It's a Process

I'm not quite sure how to start this post. I guess I should start it by saying that I've been thinking everything that's happened in my life this past year. God has changed me a lot this year, and I've learned many things about myself. Probably one of the biggest things I've learned is that my faith journey is a process. God is not going to change you overnight. Sometimes it can be very hard. I want to share with you guys some truths that I've learned and am continuing to learn.

1. Don't be afraid to let people in. I'm one of those people that knows when I need help. If you're struggling with something, don't just keep it all inside. I know that it's hard to open up and be transparent with someone, but having that trust and support is such a blessing. One of my friends put it this way: "God will not make us perfect overnight because that will not give Him the most glory. Letting others in on your struggles and letting them help you grow will give God so much more glory than you becoming perfect and never messing up." That being said, that does not mean you have to tell the whole world your problems! Go to someone in your life that you trust and know will be there for you. Even if you feel like you're having trouble talking about what you're going through, God will give you the opportunity to open up. You just have to trust Him. God has provided wonderful friends to me that give me so much love and support. I don't know what I would do without them.

2. Cut yourself some slack. Realize that you're not perfect, and that's ok. We're human. We're sinners. We mess up. Trying to be perfect all the time doesn't work. In Romans 7 Paul states that we do what we do not want to do because we are ruled by human nature. Don't put so much pressure on yourself. God is shaping you into the person He wants you to be. Know that you're not alone in this.

3. Be patient. Like I said before, this is a process. God is not going to change you overnight. It's His timing, not yours. I know that this one of the things I've struggled with the most. But God has been teaching me that I just need to give everything up to Him. That's a scary task. We like knowing how things are going to turn out. There have been many times when I've given it to God said it's in His hands, and then I turned around and took it all back. But I'm here to tell you, God knows so much better than you do. He has amazing plans for you. I know that giving Him control is hard, but it's the most rewarding thing I've ever done. He will bless you in ways you never imagined.

I don't know everything, and I'm still learning. I'm looking forward to seeing what God has in store for me.

I'm No Better Than The Israelites

In my History and Faith class we're studying the Old Testament. We just finished covering the Israelites getting out of Egypt and going to the Promised Land. Now, one thing I've noticed about these stories about the Israelites (Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Joshua, etc.) is that there is a common theme. The Israelites complain. A lot. Not a verse goes by without them grumbling about not having any water or food or why did we come all the way out here just to wander the desert and God has forgotten about us. God didn't forget about them. They forgot about God. Whenever they faced hardship, the Israelites instantly doubted. The whole time I was reading this, I was thinking, "Ok. Why are they having such a hard time with this? God brought them out of Egypt! He cut an ocean in half for them! He can do anything! They've seen countless miracles, and yet they still doubt. Why aren't they able to trust Him?"

Then, I realized something. The Israelites doubted because they're human. And I'm no better. It doesn't matter how many times God shows Himself in our lives. We're human. We mess up. It's hard to give everything to God and trust that things will work out. We think that we can do it ourselves and turn from God. But no matter how many times we fall, God picks us back up. He was with the Israelites through it all, and He's with me through it all. God has overcome the world. There's nothing in my life that He hasn't seen or can't handle. He's been there; He gets it. His love covers all, and that's more than I could ask for.