How to Shift When God Brings Realignment

You need to know how to shift with God when He brings realignment in your calling or life. Here’s how I needed to shift when God wanted to make changes.


When you begin sensing that God wants to make a realignment in your calling, you know things are about to get real. (Did you notice the word real is the first four letters of realignment?)

The word realignment means the action of changing or restoring something to a different or former position or state. It’s like when a chiropractor applies his skill to move and shift your body back into the proper position. Like most people, I don’t like going to the chiropractor but the end result brings relief.

Recently, God began a realignment in this ministry. I love it when God moves in the details of my life. Yet I’m reluctant to follow His plan before I see where He’s going with it.


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How God Began Realignment

A few weeks ago, God laid fasting on my heart. At first, I thought He wanted me to only write about it. See, I had a few articles laying around that I could dust off, spruce up, slap on the new branding, and publish. But God had other plans.

The voice I heard from God was more of a knowing, but if I had to put it into dialog it went something like this:

Fasting.

“Right, God. Got it. It’s time to talk about fasting.”

It’s time to fast.

“Wha—? Heh, heh…nooo. You mean the fasting is for my readers.” I subconsciously held my breath.

No, you.

Exhale. Whimper. “Ok, I will. What am I supposed to fast this time? My chocolate again?” Hmm, I haven’t even been eating it lately.

Tea.

Gasp! “Not my tea! My warm, comforting, sweet, slightly-caffeinated goodness?” I whined. (It’s amazing how fast I went from shocked to pouting.) But then I pulled it together. Sorta.

Yes, Lord….Anything else?” Please don’t add anything. Please don’t add anything.

Blog.

“Right, okay, I will study more on fasting and write about it!”

Don’t publish anything. You’re fasting from publishing right now.

Noooo! Sigh… “Whatever you want, God. You know what you’re doing.”

Right about then my husband walked in and asked, “Aren’t you going to have a cup of tea today?” Oh, the irony. But I survived.

Barely.

Just kidding! It wasn’t so bad.

I prayed for months about a regular feature that’s starting here next year, and He began a direct download of details! When that happened, the purpose of my fast became more evident.

Before He could bring this realignment, I had to let go of my tea. And my blog.

But God wasn’t done.

He laid on my heart something I’ve been dodging Him on for quite awhile. (I guess today is my day of confessions.) I’ll get to that in a minute.

3 Weaknesses That Hinder a Realignment

I’ve been going through Priscilla Shirer’s Gideon study lately. The truth is, I always regarded Gideon as a wimp. But as I went more through the book, I saw my weaknesses looked a lot like his! OUCH.

  1. Wanting proof. Gideon didn’t want to trust God’s directions outright. He worried about the outcome. He wanted proof.

And he said to him, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, then SHOW ME A SIGN that it is you who speak with me. Judges 6:17 ESV (emphasis mine)

I wanted proof, too. I kept asking God for confirmation. He delivered.

  1. Relying on the proof. Gideon depended on the fleece rather than God’s character. But then, how much did he know God? Not well or Gideon would have known God’s character by experience. Well, he gained that knowledge next.

Then Gideon said to God, “If you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said, behold, I am laying a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece alone, and it is dry on all the ground, THEN I SHALL KNOW that you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said.” Judges 6:36-37 ESV (emphasis mine)

  1. God uses us despite our insecurity. God knows we’re human. When we’re hesitant, He patiently works on us (not shames us) and helps us to grow. Also, notice that God provided support through a human. Let that sink in!

That same night the LORD said to him, “Arise, go down against the camp, for I have given it into your hand.

But IF YOU ARE AFRAID to go down, GO down to the camp WITH PURAH your servant. Judges 7:9-10 ESV (emphasis mine)

Priscilla Shirer The Armor of God

Priscilla Shirer Gideon

Priscilla Shirer FerventPriscilla Shirer Discerning the Voice of God

 

 

 

 

 

Letting Go

Right around the time I was fasting, I got to the point where Priscilla brought out in the study how God cut Gideon’s 32,000 down to 300. That section is all about letting go. What He stirred in my spirit is a tagline that I rejected back when I rebranded:

Leading women to thrive in Christ.

I felt like God was saying to change it. I needed to let go, but it was a tug of war. Why is that such a struggle? I guess I felt like my numbers would go down—which is not the point of ministry.

But it’s during the time of fasting that I could let go. Then, the pressure unloaded because instead of focusing on ministering to the whole world, now it’s only half the world. 😉

So now you know. My tagline is about to change. God is aligning my focus.

