Brittney McNiell
Everyone told her she could… so she thought she had to. Only to realize it wasn’t her job, to begin with, and now she is exhausted and burnt out. +++ It was never God’s design for you to carry the weight of the world. I see a generation of women who are influenced by a whole lot of ‘hustle’ and no
Brittney McNiell
A few weeks ago was a regular day that just so happened to be 2-22-22. That day I hopped on and off insta and left every time feeling sad for this generation of women. This regular day was turned into one that celebrated these 5 numbers as if they held some magic power to change the world. Please he
Brittney McNiell
For anyone who has been a Christ-follower for more than a handful of years, it can be easy to get familiar with common Bible stories and scriptures. You might find yourself skimming scripture instead of reading it word for word. Or skipping over a friend's inspirational post because you already know
Brittney McNiell
Does anyone else have a child who struggles to regulate volume? Our son is either shouting or whispering. Which honestly matches his personality of being on either 100 or 0 and nowhere in between. Over Christmas break, I found myself repeatedly telling him “You don’t have to yell”. I’ve considered t
Brittney McNiell
A few weeks ago during worship at youth, the sound made the loudest high pitch squeal I’ve ever heard. I swear I jumped 3 ft off the ground. I immediately turned to my friend and said “Whoa, I thought that was Jesus coming back.” Later that evening my daughter, Gracyn, who had been far across the ro
Brittney McNiell
During our more than a decade in Youth Ministry, we have noticed a disturbing trend that led us to say, “There has to be a better way.” +++ The repetitive scenario went something like this. Perfectly healthy happy teen finally gets a cell phone. A few weeks later, they begin to withdraw,
Brittney McNiell
Can we please normalize “body positivity” without being half-naked? +++ Before you read anything else, this post is not meant to shame anyone or make someone feel guilty for the way they dress. But if the Lord drops conviction (not condemnation… that’s from the enemy) on your heart… that’s between
Brittney McNiell
Stop mourning the loss of the marriage you thought you would have. +++ The idea of a fairytale future begins at a very young age for girls. Then in high school and college, we shift to a well-thought-out list of expectations. And we are told to wait until this perfect man arrives to sweep us off ou
Brittney McNiell
Pray for your marriage. +++ You probably read that and thought, ”I do pray for my marriage. I pray my husband would pick up his stuff. I pray he would not snore so I could sleep. I pray he would help with the kids. I pray he would be romantic. I pray to not punch him in the face.” BUT… th
Brittney McNiell
Be brutally honest with your spouse. +++ This comes in two parts. Part one: Submission isn’t about sitting back quietly and getting trampled on. It’s about assuming a position of self-sacrifice. And trusting the person, with whom you made a lifelong commitment, will hear from the Lord and act on wh
Brittney McNiell
Do the things you find important... even if people around you don’t agree. +++ That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. Genesis 2:24. The process of becoming one flesh looks like denying yourself, but it can also mean denying those around
Brittney McNiell
Boundaries Boundaries Boundaries +++ This might be the post where you start throwing things at me... if you haven’t already. But I truly believe this conversation could take all 10 days of this series. While there should be many kinds of marital boundaries - financial, time, family - I want to focu
Brittney McNiell
Don’t talk about your husband like he is a child. +++ I’m always down for a good joke. I often laugh at the worst times… like one time when my mom was choking. That’s a story for another day. But there is a certain set of jokes that have always burdened my heart. And it wasn’t until I was married t
Brittney McNiell
Always list your husband’s name first. +++ Okay… I just saw you roll your eyes. This piece of advice might sound a bit over the top BUT hear me out. Listing us as ‘Jeff and Brittney McNiell’ not ‘Brittney and Jeff McNiell’ indicates that I view my spouse as the head of the home. The “line leader”
Brittney McNiell
I think we can all agree unity is a lost art in society these days. That reality makes unity all the more valuable to have inside of your home. Because marriage occurs between two individually messy people, there is a 110% chance you will bump up against something you do not agree on. FRIENDS, DISAG
Brittney McNiell
Jesus First. Husband second. Children third. +++ Just as in life, marriage demands a certain order. If you have been a Christian for any length of time, you know Christ should come first in our lives. Your relationship with Jesus must be number one. Time in prayer, time in the word, and time gat
Brittney McNiell
Y’all, I know we dreamed of days that are easier than these but friends... the world is getting louder by the minute. +++ Knowing the truth, the real truth, the only truth that saves and frees, is the only solution to our broken and frustrated hearts. It’s not just healing for our hearts but those a
Brittney McNiell
Because of Jesus’ death on the cross, we have full access to our Father. We are no longer required to bring a sacrifice as Jesus became the ultimate sacrifice. +++ For the modern-day believer, this means “me + nothing” is all it takes to make a connection with my creator. You don't need a well-spoke
Brittney McNiell
