About the Author

Karina Allen is devoted to helping women live out their unique calling and building authentic community through the practical application of Scripture in an approachable, winsome manner.

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
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(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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  1. Karina,
    “Jesus has pre-approved us and our worth is found solely in Him!” Amen. If women could really digest this and internalize it, what a different world we would live in. Vying for the world’s accolades is an insatiable quest. Nothing will ever satisfy like the love of Christ and our Father God. We are all walking wounded who need a sister or brother to come alongside and remind us of this truth. Thank you…
    Blessings,
    Bev

  2. Good reminder that God calls us to be lights in the darkness! We should not be surprised when we feel out of place in the world – take heart that you are different, because it means that Jesus has truly done a good work in you. For without Jesus, all of us would be like the rest! Best wishes for your workplace!!

    • Thanks Joanna!!!!

      I totally don’t mind standing out in darkness. I kind of like it! But, I do need prayers for the crazy hostility that i encounter everyday.

  3. I remember a very dark time in our family’s life just a year ago that friends quickly were concerned about for us and a few actually joined in it with us, but as soon as it “appeared” to be over, just like that they were all gone. No one ever followed up to ask how we were doing, because we “looked” fine due to our horrific story having a (blessedly) happy ending. While I was still desperately wrenched with pain and anguish at what had transpired and was still transpiring in our family’s life, I felt that others looked completely past us and the family-changing experience we’d lived through. I am not saying this to place blame; I’m sure I’ve done this numerous times to others in similar circumstances. But this heightened my awareness that just because a situation has been resolved for the present moment, doesn’t mean that the people involved aren’t still hurting and reeling from the pain. I try to be a better follower-upper than I used to be, because I so wish women had done that for me.

    • Such a good reminder Beth!

      Hurt and pain last far longer than the resolution of a conflict. We forget that. We look at the surface of a situation. Then we get caught up in our own lives. I’m working on being more intentional in following up too. It matters. It’s important.

      Thanks for sharing!!!!

      • Karina – thanks so much for your reply. You said it perfectly, “Hurt and pain last far longer than the resolution of a conflict.” I never realized how true this was until it happened to me.

        • Totally my pleasure! There have been many circumstances that I still experience some after effects. I’m thankful that God is patient and walks with us through our process.

        • The exhaustion, and the adjusting to the new normal last for far longer than the appearance of the good outcome.

  4. We, as a society, not only defame, criticize, and tear down but also rush past. Even if our hearts are trying to rally with others, our lives are going so fast that we only take time to “click” a heart or sad face. It takes time to walk with someone at their pace, in their life. I, for one, need to slow it down and pay attention.
    xoxox

    • So true Nancy!!!!

      I am right there with you! Let’s slow down. Let’s be observant. Let’s rally and carry the burdens of the broken and hurting. I like this…”It takes time to walk with someone at their pace” Beautiful!!!!

      Thank you for sharing! Blessings!

      • Yes, so well said Nancy. It DOES take time, but time spent will be time well remembered. Yes, let’s just all get off the carousel and slow down!

    • Thank you, Nancy, for this. How true it is that we rush past; it is something that I am guilty of. I praise the Lord for this reminder to slow and walk with 🙂

  5. Karina – Your message is so timely. I needed this reminder again today. Thanks for sharing! And hang in there – you can be a light to those women at your workplace.

  6. Karina, such a life-giving post. Our words can be powerful or devastating.

    I loved what you said here: “They don’t know that Jesus has pre-approved them and their worth is found solely in Him.”

    When we don’t understand Whose we are, and where our value and identity comes from, then we don’t know how to interact with others in a life-giving way. We’re too worried about gaining approval, carving out an identity, earning value. Thank you for the reminder to be an encourager, a life-speaker.

    • Thank you Jeanne!

      Our words are crazy important and so underestimated!!! It’s sad to see grown women who live out of such a lack of identity. God desires so much more for His creation.

  7. Love this post! Thank you for reminding us of the truth and bringing a prophetic message.

  8. Thank you Karina for writing this post. I know you are so right about women who are speaking of nothing but what calls into play the ” death cycle “. That is one reason I take to my computer, I have a voice here that I don’t always have, to encourage. Galatians 6:10, I like that, but it I have found it difficult to speak life into even some of those fellow Christians. I reread Proverbs 18:21, I actually misquoted it putting life first ( not a bad idea ) but my mother told me I had it backwards, she was right, ( as usual ), we are just wired to speak death in the natural. We have to have the Lord to help us control it. I encourage you to speak peace to your workplace, just like Jesus said to do when entering a house, you are there for a reason and His light shines through you. Be blessed, He’s always with you.

  9. Was about to start work on a “big” project – and feeling exactly what you describe – and checked into Incourage for first time in weeks – Oh my goodness … how your post and every comment here is meeting wet eyes and a nod of recognition – All prophetic – bless you.

  10. Really needed to see this today Karina! Your not alone. Recently just got a full time job as a file clerk in a law firm. Definitely is a blessing but I find myself unhappy in this work setting. Thank you so much for sharing. May God bless you always and may we continue to bless and encourage one another! Xoxo

  11. Oh good grief this was POWERFUL Karina. What happens to one of us DOES happen to all of us and pre-approval is ours in Jesus! Let these words be a true cry for all of us gals.

  12. I greatly appreciate your rally cry: We carry burdens! We honor! We encourage! We build up! In our life group at church, we seek to practice just that, In addition, precious friends near and far provide the same. I can’t imagine striving through each day surrounded by negativity and critical words. May God use you, Karina, to dissipate that negativity and spread the aroma of Christ!

  13. Oh Karina, how we in a hurting world need this call to encouragement 🙂 I praise the Lord for these beautiful words. To use our words for wholesome speech that builds up and grows and changes us, encouragement helps the burdens become lighter, shining the light on the One who brings victory and the love and approval that only He can give. I love these words “We are the family of God, the body of Christ. We are eternally bonded together by His blood.” May we each seek His face in each other and love as He has loved us 🙂

  14. I absolute love this! The verses you shared are some of my favorites and this post is such a good reminder, my word for 2016 has been “encourage” and this post is the perfect almost-mid-year refresher!

  15. Karina,
    Praying for your co-workers. May God change and soften their hearts. Working in that kind of environment is hard and toxic to one’s soul. My old office is like that and I can see the devastation on the women’s faces. A number of us have left that office for other places just to be out of that environment. Young people today want fame and fortune at any cost. I am an encourager by nature. Love sending cards, e-mails, cooking meals & most importantly praying for people. I have a good friend who was going through a tough time with aging parents a few years ago. At various times I cooked meals or bought meals for them and kept in contact as to how everyone was doing. All the while I was working full time and dealing with aging parent issues of my own. I found a good friend in whom I could commiserate.
    Blessings 🙂