I want to be so compelled by love that I would be willing to do all things that God has laid/will lay on my heart to do… To encourage and to give my all; to be understanding and patient; gentle and kind… To extend grace and forgiveness, even when I have no reason to.. To love unconditionally, especially while walking through the darkest of storms..

This path is almost always a difficult one, one filled with pain and purpose, even sorrow that’s fused with joy and peace.

Suffering without peace is torture.. but when you suffer with the unshakable peace of the Lord, you encounter His love and heart in a way you would have never expected! “Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted..”. God gives a peace that takes the most darkest of situations and shapes it into something powerful and life-changing.. When if shared, is used to shape the lives of those who have experienced the same amount of darkness and brokenness or who knows, maybe even those who have suffered at a greater level? This unshakable peace makes the ugliest of scars and most gruesome healing processes, worth it..

These past three months, I have struggled tremendously, through many trials and avoidable mistakes! There were times when I just flat-out strayed from God…

The trials I have been facing, and the festering emotional wounds, fueled the pride and anger that laid in the depths of my heart. This pride and anger led me to push God away, as per usual… Yet, He never left.. He so patiently waited until I got to the end of myself and gave it all over to Him.. Like a mighty wave, His love crashed over me and consumed me.. Embracing my weaknesses, sins,  fears, mistakes, pain, and regrets.. 

Having someone who relentlessly pursues and pours their love over you is a beautiful thing… Having the gift of forgiveness is one that marks and changes your life forever.. Especially when true forgiveness seemed to be something that was so taboo/illegal all throughout your life.. 

 So why not be willing to allow Him to rid me of my rough edges? Why not be willing to go to the ends of the earth, even if that means I go alone? 

MUST READ:

Psalms 32 & 34!

PSALMS 32

Psa 32:1 A Maskil of David. Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
Psa 32:2 Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
Psa 32:3 For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.
Psa 32:4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah.
Psa 32:5 I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
Psa 32:6 Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him.
Psa 32:7 You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah.
Psa 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
Psa 32:9 Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you.
Psa 32:10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD.
Psa 32:11 Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

PSALMS 34

Psa 34:1…. I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Psa 34:2 My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad.
Psa 34:3 Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!
Psa 34:4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
Psa 34:5 Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.
Psa 34:6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.
Psa 34:7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Psa 34:8 Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
Psa 34:9 Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack!
Psa 34:10 The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
Psa 34:11 Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
Psa 34:12 What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good?
Psa 34:13 Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.
Psa 34:14 Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
Psa 34:15 The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry.
Psa 34:16 The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
Psa 34:17 When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.
Psa 34:18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
Psa 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.
Psa 34:20 He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.
Psa 34:21 Affliction will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
Psa 34:22 The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.