Author: Vanessa Moonkie

•Faith-filled🌼 •Love-driven🌺 •Spirit-led🌸
Heyyyyyyy ! I am V OF THE MOST HIGH GOD. Welcome to the Yielded Center. Through my reflections on faith, my meditations on scripture and intimacy with Holy Spirit, l aim to inspire my readers to cultivate an authentic transformative walk with God. We yield by living a spirit led life.
Do you desire this? Then keep showing up here and let’s get practical.
And hey, God loves you. 💞 [ We laugh and love here]

Categories
Dealing with self

Comparing yourself to others

Hey family! Welcome to Habits to Unlearn – Part 2.

Let’s talk about comparison one of the habits we often carry without even noticing.You walk into a room, and suddenly you feel out of place. Everyone seems “successful,” polished, experienced and you? You’re just getting started. Without even realizing it, your inner voice kicks in: “What am I even doing here? They’re better than me. I don’t belong.”

And just like that, you fold. Your posture changes. Here’s the truth: low self-esteem is loud, but so is confidence. People can read it. In how you speak. How you show up. How you carry yourself. Your body language. Your stature.

They say comparison is the thief of joy. But it’s also the seed of destruction. Don’t believe me? Let’s go back to the Bible. Cain compared himself to Abel instead of learning from him and look what happened. Cain looked at his brother’s offering and thought, “It should’ve been me.” He felt rejected. Not good enough. Instead of learning, he compared, and that comparison led to jealousy, and jealousy led to murder. And in the end? Cain became a vagabond wandering, lost, carrying the weight of a choice born from comparison.

That’s what comparison does it pulls you out of purpose and pushes you into places you were never meant to be. Let’s bring it to today. You’re comparing yourself to someone with 10 years’ experience, trying to match their results after 10 months. You put yourself on a scale with someone who started before you and wonder why you’re “behind.” Even someone who started yesterday has a 24-hour advantage over you. And I won’t even start on marriage. Actually, wait let me start.

You’ve been a “good girl.” A solid young man. You’ve kept yourself, made good choices or at least tried. And yet… you’re still waiting. Meanwhile, you see others maybe not as “good” as you getting married, settling down, posting picture-perfect moments. And deep down, it pains you. Then the comparison starts: You look at your ex’s new girlfriend and think, “What did he see in her that he didn’t see in me?”

You spend 24 hours on her social media, zooming in on photos, checking her captions, scrolling through her friends list hoping to crack some invisible code.And that’s where the self-doubt creeps in. You begin to ask questions like: “What does she have that I don’t? What am I missing?” Let me tell you, you’ve already started comparing, and it’s quietly stealing your joy. You are you. She’s not you. He’s not you. I’m not you. And you’re not me. You’re not them. There’s peace in embracing that. There’s rest in accepting God’s unique plan for your life , not resenting someone else’s because I’m so sure comparison is a seed of jealousy.

Not everyone will have a degree and the earlier you accept this, the better. Now, am I saying drop out of school? Absolutely not. But I’m speaking to reality. Not everyone’s path will follow the same script. Some people won’t graduate and still, God will open doors for them. You don’t come from a rich family accept it. You who’s rich should never look down on someone as well. You’re not better, you’re privileged to get better opportunities.

Stop trying to dress like the rich man’s son when your story is still unfolding. Wear your own shoes with confidence. Not everyone will have the number 8 shape. And guess what? The shape you have is perfect for you. Fearfully and wonderfully made, others have seen doctors to look how they look. Not everyone will get results in 5 yearsYours might come in 6. Or 10. Relax and according to your own season.

Not every woman will have two or more children. Some have one. Some have none. That doesn’t make the next woman better than you. The man driving a Bentley is not automatically better than the one driving a Toyota. You don’t know how he got there. Some people you’re comparing yourself to? They joined cults. They made deals in secret. They sold their bodies. And here you are, trying to match them with clean hands and a pure heart. That’s not just comparison that’s injustice to your own process. Trust your pace. God is not late You’re the one in a hurry.

UNLEARN THIS HABIT.

