Showing posts with label Tenth Avenue North. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tenth Avenue North. Show all posts

Monday, August 31, 2015

The Struggle is real

      I struggle. Every day I struggle to live out my faith, to love others well, to be Christ-centered, and to live intentionally for Christ. Every day I desire to read my Bible, and sometimes it does happen. But more often it doesn’t. Every day I desire to pray, and sometimes I pray for long periods of time. Sometimes it’s one sentence. Every day I long to be perfect, to have my life together, to accomplish everything on my to-do list. And every day I fail because I need Jesus to be made perfect in my weakness.
     Because of my personality, and not feeling very confident in myself, and who I am, it makes it a challenge every day. The struggle is real. You can't just call yourself a Christian... you have to live it out... daily! You have to constantly be on your knees in prayer, and repentance. You have to come to the foot of Christ, daily, and humbly seek His face.
     Recently, my husband was struggling with some personal things. I can't tell you how many times I cried out to God. I can't tell you how many times I've woken up in the night, and prayed that everything would be okay.
     Day's passed, and I hadn't read my Bible, except for the Bible verses that I send to my husband, every day, via text. I don't go to God in prayer as much as I should. I struggle. I struggle on a daily basis. I struggle to be the good wife that God wants me to strive to be, knowing that when I please my husband, I please God. I strive to make my home warm and inviting for all that enter, and I try to keep my house clean, so that when my husband comes home, he feels relaxed. I struggle with being a good wife... almost, too much. I'm a people-pleaser, and when I know that someone isn't pleased with me, I try to fix it. What I have to realize is that I can't fix everything. In fact, without Christ's help, I can't fix anything.
     The Christian walk, is a daily struggle. It's a struggle to keep my priorities straight, and to make sure that Christ is the head, in every area of life!
      It's a daily struggle to put on a happy face at times, when I've been crying all night long. I struggle to be like the Proverbs 31 woman. I fail... every day. My husband can tell you first hand, I don't have the greatest memory, so I forget a lot of things.
    I'm tired, and I'm worn. I struggle every day.
     Yesterday, my pastor talked about Prayer, and to never give up praying. In 1st Samuel 1, we see that Hannah prayed unto God, and never gave up hope for having a child. In Daniel 10:12, we read, "Then he said to me, "Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words." Don't give up! Keep praying! Keep striving to serve Christ daily! You will struggle, and you will fail at times, but don't give up! Yes, the struggle is real, but so is my God! Give God your daily struggles, anxieties, and fears; for He is mighty to save! (Zephaniah 3:17)
     2nd Corinthians 12:9, "And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness'..." 
  • How do you deal with struggles?
  • In what ways do you feel like you've become stronger in God? 
  • Can you give any Bible verses that have helped you when you're weary or struggling?

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Worn

We've all been worn out before.
Life takes us in loops and roller coaster rides. Sometimes, we can't get off.
Maybe, it's staying up with a crying baby all night that get's us worn. Maybe it's constantly going, and you can't stop. Or... maybe it's spiritually worn. Maybe you haven't had the time with God, that you want to. Maybe, life's been giving you so many loops, that you can't handle it. God tell us in Psalm 55:1-2, 22, "Give ear to my prayer, O God, and hide not yourself from my plea for mercy! Attend to me, and answer me; I am restless in my complaint and I moan... cast your burden on the Lord, and he will never permit the righteous to be moved."

1st Peter 5:7, "... casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."

Sometimes in life, we feel like we can't fight anymore. I would encourage you to give your burdens, fears, and fights to God. He wants to have your burden's!

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will fine rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
~Matthew 11:28-30~

Go to Him! He will give you rest!