Happy December one and all! I can't believe that it's the holiday season again.... how crazy and how fast time flies!! I feel like yesterday I was a freshman in college getting ready to go home for Christmas. The Christmas season, for me, always brings a little hope for a better tomorrow, and at times a little sadness on the things or the people I have lost through the years. I wish life could just be one big cup of Peppermint Tea - never changing and never having to go through hardships. Well my friends, the unpleasant part is that life is constantly changing, and if we can't accept lifes changes for what they are, we will never be able to move on in our life. It would almost be like putting ourselves in a time capsule and never allowing ourselves to grow.
Do you sometimes feel that way? Like you're one person stuck in another times/persons body? It's a weird sensation when you're not comfortable in your own skin. But take courage in knowing that God has the best plans for you. He never said life was going to be a piece of cake, and each and every one of us has struggles and pain and regrets. Some of us have worse struggles, but that's where God comes in and says: "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." Temptation here is anything - it can be hurt from a friend, sins that we bring on ourselves by situations we put ourselves in, it can be the loss of someone close to us, it can be the loss of a job, and it can be the frustration we as humans so many times have for each other. Temptation is anything that can hinder our walk with Christ - so what are you being tempted by today??
You know, it's the hardest thing to admit you are wrong - especially to God. He already knows all the things and the people you have struggled with through the years. God actually knows everything -even that one part of your life that you're trying so hard to hide or to fake. He knows every hair on your head, every pain you have ever felt, every fear that you have had, and every struggle you have gone through. He knows you more than anything and He has a plan for the problems and issues in your life - plans to prosper you and not to harm you (see Jeremiah 29:11). And do you know that Jesus went to the cross for everything you or I have ever done? Many times as a Christian I think, well Jesus went to the cross for liars and cheaters and people who don't know him. But my friend Megan shared with me the other day that God went to the cross for EVERY sin we have EVER committed. That means He went for our doubts, our fears, our lying, our cheating, our blaspheming him, our sexual sins, our rudeness and unkindness towards our fellow man, our empathy, our selfishness, our addictions whether it's alcohol, drugs, porn, relationships - really anything you can think of that you have ever done - God has forgiven you for if you ask Him and Jesus took all of that stress and pressure and nailed it with him on the cross.
This week has been another one of those weeks with frustration and struggles with school and friends. One of my close friends shared a life saying with me that completely struck home to me, and I have to share it! "It takes a big person to admit they are wrong and an even bigger person to keep quiet when they know they're right"
One last morsel of wisdom that I've gotten this week. It's from my daily devotional "Streams in the Desert" - from my friend Ashleigh. It says "You can always count on God to make the "later ons" of difficulties a thousand times richer and better than the present".
And Verse of the day:
"No discipline feels pleasant at the time.... later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace." -Hebrews 12:11
Enjoy the weekend all!! By the way.... I'd love to hear your thoughts and comments!! :-)
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