When I dropped my girls off at school before they could drive themselves, I would always say, “Make good choices” as they got out of the car. At first, they would smile and respond with a “Yes ma’am” but eventually, they started responding with a heavy sigh and “We know, Mom!” I kept saying it anyway because I wanted it to always be fresh on their minds whenever they were away from me.
I find myself saying that to my students in the cafeteria every morning now as they leave to head to class. Most respond with a “Yes, ma’am” and a few don’t respond at all but again I want it fresh on their minds as they start their day. Even if only one takes it to heart, it was worth saying.
As I thought about that today and looked back over the storms I’ve been through I could see where I did not make good choices. I could see where I did not respond as I should have and as I reflected on my Bible Study class from last night I realized how I was letting some of those choices still hold me back. There are still days where I let my grief hold me back. There are still days where the thought of who I once was compared to who I am now holds me back.
Every day is a battle. The enemy loves to remind us of all we have lost and of all the bad choices we have made along the way. It is easier sometimes to give in to those feelings than it is to rise above them. Believe me, I know! It is hard! It is so very hard to climb out of the funk of grief. It’s hard to move on. It’s hard to let go of your past. It’s hard to leave closed doors shut. We are faced with so much “hard” every single day.
But God…
He is waiting for us to turn to Him with all our “hard” and lay it at His feet. He is ready to be the calm in the midst of our storms. He is ready to walk through the fire with us. He wants to be closer to us but we must draw closer to Him (James 4:8) so that He can help us make good choices!
So, today with His help I choose to do more than just survive-
I choose to overcome.
I choose to walk by faith
even when I cannot see.
I choose to be a light
in a world filled with darkness.
I choose to set my heart and mind on things above
instead of on my circumstances.
I choose to believe the truth of God’s Word
instead of the lies of the enemy.
I choose to find the joy
in the midst of the pain.
I choose to praise Him in the storm
because He is worthy to be praised!
I choose to live a life that glorifies God
because His opinion is the only one that matters.
I choose Him every single time!
My prayer for you today is that you rely on Him, that you spend time with Him, and find your strength in Him. We are not meant to walk alone. We aren’t meant to be able to handle the “hard” on our own. We are meant to cast our cares upon Him for He cares for us! (I Peter 5:7)
Here are some truths you can hold onto when you need reminding that you do not walk alone!
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Psalm 46:1-3
The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. This is my God, and I will praise him— my father’s God, and I will exalt him! Exodus 15:2
The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Psalm 9:9-10
It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. Deuteronomy 31:8
When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and rescues them from all their troubles. Psalm 34:17
I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:8
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 1 Peter 5: 10
For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6
Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