I’ve struggled for months with what I’m about to share. It’s exciting - also weird and super uncomfortable - but really exciting. +++ I’ve been on a journey with the Lord seeking real authenticity. To save you from the dramatic details, I can sum it up with this: “You will never fully walk out your
Brittney McNiell
It used to annoy me when people said “If it matters, you will make time”. Come to find out my annoyance was actually conviction. +++ I’ve spent years telling God I was too busy to be still. Too busy to really study His word. Too busy to tend to my friendships. But the truth is... I was just distract
Brittney McNiell
Had this conversation with a student last night. Then had this conversation with myself this morning. Might as well have this conversation with you, too! +++ YOUR FUTURE IS NOT THE SUM TOTAL OF YOUR PAST MISTAKES. Those mistakes only define your future if you let them. And by "past" we cou
Brittney McNiell
Christ-followers, the way you use this platform speaks boldly of how you follow the Lord. To an unbeliever, your words are the voice of the Father. Read that again... to an unbeliever YOUR WORDS are the voice of the Father. +++ Does what you say match the heart of the Father? The way you speak could
Brittney McNiell
Bringing our words into agreement with truth is VITAL to surviving the storm. What we give voice, we give value. +++ Think of the way you have described the last several months. Are you coming into agreement with the enemy that this is the worst year of your life? Or are you coming into agreement wi
Brittney McNiell
Surrender is a funny thing. We often view it as the act of letting go or laying something down. But the true definition of surrender is to cease resistance. What would our lives look like if we actually surrendered to God and His will? +++ Would that book finally get written? Would you make that pho
Brittney McNiell
When things get hard it is easy to assume this isn’t what God wanted me to do. If this were God, this would be easier. +++ It’s actually the opposite. Attack is a sure sign your are coming on a victory. +++ Keep going. Don’t walk away. Don’t make excuses. Don’t throw in the towel. Fight back because
Brittney McNiell
We schedule and prep. Research and study. Meditate and declutter. Exercise and rest. All in the search of some kind of peace. +++ All of our efforts provide the illusion of peace. But PERFECT PEACE is an inside job. +++ When we fix our minds on Christ and fully trust Him, He will keep us in perfect
Brittney McNiell
I spent my study time this morning reading over child trafficking statistics. I’ve prayed about the topic but would never allow myself to dig deep into the reality. With tears streaming, I wondered how we got here. How we got to a place where people say pedophilia should be considered a sexual orien
Brittney McNiell
Mom friends: IT’S GOING TO BE OK! +++ There are a multitude of things happening around us causing insane amounts of fear and uncertainty. But sending our kids back to school has me completely stressed out. I would venture to guess that I am not alone. These are the things I am reminding myself to
Brittney McNiell
ex·er·cise a process or activity requiring PHYSICAL EFFORT, carried out for a specific purpose. +++ Faith is an exercise just like cardio. +++ It doesn’t feel good to pedal a bike or sprint to the finish line. But it is good to get up and move our bodies. +++ We sometimes believe faith is just a fee
Brittney McNiell
It’s been brought to my attention that this post might have caused frustration or offense in regards to the marriage portion. I want to be really clear my heart for this post. As it is never my intention to cause someone hurt. I think we as women, especially Christian women over complicate situati
Brittney McNiell
Ministries fail. Dreams fade. Lives stall. BECAUSE WE STOP. +++ I’m fully convinced 90% of ministry is just not stopping. I’m fully convinced 90% of marriage is not giving up. I’m fully convinced 90% of parenting is showing up. +++ There will forever and always be roadblocks, hiccups, and all-
Brittney McNiell
Hard-pressed on every side… but not crushed. Troubled, afflicted, pressured but absolutely not crushed. +++ I’ve often used the word “crushed” to describe my feelings after a heavy blow. It gives a visual to the way my heart feels after a situation left me broken. By definition, it means feeling
Brittney McNiell
An open letter to the moms who went before me... +++ To all the moms who raised kids before me, I’m sorry. I’m sorry I didn’t listen when you told me how fast it would go. I’m sorry I ignored you when you talked about how painful it was to watch them grow up. I’m sorry I nodded and half smiled ins
Brittney McNiell
As we approach the season of copious amounts of shopping between Thanksgiving and Christmas, I often hear women talk about hiding purchases from their spouse. As a like-minded Amazon addict, I get it. I really get the struggle. I’ve even considered purchasing the doormat instructing delivery drivers
Brittney McNiell
I often hear students in our youth ministry talking about ‘catching feelings’. I am pretty sure I spent the majority of my 20’s trying to NOT catch feelings. Not romantically speaking, like our students, but emotionally speaking. I didn’t want to feel sad because that would let people down. I didn’t
Brittney McNiell
Raise your hand if you hate Mondays? Well Karen, Monday’s aren’t fond of you either!! +++ Here’s to making Monday feel like Friday... 1. STOP talking about it. Thoughts become words. Words become actions. Actions become reality. Stop looking for a problem. Don’t post about it. Don’t even acknowl
Brittney McNiell
I know God loves me but I sometimes wonder if he just tolerates me. I’m a lot to deal with... like A LOT! I come with my fair share of rough edges and toddler-like tantrums. I don’t go with the flow very well and often get frustrated with myself and others. I’m sometimes vain and critical. Like I sa
