One Word

I have never considered a one word for the year before. Usually, I can think of many words that I could apply to my existence for the upcoming year! 

For the last year and half I cringe when I look at my blog content. It’s been painful doing with so much going on. Then I think why I am cringing? It’s been a crazy and even difficult year and a half and not just for me but, for the whole family. We have had a lot of turmoil in our lives. Literally, our lives have been turned upside down. 

These last few months has been a turning point. We have peace and clarity in our lives. At first I thought peace but, it’s more than that. I have at times felt like I was in that desert-alone. In reality, I wasn't I was doing something I didn't think I was doing.

During my prayer and reading time certain scriptures kept popping up that lead me to think of perseverance. Looking up the word in the dictionary seemed like it was a word I could grasp on to this year. It’s what I have been doing anyways but, the reality is that I still need to continue to do it so the past doesn’t pull me down into a deep dark hole.

Perseverance- (pur-suh-veer-uh ns)

noun

1. Steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.

2. Theology. Continuance in a state of grace to the end, leading to eternal salvation. 

In that desert I had to perseverance. I was holding onto all that is good with our Heavenly Father. I knew that I could of easily let bitterness, anger, depression, and many things that are not of God take over. I knew that it was a trial to test many aspects of our lives. It did test many areas for ourselves and in front of others at times. We have truly seen the best and worst of people this last year. God had been our defense through it all!

I can see more clearly now and the the storm has passed. Now, it’s just dealing with the scars because, it’s been something that has effected use tremendously. I suspect that those scars will always be there when something so profound has happened. I still at times get angry thinking about how stupid this whole thing was and how childish all of it was. I could of easily lost faith in a congregation, people, and even my Savior. It has effected others as well and unfortunately it has done much damage in peoples lives. For some the trials have made us stronger and drawn us closer to Him. For others they have not perserved.

Some scriptures that have blessed me this last year and will continue to bless me.

Romans 5:2-5 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

James 1:2-4 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

James 1:12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

Isn’t it great to know that God will never leave nor forsake us? He is a loving Father. He gave His only begotten Son, Yeshua (Jesus) to pay our sin debt.

Others have linked up so stop by and see what Word has inspired others for this coming year.