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?

When Our Strength fails and Gods Strength Prevails

       All of us go through hills and valleys in life. We have days when our strength is completely helpless, and we feel like we can't go on. We have days when our whole world feels like it's falling apart. However, through it all, I can honestly say that God is good! I'm realizing every day that even on my bad days, I just have to remind myself of all of life's many blessings, and look at it, and say, "God is good...even then!" This past week, I've been learning a lot about trusting in God. Learning to completely surrender and give my all in all, to Christ. It's when we come to that place in life, when we completely surrender to Christ, and take up the cross, and follow Him, that God's strength is seen. We can't it on our own. It's only through Gods grace and mercy that I make it every day. 

     This past week, some family members and I were talking about struggles in our own lives. Struggles like, having doubt, worrying, stressing out about things, feeling like a failure at life, second guessing ourselves... the list can go on. But, I came to a stopping point this past week. Some family members came over to our house this last week, and we prayed. We prayed for Gods goodness and mercy to prevail. We prayed for Gods grace and strength to take over. There's a breaking point in every Christians life. A point where we have to literally give up, and fall upon Christ. I love how Paul Washer says it, "Repentance, is simply giving up! To stop fighting against God, and to stop attempting to gain your own salvation through your own works; to literally give up and fall upon Christ."
     I came to a breaking point a couple years ago. A point where I realized that I don't have strength to get through each day. I can't make it on my own. Some days, I still think I can... but it's in those moments, that God uses us the most. God is continually refining us. I'm constantly reminded in James 1:2-4, "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." We can't get through life on our own strength, only in Gods. In 2nd Corinthians 12:9, we read, "And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness..."
     Man will fail us every day of our lives. God is the only one who never fails! He is faithful to the end, and with us every step of the way! So, when we feel like we can't go on anymore, just know that God will give you the strength to get through each day... we need only to seek God and ask.

Failure and Messe's

Have you ever had one of those days when nothing goes right? Where you feel like you're a failure? You know what I'm talking about... A child colors on the wall, this child hit that child, phone calls every minute, taking people places, laundry to get done, dishes to do, food to cook...etc... the list can go on, and on...

I'm not a mom yet, but watching my siblings...especially my 5 year old brother can be quite the task sometimes! You'd think that me... almost 22 years old, would know how to handle kids by now... there are some days I don't even want to know how my little brother got into this thing, or that thing. But what really matters? Do we wince at every little thing, or take time and laugh at some of the craziest things? Sure, our live's can be somewhat chaotic! The house will go uncleaned and untouched for a couple days; but, do we laugh at the moments that our son/daughter/brother/sister dumps flour on the forehead and look so silly? Do we laugh or giggle when they get so frustrated with trying to pronounce a word and make something else up that doesn't even sound like the word that they're supposed to say?

It's so easy to get mad and upset, isn't it? Recently, my dad took us all out to see, "Mom's Night Out"... I don't think I've laughed so hard in all my life! ;)
You know why? Because it's the story of our life!
I've written some of them down because yes, they're frustrating times, but yes, they're also funny times! Kids grow up way too fast!... I guess that's what a little food and water can do for you! ;) But, looking back on those times that my little brother wouldn't stop asking me questions... does he remember me as always pushing him away... or always taking the time to talk with him and answer his questions?... even if they are silly! :) Take time to relax... even in those crazy moments! Live life, love on your family, and enjoy God's creation everywhere! Sit down with your family... the dishes/laundry/____ can wait. You aren't a failure! I know, I know, there are days when you feel like you're the worst parent/sibling ever! We're all a mess in some way or another; But it's in those moments that God's creating a little image of Him, inside of us! God's still working on you... are you willing to listen?