Somewhere In Between...LITERALLY!

GROWTH.....When I think of growth my mind immediately takes me back to my junior year in college, the time when I was taking Dr. Rosenthal's Behavioral Psychology class at Nicholls State University. Behavioral psychology involves examining behavioral styles and providing therapy to correct any negative or destructive behaviors. Out of everything that I learned in Dr. Rosenthal's Behavioral Psychology class, the topic that stood out to me the most was the growth mindset. The growth mindset is a psychological process that was coined by Carol Dweck, Ph.D., over thirty years ago. The growth mindset basically insinuates that individuals who believe their talents can be developed (through hard work, good strategies, and input from others) have a growth mindset. They tend to achieve more than those with a more fixed mindset (those who believe their talents are innate gifts). This is because they worry less about looking smart and put more energy into learning and correcting behavior. In today's society, the pressure to be your best self is at an all time high. We all feel like time is running out, which it is.

As important as constant growth is, I believe that during growth, we can sometimes overlook an important aspect of the whole process. What part is this you ask? THE IN BETWEEN.

Live in the in between. YOU HAVE TO!!! I didn’t name this blog “Somewhere In Between” for no reason. Continue to trust God in the unknown. DO NOT WAIVER IN YOUR FAITH. Make your faith your metal post, make it your foundation. If you don't live during your in between, you'll get lost there and I wish that on no one, hence the reason why I am writing this right now. You may be wondering what your next step is in life, where you'll be in five years, if this is all your life will ever consist of. I’m here to tell you that your next step is something great. 1Corinthians 2:9 says But as it is written:

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

So....keep your eye on the prize!! In five years, if you allow God to lead you, and you stay invested in him, you will be just where you want to be. Psalm 37:4 says “Take desire in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Finally, to answer the last question...NO!!! WHAT YOU’RE GOING THROUGH NOW ISN’T A REPRESENTATION OF HOW THE REST OF YOUR LIFE WILL BE. THE REST OF YOUR LIFE IS UP TO YOU, MAKE IT SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL!!

Any story is a thousand times more beautiful to me when you take the remains of something broken, lost, and confused and turn it around into something be proud of, that’s a true testimony! Give God all the glory that he deserves for your outcome.

"I don't know" is a response that we are all so familiar with. Where does that leave us? Somewhere in between...LITERALLY! Take heed to what you do during this moment, you have to be patient and optimistic. Closed minded thoughts are the worst if you are at a place where you’re “going through” the process. Any negative, narcissistic, limiting thoughts must be tossed away. That’s nothing but the enemy trying to stop you from coming out on top. The enemy wants you to stay in the in between because he knows that’s where you’re the most vulnerable. Fight a good fight and don’t stop fighting. Growing up, my mom would always tell me how important it was to fight the enemy with the word. He hates it and that is your power. She always refers me to Psalm 139:13-14 “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”

Although uncomfortable, the in between is probably more important than actually getting to the point that God has called you to be. For it is in the in between that we learn the most, absorbing everything like sponges. This time is so critical because it is the time where you "stay down until you come up." It is in the in between that we gain strength. This is where we learn to be patient. This is where faith is tested to the highest level. This is where we should focus only on God, not what we want. The in between is where we learn to pray; where we develop a true relationship with God. This is the place of development. Everything has to go through a phase of preparation. Appreciate your in between because it does not last forever, you are only purposed to travel through and the lessons that come out of being in between is the true blessing in the midst of it all.

Y'all know I like to end my posts with a little musical inspiration. Brian Courtney Wilson made this beautiful song entitled "A Great Work" and it definitely inspires me on a daily.

"I declare You will know the favor of the Lord And receive a harvest for your seed And in due time God will blow your mind With what He planted inside of you To bless the world as it blooms"

-Brian Courtney Willson

STAY TRUE!

-T.Reneè✨