I've noticed a pattern in my life:
I ask God for change -> I begin to notice sin in my life -> I decide I don't want said sin -> I keep doing said sin as a force of habit, but am extremely aware of it -> I wrestle for a while between doing said sin and the strong desire not to doit -> I reach a point where desire seems to be loosing the battle to habit -> frustration kicks in and I reach a point of desperation and a sense of failure -> I almost give in, but something tells me "give it one more try" -> I lift my head one more time, and I see that little by little, desire begins to take more and more ground. Step by step, said sin is replaced by choice and caused to retreat! Then comes the road to new habits! And then habit becomes second nature.
It's the effect of grace in my life!
Over the past month I have felt like I was loosing the battle in a lot of areas of my life; dreams, personal goals, relationships with God and people was a struggle. And yes, there were/are the moments when I ask my self if I have what it takes to make it for real.
I haven't asked if it was worth it, or if God or this whole christianity thing is real. There was a time in my life where I would have! But now there is a higher purpose and calling deep inside that commands me to hold on!
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 - "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games must go into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that lasts forever..."
Victory is just around the corner, perseverance is a must for all those who want to win!
I've been learning a lot about grace recently. As I was journaling and venting to God about my struggles, I was asking, actually I was whining, for a way out.
He gently, but firmly said " I will provide a door, but I will not take that step for you."
God always provides a way to victory, but we must be the ones to walk through. And a lot of the time, walking through the door is more uncomfortable than we wish. Just like the athlete who has to train hard in order to win. It's not easy, fun or comfortable. You have to give it your all in order to see results.
The power to win is accessible through grace, I have to be willing to step into training.
Lord, give me grace for today, hope for tomorrow. Let me learn from my past, and give me vision for the future.
Amen.
I ask God for change -> I begin to notice sin in my life -> I decide I don't want said sin -> I keep doing said sin as a force of habit, but am extremely aware of it -> I wrestle for a while between doing said sin and the strong desire not to doit -> I reach a point where desire seems to be loosing the battle to habit -> frustration kicks in and I reach a point of desperation and a sense of failure -> I almost give in, but something tells me "give it one more try" -> I lift my head one more time, and I see that little by little, desire begins to take more and more ground. Step by step, said sin is replaced by choice and caused to retreat! Then comes the road to new habits! And then habit becomes second nature.
It's the effect of grace in my life!
Over the past month I have felt like I was loosing the battle in a lot of areas of my life; dreams, personal goals, relationships with God and people was a struggle. And yes, there were/are the moments when I ask my self if I have what it takes to make it for real.
I haven't asked if it was worth it, or if God or this whole christianity thing is real. There was a time in my life where I would have! But now there is a higher purpose and calling deep inside that commands me to hold on!
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 - "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games must go into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that lasts forever..."
Victory is just around the corner, perseverance is a must for all those who want to win!
I've been learning a lot about grace recently. As I was journaling and venting to God about my struggles, I was asking, actually I was whining, for a way out.
He gently, but firmly said " I will provide a door, but I will not take that step for you."
God always provides a way to victory, but we must be the ones to walk through. And a lot of the time, walking through the door is more uncomfortable than we wish. Just like the athlete who has to train hard in order to win. It's not easy, fun or comfortable. You have to give it your all in order to see results.
The power to win is accessible through grace, I have to be willing to step into training.
Lord, give me grace for today, hope for tomorrow. Let me learn from my past, and give me vision for the future.
Amen.