See you tomorrow 💕

Categories
Dealing with self

Self sabotage

Hey family! It’s sooooo good to be back! I trust you’re all doing well and still yielded. 🙏🏾🩷

I hope by now you’ve all got your copy of A Thing Called Time, o! 😄 We’re about to dive into a new series titled “Habits to Unlearn.”. The heart behind this is simple to expose the little foxes, clear the dusty corners that mess up the room, and remove the tiny stones that keep tripping us up. Shall we begin?

NEGATIVE SELF TALK

For many years, I was self-sabotaging, and I mistakenly called it humility. I told myself I was being “down to earth.” I would constantly downplay my potential. I would recommend others for opportunities I was just as qualified for because, I was afraid I might fail if I took the shot.

The truth is, self-sabotage can wear many disguises. It can look like humility, caution, shyness, or even being “wise” but at its root, it’s often fear. So, what is self-sabotage? Self-sabotage is when you consciously or unconsciously hinder your own success, growth, or healing. It’s when your actions, thoughts, or beliefs work against your own goals and potential , even when you deeply desire progress.

Sometimes, it’s loud and obvious. Other times, it’s silent, subtle, and spiritual. But the result is the same: delay, defeat, and discouragement. In a moment, I’ll list some common signs of self-sabotage and if we’re honest, many of us will see ourselves in at least one of them. I personally know the areas where l frequently self sabotage. Let’s go to the bible and see if there’s anyone who did this.

“But Gideon answered, “Pardon me, Lord. How can I save Israel? My family group is the weakest in Manasseh. And I am the least important member of my family.”

Judges‬ ‭6‬:‭15‬ ‭ICB‬‬

I really love the children’s Bible , it’s so easy and simple to understand. Now let’s talk about Gideon. Would you say he was humble… or was he actually self-sabotaging? I’d say the latter. Gideon carried a mindset of inadequacy long before the Lord even spoke to him. You can tell by what he said. Just like it shows in your words that you don’t think much of yourself.

He had no confidence. He didn’t see himself the way God saw him and let’s be honest, many of us do the same. Let me say this clearly: If you think being shy is helping you… more often than not, it’s not.While you’re holding back, someone more confident not necessarily more skilled is stepping up and walking away with your trophy. We need to unlearn the phrases we’ve rehearsed every time we’re asked to do something:

“I can’t.” “I’m not ready.” “Maybe someone else.”

Then later you regret not taking a chance. Meanwhile, someone else with only 20% of the knowledge, experience, or anointing is saying “Yes” and they’re walking into doors you were meant to enter. So the question is: Why do you do that to yourself? There’s literally nothing good you ever say about yourself and then you wonder why nobody calls you for opportunities anymore? It’s because they took your word for it.

Some people even underperform on purpose just so they don’t outshine others. My dear, that is not humility. That is self-sabotage. It’s time to change that vocabulary you taught yourself. The school of negativity awards you a masters degree for all the silly things you say. All those, “I am not fit for this,” “I’m not good enough,” “I have failed before so I will fail again” statements. Some of us even say those things to God like Gideon did.

Stop. (My voice is firm at this point) 😂

Sometimes self-sabotage dresses up as fake humility but eventually, it will undress itself, and you’ll see just how much damage you’ve done… with your own mouth.

Listen carefully, UNLEARN THIS HABIT.

I’ll see you tomorrow, bring a friend 🩷

Categories
The Yielded Believer

The Comforter

I don’t know about you, but most of my life, I’ve needed a Comforter. There have been seasons where I cried myself to sleep, woke up with red, swollen eyes and a heart so heavy it felt like it would sink me. Seasons where no explanation would do. Not to friends. Not even to myself. Seasons where silence and tears was the only language I had. Where even speaking about it felt exhausting. In those moments… all I needed was God. And I thank God for the Holy Spirit. My Comforter, my Helper, the One who sees when no one else does.

I remember the story of Hagar, crying in the wilderness with her baby. Abandoned, lost, overwhelmed. But God saw her. God comforted her. And many of us can actually relate. Because I’ve sat with people broken, hurting, confused and reminded them: the healing they’re looking for often begins with comfort. Not answers. Not solutions. Just the steady, quiet presence of God.

