Living in the 'In Between': How to be Brave When Life is Unknown
By Monica D. Rajasagaram
God's Brave Women - Monica's Story
I couldn’t see how this was going to work, except to trust and be brave.
“I’m not sure what I will do with this qualification,” I told my instructor and mentor. We had just finished an hour conversation after registering for a life coaching course. It was a door I never thought I would walk through in 2018.
After twelve years of working as a medical practitioner, this was a big decision for me. In the years preceding this decision, I had experienced some very painful seasons in my life – multiple miscarriages and a medical diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes.
Journaling through my pain and seasons of despair brought me closer into a relationship with the Father, and I knew deep down I had more to give in life. As I continued to seek Him for direction and peace in what seemed to be a tumultuous time, I felt a gentle whisper in my heart to move in a new direction. While I didn’t know what this new direction would look like, I came across a life coaching certification program, quickly looked into it, and for some reason, felt led to explore it further.
"Journaling through my pain and seasons of despair brought me closer into a relationship with the Father, and I knew deep down I had more to give in life. As I continued to seek Him for direction and peace in what seemed to be a tumultuous time, I felt a gentle whisper in my heart to move in a new direction."
Being obedient to the nudge of the Spirit, I took a chance on myself and enrolled into the certification program. I couldn’t see the bigger picture, but I was excited to see where God was taking me.
I was on maternity leave after having our second child, and felt this was the right time to be brave, to get out of my comfort zone and pursue a new path. But in my heart, I knew I was going to have to deal with resistance from others who wouldn’t understand my decision.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)
You see friend, up until 2013, my life was pretty much what seemed like a normal progression in adulthood; from high school to university, into my first job as a medical practitioner, marriage and my first child. It wasn’t until 2013 that I experienced my first true loss, that in the form of a lost pregnancy. Little did I know the next four years, was going to be trial after trial.
Now, as I went further along in the certification program and entered the journey of learning, I could feel the fear of the unknown creeping in. I was sitting in a space of transition, and that in itself brought up a lot of questions and emotions. Still, I completed my studies at the end of that year and knew this was exactly where God wanted me. After a few months of wondering what to do next, I decided to give coaching a go and put my services out into the world. With very little knowledge of how to even set my business up, I took one small step at a time in faith.
This space of transition or the ‘in-between’ was a season in my life that I truly got to experience God and His faithfulness.
He was so good to send the right people into my life. I learned quickly how to put myself out into the world as a certified life coach. While there were many of moments of self-doubt and fear, I was also feeling brave to move into this space knowing God was in this transition with me. Leaving my full-time medical career was not an easy decision, but I know it was a God orchestrated one.
"While there were many of moments of self-doubt and fear, I was also feeling brave to move into this space knowing God was in this transition with me. Leaving my full-time medical career was not an easy decision, but I know it was a God orchestrated one."
“How did I get here?” I often asked God.
“How did I go from medicine to life coaching?”
I have since come to see God’s hands all over that season of my life, and I thank God for the courage He gave me as I took the next step and then the next.
I had to be brave to take that first step.
I had to be brave to tell others how I was moving forward with my life.
I had to be brave to keep going despite not seeing the end – to keep pushing through in serving those God has called me to serve – despite the setbacks, disappointments and failures.
Sitting in the ‘in between’ is never easy or comfortable. And maybe you’re in that space right now... Perhaps you are wanting more for yourself, for your life, and you believe in your heart that there is more for you to do. Maybe you are feeling God call you toward a new direction, but you are feeling overwhelmed by the fear of the unknown. I hear you.
This is what I know to be true – if God has called you to it, He will equip you for it. He will never leave you nor forsake you in your life, and that includes in the space ‘in between’.
"This is what I know to be true – if God has called you to it, He will equip you for it. He will never leave you nor forsake you in your life, and that includes in the space ‘in between’."
In fact, while I was in the ‘in between,’ I saw His immense love for me as I continued to rely on His wisdom, guidance and comfort. By His strength doors opened, mountains moved, and miracles happened.
Beautiful friend, God is sovereign and His plans are greater than we could imagine for ourselves. My prayer is that we never forget how He who is in us knows what we need even before we can ask for it, and He knows the end from the beginning. When you don’t know the plans, simply know that you can put your trust in the One who does.
"My prayer is that we never forget how He who is in us knows what we need even before we can ask for it, and He knows the end from the beginning. When you don’t know the plans, simply know that you can put your trust in the One who does."
You have to choose to be bold and believe.
Choose to trust and move with Him.
And know, that only because of His strength, can we truly be brave.
Brave Woman Manifesto
Make sure to check back next week as another courageous Sister shares her story!
And by the way...
You are Brave!
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About Monica
Dr. Monica D. Rajasagaram is medical practitioner, a writer, published author and a life and growth coach for women and young girls. She is also a wife, mum of two girls and a community builder. Monica is passionate about sharing her life transformation journey with the hope of empowering, uplifting and inspiring women to live a life of less overwhelm, and to hold their hands while walking through their personal life transformation journey.
She is also the founder of ‘The Nurtured Motherhood Village’ a monthly membership where she supports Christian Mums, strengthens their relationships, nurtures their motherhood journey, helps them grow in their potential and faith walk. She also mentors pre-teen girls through an online program called The Royal Hood.
Having been through the transformation and transition between different careers and seasons in life, as well as navigating health challenges, Monica has grown strongly in her belief that nothing is ever wasted, and life teaches us through all of our stories and seasons. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing and sipping coffee.
Keep in touch and follow her work on her website www.abouther.com.au, as well as Instagram and Facebook.