Jewel Diamond Taylor s an authentic, highly acclaimed, witty, knowledgeable, in-demand, and international conference speaker, life coach, author, founder of Women on the Grow, Inc. 501c3 …

As you wake up and stretch your body and mind to prepare for the new day…remember to guard your heart from the joy and peace blockers.

Don’t take people’s criticism to heart.  Don’t be embarrassed about your past fumbles.  Remember to dance in your heart before the Lord because you are grateful for this new day.

Look carefully and you will see “dance” at the end of the word “guidance“.  When two people try to lead,  the movement is clumsy and doesn’t flow with the music.

When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead, both bodies begin to flow with the music.  The lead dancer gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back or by pressing lightly in one direction or another.

It’s as if two become one body, moving beautifully. The dance takes surrender, willingness, and attentiveness from one person and gentle guidance and skill from the other.

When someone is learning to dance for fun, they may start off feeling self-conscious, embarrassed and falling over their feet.  Some people prefer to dance without a partner and just have fun line dancing the wobble wobble or the electric slide.  Yes, it’s fun line dancing because you don’t have to wait for someone to ask you to dance. I see more and more solo dancers and fewer couples dancing in rhythm together. But to dance with a partner, it takes practice and a willingness to follow their lead.  To dance with God takes surrender and willingness.

You may feel like you are dancing alone in life, but God is dancing with you…just get in rhythm with your faith.  When I see the word “guidance” I see “G” (God), followed by “u” and “i”. “God,” “u” and “i” dance.” God, you and I dance.

When you are willing to follow the Lord’s lead and guidance, the dance with the Lord will get easier with practice.  The more you lean in, trust and dance with the Lord, the more you will stop worrying. Dance together with God, trusting God to lead and to guide you through each season of your life. 

The word of God tells us there is a time to dance and a time to cry.  As I healed through the process of grief and crying from losing my 38 yr. old son to cancer…I began to understand this scripture.  It was OK to be joyful again, in spite of my pain, without feeling guilty.  As I counted my blessings, it was time to dance again.  As I slayed the enemy of depression, worry and grief, my heart began to dance again. “You changed my mourning into dancing…” Psalm 30:12

Just like David returned from killing the Philistines and everyone was dancing (1 Samuel 18:6), you can dance as you conquer and kill the enemy within of doubt, procrastination, temptation, anger, fear, worry, addictions or hatred.  Your family and friends will dance with you and for you as you grow in your courage to slay the tricks, traps and tribulations of the enemy.

Prayer:  Today Lord I praise your Holy name.  I’m in a new season of my life. I stand on your word that  “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. (Romans 8:5)

I choose You heavenly Father as my partner, provider and protector.  Thank you Lord for your faithfulness and enduring love and abundance in every season of my life.   I want to follow your lead and guidance.  Thank you for endowing me with power, dominion and authority to conquer my enemies. Thank you for new life and a new season.  Thank you for lighting my path as I daily walk out of sin and into salvation.

Call to Action:

1. Do not hold grudges or hold onto things that are out of your control. Let go of the past and forgive those that have caused you pain. Not only will you be more stressed out but you will carry an unnecessary burden upon your shoulders. Seek God for guidance and let go of the past.
2. Be honest with yourself.  Before David asks for joy in Psalm 51:8 and 51:12, he acknowledges the weight of his wrong doing: “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge” (Psalm 51:4).  The joy of repentance flows directly out of its grief.  Some people never dance because their feet are heavy with sin, guilt and shame.  If you are battling a habitual sin and you have not held yourself accountable in any way, be honest with yourself: You might feel badly about your sin, but you are not actually repenting of it. Repentance is more than remorse — it means change.
3. Write down 3 things you’re grateful for.  Listen to some upbeat music that makes you want to tap your feet and move your body.  Dance before the Lord. Your physically body movements can change your emotional body from sadness to gladness.