Quick side note: Recently, heart break and huge let downs have been a very common mind set and state of my heart. But then I realized it wasn’t just me – and it was in that moment that I realized that the Lord was renewing hope and strength with his daughters – in such a powerful and reassuring way<3

To all who are fighting a seemingly never ending battle: you’re right, it is a never ending battle – but at the same time it is already won.

It is already finished. He has conquered all things that are coming our way and all things that we can imagine.

He is faithful. He is full of grace.

I pray that you know this is true – that you believe this with everything in your heart.

Sometimes my pride has gotten in the way. Sometimes my fear puts shame and uncertainty in my heart. Sometimes it’s just really hard to love God. I felt like I was already doing everything I could and loving God with EVERYTHING I had. I begged for God to show up – and then he did.

For it is when we recline at our fathers feet, into a place where his arms are wide open just for you. That is just a speck of the amount that he loves you. A love that everyone of us is worthy of. A love that is given freely and fearless to us. He has done everything for you and yet still gives you a choice. And his love for you alone continues to swell and grow from there.

{Being before doing. Loving before fighting}

So we have a choice.

For the enemies voice has full potential to gravitate our hearts to worldly possessions and ways.

So what do we do: when you see yourself surrounded by every corner of tempt from this world, you look up to God and praise him for this life he has given you. Surrender yourself to where he has every aspect of your life. Allow him to transform your heart. Let him open your eyes to see his blessings he has placed in front of you. Look for the people around you that are seeking for the same glory for him, meet each other at each other’s  brokenness, extend the given grace, and CHOOSE GOD.

Confession: This is no easy lesson – He did not promise easy, He promised eternity.

He delights in you seeking him. Nothing makes him more happy. That is all he wants. Just you – in the pure state he has created you perfectly to be.

He didn’t ask you to plan anything out.

For if you clothe yourself in his graceful gift of his armor with his word as your sword – you have nothing to lose. For you are a child of God – constantly protected.

And for the greatest thing of all – all he has in himself, has been given and lives inside of you!

His joy. His love. His strength. His beauty. His worthiness. His faithfulness. You name it – he has claimed you as His perfect, untouchable, and fearfully made child.

He thought you were greater than the biggest bodies of water and the tallest mountains and deepest of valleys.

Choosing the Lord is not claimed to be easy. There will be sacrifices. But he has equipped you for every place you will go.

So, if you find yourself not really knowing where to go, just do the next right thing. Right now. In this minute. Know that he has you in his hands. And he is delighted in you. You are the light of his life.

Go forward, one day at a time, and see the full goodness the Lord has given and made. You are never alone.

{Hebrews 12:1-3}

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy that was set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.“

{Ephesians 6:10-17} 

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.“

Be strong. Be bold. Be humble. Be loved.