Live Authentic – 4 Ways To Live Fully Alive

by | Feb 9, 2019 | Bring Your Own Bible and Beverage

Authentic. Real, genuine, original.

For these next few days we’re pondering ways to live fully alive. I shared four ways at our recent BYOB and B event, and I’m sharing them here individually. Today we’re exploring the first way: live authentic.

Live authentic - four way to live fully alive

When we think of something authentic, we think of the real deal. Something that’s not counterfeit or fake.

So, how do we live authentic?

How do we live a real-deal kind of life? Two words: be you. Be who God created you to be. There’s freedom in living in and loving and being comfortable in your own skin.

If you’ve ever tried it, you probably agree nothing is more draining than striving to live life pretending to be someone you’re not. Or trying to be like someone else.

Psalm 139 reveals to us God personally designed each one of us and formed us in our mother’s womb. Don’t miss that. Personally designed.  He created you to be you and me to be me. I am not you and you are not me. We are unique and authentic.

For You shaped me, inside and out. You knitted me together in my mother’s womb long before I took my first breath.
I will offer You my grateful heart, for I am Your unique creation, filled with wonder and awe.You have approached even the smallest details with excellence; Your works are wonderful; I carry this knowledge deep within my soul.
You see all things; nothing about me was hidden from You. As I took shape in secret, carefully crafted in the heart of the earth before I was born from its womb.
You see all things; You saw me growing, changing in my mother’s womb;
Every detail of my life was already written in Your book; You established the length of my life before I ever tasted the sweetness of it.

Psalm 139:13-16 VOICE

Friend, you are most excellent. God says so.

For much of my young adult life I unintentionally compared myself to other women. Someone was always more beautiful, more talented, more fit than me. Someone had cuter hair, was a better mom, had nicer things than me. As you can imagine, this kind of activity affected not on my relationships, but it affected my self-worth. For years I felt I had to prove myself, and no matter how hard I tried, in my own mind I continued to fall short and couldn’t quite measure up.

A number of years ago, however, God showed me something powerful through a blog post I wrote. What if we as women stopped comparing ourselves and competing against one another and instead, started coming alongside of each other? What if we helped and supported and encouraged one another in this life? We are all just trying to do our best, aren’t we? Wouldn’t it be a gift to know others are rooting for us in this doing-our-best thing?

God blesses us with the gift of one another.

This is the basis for our BYOB and B events. Women, coming together to encourage one another through God and His Word.

So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you’re already doing this; just keep on doing it.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 VOICE

May we be the women who are known for lifting up other women, spurring them on, and encouraging them to be all God created them to be. And, to live fully alive. What’s one way you and I can build up another today?

It’s nearly impossible to live fully alive if we can’t embrace the real us.

If we don’t live authentic. Friend, celebrate who God made you to be, right here in this moment. Take a few moments and think about what makes you special.

Here’s a thought: at the beginning or ending of every day to take a moment to jot a few words down of what makes you special. Something happens when we see those words about ourselves in black and white. You’re not being boastful or prideful. You are being authentic and giving God glory for who He made you to be.

Beautiful, fully alive, authentic you.

Stop back tomorrow. We’ll look at another way to live fully alive… live open. Thanks for sharing your day with me!

Blessings!

Check out my previous post on this subject here.

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2 Comments

  1. Cindy

    Oh my, it is not easy for me to name things I think are special about me. I have lived most of my life feeling as if I’m not enough. I tried so hard but always felt I failed. Me day my husband confronted me for discounting a compliment and out of the blue I said “ If your own dad leaves you, you can’t be worth much”. I had never consciously thought that before but it explained so much. I’ve come a ways since then but old habits and self talk are hard to break. Thank you for your words here. I will try to put them in action!

    Reply
    • Julie Lefebure

      When God peels back the layers of years of pain, hurt, insecurities, etc. healing begins. That statement that came out of your mouth was profound, Cindy! Healing is happening! I see so many special things in you, even thought we’ve never met in person. You are kind, generous, giving, loving, personable, a talented writer and encourager, a loving wife, mother, grandmother. You are so very special! Can’t wait to meet you one day in person! Much love to you today.

