2019 is NOT going to be my year

If we judge it by how long it has taken me to write this one blog post!

No, but on a more serious note.

God has a reputation of answering prayers,

…therefore we need to be careful what we ask for.

It’s true that he “is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think” Ephesians 3:20.

But that “abundantly above” doesn’t always look pretty, or come in the way we expect it.

Sometimes answered prayers bring us face to face with our own weaknesses and may even require sacrifice.

In 2018, I prayed.

I asked God to help me to learn to stand tall; and for His name, be able to face this world and not flinch.

I asked for this and received;

trials, challenges, estrangement, grief, and even betrayal.

…But like I said God answers prayers.

I guess, firstly he wants to give me an experience that can maintain what I am asking for, right?

He has to build me and make me stronger; otherwise what I am asking for will never be of any benefit to me.

I used to have the “this is going to be my year!” mentality.

I had 2018 planned so well but the Lord had a change of plan...

…I tried so hard to resist it.

But the scripture says “A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.” Proverbs 16:9

I know this very well yet here I was falling into the same trap.

2018 did not go to plan at all, but the change of plan turned out to be such a blessing; one that I wouldn’t have been able to plan myself…or even fathom.

God is good!

So much so that I can look back at 2018 and count it all joy because he is “too wise to err, and too good to withhold any good thing from them that walk uprightly” Steps to Christ, page 96.

I needed to learn that God will change plans for our benefit and his glory; so I need to be ready and willing to surrender.

So! 2019 is not going to be my year,

...Because I am going to trust.

 I am going to give it over to him, come what may, so that his name may be made great…even in all the earth.

Happy New Year everyone!  I pray that God’s will may be accomplished in your life this year,

… be ready and willing always to surrender.

Love, your girl forever,

♥ Miss Daisy ♥  

Birthday Blues

So today is my 29th birthday!!! I can’t believe I have reached the final year of my 20’s…eeeeekkkkk!!!! 

I am so thankful for this day and my heart is filled with so much gratitude as I look back at God’s goodness towards me! However, I wanted to write this blog post as it hasn’t always been a “happy birthday".

Last year on my birthday I was miserable! So miserable that I almost refused to go out with my friends and family that day.  I had a bad case of the birthday blues and it all stemmed from feelings of discontent and inadequacy. I kept on thinking to myself “I am 28 years old and I haven’t done this and that”, “Most people my age are in such and such a position”, “It’s too late for me to do this now”, “I feel like a failure”.  

Honestly! All these thoughts were running through my mind and I genuinely believed them to be true. 

Have you ever felt this way? Not just on your birthday but any day? 

I just want to encourage you....

When we feel like this God calls to our hearts to come to him for perspective. 

Why? 

Because most of the time some of these thoughts are based upon unrealistic expectations we put on ourselves, and unfortunately these expectations often don’t line up with our current reality.  

Let me give an example...

One of the things I was really down about last year was not having massive savings. I believed a lot of people my age had enough savings to buy a house or to help them out in a huge emergency…..but that wasn’t me.  

When speaking with a friend about it she reminded me that I can’t compare my situation to others. She said “Daisy, I can afford to put loads of money away in my savings account as I still live with my parents, I don’t pay any rent or bills and I walk to work etc. You on the other hand, don’t live with your parents, you have your own place and you pay for everything  yourself so it’s natural that you won’t always have huge amounts of money to put towards savings after you’ve met essentials."

Can you see what I mean about perspective? 

Don’t be so hard on yourself! Don’t compare your life or current situation to others, or the standards of society or whatever else…take your problem to the Lord and ask for some perspective and a reality check. 

I have truly gained perspective in this area and now my whole approach and altitude has changed. Now instead of feeling sad about my lack of savings I just save as much as I can and trust in the Lord. God is always providing so I need to remember that my hope is in him and not in my savings account.   

So if you ever have a case of the birthday blues or just life blues in general, take some time out with the lord to work through these concerns and ask him to show you the reality alongside his will for you.  

You may feel like you’re well into your 30’s and not married yet…. 

Ask the Lord to show you your heart, are you feeling this way because your friends are all getting married? Are you even ready for marriage? Are your ideals of marriage in line with what the bible teaches? Where does the idea come from that being single in your 30’s is a bad thing? Is this what the bible teaches? 

You may feel like you hate your job and just want better opportunities….  

Are you being faithful even now in  your current job, or are you doing just enough to get by? Are you actively doing things that put yourself  in a position to be available for better opportunities? Are you proactive in seeking for opportunities? Don’t expect anyone to approach you, sometimes you have to put yourself forward and make it known you are available for opportunities and further development.  

You may feel like you're far from God and your Christian walk is not what it used to be…  

How is your devotional life? Where is your heart? What is filling up your time and especially your mind? Are you engaging in things or hanging around with people who are drawing you away from God? Do you renew your mind daily with the word of God? Remember you can’t live off of last week’s bible study.   

At the end of my birthday last year (after spending the evening with my friends and family *smiles*) I remember going to bed with the lesson that life doesn’t always work out the way we want it to,  and things don’t always work out according to the way we have mapped it out or the timings we have set forth, however we can rest assured and have full confidence in God as he has promised to direct our path.  

Here are some scriptures of encouragement  

Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.  

Psalm 37: 4-5 

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.  

Psalm 3: 5-6 

A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps 

Proverbs 16: 9 

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 

Jeremiah 29:11 

Yes, so no birthday blues today, just pure and utter gratitude and overflowing love.

Love, your girl forever,

♥ Miss Daisy ♥