to take a class on public speaking and I was actually very excited about it. It was going to be fun and I was going to learn some new tips for engaging with my audience.
My talks were going to be recorded over the next two days and three exceptional speaking coaches would give me valuable feedback.
And therein lies the problem. FEEDBACK!
Anticipating feedback is what got me all bent out of shape. It sent me into the crazy land of what will “they” think about me. I could not believe it, but that sneaky little insecurity bug had bit me once again.
Insecurity is my nemesis. I would give anything to never deal with it again but for some reason it’s one of those things I’ve battled with my entire life.
And what’s even worse is that I just wrote a blog post about this very same thing a few weeks ago.
I wish I could tell you that I took my own advice from that blog and envisioned everyone’s opinions bouncing right off of me as I immersed myself in the holy truth, that I am a talented and gifted daughter of the Most High King. But that would be a BIG FAT LIE!
Nope for the 2 days I was in class I was sweating bullets. I was pretty much a ball of nervous energy. Yep! Little miss Christian Life Coach here really needed to take some of my own advice.
Driving home Friday evening after my last class I was exhausted. I wanted nothing more than to go straight to bed and pull the covers over my head. All my insecurities had just about sucked the life out of me. Seriously! I am not kidding.
I was disappointed that I had struggled so much over the course of a 48 hour period. While I was in class, I really didn’t felt comfortable in my own skin and I sure as heck never landed in my sweet spot while I was speaking. I just felt like a mess.
It’s five days later as I’m writing this blog post and boy oh boy have I gained a new perspective on this whole experience! If you would have asked me last week what my take away was from stepping outside my comfort zone I might have told you, don’t do it! EVER! I’m sure of it.
But today I can say with 100% confidence that I am so stinkin proud of myself for pushing through my fears and leaning into discomfort.
After this experience of stretching myself and stepping waaaay outside my comfort zone, I have a much greater awareness of myself. I learned when you are confident, it radiates through your every word, mannerisms and how you carry yourself. And when I stay connected to my one true source (God) I am the most authentic true self I can possibly be.
Let me tell you, focusing on our imperfections is down right exhausting! And I believe that’s another reason why this class was so hard for me.
But looking back I can now see that when we choose to focus on our strengths, boldness and security we blossom into exactly who God created us to be! With confidence I can say that is where God has me today as I write this post.
I’m challenging you dear reader to examine where you are in life and where you want to be? Are you willing to step outside your comfort zone? What will be the cost of not stretching yourself?
Journal with God: Write in your journal asking God to show you His holy truth about who you are in His eyes. After journaling, read over what He spoke. Spend some time receiving these truths allowing them to soak deep in your heart.
Linda Kuhar is a Certified Christian Life Coach, Board Certified Life Coach, Certified Human Behavior Consultant, Author, Speaker and Mentor. Click here to learn more about coaching with Linda & frequently asked questions about the experience.
What clients have to say about their personal coaching experience with Linda? Read here.
Click here to subscribe to my blog for future inspiration and exciting giveaways.
A few years ago in my quiet time I felt the Lord speaking to me and said I needed to do a 40 day juice fast. I had never fasted before in my life. I told God there was no way I could do it. It was too much. No food, just juice? This sounded crazy!
At the time He was speaking to my heart about writing a book and in preparation for this book I needed to honor what He was asking of me. Luke 16:10 came to mind “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much. Whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.”
Today I’m thrilled to share with you that I did write the book. I believe because of walking in obedience and being faithful with the small things (such as food) God taught me how to follow through so that I could complete such a large assignment … writing a book.
What is God asking you to give to Him? What little thing is He asking you to trust Him with? Leave a comment. I would love to pray for you.
Journal with God: Write Luke 16:10 in your journal and share with God what little thing you will trust Him with today.
Click here to subscribe to my blog for future inspiration and exciting give aways!
Linda Kuhar is a Certified Christian Life Coach, Board Certified Life Coach, Certified Human Behavior Consultant, Author, Speaker and Mentor. Click here to learn more about coaching with Linda & frequently asked questions about the experience.
What clients have to say about their personal coaching experience? Readhere.