God knows we are fragile. He formed us from dust. He knows how quickly we can be overwhelmed. How easily our hearts bruise. And Jesus knowing this, didn’t ignore it. He didn’t return to heaven and leave us to navigate this life alone. He said, ‘I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter.’ (John 14:16)

Listen… If comfort wasn’t necessary, the Holy Spirit wouldn’t have been sent in that name. But God knew we would need Him, deeply. And today, He still sends comfort. He still sees. He still stays.”

What have you been carrying on your shoulders lately? What’s been weighing you down so heavily that even breathing feels like a task? Do you need comfort? Let me tell you something I’ve come to know: The Holy Spirit gives the best hugs. By faith, I’ve wrapped my arms around Him, right there in my room and every time, I’ve felt lighter. Stronger. Seen. Refuse to live with an orphan spirit when the Comforter is present. He sees you. He sees what you’re facing. He’s heard every sigh. He knows the fear that grips your heart in the quiet of the night and the uncertainty that clouds your thoughts during the day. He’s aware of the questions you’re too tired to ask and the dreams you’re too scared to hope for. And even in all that, He still whispers:

“Let Me comfort you.”

“Whenever my busy thoughts were out of control, the soothing comfort of your presence calmed me down and overwhelmed me with delight.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭94‬:‭19‬ ‭TPT‬‬
Categories
The Yielded Believer

The rejected gift

My Yielded People!! Happy Monday! 💃

Last night, I was meditating deeply on how the Holy Spirit is such a precious gift. Do you know the vision behind the Yielded Center? It is, Living a Spirit-led Life. And that’s exactly what I desire. I want to live a Spirit-led life. I want the bestest of friendships with the Holy Spirit. I want to change, to be transformed. I want to make better choices. I want to be corrected when I’m wrong. Because I want to honour and keep this gift that God has so graciously given us. As I was meditating, a story came to mind… Here goes:

Let’s imagine a couple. They live in a beautiful home but one thing burdens them: they have no children. And it hurts. They’ve prayed. They’ve wept. They’ve fasted. But still, no child.Over time, their disappointment turns to frustration. Their frustration turns to bitterness. Their once-joyful home is now heavy with tension. So much so that they stop letting people in physically and emotionally. Every visitor feels like a reminder of what they don’t have.

Every baby shower, every family photo, every innocent comment feels like mockery. So they lock their doors. They isolate. They shut out anything that doesn’t look like their answered prayer. Then one day, a delivery man comes. He brings a package wrapped in paper covered with teddy bears, rattles, and baby shoes. He knocks. The woman peeks through the curtain, sees the wrapping, and without opening the door says: “Leave it there. I don’t need children’s gifts.” She doesn’t know what’s inside. She doesn’t even care. Her pain has convinced her that nothing good can come from outside that door.

The gift sits there for a day. Then three days. Then weeks. The seasons change, rain, heat, wind, dust. The box is still there, unopened. They leave the house, walk past it, ignore it. Their bitterness has made them blind. Nine months pass. Three years pass. The gift is still outside.

Then one day, a friend comes to visit. She too has struggled with the pain of childlessness. She notices the weather-worn, half-torn gift box still sitting outside by the door. “What’s this?” she asks. “Oh, just some children’s gift someone dropped off years ago,” the woman replies bitterly. “I don’t have children. I didn’t bother opening it. You can take it if you want.” The friend hesitates but accepts it. She brings it home. Some weeks pass, then months. Then unexpectedly she calls her friend, her voice trembling with emotion. “Friend! The gift you gave me…”

“Yes?” the woman replies, confused. “I opened it… and it wasn’t a toy. It was a scroll. Inside were instructions on how to obtain a promise… a child. And now… I’m pregnant. With twins!” There is silence on the other end of the call.The woman sits down. Stunned. Numb. “That’s not possible,” she whispers. “That gift… it’s been sitting by my door for years. In the rain. In the sun. It’s old. It can’t be real.”

But the friend responds gently, “Yes but you never opened it. You never welcomed it into your home.”

I feel like that’s how we are with the Holy Spirit.We shut Him out. We assume we don’t need Him or worse, that He has nothing useful to say. We pray for help, for direction, for breakthrough… and still feel stuck. Confused. Lost.But the One who was sent to guide us the One who literally has the answer is still standing quietly outside the door. Waiting. Still there. Still faithful. But someone with the exact issue as you, let Him in and things are working out!

