Stay on the Path God Has for You

Comparison is tricky. When we see people with things we want or the life we desire, we can become envious and resentful. We get frustrated that our plans and timelines seem completely off from everyone else’s. But, even though other peoples’ situations may look good, you don’t always know the details of how things came to be in their lives. You don't know what it took for a person to get their job, how long it took for them to start their business, what they had to sacrifice to get their house, or what choices were made to have that seemingly perfect relationship. Be careful of idolizing what others have and compromising yourself to obtain what you think you want. What works for them may not work for you, and what they have may be less than what God has in mind for your life.

What God has for you is for you. He has you on a path made specifically for your life journey. Your path may look different from the people around you, and that’s okay. Trust God’s plan and provision over your life. Psalm 37:4 says, “Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” He wants you to prosper and to have the things you desire. Remember, what God has set in motion, no one can stop! When you see people living their best life, celebrate them and know that your time is coming. Continue to trust God, and let Him amaze you on this journey.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT) “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’”

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV) “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

Galatians 6:4-5 (NLT) “Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct.”

#LoveYours #GodsPlan #LivingThroughHope ​

Never Grow Tired

Galatians 6:9 (NKJV) “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”

When you lend your time, your expertise, or a helping hand to someone, you expect some type of gratitude in return. You expect a “thank you” when you have helped someone with a crisis. You expect a reward when you have worked hard to finish a project or complete an assignment. But, we don’t always get the thanks and recognition we think we deserve in this world.

In dealing with life and people, you will ruin into frustrations and disappointments, but you can’t let that stop you from doing good. Don’t let a bad attitude stop you from being kind to the people around you or a bad experience stop you from putting in extra effort to help someone. Colossians 3:23-24 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.”

The Lord calls us to love and serve one another. The best example of this is Jesus. During His time here, He worked, taught, and performed miracles to help others. He received praise at times, but He was also criticized, doubted, ridiculed, betrayed, and eventually crucified. Through it all, He remained a faithful servant because He loved us and knew His service and sacrifice was for our benefit. He wanted us to be free and have access to everlasting life with our Father in Heaven.

Continue doing good, even if you don’t receive appreciation from your co-worker, spouse, family member, or friend. Seek to please God, not man. Serve to be a blessing to others. By faith, know that God sees all your good works and He will bless you in due time.

1 Thessalonians 2:4 (NLT) “Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.”

Mark 10:45 (NIV) “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Hebrews 6:10 (NIV) “God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them.”

#NeverGrowTired #DoGood #LivingThroughHope ​

Be Proud of Yourself

We focus so much on our to-do list: the things we have to get done, things we need to accomplish, or things we want, but don’t have yet. But, take a moment to look back over your life. Think about the things you have done, how far you have come, the goals you have met, and the things you do have.

What have you done that you are proud of?

Almost two years ago, my last relationship ended. We both came to a point in our lives where we were in need of different things and so we decided to end a seven-year relationship and go our separate ways. Looking back, I am proud of myself for having the courage to walk away from something I had known for so long. I didn’t really know what was next for me after that relationship, but I knew I wanted to get my life back right with God. I surrender my life over to Him for a second time, repented of my sins, and chose to walk with Christ moving forward. This new season that I am in has allowed me to challenge myself and try new things. I have grown mentally and spiritually. It's still hard to give myself credit for making that decision two years ago. A breakup is not easy, and it is in those moments of change and unfamiliarity that you are challenged the most. You get tempted to run back to your past and you have to trust that God holds your future. But, in this present moment, I am proud of myself and the things I have accomplished up to this point. I know I wouldn’t have been able to do the things I’ve done if I was still in that same position. I’ve made it this far and I will continue to look forward to what God has next for me.

Do a self-love check. Give yourself a pat on the back for the things you have accomplished. Tell yourself you are doing great. Be proud of the person you are at this moment, and look forward to doing and being better.

Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Isaiah 43:19 – “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”

#BeYou #BeProud #MoveForward #LivingThroughHope ​