The Joy of Life

Minutes with Monica podcast, monicaswank.org, inspirational devotions, blog, and YouTube channel is embarking on its second year. It has gone through changes. I regularly have listened to those who are engaged to determine the best way to proceed. Some options available to you have taken longer to get up and going than others, but that’s what makes doing something new fun, exciting, and best of all challenging.

This last year has been a bit of a whirlwind for me. On top of all of these things, I have published a workbook to help individuals and groups with transformational growth, encouraging them to experience healthier living. I am currently working on editing and republishing the original book True Dependence that was published in 2007, as well as working on another book. All of these things take time and energy, but they don’t diminish the reality of life. And that’s what I wanted to talk about today in my blog.

These “things” that I do regularly are because I believe in the transformation of our lives. I believe that we have the ability, as proven through science and faith, to change our negative pattern of thinking. I believe that we can experience joy in a way that it is not stolen away in difficult moments. In fact, my tagline is, “Beyond Faith to Life Transformed.” Why? Because I also believe that faith is something we do, but when we live life in the way we were created to, we experience it with purity, peace, and untainted joy.

I don’t just believe these things; I have personally experienced them! This is the real me. Not the author, speaker, or spiritual mentor. This is the me that stands behind all of the work. My closest friends know my life has been a hot mess in the past. My parents probably are thrilled to see that I didn’t get stuck in the vicious circle of self-destruction I spent so many years living in.

Living life is not easy! The junk that has held us down in the distant past often still has roots that like a weed only take the right encouragement to put a strangle hold on us again. My faith tells me that is because Satan seeks out to destroy us. According to 1 Peter 5:8-10, he was given the freedom to roam back and forth seeking out those of us who are willing to be tempted. This isn’t just about being drawn into sinful behavior. You see Satan’s goal is to draw you into a place in life that is fulfilling, that brings contentment, and yes, joy. But if you read the story of Adam and Eve in Genesis chapter 3, you will find that while Satan believes he is like God, he falls short. Life for these two original humans was complete because it was in harmony with God. When they moved away from that, the completeness was changed to one of an appearance of completeness.

This is where we live life from until we make a decision to change it. For me that comes first in realigning ourselves with God through a relationship with Jesus. This is the foundation. The strength to do the rest comes from this place. And the permanence of change. In the last year, I have faced those who think I leverage myself from a higher place than them. Maybe it is because of my faith, or maybe because they have been a witness to my life in the last twenty years. Either way it leaves me feeling completely elated. You’re probably thinking, “wait what?” In all of the areas of spiritual care that I offer, my goal is to help others achieve life-changing transformation that gives them true joy and peace. My life journey has been filled with bad decisions and self-imposed heartache among other things. If people are recognizing happiness and goodness in my life, then it simply gives testimony that change is possible! Remember, I am your greatest cheering section, I know beyond any doubt that you can do this!

As always – thank you for allowing me to take this journey with you as we travel along the road of life. -blessings