The Holy Spirit is not pushy. He won’t barge in.He waits for an invitation. And when you finally open the door? You’ll find that He never left. We cry out to God, desperate for direction. But we ignore the Helper sent to lead us into all truth. We wrestle in confusion, drowning in our thoughts, but we reject the One who’s been standing there holding the ABC’s of our life map.

Life without the Holy Spirit is hard. I don’t know how people do it. I really don’t. It’s toil. It’s suffering. It’s endless guessing. It’s walking in the dark, when there’s a light switch within reach.That situation that’s gotten the best of you? That heartbreak, that decision, that mountain? Give it to Him. He’s not just here to make us “feel something” during worship. He’s here to lead. To teach. To comfort. To instruct.To reveal. To transform. Open the door.

The Gift is still waiting.

“And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

John‬ ‭20‬:‭22‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
Categories
The Yielded Believer

Reflection Friday

Imagine this: you’ve finally arrived at that sweet, long-awaited season , the one you prayed for, worked for, wept for. You’re in a good place now. Everything you once dreamed of, written down, visualised, and believed for it’s all come to pass. The vision board? Every box ticked.

You stand still for a moment and take it in. To your left: harvest. To your right: harvest. In front of you: abundance overflowing. Fruit from seeds you once planted in faith now surrounds you. You are humbled and amazed, whispering, “How did I get here?” It almost feels unreal but this is real. This is your harvest season. Can you see it?

I bet some of you couldn’t even picture it, not because you don’t want it, but because your faith didn’t allow you to go there. Your imagination has limits, not because you lack creativity, but because your belief system has built invisible fences. You try to dream big, you get the feedback “But you don’t have what it takes!” Then, you let it be. You desire the harvest, you speak of it, maybe even pray for it… but deep down, you don’t have the faith to see it.

And that’s the reality for so many. At the start of the year, there was excitement and hope, vision boards were filled, journals filled with declarations. But that’s where it stopped. The vision stayed on paper, never activated in the heart, never fueled by faith.

See, vision without faith is just wishful thinking. You wrote it, but you didn’t see it. You desired it, but you didn’t believe it. Paper holds your dreams, but only faith can pull them into reality. And faith? It doesn’t live in ink or aesthetics, it lives in you. Yep faith is not on paper because paper can be seen, faith is the substance of things unseen. It’s in YOU!

Until your mind sees what your hands wrote, and your heart believes what your mouth declared, the vision will remain disconnected. It’s time to align the page with your faith. To believe again. To imagine again. To see it before you see it.

So I’m asking you again…

Can you see it now? Can you see yourself married — walking in covenant love, hand in hand with the one God ordained for you? Can you see those beautiful children, laughter filling your home? Can you see yourself dedicating that new business, the one God gave you the blueprint for? You built a whole factory! YES, YOU! Look at God!

Is that you walking down the aisle? Girl, that dress! You look like royalty. Man of God, that suit! The oil and the elegance! KAI! What a sight! And wait is that you with that big, beautiful pregnant belly? After the doctors said it could never happen? Ha! Congratulations! I knew the report of the Lord would stand!

I know that I know that is you cashing your millions. Not for vanity, but for purpose. You’re financing the kingdom mandate, feeding the hungry, housing the broken, healing hearts with generosity. Look at you, in your beautiful home, peace all around, joy within. Look at you, winning souls everywhere God sends you. This is not just a dream. This is what you believed. This is what you held onto in faith when the odds said no. And now? Your faith has made you well.

I came here today to remind you of those dreams , the ones you whispered in prayer, the ones that made your heart race and your eyes tear up. They are possible. They are yours. They can be done. I didn’t come with hype. I came with faith. I came to reconnect you, not just to the vision, but to the belief that backs it. To stir something deep inside you that may have gone quiet. Because without faith, the dream stays locked in the pages of a notebook.

You and I ; we must believe. Believe beyond what we see. Believe past the delay.Believe through the opposition. Believe again. Hope again. Cast the net again. Again and again because faith is the bridge between where you are and where God is taking you. Do you recognise the two people in the picture below?

“Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping, believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!””
‭‭Romans‬ ‭4‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The Holy Bible