      Reply

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. Live Open - 4 Ways To Live Fully Alive - Julie Lefebure - […] and B event, and I’m sharing them here individually. The first one was two days ago: live authentic. Today we’re…
  2. Live Fearless - 4 Ways To Live Fully Alive - Julie Lefebure - […] at our recent BYOB and B event, and I’m sharing them here individually. We’ve explored live authentic and live open. Today we’re…
  3. Live Uncomfortable - 4 Ways To Live Fully Alive - Julie Lefebure - […] recent BYOB and B event, and I’m sharing them here individually. We’ve explored live authentic, live open, and live fearless. Today we’re exploring the fourth […]
  4. Wrapping Up The 4 Ways To Live Fully Alive - Julie Lefebure - […] thinking they might benefit many, I shared there here on the blog individually. We’ve explored live authentic,live open, live fearless, and live…

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Julie Lefebure
Live authentic - four way to live fully alive
It happens to the best of us, especially us women. Our thoughts can not only distract us, but they can derail us. 🥴

But we don't have to let them.

Say this prayer the next time your thoughts distract you. There's nothing like inviting God in!

Listen to episode 206 of the Encouragement for Real Life Podcast for more. 

#prayer #distractedthoughts #abundantlife #reallifefaith #inviteGodin
Are you where your feet are today? Could you use a little help in staying present?

We continue on in our Summer of Abundance series on the Encouragement for Real Life Podcast today, and in episode 206, which dropped earlier this morning, we explore the fifth element of abundant life: Purposeful Presence. You might guess it's a subject I'm passionate about. 

This episode is for you if you're tired of life passing you by and if you're ready to live more in the moment. In this snippet, I share Purposeful Presence in three categories, which is a great place to begin. Find the full 23-minute episode wherever you listen to podcasts or @julielefebure.

#staypresent #liveinthemoment #encouragementforreallifepodcast #summerofabundance #bewhereyourfeetare #abundantlife
No matter what last week looked like… this one holds new beauty, new purpose, and new grace.

So water what matters.
Tend to your heart.
And trust that God is growing something good—even if you can’t see it yet. 🌸

#newweeknewmercies #abundantlife #faithinreallife #womenoffaith #growthtakestime #christianencouragement
Turns out…
surrendering control didn’t break anything.
(Except maybe my pride. And my planner. 😬)

But peace showed up.
Clarity followed.
And I finally had room to breathe.

Letting go isn’t losing—it’s living.

#abundantlife #faithovercontrol #surrenderedliving #womenoffaith #christianencouragement #letGodlead
Surrender isn’t about pretending it’s easy—
It’s about trusting anyway.

You don’t have to understand it all.
Just release what was never yours to carry.
That’s where peace begins.

Listen to episode 205 of the Encouragement for Real Life Podcast for more.

#abundantlife #surrenderedliving #christianencouragement #womenoffaith #letgoandletGod #faithinreallife
You weren’t meant to do this on your own.
You weren’t created to be your own source.

So if life feels heavy today, come back to the One who holds it all together—and holds you.

Let Him carry what you can’t.

#abundantlife #faithinreallife #womenoffaith #Jesusisenough #encouragementfortoday #notinmystrength
Some women believe surrendering is stifling, or restrictive, or demeaning. Nothing could be more untrue.

When we surrender our will and lives to Jesus, it's then when we find true, abundant life.

What's one area of life you can surrender into His capable hands today?

For more, listen to episode 205 of the Encouragement for Real Life Podcast.

#abundantlife #summerofabundance #surrenderedlife #reallifefaith #truelife
I used to think surrender was scary.
Now I know what’s really scary…
Me in charge of everything. 😂

Surrender isn’t giving up—it’s getting peace.
Getting direction.
Getting the abundant life I couldn’t create on my own.

Here’s your permission to stop carrying what you weren’t meant to hold. 🙌

Listen to episode 205 of the Encouragement for Real Life Podcast for more on this subject. 

#abundantlife #womenoffaith #christianencouragement #faithinreallife  #letgolivefree
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