Growth Archives - Rising Above Real Life | Joy P. DahlRising Above Real Life

An Audience of One

Posted on February 22, 2021 by Joy

Whether in person, online, or on social media, we spend a lot of time performing for other people. If we center our lives on pleasing others, living out each day gets harder and harder. It can feel impossible to create a new life script. Continue reading →

Growth, Hope & Healing, Real Life Stories | Tagged Audience of One, Change, dance, expectation, Faith, Heavenly Father, Hope, Jesus, life after death, Love, Peace, Performance, Pray, uncertainty, who am I
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Daring to Hope in 2021

Posted on January 25, 2021 by Joy

No one misses 2020: the ultimate year of loss for our generation. But as the chapter page turned to 2021, I wondered how I could muster up hope. So I decided to go back to the basics of spiritual renewal: creating and committing to a healthy rhythm of life. We all have different passions and interests, but the need for healthy rhythms remains universal. Continue reading →

Fun, Growth, Hope & Healing, Real Life Stories, Sisterhood | Tagged 2020, 2021, Community, Courage, Delight, discouraged, Exercise, flourish, forward, God's Word, grow, Hope, Loss, meditation, New Beginning, Physical Health, Rock of Christ, season, solitude, Spiritual Health, Work
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The Last Mile of Life

Posted on November 23, 2020 by Joy

Everyone faces life and death crossroads. And everyone’s experiences differ. This year in particular has impacted many of us as we or a loved one walk the last mile of life. Today my emotions remain raw while this season of incredible loss for me and my family wears on. I don’t have facts and figures to try to make sense of it all. Instead, I’d like to share a few thoughts from my heart. Continue reading →

Growth, Hope & Healing, Real Life Stories | Tagged advocate, afterlife, assurance, Comfort, Death, die, glory, Heaven, Hope, hospice, Jesus, kindness, Loss, Love, Mourn, Peace, Pray, stand, Struggle, suffering
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Life in the Rearview Mirror

Posted on October 19, 2020 by Joy

There’s nothing normal as we head toward the end of 2020. We long for “normal.” We want things to go back to the way they were in February 2020, or October 2019, because no matter how hard things were then, at least we understood our known normal. Continue reading →

Growth, Hope & Healing, Real Life Stories | Tagged forward, Hope, Hopeless, Isolation, Jesus, Journey, mirror, normal, Perspective, Promise, road, Struggle, Tomorrow, Unknown
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A Message for Weary Souls

Posted on August 24, 2020 by Joy

As this over-the-top-difficult year wears on and hopes for a summer reprieve or a maskless fall fade, my mind can struggle to muster up positivity. I’ve heard I’m not alone. Apparently many of us wrestle with the lack of normalcy, inability to plan a way forward, and uncertainty of how long “this” will last. Continue reading →

Growth, Hope & Healing, Real Life Stories | Tagged above all, core, Courage, Covid-19, exhaustion, guard, health, Heart, Hope, life-giving, mind, normal, pandemic, plan, Pray, Soul, soul care, spiritual practices, Struggle, Weary
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Sheroes of the Bible

Posted on June 22, 2020 by Joy

The last two months unfolded like an archeological dig. Week after week, I joined a group of women to unlock stories of the past, dust off musty translations, and peer into golden lives of unlikely sheroes. Who are these sheroes? Women easily overlooked, discounted, and even scorned. Continue reading →

Fun, Growth, Hope & Healing, Real Life Stories, Sisterhood | Tagged Bible, broken, Courage, Deborah, Do what I can do, El Roi, Encourage, Faith, God, Hagar, Jesus, Love, Mary, Mourn, ordinary, Pray, Rahab, Shero, Sheroes of the Faith, stand, support, Tamar, trial
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Robbed of My Right of Passage

Posted on May 27, 2020 by Joy

In this Covid-19 time, there’s a group of celebrants who feels the loss of their special day more than others: Graduates. With no stage, no diploma in hand, and no procession, it’s hard to feel the same sense of accomplishment and closure. How do I know? I’m a 2020 graduate. Continue reading →

Fun, Growth, Hope & Healing, Real Life Stories | Tagged 2020 Vision, achievement, celebration, Covid-19, Disappointment, expectation, graduate, graduation, Jesus, New Beginning, Praise, right of passage, well done
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The Week After Easter

Posted on April 17, 2020 by Joy

The Easter message––that Jesus came to set us free and give us new life––does not change. Even in the confines of a pandemic. No one could have foreseen the magnitude of coronavirus strife. Except Jesus. Jesus knew that days like these were coming. Continue reading →

