Feeling grateful and thankful is amazing and something I want to experience daily. It doesn’t mean life is easy or perfect, it won’t ever be. It just means there are lessons to learn from each experience as God builds capacity in me to be content, joyful, understanding and forgiving.
Some situations have been challenging and taken me out of my comfort zone, others have presented deep disappointments, and still others have been fulfilling.
But the biggest lesson I have learned through all of this is how to be thankful when God says no. Trust me when I say that I could not do this on my own; it is purely the trust and faith I put in my Heavenly Father that gives me clarity, kindness, and the ability to move forward.
The disappointments have never been about material items, but more about people and circumstances. I have made mistakes, trusted people I had no business trusting and made decisions to pursue opportunities that were not best for me, but ones I asked God to bless anyway.
Funny thing when I do that—go after something and then ask God to bless it as though that justifies my decision to move forward. There have been times when sirens should have gone off so I would have avoided the pain, the tears, and the rejection.
But God. He used each of these scenarios to grow me and to draw me back to Him. He is the one I depend on completely and it is His Word that gives me direction and wisdom.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11
One of my biggest disappointments was a job that I thought I had wanted. It was a big job with a ton of responsibility and long hours to boot. My life would be so different today if I had gotten that position.
It was simply not meant to be. And, I was so thankful for His No.
Instead, He was preparing me to pursue my call and love of Him more passionately and deeply.
God’s wild pursuit down this path had a completely different destination than I expected.
He saved me from myself while simultaneously giving me the absolute best outcome. Professionally I have a job in the education world I truly love and personally I enjoy a ministry that supports and encourages women right where they are.
The friendships I have made in both places are priceless. The opportunities have been unique, personalized, and laced with powerful experiences. And for that, I am extremely thankful.
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
James 1:17 NIV
How have your experiences impacted your life? Please share with me if you feel lead. I’ll be praying for you this week.
(For the rest of the story, check out https://www.morethanyourself.com/blog/?tag=Mitzi+Neely)
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