Vanessa Griffin - Leadership Career Strategist

Vanessa Griffin - Leadership Career Strategist Help women leaders feeling stuck & frustrated hone their leadership style to uplevel impact & income.

🙌🏾⚔️🙌🏾 Finding Rest in GodCan you remember the last time you drank cold water after being outside in the hot sun? Or may...
05/25/2026

🙌🏾⚔️🙌🏾 Finding Rest in God

Can you remember the last time you drank cold water after being outside in the hot sun? Or maybe diving into a lake in the middle of summer? It feels good to be refreshed physically, and all of us have different ideas about how to get refreshed.

God’s Word tells us that God is like a Shepherd who takes care of us. He protects us from harm and He makes sure we’re nourished.

One of the jobs of a shepherd is to provide the sheep with refreshment. This is why the writer of Psalm 23 says the Lord leads him into quiet places and lush spaces. Those things were refreshing to his soul.

Have you checked on your own soul lately?

Sometimes when we haven’t been refreshed by God, we end up living in a hurry. We keep our souls and minds busy going from one thing to the next. We become anxious. After long enough, we begin to think there might be something wrong with us.

In John 10:11, Jesus says that He is the Good Shepherd, and we are His sheep. This means that Jesus provides the right path that we should walk, spiritual protection and guidance through prayer, and also spiritual refreshment for our soul. When we spend time with Jesus, part of His job is to refresh us.

But in order to do that, we have to follow Him into those quiet spaces. We have to leave the noise and notifications of the world behind us and learn the slow pace of Jesus. We don’t have to hurry in our time with Him.

When we learn to quiet our souls by removing distractions, we can begin to enjoy simply being with Jesus. When we learn to enjoy Jesus, then He will do His job of refreshing our souls that are parched and weary without Him.

So take some time today without distractions and spend time with Jesus. If you find that difficult, that is an indicator that your soul isn’t used to resting. Your life will be so much healthier and satisfying if you make it a daily habit to be refreshed by God.

🙌🏾⚔️🙌🏾 From Fearful to FearlessThink of a time when you were fearful of others. For some, this might look like fearing h...
05/21/2026

🙌🏾⚔️🙌🏾 From Fearful to Fearless

Think of a time when you were fearful of others. For some, this might look like fearing harm or violence from a specific person or group. But for many of us, we can get sidelined by a different kind of fear...
Maybe you’re worried that someone won’t like you—your personality, your looks, your opinions, or your work.
Maybe you’re afraid that speaking up for what’s right could cost you—your job, your reputation, your comfort.
Maybe you’ve felt misunderstood, and the narrative has gotten twisted.
Maybe you’re so busy and preoccupied, making sure everyone around you is happy, that you’re neglecting your own life and calling in the process.
Maybe you say “yes” to any and every opportunity or event—because you don’t want to let anyone down, or get left out.
“Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.” Proverbs 29:25
We can’t trust God living in a constant state of fear - fear is the opposite of a faith-fueled trust. God’s approval is the only approval that matters.
Pleasing God matters more than pleasing people. Being accepted by God matters more than being accepted by people.
Great news-we don’t have to earn His acceptance! We don’t have to prove that we are worthy of His time, attention, or love. Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection did this for us. We are now considered worthy because He is already worthy! When we belong to Jesus, the Holy Spirit helps us to become more like Him.
Acceptance and inclusion from others will never give us the true safety and security we desire. But God’s acceptance of us is unconditional, and it transforms us from the inside out. We simply need to receive Him—allowing His love to change the way we think and act.
As the knowledge of God’s love increases in our lives, the fear of people decreases. When we trust in God, we can rest in the assurance that we are secure for eternity. We are loved by our gracious Savior. He alone has the power to change the course of our lives.
Survey your own heart. Are your thoughts, words, and actions a result of fearing man—or trusting God?

🙌🏾⚔️🙌🏾 Cling to God’s PromisesWhat do you think about? The thoughts that fill your mind are crucial because what you cli...
05/14/2026

🙌🏾⚔️🙌🏾 Cling to God’s Promises

What do you think about?