Growth, Hope & Healing, Real Life Stories | Tagged bad news, Celebrate, Covid-19, Cross, Easter, Fear, Freedom, God, Good News, Holy Spirit, Hope, Jesus, New Life, Pain, pandemic, Resurrection, Sorrow, Struggle, uncertainty
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Your Christmas Wish

Posted on February 28, 2020 by Joy

Each year growing up, I made a list of things I wanted for Christmas. “A horse” always topped the list. I knew I had to be nice, not naughty. Looking back, that’s probably why I never got the horse. Anyhoo… Continue reading →

Fun, Growth, Hope & Healing, Real Life Stories | Tagged Christmas, Freedom, Gifts, invitation, Magi, Messiah, Pray, Promise, Three Wise Men, Treasures, Wish
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Running the Race of Life

Posted on November 25, 2019 by Joy

As Thanksgiving approaches, many of us are gearing up for our favorite running day of the year. Even non-runners love the annual Turkey Trot which leads to a guilt-free feast. Whether or not you run, we’re all called to the race of life, and we all need encouragement along the way… Continue reading →

Fun, Growth, Hope & Healing, Real Life Stories, Sisterhood | Tagged alone, Boston marathon, challenge, cheer, Courage, distraction, Encourage, Fear, hurdles, Jesus, obstacle, Obstacle Course, Personal Record, PR, race, race of life, Running, setback, team, Temptation, Thanksgiving, together, Turkey Trot, Wisdom
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Waiting Out the Wait

Posted on October 21, 2019 by Joy

We’re not good at waiting. We live in a culture of instant response and immediate gratification. “Right now” has become the norm and expectation. Unfortunately, at different times in life, we all have to wait. Continue reading →

Fun, Growth, Hope & Healing, Real Life Stories | Tagged Active Waiting, all things come, best things in life, Charles Schulz, control, Excellence, good things come to those who wait, goodness, grace, Hope, Passive Waiting, Patience, Snoopy, Wait, waiting, Woodrow Wilson
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What CAN I do?

Posted on September 23, 2019 by Joy

We experience seasons of illness and injury that engulf us like a suffocating suffering. We want to hope for complete healing. What CAN I do? I’ve pondered the depth of this question. Continue reading →

Growth, Hope & Healing, Real Life Stories | Tagged beauty, Depression, doubt, emotional, Fear, Fight, Frustration, Grief, Happy, Hope, I Can, Illness, Injury, meditate, Mourn, Pain, Perseverance, Power, Pray, relational, renew, Run The Race, Running, Soar, spiritual, Strength, Struggle, suffering, suffocate, uncertainty, vocational, walk and not be faint, Weary, wings like eagles, You Can
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Sometimes There Aren't Words

Posted on August 19, 2019 by Joy

Sometimes there just aren’t words. But in those times there is Someone who speaks… Continue reading →

Growth, Hope & Healing, Real Life Stories | Tagged Abba, Betrayal, Comfort, Darkness, Despair, Fear, God's Word, Grief, Hope, Jesus, Refuge, Savior
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Welcome to My Messy

Posted on July 22, 2019 by Joy

My life is messy. Of course, you wouldn’t know my life is messy just by looking at me. Most of us don’t want others to see our behind-the-scenes messy truth. And whether we recognize it or not, we live in a constant battle for self-worth, fighting against isolation. Continue reading →

Fun, Growth, Hope & Healing, Real Life Stories, Sisterhood | Tagged burden, Child of God, doubt, Fear, Friend, Hope, invitation, Jesus, Journey, life is messy, New Life, normal, Prayer, Real Life, self worth, Shame, spiritual, Strength, Trust, Truth, welcome
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Your Life through the Keyhole

Posted on June 24, 2019 by Joy

How we view our life each day is like looking through the keyhole of a big old door. It’s as if we’re looking at ourselves, other people, and circumstances through a tiny window. Our vantage is severely limited. Continue reading →

Fun, Growth, Hope & Healing | Tagged faith not sight, Follow Me, Hope, New Life, Perspective, turn to Jesus, Worry
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How Not to Hate the Wait

Posted on May 16, 2019 by Joy

In our world of one-click shopping and on-demand streaming, much of life no longer unfolds over time. We want what we want when we want it. We require instantaneous life. Unfortunately, God often asks us to wait. Continue reading →

Fun, Growth, Hope & Healing, Sisterhood | Tagged Be still, Courage, grow, hard, Hope, Love, Mount Up On Wings, New Beginning, New Life, Patience, Power, Praise, Renewal, Strength, Wait, Walk With God, wings like eagles
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Unanswered Prayers

Posted on April 18, 2019 by Joy

When someone dies, we struggle with the “why”. Why didn’t God answer our prayers? As Easter approaches, the “why” questions of the disciples mirror our own. How can we continue to trust God? Continue reading →

Growth, Hope & Healing, Sisterhood | Tagged confusion, Cross, Death, Easter, God the Father, good work, grace, Grief, Heaven, Hope, Jesus, Jesus Save Me, Love, New Life, Power, Savior, Strength, Sufficient, Weakness, Why, work on earth
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Who Do You Say I Am?

