11 things I learned during the most challenging season of my life:
1.) Obey God – God knows what’s best for me. I just need to be obedient and do what He leads me to do. I might not understand at times, but I am a finite being, He is an infinite God.
2.) Hide His Word in my heart – God speaks to us in various ways but the most direct is through His Word. I’ve come to love reading Scripture. During those most intense times, I turn to His Word to get comfort and shelter in the storms of life.
3.) My identity is in Him – My self-worth is completely found in Him. I am His. He is mine.
4.) Be honest with God – He knows my thoughts before I even think them. Being honest with God brings closer intimacy. He is OK if I am upset with Him and wants me to be real and honest with Him.
5.) Keep an eternal perspective – I am guaranteed each difficult season in life has an end date. Praise God!
6.) ‘God help’ is a prayer – By far one of the most effective and quickest prayers I prayed during distress and anxiety. At times, I felt so much pain all I could do was groan, which the Word tells me the Spirit interprets for me.
7.) Refined in the fire – God used this season to refine me and strengthen my faith. I’ve come out stronger in my faith and know God intimately.
8.) God will give me back more than what I gave up – This is an interesting one. I gave up quite a bit. Realizing what I’ll have in heaven, God is going to give me back more than what I gave up.
9.) Satisfied in God – I’ve never been so satisfied in God than right now. I think of how in the Gospel Jesus talks about drinking from water that will never make you thirsty again. I’ve tasted other waters’, this water from Jesus is satisfying to the deepest longings of my soul.
10.) Brokenness is a prerequisite – In order to be used by God there needs to be some sort of brokenness that occurs before. Why? Well, for one we are all prone to pride. Another reason is that God works best through broken vessels.
11.) I love God MORE – I love God more than a successful career, earthly possessions, and the comfort of the 9-5. God already tried me on this one. I showed God I love Him MORE.