The thoughts that fill your mind are crucial because what you cling to influences your worldview.

If you choose to dwell on God’s promises, you start to recognize God’s blessings during uncertain times. Trusting that God will redeem your present pain equips you to walk forward in faith and keep on fighting.

Isaiah 12:2 reminds us that we belong to a God who is faithful to keep His promises. This God rescues us and fights for us. So when we belong to God, we have nothing to fear—all we need to do is cling to Him and wait on Him to act.

So as you walk forward today, reflect on some of God’s promises, and let them transform the way you think:

God will sustain you. (Psalm 55:22)

God’s peace will guard your heart. (Philippians 4:7)

God delights over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17)

God will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. (Psalm 32:8)

God is your refuge and strength, your help in times of need. (Psalm 46:1)

In all things, you are more than a conqueror because God loves you. (Romans 8:37)

God will never leave you or forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6)

God’s perfect love casts out all your fear. (1 John 4:18)

Nothing can separate you from God’s love. (Romans 8:38-39)

God’s not done with you. (Philippians 1:6)

Allow these truths to fill your mind today!

⚔️🙌🏾⚔️ The Call of Every ChristianIn the book of 1 Corinthians, the apostle Paul uses metaphors that were a part of thei...
05/08/2026

⚔️🙌🏾⚔️ The Call of Every Christian

In the book of 1 Corinthians, the apostle Paul uses metaphors that were a part of their culture to communicate essential truths. Paul relates the work of evangelism to a farmer’s work in the field:

“So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.”
1 Corinthians 3:7

Paul’s message is clear: while every Christian is empowered with the task of evangelism, it is ultimately God—the Holy Spirit, who grows the seed of faith in an unbeliever’s heart. This means others’ response to the gospel is not on us as believers; our responsibility is to faithfully share the good news of eternal life.

But, if we’re honest, many of us Christians keep our faith to ourselves. There are people who are ready and willing to hear and respond to the gospel message of Jesus Christ—the hope of eternal life. And God wants to use us. He wants to use you!

Today, right where you are—in your job, in your neighborhood, in your family, and in your friend group—everywhere you walk with others, God wants to bring the good news of Jesus Christ.
And you’re never alone in this call. God promises that His Spirit will be with you and will lead you, giving you the right words to say as you step out in faith (Matthew 28:20).

Consider what next step you can take to begin sharing Jesus with others. Prepare yourself to have conversations about Christ with your neighbors, coworkers, or friends. Ask God to give you courage, so that the good work He has started in you might also take root in others.

🙌🏾⚔️🙌🏾 A Transformed PersonHave you ever felt like you needed to have a do-over? If so, you’re in good company. Peter kn...
05/06/2026

🙌🏾⚔️🙌🏾 A Transformed Person

Have you ever felt like you needed to have a do-over? If so, you’re in good company. Peter knew this feeling well.

Peter was one of Jesus’ twelve disciples, invited by Jesus Himself to leave his life as a fisherman to join Him during His ministry on earth. On the night that Jesus was betrayed, Peter followed Him to the sham trial. People in the area were openly and aggressively hostile to Jesus. Imagine to be surrounded by people who may choose to treat Peter the way they were treating Jesus at that very moment.

In Matthew 26 & Luke 22, we see that Peter chose to keep a low profile to go unnoticed by the angry mob. That didn’t work for long — three different people recognized him as a follower of Jesus and asked him about it. Each time , Peter denied ever knowing Jesus.

If we skip ahead in Scripture, though, we find Peter doing the exact opposite. In Acts 2, Peter is standing in front of a big crowd, filled with people who may persecute him. Rather than denying knowing Jesus, he proclaims the secret to life: repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and receive the Holy Spirit.

This is risky. What will people think? What if they turn on him the way that they did Jesus? Yet, he was bold anyway and was a transformed person compared to who he had been earlier in the story.

