#BBW

The acronym and hashtag #BBW have been making its’ headlines lately. You see it on every social media platform, especially since the BET Awards aired on Sunday night, and after Lizzo’s performance, she surely has the BBW gang hyped. Having said that, BBW is currently trending at an all-time high, well, until the next big trend makes it debut. BBW may refer to many different things such as Big Beautiful Woman, Black Beautiful Woman, Bath & Body Works, or even Black Business Woman, the list goes on. However, on today, I want to introduce to you Casters a new denotation of BBW. Let’s get into it!

BBW: Belief(s) before withdrawal

Belief is an acceptance that a statement is true or that something exists. Belief can also be defined as trust, faith, or confidence in something or someone. As Christians, we have many beliefs (views, opinions), but our most notable belief is our faith in God the Father, Jesus Christ as the Son of God and Holy Spirit. Other beliefs are our belief in the Word of God, our steadfast faith, our morals, principles and behaviors. Recalling your beliefs is key when trying to steer away from withdrawal or withdrawing from a thing prematurely.

Withdrawal is the action of withdrawing something, taking away, or removal. Many of us tend to withdraw from life when things get too hard, or when things are not working the way we hoped them to work. Many of us withdraw from ourselves, which then leads to self-hatred. You often find us withdrawing from others and/or situations when it’s more fitting for us, assuming isolation would be our best option. Withdrawal has its’ pros and cons. Though, in this context I am referring to withdrawing from a thing before bearing in mind your beliefs.

I recently started a new position at work which required two months of intensive training. This training has been very challenging for me, however by God’s grace, I am set to graduate from this class on Friday! Woohoo! Hallelujah! It’s been a journey. Many days I didn’t see the light, I only saw darkness. I was like really God?! I accepted this new position, expecting a greater level of peace that my old position did not provide, and now while in this new training, I’ve experienced many doubts, tears, fears, etc.…I was so frustrated!! Now, suddenly, two days prior to the end of this training, prior to graduation, I am starting to receive accept revelation. The revelation was always there, I was just so caught up in feelings and everything else, I could not comprehend. I was ready to throw in the towel, I was angry, and I was about to withdraw from this training and go back to a position that was easier for me, more money but no peace…how foolish!

We are Casters, not fools. 1 Peter 5:7 reminds us to cast all our anxieties on Him, our creator, the one who knows us, the one who isn’t surprised by what we’re dealing with, our Father. Remember, it’s Beliefs Before Withdrawals, #BBW! When tempted to withdraw from life, from yourself, from others, stop for a second and turn your attention to your beliefs. For you, that may mean stopping to read your bible, praying, taking a walk, speaking with a trusted friend, referring to that personal list of things you told yourself you would start or stop doing. Whatever works best for you, do that! When in that heated moment, ask yourself, “Is the decision that I am about to make favorable or unfavorable towards my future?”. If the answer is unfavorable, BBW your way through that thing!!!! You’ve got this!!!