Courage In My Corner

[courageinmycorner-blog]

Reflection...

Hello Again!!! I certainly meant write sooner but it’s been quite a busy new year!

With 2016 just coming to an end, I am sure many of you are reflecting back on this past year. Many of us probably have some fond memories as well as some difficult memories.

Two things happened to me this year as I was reflecting on my 2016. The first was my OCD came out and I went on a “purge frenzy”! I literally felt like my life (or house) was so cluttered and I couldn’t take it anymore! So I spent over two days “purging” my stuff…and man did I have a lot of stuff that I have not used in forever! Many items I donated to a local non-profit, but honestly I had quite a bit of junk!

The second thing I did was take a hard look at my life. Now I’m sure we’ve all done this at some point…and thought about how we weren’t where we thought we’d be at that point in our life. But then I realized that God already knew exactly where I would be at this very moment…and there is so much comfort in that.

I say all that because often times we compare ourselves to others around us. How many of us have scrolled through our Facebook newsfeed and been slightly envious of those in the photos we see. But the reality is we don’t really know the stories behind the smiles. And though no person’s life is better than another, their shoes are most likely not as glamorous as they seem.

So this year I would encourage you to purge the clutter in our life, and to be thankful for the shoes God has given us regardless of where you might be at the moment. And to also pray for those smiling faces that you see on your newsfeed…pray that wherever they are in their life God will give them strength and courage to endure.

One final thought…I was told recently that people can’t “make” you feel a certain way. That we all have a choice how we react to the actions and words of others. So I’m going to make the choice to love, to be happy, and to be thankful…even though at times that is going to be easier said than done! 😊

I pray that God continues to bless you and I’ll try not to wait so long before my next post!

Until next time...

[courageinmycorner-blog]

Where Are You?

Do you realize that no matter what corner of the world you’re in we all have obstacles to overcome, but that God is always with us.

Today I was listening to Hillary Scott’s song “Thy Will”…and what powerful words!

Thy Will… I’m so confused I know I heard you loud and clear So, I followed through Somehow I ended up here I don’t wanna think I may never understand That my broken heart is a part of your plan When I try to pray All I’ve got is hurt and these four words Thy will be done Thy will be done Thy will be done

I know you’re good But this don’t feel good right now And I know you think Of things I could never think about It’s hard to count it all joy Distracted by the noise Just trying to make sense Of all your promises Sometimes I gotta stop Remember that you’re God And I am not So Thy will be done Thy will be done Thy will be done Like a child on my knees all that comes to me is Thy will be done Thy will be done Thy will

I know you see me I know you hear me, Lord Your plans are for me Goodness you have in store I know you hear me I know you see me, Lord Your plans are for me Good news you have in store So, thy will be done Thy will be done Thy will be done Like a child on my knees all that comes to me is Thy will be done Thy will be done Thy will be done I know you see me I know you hear me, Lord

–Hillary Scott

Have you ever been tired of things just not working out? Well…that's how I felt today and then this song came on. We are not meant to go through life weary and tired…we are supposed to be a light. The problem is many of us try to fix things on our own and what I’m realizing is that we can’t.

So I just kept playing this song…over and over. I began singing these words…Thy Will Be Done. That doesn’t mean everything in my life was magically fixed, but it gave me peace. And in my opinion…that’s a start. I’m also so thankful that Hillary Scott allowed God to use her in writing and recording this song. You never know what God will do if you allow Him to work in your life!

I want to encourage you today to listen to this song…and I pray that it brings you peace and comfort in whatever corner of the world you may be in.

Until next time…

[courageinmycorner-blog]

The Beginning...

Have you ever really thought about just how vast the world is…and truly think about the amount of people that occupy the countless corners of the Earth.  

Well, I think about that and I think about how each one of those lives has a story.  Each one of those lives are faced with countless choices every single day.  Think back to what you did today.  I can almost guarantee that if you started counting each choices you made…no matter how small…you would lose count.

So…why am I bringing this up?  Well, because frankly making choices can be hard.  Each choice we make is followed by an reaction…whether it is good or bad…something will occur based on the choice we make.  There are many times when it is much simpler to make the “wrong” choice…or the “easy” choice.  But how often are we faced with a choice that will truly take COURAGE to answer?

I don’t know about you, but more so than not I find myself praying for the courage to make those tough choices.  The courage to stand up and fight when I feel backed in corner.  It is in those times that I picture myself in the boxing ring of life.  You know…you always hear people say that when you get knocked down you have to get back up again.  Well, sometimes we go through periods of our lives where we feel like all we are doing is getting knocked down.

Then…at some point…you find yourself in the corner of the ring…just sitting there feeling completely defeating…feeling as if you have absolutely no strength to go on.  It is in that moment when I HAVE to find the Courage In My Corner…and for me that courage comes from Jesus Christ.  That courage comes from knowing that no matter what He is going to take care of me.

Now…that doesn’t mean it’s easy to find that courage and it doesn’t mean I am always successful right away.  But it does mean that I won’t stop trying, which is why I’m here.  I was having one of those moments where it seems like everything is falling apart and that no matter how hard I try…I just can’t get it right.  So that got me thinking…how many other people around the world are feeling exactly the same way right at this very moment.  Well, obviously I have no way to get an exact count, but I think it’s safe to say probably a lot.  So then I thought…what if just maybe by sharing what I’m facing (generally speaking), I help give someone a different perspective.  Because most of the time many of us just want to know that we are not alone.

Now…I have never been a blogger and I have never kept a journal…so this is a little new for me.  And I certainly don’t want to overload you with all my problems.  But I thought that if I shared a little about the areas I’m struggling in…and ways that I have found to find the Courage In My Corner (or the things to avoid)…then maybe it would help at least one person know that they are not alone.

I don’t anticipate many followers, but if I can pass on a little encouragement to at least one person then this is completely worth it.  I will try to post a few times a week.  Obviously, the holidays are coming up so it will get busy…but we all know that can bring it’s own set of problems.

So…with all that being said…I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving.  And just remember if you feel like you are backed in a corner over this holiday week…you are not alone.  I will be right there with you searching for the courage to face the struggles I am dealing with right now.

Until next time…