What's Stopping You?

"Welcome to the (graduate school name) Counselor Education Program."-Email

"Wait, what?...WOW!"-Me *Proceeds to read email four more times...

"I GOT IN BABY!!!!!!!!" -My Text To My Husband

"Funny part is, you could have gotten in anywhere. And I knew that you could. lol. Not sure why you doubted yourself." -Text From Husband


May of 2016,  I had an overwhelming feeling to apply to school immediately. So I hopped on my computer, looked at deadlines from two different schools that I was interested in and the deadline for my first school of choice was June 1, 2016. I had TWO weeks to get my application completed, send transcripts, send GRE scores, get 3 recommendation letters, and write a personal essay.

As I began to apply to my school of choice, I realized I already had an UNFINISHED application with the school dating back to May of 2013. Three years ago, I attempted to apply to graduate school, BUT DID NOT FINISH the application. "Why?" you may ask. Because I doubted myself and fear of the unknown (what will school be like being married, working a full-time job, and knowing my GRE scores wasn't that good) hindered me from moving forward.

APPLICATION COMPLETED, May 31, 2016 at 5:57 PM. At this point, I had charged all fees to my credit cards to apply to school: the $45 fee to submit my application to the school, the $27 to send my GRE scores, and the $16 to send my transcript from undergraduate school. See, money was an issue. It wasn't CONVENIENT at the time to take that amount of money out of our bank account.

The three amazing people I asked to write my recommendation letters that I look up to, so willingly completed the recommendations and sent them in before the deadline. My dear friend who previously helped me update my resume, so willingly read over my personal essay. It was like everyone was in my corner, truly supporting my decision to go back to school in a strict timeframe.

Sidebar: During the two weeks I was applying to school, I never told my husband or mother. Why? Because those two very supportive people have heard me say for YEARS that I was going to go back to school. I was so tired of TALKING, that I was ready to PROVE what I really wanted out of life.

Fast forward to June 17, 2016 the day I interviewed for the counseling program at my school of choice. I wore business-casual attire that I was comfortable in, and that best represented myself. I stepped out of my car with my black wedges on, and said, "Okay, Jesus. Lets do this!" I wasn't nervous at all. See at this point, God wanted me to be there. My GRE scores didn't match the school's requirement and the school couldn't locate my official GRE scores that were sent on May 20, 2016. GOD'S MERCY AND FAVOR!

So, literally three days before my 26th birthday, I received an email stating I've been accepted into graduate school to begin a journey in an area that I'm extremely passionate about, counseling.


(The selfie I took after I interviewed for grad school! GOD IS SO FAITHFUL!!)


WHAT'S STOPING YOU FROM FULFILLING THE THINGS GOD HAS PLACED ON YOUR HEART? Do you have a desire to relocate, travel, start your own business, or go back to school? What's stopping you?


IS IT FEAR?
God isn't the author of fear. If you are considering doing a good thing, but KEEP talking yourself out of it, that isn't of God. I had convinced myself for five years that my GRE scores weren't good enough, and I was going to wait until I had the money to take the test over again. Well, I used that same score from five years ago and was accepted into school. Satan is the author of fear. He places in you that you aren't perfect or capable of fulfilling the desires that are in your heart. HE IS A LIAR! Don't let satan win in your life by postponing your dreams. THERE IS A YES WAITING FOR YOU!

2 Timothy 1:7 "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." (NIV)


IS IT FINANCES?
As of today, I don't know how I'm paying for graduate school. Just being honest. God is Alpha and Omega, knowing the beginning and the end. I TRUST GOD. I pray that the fear of how you will pay for that desire in your heart, doesn't trump your obedience to the Lord. Most likely, the thing you are believing God for is BIGGER THAN YOUR BANK ACCOUNT ANYWAYS! THERE IS PROVISION WAITING FOR YOU!

Philippians 4:19 "And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus." (NLT)


IS IT YOUR FAITH?
My Pastor said, "Your faith is in something at all times." Most times our faith is on the negative. How something won't work. How you can't do it. How the timing isn't "right." So I'm encouraging you to be intentional with your faith. Put your faith on how well it will work, how you can do "it," and that the right time is NOW! You're believing in something anyways, might as well believe the good! GOD TAKES CARE OF AND IS PLEASED WITH THOSE WHO HAVE CRAZY FAITH!

Hebrews 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." 


Don't let fear, finances, or your wavering faith keep you from the promises of God. You have a YES waiting for you on the other side of your obedience! Let your children, bills, or even death in the family be the reason for doing what God has told you instead of those things being the reason you haven't gone after every goal in your life. I'm a wife, mother, full-time employee, and have additional obstacles...BUT GOD STILL HAS A PLAN TO COMPLETE THE WORK HE STARTED IN ME AND HE HAS EQUIPPED ME WITH EVERYTHING I NEED! 
I'm moving forward, and I pray you do the same. 
 Matthew 6:25-34

I BELIEVE IN YOU AND GOD GOT YOU,

Brittany Bradley




Comments

  1. You will do exceedingly well. You bear fruit when God tells or show you something and you pass on what you have just learned. This really touched my heart in a special way. For that, I say thank you. Don't be in despair not only does God gave you covered, I got you baby. I love you much
    Auntie Tonya

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    1. Thank you so much Auntie for reading my post!! And praise God for what he is doing in your life! I love you so much!

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  3. Yessss!!!! I doubted when applying for my job in the counseling field because on paper I was not qualified. Low and behold, of all the applicants I was chosen. I hadn't finished school. Hadn't taken my PRAXIS. I was at the beginning of my practicum and hadn't started my internship. But God. I am going into my 6th year. He is faithful!

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    1. God is so so faithful!! Thanks for sharing friend! I love you!

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