Patience/peace
Prayer
Self-Control
Testimony
I chose PATIENCE because this is an area where I tend to run on empty all of the time. I feel like patience and peace run hand in hand. If you lack patience, it's nearly impossible to be at peace. If you aren't a peaceful person, then you are more than likely not a patient one either. As most of you know, I battle an anxious mind quite often. Because of this flaw, I have a very hard time being at peace. This year I'm changing all of that. In order to be the most effective Christian, Wife, and Mother, I HAVE to be a patient woman. God has huge plans for my family and I's lives, I just know it. In order to figure out just what exactly that plan is, and how to pursue it, I need to be able to be still and listen to God, more than I ever have before. I want to train myself (with God's help of course) to be patient with correcting my children, patient with responding to my husband, patient with the stressful things of life that tend to knock me down more often than not. Jared and I woke up early this morning and did a little Bible study together. One of the verses that was read was John 16:33 which says "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." These are the words of Jesus. He specifically states here that we WILL have trouble in this world, not that we might, but that we WILL. But he has defeated this world, so in him lies more power than without him. I think I sometimes get myself in this place where I question God to the point of becoming disobedient. "Why am I going through so much of this crap God??" "Why are you allowing this to continue?" "Why can't you fix this God?". I get so angry and bent out of shape that I can't see that he is offering me peace in the midst of the storms. Let go and let God. It's so simple, yet it is a hard concept to actually grasp. But that's what I need to do, then I will be patient and at peace.
I chose PRAYER because this is the most important aspect of a Christian's daily walk. I can honestly say that I do NOT pray nearly enough. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says "pray continuously". Enough said right? We are suppose to pray all of the time, no matter the circumstance. Why is it so stinking hard for me then? It clearly states in the Bible that I'm suppose to, yet I don't. I think this is because of the above (lack of patience and peace on my part). That is why I chose prayer second rather than first. I do not have the patience to pray and listen to God speak, which is changing this year. In reality though, they are kind of on the same level. I will pray for patience/peace, and I'll be patiently praying. I'm a hot mess. Thank God for his grace and PATIENCE with me. Anyway, praying before some meals and for my kids at bedtime is absolutely NOT enough. It's important to pray at those times, but it's just not going to cut it. I need to make prayer a top priority in my every decision. Each moment is a good time to pray. Sitting on the couch writing a blog? Thank God for the freedom to do so (done). Going on a walk or run? Thank God for beautiful scenery and your shoes. Someone challenging you at work and getting angry at you for something? Pray for them, and pray for yourself that you'll react the right way. Thank God for lessons. Thank God for always teaching you. Get pulled over for speeding? Thank God for police officers who care about the safety of you and others. Your kids driving you batty? Thank God for blessing you with children when so many people are unable to have them. Is your house a disaster? Thank God for blessing you with a roof over your head. Even in the most mundane of moments, there is always something to Thank God for. Prayer isn't always for asking God for help during hard times (which is important as well), it's for just being in a constant communication with our creator. We can grow a better relationship with him if only we give him our time. Things in life aren't always going to be easy, so we need to have a good enough relationship with God, so that we can stand strong during trials, which all comes down to our prayer life.
I chose SELF-CONTROL because this is also an area in which I lack. Sometimes, no scratch that, A LOT of the time I forget that I am in control of my mind and actions. I can choose to do, or to not do any single thing. I choose to drink too much soda, or eat too much junk food. I choose to not read my Bible or pray. I choose to give in to temptation. I choose to have a bad attitude or set a bad example. I choose to gossip, or think negative thoughts. I choose it, not someone else choosing for me, but me alone. Because I lack self-control, I choose the wrong things constantly. I plan to rise above that in 2017. I am going to practice self-control more this year than ever before. I know it seems like an easy and small thing, but I have started with NO SODA AT ALL for this whole year. No diet soda, caffeine free soda, or regular soda. I'm on day three, and I'm going strong. I also, along with Jared, have decided to wake up early each morning and do a Bible study together. On the days Jared works, as well as all of the other days. I think this is a great start to learning to exercise self-control. Seeing as how it is so much easier to just sleep in, this will prove to be a sacrifice. Doing these things will open doors for making the right decisions, I do believe. Titus 2:11-12 says this "For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say "NO" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and Godly lives in this present age." Well, there you have it.
I chose TESTIMONY because I am a living testimony for God, and I haven't lived my life that way, for the most part anyway. I use to think that a testimony was just something you went up in front of the Church to say to the congregation, but it's not just that. Your testimony is how you live your life. Your testimony is the trials and tribulations that you have faced and overcame. Your testimony is your daily walk in the Lord. Your testimony is your prayer life. It's the way you bring up your children. Your testimony is the relationship you have with your spouse. It's all of the things God has blessed you with and more. It's your struggles, flaws, and choices. I want to be a good testimony to God and to others. The definition of the word testimony is: "evidence or proof provided by the existence or appearance of something." I want my entire existence to reflect Jesus Christ. That means all of the roads I take, the good and the bad, make up my testimony. I've made more bad decisions than I care to admit, but those have helped to mold me. I don't regret making wrongful choices, but I do pray that in the future I use my past to make better decisions. Matthew 10:32 says "so everyone who acknowledges me before men, I will acknowledge before my Father who is in Heaven." We acknowledge God not only through our words, but through our actions, through our testimony. This year is a new beginning for my testimony. I'm not sure who this quote is by, but I absolutely love it. "Only God can turn a mess into a message, a test into a testimony, a trial into a triumph, a victim into a victory." These seem like some good words of motivation.
SUPERB IRONY BELOW:
Galations 5:22-23
"But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, PEACE, PATIENCE, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, SELF-CONTROL. Against such things there is no law."
It's pretty ironic that 2 of my 4 words are mentioned in this verse, and that the patience and peace are right next to one another. I honestly hadn't even thought about it until I read it. I had my words chosen before I looked up this verse. Super cool, and a confirmation for me as well that I made the right choice.
2016 was truly a whirlwind of emotions for me. I was overly anxious, and at times depressed. I also had amazing moments where I was happy and excited. We were tested and blessed financially beyond belief. All of this took place in the same year* Jared got demoted at Efco to where he was making such a low amount that we could not afford to pay all of our bills, and then he got hired at Steeltech making just enough to pay our bills, and then getting a raise and put on the monthly bonus within months of working there. He now works for a company who genuinely cares about him, and is there to help him succeed. I also got hired on part-time at Family Video. Me getting a job wasn't only for financial reasons, because we really don't need me to work, because Jared makes enough to cover everything, but I wanted to have a little bit of time to get away for a bit each week. I felt like getting a job would be a good way to overcome my anxiousness, as well as give me a chance to be a witness, and mingle with people. So far this has proven to be correct. i love my job and the people I work with. It's just a bonus that I'm getting paid. Other things that happened in 2016 were Oliver turned one and Emerie turned three! We moved into our new home, which has been a tremendous blessing, and we really can't thank God enough. We did a soft launch of our photography business. We had several photo sessions, and some awesome clients were sent our way. It was a blessing to be able to dive more into our passion for photography. I believe 2017 will be even better. We were introduced to so many new people, and I believe each person was strategically placed into our lives for a very specific reason. God knows our needs, and he fulfills them accordingly. Looking back, as hard of a year as 2016 proved to be at times, it was preparing us for an even better year. I am confident that 2017 is going to be a great year for myself and my family. As long as I make the decision ever single day to be patient/peaceful, to pray continuously, to exercise self-control in all circumstances, and to be a testimony, it will be an amazing year. God bless, let's conquer 2017 together. Happy New Year!
