I recently had the absolute honor of joining Birmingham Avenue by BGTV Studios for a heartfelt conversation about life, struggles, and the relentless joy that comes when we lean into God’s purpose for our lives. If you’ve ever felt like your story is too messy or your past too broken, I want you to lean in close because this one is for you.
Let’s Get Real: Embracing Imperfection
Can we all agree that this world has us convinced we need to be perfect? From social media to our inner dialogue, there’s this constant push to have it all together, but y’all, that’s not where connection happens. Connection is born in the real, raw, messy parts of life.
I used to hide parts of my story because someone told me to. He said my past struggles with addiction would ruin my career. For years, I let that shame keep me silent. But God had other plans. He whispered, "Go, girl. Take off the mask and tell your story." And so I did. What I’ve learned is that people don’t need your perfect—they need your real. They need to know they’re not alone in their struggles. The more we show up as we are, the more we help set others free.
Craving Connection in a Disconnected World
Here’s the truth: We live in a world that’s more connected than ever and yet, more isolated than ever. Social media can’t replace face-to-face connection. People are starving for spaces where they feel seen, heard, and known.
I’ve seen the power of connection firsthand at the Lovelady Center, where I’ve been speaking for over 12 years. Those ladies are my homegirls. They’re hungry for Jesus, for change, and for hope. And what they remind me every single time is that we all need a place where we can take off the mask and stop performing. It’s in those moments of vulnerability that God’s love works miracles.
Relentless Joy: It’s a Choice, Y’all
The heart of everything I do—whether it’s speaking, writing, or prison ministry—comes back to joy. Not the fluffy, feel-good kind, but relentless joy. The kind of joy that keeps showing up even when life is hard. It’s about finding, keeping, and spreading joy in a world that feels heavy.
Y’all, joy is a choice. Science even backs it up—what we focus on grows. If you’re stuck in bitterness or negativity, guess what? That’s what you’ll see more of. But if you focus on gratitude, love, and joy, you’ll start seeing those things show up in your life. That’s what my book Relentless Joy is all about: learning how to cultivate joy and be a light for others.
Your Story Matters
I’ll leave you with this: Your story is not too messy for God to use. If He can change the heart of a hardened man in prison who said, "I don’t hate anymore," what can He do with your life? If you’re still breathing, there’s still time. (Listen to this week's podcast episode to hear the full story!)
You are not a mistake. Even if you’ve made mistakes, God’s grace and love cover it all. You are someone’s everything—a child of the King—and your story has the power to change lives.
Listen to the Full Conversation
If this resonates with you, I’d love for you to listen to the full episode of Birmingham Avenue. We went deep, y’all, and I know it’ll bless you. Let’s take the governor off God and step into the fullness of what He has for us. Your story matters, and it’s time to start living like it.
Ready to Start Your Own Journey?
If this message spoke to you, I invite you to download my Mental Health Battle Plan. It’s packed with practical steps and reminders to keep you grounded, resilient, and focused. Use it as a tool to stay on the path of healing, hope, and transformation.
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