YOU DEFINE YOUR LIFE

In the past week four people who I knew passed away. Three of them were elderly and lived long fruitful lives and one middle-aged with still young children to raise. We also celebrated my nephew’s graduation as he embarks on a new phase in his life. Lives ending others starting……no respecter of age. Life seems intimidating when you are stepping out on your own. So many things you want to accomplish but not exactly sure how. Life seems to have gone by much too fast when you approach your mortality never having attempted to accomplish those things you desired when starting out. But it can also be satisfying when you look back on the true blessings in your life, those things you may have taken for granted that you now look back on and appreciate like never before. Ultimately we define the direction of our lives. The choices we make at critical periods and even everyday define who we become. I am not talking about being famous or rich, that’s superficial. I am referring to the person you become at your core and the life you carve out for yourself. We are ultimately responsible. Having a life of few regrets (there will always be some) is to realize:

Romans 8:26-28 KJV

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.  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.

All your experiences can be beneficial if you allow God to shape the meaning. Be patient and stay open to what you can learn about yourself first and others second. The key to living a life you can live with is knowing yourself well enough to make choices that will allow you to live your best life.

Living your best life is invigorating, freeing, scary and difficult. It’s difficult because life is rarely black and white. It is mostly gray. It is stressful trying to paint a gray world black or white. Instead of doing this I have found it is best to get quiet and listen to your gut, ask God for help and look for confirmation of what you know He is telling you in your spirit. Make sure you are following your peace and not your comfort and then “move” in the direction of that peace….it may not be easy but you will have no regrets.

Philippians 4:6 NIV

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Let’s face it we will not always be happy with all the choices we have made but we can learn to give ourselves permission to honor ourselves by the choices we make.  The path we choose is totally our own. It’s all about inner peace. You either have it or you don’t. If you do not have it do not ignore it and take the appropriate action. Inner peace doesn’t mean that your situation is perfect it means that you can live and be at peace with the decision you made for yourself in that situation. Following that peace and making decisions to support it can be extremely uncomfortable at first but you will have that peace that passes understanding which is an indication you are moving in the right direction.

Philippians 4:7 NIV

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

The great news is even if you have made decisions that are not working for you, you have the power to rewrite your life. Make the choice to follow your peace. And don’t be afraid.

John 14:27 NIV

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

That’s my Jesus talking.

God Bless you.

Love,

Ms. Wanda,GAC