John 16:33 New International Version (NIV)
33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
I one believed that my status always kept God’s promises far away from my life. With these meditations at hand I began to drink heavily and aligned with individuals who had no interest in keeping me from harm. Instead of goodness and mercy following me throughout my life, trouble and negativity magnetized in every area. To add to the bitterness I felt that discord would always find me especially when I would begin to elevate my circumstances. My life consistently was unleveled and instead of believing I could make a difference in my life I blamed other people and God.
Over the weekend I reminded myself that if God be for me then who could be against me. Since this is true, once I submitted my cross unto God He began the process of change within my life. When “bad” things happen, it doesn’t mean God is against me. When I am denied abundance it isn’t necessarily bad, discomfort creates growth. God continually lights a fire underneath me to build the servant that I need to become. In life I will have to be alone much of the time and I will have to endure much in order to live out the life God has for me. My faith has been weak but, the day I saw the light of God was the day my heavenly Father required so much more of me then I could ever comprehend.
In my journey I have been abused, told that I wasn’t smart enough, told that I was ugly, had to lose all of my possessions, had multiple Judas’ that betrayed me, more than a few Peters that denied me and as I look towards my future I will face each trail with the assurance that God is fulfilling what is required of me. What doesn’t kill me makes me stronger along this winding road of my recovery from self-hate. In Luke 12: 48 it states:
New International Version (NIV)
48 But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
I honestly can’t say what that requirement is but, I trust God. Each time I was knocked down I’ve gotten back up declaring the validity of God’s grace, love and mercy. My conviction verifies that the God I serve is greater in me that he that is of this world.
We all have different stories to tell. Some have lived a very easy life and I call that a blessing. On the other hand there have been people who had to overcome some heavy battles and I call those blessings as well. I’ve seen people who were given beauty for ashes and some who continue to struggle because of their circumstances. The difference between the two types are gratitude and forgiveness both must prevail in order for circumstances to change. God can’t fully bless us when we are at war with what He has declared that we must go through. The more we complain the more things stay the same. When we are in the thick of a storm it is hard to see that we have the ability to wade through troubled waters. The storm is part of the recovery process. Instead of wishing for trouble to end be grateful for the strength gained from the lessons you will learn from the storm. Be grateful and forgive yourself and whomever else that may need forgiveness and trust that in the process God is building a new person in you.
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Stay Strong,
Miya
The Happy Nappy Project 