Understanding Faith

Understanding Faith

As Christians, we use the word Faith often.  Have  you really thought about what a powerful gift it is and what it means?  Faith is a gift from God, that we receive when we give our lives to him.  It is the most amazing, powerful and loving gift that we will ever receive.  With Faith, our lives change.  

Faith gives us strength, knowledge, and peace.  It also take away worry, doubt, and fear.   With Faith, we don't have to worry about our lives.  We don't have to worry about struggles or the future.   We no longer need to fear.   Can you think of a better gift then that?

Faith does not mean we will have a perfect life.  We will still have struggles. My biggest struggle shook me too the core.  Read my story.  Faith is knowing that struggles are a part of life but if they are brought to us, we are made to overcome them.  God will not bring us to it, if we can't get through it.  With Faith, we are able to follow the path God has chosen for us.  The path that leads to a happiness and joy that only God can give us.   Without faith, we could not find this path.  

This is what Faith really is:  Completely letting go of your life and your control over it.  Giving it to God to use it however he needs to.  Your life is his, not yours.  He has a bigger plan.

If you haven't  given your life to God and received this gift, it might sound a little scary.  Let me tell you, when you do give him your life and you receive the gift of faith,  you will feel no fear.  You will feel a sense of peace and comfort that you have never felt before.

I know when I start to stress over something, that I am trying to drive my own life.  I just give it back to God and the stress is gone because I have faith that God knows the road.  

Strong Faith, Weak Brain

Strong Faith, Weak Brain

Every battle we have with ourselves and our faith, happens within the brain.  The brain is Satan's playground.  This is where he can get to us.  Fear is Satan's favorite tool. When we fear, we are believing him more than God.  God works through faith, not fear. 

We know with God in our lives there is no reason for fear.  But we are human and Satan is sneaky, so we have all felt fear sneak in even when we have faith in our God.  When that happens, remind yourself where that fear is coming from.  Know that whatever feelings Satan is tricking you with, you don't have to live by them.  Take control.  Give it to God and trust he will bring you through.  

I have a hard time with will power.  I need to make so many healthy choices in my life and it is so hard for me.  I can tell myself that I am going to start eating healthier, drinking more water, and exercising but as I am writing this entry, I still have not done any of it.  I pray for will power and I believe he will give it too me, but there is Satan in the playground using my weak will.  I gave in.  

Even though I failed myself, I didn't fail God.  It was a lesson. Satan lost some power.  I gained some strength.  I know that I can control whatever thoughts Satan tries to weaken me with.  I have control and I have God.  Satan will not win next time because God showed me I need to take control of my mind.  God will give me the power, but I have to take the step to change myself.  God needs me to learn how to be strong.  Will power is just another lesson along the path he has set me on.

If depression, fear, loss of control, addiction, or some other heavy burden is keeping you from the life God wants for you, just remember to say "I will not"   Don't be afraid of the struggles along your path.  They won't be easy. They are not supposed to be.  God wants us to be strong and fearless.  Have faith, you can do anything through Christ.

I will not be afraid.

 Just a couple more things,

•  Never regret your mistakes, that is where you will learn your most valuable lessons.  God doesn't expect us to be perfect.  
• God will always answer your prayers.   It may not be the answer you wanted, but it will be the answer that is needed.  Have Faith

Blessed for being a Christian

Blessed For Being A Christian

I had a Facebook friend post a status that started "I don't believe in God" He then went on to say his family was going through a lot of problems and he ask if those of us who did believe in God, would pray for his family.  OK...  This post has been on my mind for a few days, thus this post. 

There are people that believe that Christians are blessed with a great life.  I have to admit, when I started back to church it was because my life was a mess and I wanted the golden ticket that God gave Christians. I wanted the perfect, easy life that God blessed Christian's with. What I got, was harder struggles.  But, it was through those struggles that I met God.  I am a Christian and I struggle daily with life.  Christians have the same, maybe harder, struggles as non Christians. The difference between them is Faith.   I don't know what lies ahead of me, but I have Faith that whatever it is, it is meant to be. There is a reason for everything.  I may not understand, but I know that I don't need to. God sees the big picture. He knows what we need for the big picture.  

We have the same mess and the same struggles.  I don't have a easier life. I have Faith. 

God's Messy Child

God's Messy Child

What is a Christian?  Do Christians go to church every Sunday, memorize the Bible, and try to be perfect for God?  I'm sure some do. I don't make it to Church as much as I would like, I struggle with the bible in many ways,  and I am not even close to perfect. I am a Christian. I'm am just messy. 

I have a special relationship with God. I gave my life to him. I trust him completely, and I love him beyond words. I am, however, messy.  I'm sure he shakes his head at me quite often. Sometimes, I probably make him laugh at my stupidity at times. I make him cry too. This breaks my heart.  

Through it all he loves me. My mess keeps us close. It is how we met. 

I'm not sure if God talks to everyone or just to some. I just know he talks to me.  It is hard sometimes, being the problem child, I am not always still. I don't listen for him like I should. I'm learning and he is patient. I will get better. 

This blog is about life, God, and my journey with both. Some will be my words and some will be God's. I can't promise what you might find, but promise it will be real, raw, and not boring. 

Lessons Learned Along the Way

Lessons Learned Along the Way

 If you have read my other entries, You know I have had a hard journey over the last few years. It has been the hardest time in my life. It has also provided me with powerful, life changing lessons.

Out of chaos, I learned to overcome stress.
From those who hurt me the most, I learned to forgive .
Insecurity is teaching me to stop worrying
Letting go, is showing me faith

It took being in a place of such pain for God to show me so much love and understanding.

I saw a post on my Facebook from a friend who said,  "God is real, he answered my prayers.''  I felt bad for her because she doesn't understand. When we pray, we are
 asking for what we want, not what God wants. This was hard for me. I prayed so hard for God to fix all the struggles in my life. I remember wondering why he wouldn't help me. I didn't know at the time that was exactly what he was doing. His way.

I still have struggles but I learned to let go.  I have Faith. My Life is in God's hands.  When I let go, all the stress, and worry was gone. That was God's blessing.

Do I wish I hadn't had to experience so much pain and loss ?  No. I truly know I went thought it for a reason. I need the lessons that it brought me.  God bought me to it, and through it. He guides my journey.

Read part 2 - the effects of what i learned and how it changed my life.