💛 I'm glad I saw this reminder and encouragement. Offense sucks. All these things do actually (hurt, rejection,betrayal, disappointment, failure).
My journey of learning to not hold these things as I move forward has been a theme in my whole life, but was made extremely tangible when my Dad died. Mom gave me a poignant piece of advice after he died, and I do my best to live it out, "keep a short list my sweetie." Meaning, don't keep record of those who wrong you, offend you, hurt and betray you. Extremely hard to do in my experience especially in times I feel justified.
2017 has been a year God has shown me that I can choose joy, no matter the circumstances or feelings...deepening the meaning of my Mom's advice 6 years ago. God has used Samuel to show me much of this lesson. Our Heavenly Father promises His joy can be our strength. I'm thinking of all these things tonight as a New Year is around the corner. Obviously I haven't arrived...but everyday is one step closer to "the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." I want to keep learning, loving, and growing.
Praying Joy for you in 2018.
Repost @christinecaine
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Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.(Philippians 3:13-14)
Link to post: hannahsday