Brittney McNiell
My courage comes in waves… more like bursts. Kind of like a lighting bolt striking the ground. The light disappears but the result of the strike is sometimes messy! +++ As we have ventured through this season of crazy difficult decisions, my courage has been tested… repeatedly. It’s funny how you
Brittney McNiell
Peace is not a trophy you receive for victorious acts over fear. Peace is an act of complete surrender. It’s the byproduct of the abandonment of control. Peace doesn’t come because our to do list is finished. Peace doesn’t come because we have removed triggers and deleted people from our lives. Peac
Brittney McNiell
Be confident in knowing the God who began a good work in you WILL finish it. He is the God of the middle. Working just as diligently in the ‘in-between’ as he works in the beginning and end. He is a good God, who is orchestrating good things for you. +++ Rest in knowing God has not abandoned you
Brittney McNiell
More Is Less Until It’s Not +++ In January, Jeff and I felt like God was asking us to accept the word “more” for 2019. It was a scary ‘yes’ because we were already doing so much. As the year progressed more turned to less as God asked me to step away from some leadership positions. Honestly, God h
Brittney McNiell
I LOVE making lists!! I love the false illusion that I have my life together for about 10 minutes before I lose said list. I love adding things to the list that I’ve already completed so I can mark them off. I love color coding and writing on cute paper. I just love lists. I also just saw you rollin
Brittney McNiell
I find myself answering this question over and over the last few days. No... the answer is no. +++ Whatever is keeping you up at night. Whatever has you deep in distraction. Whatever ties you to your bed with no will to pull yourself out. In light of eternity... does it really matter? +++ So much
Brittney McNiell
“Don’t speak for me until you learn to listen to me” +++ It’s been months since these words were spoken over my heart. I don’t remember who said it or what sermon it was from. But I remember the moment and how it pierced… DEEPLY. At first, I thought I was being punished. I resolved to tuck my head
Brittney McNiell
In all reality, a single day of celebrating Jesus means nothing if we don’t fully submit to him the other 364 days a year. It’s the struggle between celebrating and serving…
Brittney McNiell
Lord, your relentless pursuit of me doesn’t go unnoticed. Even in my worse behavior or greatest distance, you Lord were chasing after me. If there is any other love like this, I’ve never known it. By definition, it’s unconditional. By pursuit, it’s relentless. Over time
Brittney McNiell
YOU DON’T HAVE TO LIVE IN A PLACE OF ANXIOUSNESS! Perfect peace is offered to those …
Brittney McNiell
Surrender doesn’t mean I give up, it means I can’t move forward on my own.
Brittney McNiell
If there isn’t one gift under the tree... we will have celebrated the birth of our Savior.
Brittney McNiell
If survival mode is the place we are going to live for a moment… we will just make the best of it! And for the same reasons I love Mondays and a new month, tomorrow morning offers us a chance to try again. And try again we will…
Brittney McNiell
So even when it doesn't make sense, I remind myself of truth. REAL truth that is unchanged by my actions or the way people see me.
Brittney McNiell
Your brokenness grants you access to the miraculous power of God.
Brittney McNiell
I would be dishonest if I allowed you to believe that my faith has not been tested. I would be a liar if I told you that I fully trusted God with each of these outcomes and I wasn’t angry and hurt.
Brittney McNiell
Guilt is the act of carrying forgiven sin in your pocket. Pulling them out and petting them... thinking about them... entertaining them. Nothing good comes from thinking about and holding on to the person you used to be.
Brittney McNiell
Y’all! Comparison is a trap that will kill all the good God is doing in your life. The enemy will use it to drain you of every productive & positive thing being birthed inside of you.
Brittney McNiell
So I’ll stay here with you God. A moment longer. Even at the risk of being late. Even at the risk of upsetting my husband. Even at the risk of having to rush around later. Even at the risk of being judged by other moms/wives for the state of my home, children & car….
Brittney McNiell
Stop scrambling through one task just to get to the next, stop overworking to achieve something you don’t feel his presence in, stop filtering every area of your life in fear that someone will meet the real you, stop talking when you can’t hear his voice, for the love of all things holy stop talking
Brittney McNiell
Don't waste your life tied to a dream that isn't yours. If your answer to, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" doesn't spark a fire inside of you... then it isn't good enough. Try things. LOTS of things… and fail. Please for the love of all things holy, FAIL at something.
Brittney McNiell
Brittney McNiell
Your expectations are the predictions of your prayers production. The power of my prayers hinges on my expectancy! And my expectancy comes from my trust in Him and His promises.
Brittney McNiell
You are no good to ANYONE, including yourself, inside the belly of a whale. The people of Nineveh NEEDED to hear Jonah’s voice. SOMEONE needs to hear your voice.
Brittney McNiell
THIS is the heart of Grit + Favor. A journey like no other with a God who desperately adores you. The place where your courage and resolve meet the goodness of God!
Brittney McNiell
Don’t let the shock of their actions carry your reactions