How did Peter transform? He was restored by Jesus. He also received the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Two major things happened between these passages of scripture: Jesus visited Peter, and with grace, restored him. Secondly, the Holy Spirit came down from heaven for the followers of Jesus. With the Holy Spirit came power, empowering the believers to live bold, transformed lives (Acts 2).

Many of us face moments like this: moments where the right answer is boldness for Jesus, but the easy answer is to keep our heads down. What will people think? What will they do?
The great news is that we’re never alone. We don’t have to be bold on our own. Holy Spirit is with us every day, giving us the power to be bold and transformed. We can walk out our newness each day with His help. Now, Holy Spirit is ready to walk with you.

⚔️🙌🏾⚔️ Fully ForgivenImagine a grand choir echoing a single anthem. Each distinct voice adds to the chorus, creating a s...
04/30/2026

⚔️🙌🏾⚔️ Fully Forgiven

Imagine a grand choir echoing a single anthem. Each distinct voice adds to the chorus, creating a symphony filled with anticipation. Their melody spans generations; they sing of a Savior whose name brings forgiveness and hope!

This song of eternity is described by Peter: “All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name” (Acts 10:43 NIV).

The prophets, whose ancient voices echoed God’s plans and purposes, stood as witnesses to this ultimate promise: Christ’s forgiveness isn’t just a possibility—it’s a reality for all who believe.

As believers in Jesus Christ, we can find encouragement standing on the foundation laid by these prophetic voices. We stand assured that through the name of Jesus, forgiveness is granted, and reconciliation is made possible with God and others. But we’re not onlookers! We are active participants in this grand choir, singing with hearts full of gratitude, hope, and confidence in the unifying power of Christ’s forgiveness.

Jesus paid the price for your past, present, and future. What would it look like for you to fully embrace this forgiveness for your sins?

🙌🏾💕🙏🏾💕🙌🏾        Kiana Barnes It is getting more real each day my dear!  So happy that you have decided on your “NEXT”!! ...
04/29/2026

🙌🏾💕🙏🏾💕🙌🏾

Kiana Barnes It is getting more real each day my dear! So happy that you have decided on your “NEXT”!!

So proud of you Miss Lady!!

🙌🏾⚔️🙌🏾 Light It UpPicture it: a big city with tall buildings, a hilltop village surrounded by vibrant farms, an oceansid...
04/27/2026

🙌🏾⚔️🙌🏾 Light It Up

Picture it: a big city with tall buildings, a hilltop village surrounded by vibrant farms, an oceanside community on top of a giant bluff.

Cities are impressive on their own, but they’re undeniably radiant when they’re high upon a hill. And they’re extra brilliant when they’re saturated with light.

Speaking to the crowds and His disciples in His famous Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told them:

“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.”
Matthew 5:14 NLT

As He continued His message, Jesus explained, like a city on a hill or a lamp on a stand, “Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father” (Matthew‬ ‭5:16‬).

Jesus often used metaphors to get people thinking, so here are six things to consider as you reflect on that verse:

1. It’s all His: We are only a light when we have THE light—His light—shining through us. Anything good is first given by Him, and this should empower us with humble confidence.

2. We’re chosen: We can’t do anything to earn the honor and responsibility of being a light-reflector, but it’s a title that’s been given. This title is self-evident—because of who God made us and called us to be.

3. Don’t hide it: God’s light inside of us cannot be hidden. When we’re truly following Him, it is obvious and undeniable. So we can boldly and unashamedly shine brightly for Him.

4. Light it up: While we don’t want the world around us to grow darker and darker, the Bible teaches that it’s inevitable. And yet, His light will shine best in the dark.

5. No more darkness: Christ’s followers are meant to be beacons of light, illuminating God’s truth and shining His love. Whoever follows Jesus will never walk in darkness (John 8:12).

6. Compelled to worship: The purpose of carrying this light isn’t to draw attention to ourselves, but to compel others to worship God. The global Church is meant to be the brightest light the world has ever seen, and you get to be part of that city, the Church.

