Today was probably 10x better than yesterday. I expected to have a day like that though, where I was questioning and regretting the challenge; doubting whether or not this would change anything. But I feel a lot better and I'm not giving up. It might be hard, but I'm determined to firmly set my hope in Christ so that days like yesterday can be avoided.
Anyways, I guess I wasn't in the mood to talk about something I don't like about myself yesterday but I'll give you one today since I'm feeling better. I always feel like my eyes are kinda squinty when I smile so I always try to open them wider when a picture is being taken. I've learned to like the color of my eyes, (I used to think they were super boring, not ones you'd remember) but I still feel like I look weird in pictures because my eyes are almost shut.
Jesus is good. Kinda amazing actually. I read through 1st and 2nd Thessalonians today and got something pretty cool out of both books. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 says, "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." We are asked to do two things in this verse, 1) let God sanctify us completely and 2) keep our spirit, soul, and body blameless until Christ comes back. I'd say those are some pretty tough expectations to meet. Pretty impossible actually, at least, on our own. But then there's this wonderful promise in verse 24, "He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it." God is faithful. He doesn't just tell us "Be pure." "Be righteous." "Be holy." and leave us to figure it out. God will help us to do anything He has called us to do. Philippians 1:6 says "And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." All of this work, this sometimes painful process of sanctification, isn't a never-ending battle. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. God is gonna finish what He started and even though it's an impossible goal in this lifetime, Christ WILL make me holy.
And until that day comes, there's another promise in 2 Thessalonians 3:3 that says, "But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one." So while I'm here on earth, God's going to be there for me. When I'm struggling with these lies that Satan has been telling me, God's going to be there. All I have to do is give it to Him, tell Him I need Him. Because I do need Him. I can't fight these lies by myself. You saw it yesterday.... that was me failing to trust a God who is the definition of trustworthy. And I'm trying really hard to make it a habit; to really trust God, not only with the big things, but with the little everyday things as well. It's hard, but I know God can handle this stuff so much better than I can.
"O Lord of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in You!" Psalm 84:12
I don't think anyone is confidant about their smiles--I think I look kind of weird when I smile too, and yet I've been told I have a good smile on a few occasions. :P Just one of those things we pick apart I guess. The color of your eyes is cool. It's kind of like a dark blue--Mysterious.
ReplyDeleteIt's very strange to think we will someday be holy? Us? Holy? Well, I guess that's God's power for you.