I realize I may lose some male readers and that’s okay. However, if you are a male reader, the content won’t change. But if you decide to move on, no worries.

As I’m going through this realignment, God is helping me be more authentic with sharing my walk with Him. It’s been the heart of my ministry that whoever reading (or hearing when I speak) will be influenced to grow closer to the Lord through the transparent example of my struggles to victories in Him.

I’m thankful He’s restoring that. I hope you’ll continue to join me.

Update: God led me to change my tagline again to Thriving In Christ Together with the integration of the Thriving In Christ Shop.

Do This Before God Brings Realignment

My friends, realignment begins with letting go. To let go, you need to trust Him. The word trust has been my One Word for about a year now (I don’t always go with the January to January schedule on that). Trusting God this past year? It’s been a struggle.

Is letting go and trusting God a cakewalk for you? (If it’s not, then maybe you should go on a fast. Just sayin’.) Lack of trust is the resistance He works through to fulfill His will.

The secret is not in retaining but in releasing. —Priscilla Shirer

Letting go might seem like a vulnerable position to place yourself, but remember your life is in God’s hands. If you don’t let go, who knows what you’ll miss out on? He has good plans for you.

How have you needed to shift when God brought realignment or changes in your life?


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27 Comments

  1. Praying you continue to trust God as He works with you to realign your blog.

    1. kellyrbaker says:

      I appreciate that, Debbie!

  2. I came across your post at such a critical time for me. I don’t think I realized it, till I read your post, but I have been holding on so tight when God has been asking me to let go and let him. When I think I am letting go, I am holding on in another area. Part of it is fear, but I need to let go and trust him. Reading your post has made me realize, it is not just a me struggle. Thank God for using you tow rote this 🙂

    1. kellyrbaker says:

      Chizoba, I’m glad God used my post to help you! Keep seeking Him and He’ll make it clear what you need to do. Thanks for leaving a comment. I’ll be praying for you!

  3. Kelly, what a great reminder. Love how real is the first 4 letters or realignment. Thanks for sharing this real story and struggle. Wow! Inspiring. Great insight into Gideon.

    1. kellyrbaker says:

      It’s stuff like this that makes God so real to me, Teresa. He’s so good even when it’s a struggle. I love how He helps us through it. Many blessings to you!

  4. Your obedience is an inspiration to me! As a writer, mom, mentor, Bible teacher, and more, I have a similar sense that we’re about to step into a very different season here as well, and it’s not easy to lay down some of the things I’m most passionate about. May we trust him each step of the way!

    1. kellyrbaker says:

      Nice to meet you, Stacey! When we wear all those hats it’s important to stay in tune with God so good to hear you are sensing His moving. Prayers for you!

  5. Oh . . . your tea.
    Thank you for sharing this step of obedience to the voice of God.
    And I’m looking forward to the unfolding of all that God has spoken into your future ministry here.

    1. kellyrbaker says:

      Yes, I can’t stand going without my tea. Tea to me is coffee to others. But it was only for a day. I’m looking forward to upcoming ministry here, too, and I know the trust part is definitely not over!

  6. I’ve been a homeschooling mom for almost 20 years. I have two more years to go until i graduate my youngest child. To say there is realignment coming is an understatement! And I totally am guilty of wanting proof of what’s ahead instead of trusting that God isn’t finished yet. But then if we know what’s around the corner, what need is there for faith! A good lesson for me today! Thanks!

    1. kellyrbaker says:

      Wow, bravo! Twenty years is nothing to sneeze at. I’ve been at it eight years but who’s counting? 😉 I can understand wanting to know what’s next. There’s so much planning ahead that goes into homeschooling. It’s what we’re used to, right? But God will lead you through all He has in store for you, Karen. So glad you stopped by today!

  7. Glad to stop by as your neighbor on the #RaRalinkup but God encourage you as you follow His lead…even when it looks different than expected. 😉 Grace upon grace.

    1. kellyrbaker says:

      Hi, Katie! Thanks for the encouragement!

  8. Hey there Kelly. I don’t think letting go of things and trusting God is a cakewalk for anyone. 🙂 Hard for me, that’s for sure. I was encouraged to read what He’s been speaking to you. May He bless your realignment.

    1. kellyrbaker says:

      Hey, Betsy! I think you’re right. 🙂 Many blessings to you and your ministry!

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