Though the sun may sink beneath the horizon and the world may become increasingly dark, the glory of such a city cannot be missed.

🙌🏾⚔️🙌🏾 Say “Yes” to What MattersPeter sat in grief and darkness. He had publicly denied knowing Jesus just before Jesus ...
04/25/2026

🙌🏾⚔️🙌🏾 Say “Yes” to What Matters

Peter sat in grief and darkness. He had publicly denied knowing Jesus just before Jesus was crucified. And for a couple of days, Peter had to process his guilt without expecting it to go away. But on the third day, Jesus’ tomb was found empty and the stone rolled away.

Not long afterward though, Peter was out in a boat with several other disciples doing what he was trained to do before he met Jesus: fishing.

It’s as he’s doing this that Jesus appears. But instead of letting Peter continue to live with the shame of his past, Jesus pulls him aside and asks him a question that propels Peter into his purpose:

“Do you love me?”

Three times Jesus asks Peter this—one for each time Peter denied him. This wasn’t a passive-aggressive question: Jesus was inviting Peter to reaffirm the relationship he’d previously denied.

Every time Peter responds with, “Yes Lord, you know that I love you,” Jesus re-commissions Peter by calling him into the role of church builder and shepherd.

Jesus’ resurrection meant that Peter didn’t have to be defined by his mistakes. He could still embrace the call on his life and become the leader Jesus knew he could be.

Like Peter, you also have the opportunity to say “yes” to loving Jesus and being loved by Him. No matter how dysfunctional your life looks, or how far from Jesus you feel, there is nothing that can separate you from His love.

Your past mistakes or current problems do not dictate your purpose when your life is rooted in Christ.

God has given each of us access to a free gift we don’t deserve: a free gift that is available when we choose to love God and receive His relentless, sacrificial love for us.

The resurrection reassures us that no situation or mistake is impossible for God to redeem. There is no fear Jesus cannot conquer and no life He cannot heal. No darkness can stand against the power of the risen God who conquered death on our behalf.

There is nothing our God can’t do, and no one our God can’t redeem.

Today, say “yes” to Jesus and allow Him to reveal His deep, unending love for you.

🙌🏾⚔️🙌🏾 Righteous by FaithA core component of the Gospel message is the righteousness of God— which essentially means tha...
04/21/2026

🙌🏾⚔️🙌🏾 Righteous by Faith

A core component of the Gospel message is the righteousness of God— which essentially means that God acts rightly toward humanity.

Romans 1:17 introduces this theme that Paul, the writer of Romans, covers in the rest of his letter. For Paul, this verse is the premise for the arguments that he will make in the following chapters.

Paul says in Romans 3:23 that all of us have turned our back on God, and that sin is what separates us from Him.

Since God is righteous and holy, and we are not, we couldn’t approach God on our own. There needed to be a solution to bridge the gap between us. God sent Jesus in our place to be that bridge. This way, Jesus could make a way for us to have a relationship with Him again, and God would still be righteous.

That is why Paul says God’s righteousness is revealed through the Gospel. But, he clarifies that it comes through faith. Paul says, “The righteous will live by faith” (Romans 1:17). Righteous living, or living our life according to God’s way, begins with faith, which is believing in what Jesus has done for us.

There is no amount of good work we can do to earn a relationship with God. Instead of measuring righteousness by good deeds, having Christian parents, or some other metric—God looks at our hearts. He looks to see whether or not we have faith in Jesus.

Everyone who comes to God must do so through faith.

We can have a relationship with God if we believe in Jesus and walk in faith. As we do that, we are made new in Christ. Our old ways and old habits are gone, and we can now walk in newness of life with Jesus.

Spend some time today thinking about what Jesus has done for you on the cross, where He gave His life on your behalf. What areas of your life can you live by faith, rather than trying to earn God’s favor? Rest in His presence knowing that you are accepted and made new because of your faith in Jesus.

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