Posted on March 25, 2019 by Joy

Many of us know the greatest stories ever told. And often our focus is on the action or players or outcome. But the stories of the Bible have another purpose. A.W. Tozer said, “What you think about God is the most important thing about you.” Continue reading →

Growth, Hope & Healing, Real Life Stories | Tagged Author of Life, Empty Tomb, Escape, Follow, God the Father, Greatest Stories, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Moses, Noah, Pray, Tozer, Trust, What you think about God, Who is Jesus
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Fear or Faith at Work?

Posted on February 25, 2019 by Joy

It’s no fun living like a double agent with different personas at work v. home. How do we overcome fear of living out our faith at work? Do we have to talk about Jesus in order to be a witness at work? Here are 3 critical truths. Continue reading →

Fun, Growth, Hope & Healing, Sisterhood | Tagged evangelism, Faith, Faith at Work, Fear, Holy Spirit, Pray, Transform, Witness, Work, Workplace
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Why Work?

Posted on January 21, 2019 by Joy

The two most important days in your life are the day you were born and the day you find out why” (Mark Twain). If we’re honest, we all want to know the why… Continue reading →

Fun, Growth, Hope & Healing, Sisterhood | Tagged ambassador, Christian work, Dorothy Sayers, Faith, Image-bearer, Mark Twain, Meaning, Purpose, Truth, Why Work, Witness, Work
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Greatest Gift: A Partridge in a Pear Tree

Posted on December 20, 2018 by Joy

What’s your favorite Christmas carol? One of my all-time favorites is the “12 Days of Christmas” as sung by John Denver and the Muppets. Corny, maybe. But then I found out the meaning behind the words… Continue reading →

Fun, Growth, Hope & Healing | Tagged 12 Days of Christmas, Child of God, Christmas Carol, Christmas Classic, Everlasting Love, God's Love, Greatest Gift, Hope, John Denver, Muppets, New Life, Partridge, Pear Tree, Reason for the Season, True Love
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No More Masks

Posted on November 19, 2018 by Joy

Masks. We all wear them. We’re afraid to let people see and know the real us. We hide behind our masks and often fake it. But freedom comes when we live out our truth. Continue reading →

Fun, Growth, Hope & Healing, Sisterhood | Tagged #NoMoreMasks, Confidence, Fake, Forgiveness, Freedom, Hide, Hiding Place, Jesus, Masks, New Life, Pray, Reveal, Safe, Secrets, Seek, Sisterhood, Strength, Truth
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What's Your Superpower?

Posted on October 22, 2018 by Joy

If you were approached by a genie wanting to grant you one wish for any superhero power, what would you ask for? My first thought: ask for something I could use in the battle between good and evil… Continue reading →

Fun, Growth, Hope & Healing, Sisterhood | Tagged Escape, Fly, Freedom, Hope, Power, Real Life, Renewal, Rise Above, Soar, Strength, Superhero, Superpower
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Witnesses

Posted on September 20, 2018 by Joy

What comes to mind when you hear “witness”? Recently, I’ve been challenged to step up as a witness. In fact, ALL believers are called to testify as witnesses. Not in a court of law. But in our lives and through our work. Continue reading →

Fun, Growth, Hope & Healing | Tagged Acts 1:8, Comfort, Connect, Courage, Eternal Life, Eyewitness, Faith and Work, Firsthand Account, God's Word, Holy Spirit, Hope, Jesus, Join God, Mission Field, My Story, Power, Prayer, Proclaim, Protect, Story Telling, Strength, Transform, Witness, Work, Workplace
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Work in Heaven?

Posted on August 16, 2018 by Joy

As Labor Day approaches, most Americans anticipate a well-deserved day off work. For many of us, work is a daily grind. But what if work isn’t supposed to be a grind? And what if our work doesn’t end with our time on earth? Have you ever thought about work in heaven? Continue reading →

Fun, Growth, Hope & Healing | Tagged Artifacts, Culture, Culture Maker, Eternity, God's Work, Heaven, Holy City, Image of God, New Jerusalem, No Death, No Mourning, No Tears, Passion, Revelation, Skills, Talents, Work
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Better to Have Loved & Lost?

