"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in Spirit."
Psalm 34:18
"He heals the brokenhearted and binds
up their wounds."
Psalm 147:3
UNDAUNTED
1. Undismayed; not discouraged; not forced to abandon purpose or effort 2. Undiminished in courage or valor; not giving way to fear; intrepid
"Although outnumbered, he was undaunted."
HOPE Basically wishful thinking... Except for Christians, the meaning is different. The biblical definition of hope is "confident expectation."
It feels so freeing to be writing once more. I'm incredibly thankful for how far God has brought me over the past several years. Given everything that has happened in the past several months, I never thought I'd be at this point but am so thankful I am. Even before entering that season over a year ago, I was convinced that I'd be strong enough to push through it. I had too much confidence in myself at that moment and failed to realize, until a bit later, that I wasn't capable on my own. I felt like I was in the fight of my life, not against another person, but against the enemy of my soul. He wanted to take me out and the only way to fight back was to keep turning to Jesus and the Word. I wasn't strong enough, but His strength through me was more than enough.
"Although outnumbered, he was undaunted."
It feels so freeing to be writing once more. I'm incredibly thankful for how far God has brought me over the past several years. Given everything that has happened in the past several months, I never thought I'd be at this point but am so thankful I am. Even before entering that season over a year ago, I was convinced that I'd be strong enough to push through it. I had too much confidence in myself at that moment and failed to realize, until a bit later, that I wasn't capable on my own. I felt like I was in the fight of my life, not against another person, but against the enemy of my soul. He wanted to take me out and the only way to fight back was to keep turning to Jesus and the Word. I wasn't strong enough, but His strength through me was more than enough.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Ephesians 6:12,13
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
2 Corinthians 12:9
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4
When going through trials, you can count it as pure joy, not because you're thrilled to be struggling (you aren't) but because you can rejoice in the wonderful truth that you're not alone; Jesus is right there with you. This is the truth I am reminded of with every trial; He is with me, always. Joy is different than happiness. Happiness is circumstantial and joy is a fruit of the Spirit that only comes from a personal relationship with Jesus.
Choosing to receive joy from Jesus doesn't mean that you bury your head in the sand and never acknowledge what's going on around and deep within you. You can still face the trials head on and grow/heal through them and consider it pure joy. It's difficult but not impossible. For me, I've had several days within the past year that were extremely rough and the only "joy" that I considered from those days was that God is still good, He is still with me and I'm still here. That alone proved to be enough. There were numerous days/nights where I swear I could feel my heart literally breaking and in moments like that, I found myself praying (felt like begging at times) for God to put me to sleep or to just take me home. It was a really dark time in my life.
Choosing to receive joy from Jesus doesn't mean that you bury your head in the sand and never acknowledge what's going on around and deep within you. You can still face the trials head on and grow/heal through them and consider it pure joy. It's difficult but not impossible. For me, I've had several days within the past year that were extremely rough and the only "joy" that I considered from those days was that God is still good, He is still with me and I'm still here. That alone proved to be enough. There were numerous days/nights where I swear I could feel my heart literally breaking and in moments like that, I found myself praying (felt like begging at times) for God to put me to sleep or to just take me home. It was a really dark time in my life.
But we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Romans 5:3-5
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28
I've been through what felt like hell before and even then, I didn't feel that any good could come from it. I was wrong and I'm wrong about feeling that way towards what I just went through and am now out of but the effects linger and I'm learning that I am more than what was spoken over me. I no longer have to remain a victim to my pain or to my past. No matter what happens, Jesus is greater and freedom is mine. I am not a victim; I am an overcomer. I will live with undaunted hope in the God I serve; Even if I go through what feels like hell again, I will not give up. My life is a battle worth fighting for.
I don't know where I'd be if I hadn't ever trusted in Jesus and had gone through these many trials apart from Him. Without Him and the healing that He's already done, I wouldn't have pictures and a personal story quite like this one below to share. I truly believe that Jesus is greater than my greatest heartbreak and disappointment.
I don't know where I'd be if I hadn't ever trusted in Jesus and had gone through these many trials apart from Him. Without Him and the healing that He's already done, I wouldn't have pictures and a personal story quite like this one below to share. I truly believe that Jesus is greater than my greatest heartbreak and disappointment.
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| I do pictures like this often. A part of me loves to look back and see all that God has done. Yes, I've been incredibly heartbroken and that played a huge roll in why I, for the most part, never smiled in pictures. I was hurt. I didn't believe that someone like me could be beautiful or loved deeply. I pulled a lot of the way I felt from the absence of my Dad. It's tough to go through, and tougher to face the pain and the anger I felt towards him but I eventually did face it a couple years after I trusted Christ. I surrendered my life to Christ in late 2008 and was healed in 2010. I grew up in church but I've only been a Christian since '08. Church is not why I'm a Christian. Jesus is. Plain and simple. On that transformative night, I met a Father who will never leave me nor forsake me. He loves me deeply and says I'm beautiful. I finally believe that for myself. It's been ROUGH but God is good. I handed over my pain of feeling fatherless and continue to do that today because I had my Grandpa who stepped in but he went to be with Jesus 8/25/2013 and I was torn. The enemy tries so hard to get me to believe I'm fatherless, unloved, unwanted and not beautiful but he's a liar! I have a faithful Father who watches over me and is very attentive to my life. I won't suger coat anything. If you don't know Jesus, would you be willing to enter into a relationship with him? I'm not preaching religion. Just Jesus.
I pray that this has encouraged you in some way. Let me know what God has done in your life below in the comments. I love you all and I hope that God has made my mess of writing an encouragement to you. :]
Katelyn |
