My last counseling session was a few weeks ago. It was definitely a bittersweet moment.
A lot of change has occurred in this season of life. My counselor was able to hold my hand and walk me through so many valuable lessons. (DM if you are looking for a counselor because she is AMAZING)!!!!
Lesson #1: ANY CHANGE CALLS FOR GRIEF. I thought grief only occurred when dealing with death but this isn’t the case. I had just graduated college and grieved the loss of comfort in being in community with my friends and having little responsibility besides school work. Then I lost my father. I had to grieve the loss of someone I had known my entire life, whom I loved dearly. My childhood home was then sold and I had to grieve and say goodbye to all of the memories that filled that home. Following our house being sold my mom moved to Florida. I was overwhelmed. I thought I liked change but these were changes I didn’t foresee coming. These were changes that were out of my control and comfort.
Lesson #2: LEAN ON GOD. During all the change and craziness of this season He is the one thing that remained constant. He replaced my anger with a peace I cannot begin to explain. She reminded me that He was still in control over my life even though it felt like it was falling apart.
Lesson #3: LIFE CIRCUMSTANCES ARE PREPARING YOU FOR SOMETHING BIGGER. We talked a lot about the future and for a while I wasn’t sure what mine looked like. Then after clearly hearing God call me to the World Race it hit me! Experiencing all that change at once wasn’t easy BUT it grew me so much. It grew my trust and dependence on the Lord. It reminded me of how we are His children and that we are to trust that our Heavenly Father has an amazing plan for our lives.
While I’m on the World Race I won’t have much control. But I’m learning to be okay with that. I’ve learned how it’s super duper important that you step out of your comfort zone so that you can truly grow as a person. I’m continually reminded that trust is a day to day experience with God.
Psalm 23 was a chapter that I memorized back in college. It’s cool because it talks about how God looks after us like a shepherd cares for his sheep. He leads and directs our steps in a firm but gentle way by protecting us from harm. If one sheep leaves the flock, the shepherd runs after that sheep. God does the same for us, when He sees us heading into danger, He runs after us to protect us. All He wants from us is to spend time with Him and to trust Him. Far too often I would try to do things on my own and head down the wrong path and He continued to pull me in close, remind me He was in control, and of His great love for you and I.
Even on my worst days and when I am experiencing deep pain I am assured that God is with me and that He will never leave my side for one second! I challenge you to read the verses below and ask if you truly feel God’s protection and provision in your life just as the sheep do from their shepherd?
“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.”- Psalm 23 🙂
Thank you to everyone who has supported me in this journey! I’m only $1,000 away from getting to go out on the mission field! Please consider donating, any amount matters!
“God is good ALL the time, and ALL the time God is good!” – War Room movie