Posted on July 19, 2018 by Joy

As human beings, we cannot live healthy, abundant, prolonged lives without love. We are created to love. We long for love. We will do crazy things to show our love. But at some point in our lives, we will all lose love. What then? Continue reading →

Growth, Hope & Healing, Real Life Stories | Tagged Alfred Lord Tennyson, Breakup, Dark, Death, Divorce, Eternal Life, Forever, Fully Known, Grief, Loss, Love, Love Never Fails, Loved and Lost, Memories, Mourning, Pain, Regret, Relationship, Sorrow, Unconditional Love, Widow
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2018: The Year of Open Doors

Posted on June 21, 2018 by Joy

As we approach the mid-point of the year, most New Year’s resolutions are a faint and distant memory. But what if 2018 could still become “The Year of Open Doors” for you? Continue reading →

Fun, Growth, Hope & Healing, Real Life Stories, Sisterhood | Tagged Chinese New Year, Community, Corporate, Intercession, New Doors, New Year's Resolution, Prayer, Sabbatical Year, Year of Jubilee, Year of Open Doors
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Sit Among Your Weeds

Posted on May 21, 2018 by Joy

Today I start with a confession: I’ve been struggling. Weeds are the straw that broke the camel’s (my) back, so to speak. The last little burden that became unbearable. But from my weeds emerged a transformative message from God… Continue reading →

Fun, Growth, Hope & Healing, Real Life Stories | Tagged Frustration, Jesus, Pray, Savior, Teresa of Avila, Treasure, Wait, Weeds, Wisdom
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Consider My Bluebonnets

Posted on April 23, 2018 by Joy

Bluebonnets are to Texas what tulips are to Holland, azaleas are to Augusta, and cherry blossoms are to Washington DC. But what makes bluebonnets so remarkable is that they’re WILD. These words came to mind: “Consider how the wildflowers grow…” Continue reading →

Fun, Growth, Real Life Stories, Sisterhood | Tagged Bluebonnets, Bristol, Ennis, Faith, God's Love, Hope, Jesus, Relationship With Jesus, Savior, wildflowers, Worry
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A Promise from God

Posted on March 16, 2018 by Joy

Whether our requests are big or small, at some point we all wonder if God hears us. Does the Creator of the universe care about our prayers for a new job, loneliness, a persistent cough, or help paying bills? In a word: Yes! Not only does He care, He promises so much more. Continue reading →

Fun, Growth, Hope & Healing, Sisterhood | Tagged Child of God, God's Love, God's Power, God's Presence, God's Promise, God's Word, Hope, Jesus Save Me, New Life, Overcome, Real Life, Rise Above, Where Is God
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The Intersection of Faith and Work

Posted on February 19, 2018 by Joy

We all work. Our workplaces may look different, but they share a commonality: intrinsic value to God’s Kingdom. Your work has eternal value. Continue reading →

Fun, Growth, Real Life Stories, Sisterhood | Tagged Ambassadors, Faith, Faith and Work, God, Work, Workplace, Your Work Matters
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Which Way Did He Go?

Posted on January 15, 2018 by Joy

We can’t focus on both Jesus AND circumstances. It’s impossible! If we choose to focus on circumstances, suddenly it’s as if Jesus is gone. Continue reading →

Fun, Growth, Hope & Healing, Real Life Stories | Tagged Circumstances, Emptiness, Fear, God's Love, Hope, Jesus, Overcome, Real Life, Rise Above, Rising Above, Sisterhood, Storms Of Life
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Why “Do Good” For No Reason?

Posted on December 11, 2017 by Joy

We genuinely want to help others. But it hurts when there’s no response or, worse, a bad response to our good efforts. So why keep trying? Continue reading →

Fun, Growth, Hope & Healing, Real Life Stories, Sisterhood | Tagged Anyway, Do Good, Doing Good, Help, Hope, Love, Martina McBride, Mother Teresa, New Life, Real Life, Rise Above, Rising Above, Sisterhood
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When Enough is Never Enough

Posted on November 13, 2017 by Joy

When was the last time you had everything you wanted? Splurge to lift your spirits. Save for something big. What is enough, really? Continue reading →

Fun, Growth, Hope & Healing | Tagged Desire, Enough, Envy, Give, God's Love, Money, Need, Real Life, Rise Above, Rising Above, Sisterhood, Treasure, Trust
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Cross the Starting Line - Just Start!

Posted on October 16, 2017 by Joy

Is it harder to cross the starting line or the finish line? We often don’t move forward because we’re too afraid of the unknown. Just start! Continue reading →

Fun, Growth, Hope & Healing | Tagged Dream, Faith, Fear, Finish Line, Hope Just Start, Just Do It, Love, New Beginning, New Life, Pray, Purpose, Real Life, Rise Above, Rising Above, Sisterhood, Starting Line, Step of Faith, Unknown, What If
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