Movin' On Up

I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day;
Still praying as I onward bound,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

- Johnson Oatman Jr.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!

Positive vibes only right?

That's the goal.

There's this old time tv show called 'The Jefferson's'. It's actually hilarious. It's all about this couple who move from poverty into a rich, lavish community. The theme song is all about Movin' on up. Whilst the show is a comedy it does focus on real life issues at the time mainly around race. You guys should definitely watch it.

But that's not why I mentioned the show. I mentioned the show because Mr Jefferson was able to turn his one dry cleaning store into a whole chain of dry cleaning stores which enabled him and his wife to become wealthy. In the same manner, I want to turn my life around. I want my one positive thought, or one positive action to become a chain of positive thoughts and actions that everybody around me can benefit from. I too want to benefit. I want to break away from my chain of despair. This is not the year to just remain desolate, I'm ready to be joyful and exceedingly glad.

Of course it all starts with a change of mindset. This doesn't happen over night. I have to consistently build and talk to myself. Challenge my thoughts. When I have a bad thought about myself, somebody else or a particular situation, I take a step back and rethink and then I move forward on what I know is right and what I should think, do or say.

You following me?

Example: During the last week of my Christmas break I was planning how I  was going to budget and breakdown my student finance. Basically planning how I was going to spend it more wisely. I remembered how my last instalment came in quite early so I checked to see if it would arrive in my bank account early again. Upon logging into the student finance website I found that my future payments had been blocked. Immediately I felt a change in my heart rate. I actually panicked. It only lasted 10 seconds though because I remembered that I told myself I need to have more faith so I prayed. Then I proceeded to call the finance people and try and fix the situation. It took a while but I thank God it's been sorted.

You see, I realised this was really the first test of many. Over the break I took another break. This time from snapchat. When I tell you that app can actually become consuming. Constant messages from people and watching what people are doing instead of focusing on what I'm doing. Not healthy at all. During this break I really delved into my bible. I prayed and really just focused on who I am as a person. What I want to change. How I'm going to go about doing that. I also said this was the year I had to re-dedicate my life back to God. The year I had to let Him in, build my faith up and start anew. All these things are easier said than done. When life is going smooth and there are no bumps in the road it's easy to shout

"Hallelujah"

and

"Amen".

As soon as something does jump in front of us, how do we react then? Do we still praise God for who He is or do we fret and fear and lose hope?

I know that was just a small example. I really felt as if it was just one challenge of many that was going to come my way. That God is really going to build my faith. Maybe not in the way I want Him to but in the way He deems fit. Even the small things can lead to great victories. Overcoming what we see as small problems and still being able to cling onto the glory and might of God is a game changer.

My 2017 inner battle was so harsh I honestly don't think I could sink any lower. It's really only upwards from here. I still don't know what I want to be when my degree is over. I don't know when God will place a man in my life. I don't know what the future holds but I do know that God holds my future.

I was watching a sermon this morning by Pastor Michael Kelly and he said something that really stood out to me:

"God is outside of time but operates within time"

Do you know how powerful that is? In essence what He is saying that God is not of this world. He is a power so far beyond what we can comprehend. We don't know when He will come through for us. His timing is different to ours but yet somehow He manages to always be on time.

I really just want to blossom. I want to make others happy as well as falling in love with myself over and over again. I know I will have many battles to fight but Ephesians 6:10-18 tells me how to overcome:

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

I pray this year is full with an abundance of blessings for you all. That you all grow and your characters strengthen. That your minds will become refreshed. That in every endeavour you make, success will be your outcome.

God bless you all and thanks for reading x

If you have any prayer requests please comment below or message me on any of my social media platforms.

If you want somebody to speak to I'm always here. I won't judge just listen.