The Tools You Need To Succeed…

Reflection and reading, to me, are one of the best and most powerful things you can do for your life. When you reflect, you take a look at yourself and your past. You look at what you’ve learned and appreciate where you’ve came from. Reading is fundamental. It helps flourish your mind and nourish your soul. Both reading and reflection are conducive towards your body’s overall health. 

You cannot move forward if you do not learn to appreciate the past. You cannot appreciate what’s to come / your blessings in life if you don’t have a story to tell. You cannot help someone else if you haven’t learned to deal with your own life’s drama and the baggage that weighs you down. ““And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.” (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:3-5‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

If you don’t read, then you don’t learn. If we stop learning, we cease to exist. Two of the greatest books I’ve ever opened up to read, was my life’s story and Jesus’ story in the Bible. Reflecting upon my life’s journey has helped me grow and appreciate the trials and tribulations I’ve endured. Reading God’s word and the miraculous works of Jesus Christ has helped me realize why I’ve been through so much, what my life’s purpose is and the tools I need to get through the remaining tests that I’ll naturally encounter in my lifetime. I’ve learned who God is and why He’s so important to have in my life. 

Through reflection of my ups and downs, I’ve learned to trust in The Lord. God’s way is the best way for my life. When I tried to do things on my own, it didn’t work out. However, when I took the initiative to trust God, pick up my own cross of sin, burdens and despair, lay them out at God’s feet and follow Christ, things began to change. My life has become full of joy and that’s solely based on the knowledge I’ve learned when I opened my heart to God’s love and my mind towards reading the Bible to learn about His great wisdom and knowledge. 

You have to know God for yourself to truly understand what I’m talking about. Fortunately for you, it’s quite easy. You, too, can have this joy and abundance of happiness that I have. You, too, can share in this amazingly, great wisdom that God shares with us so freely. How, you may ask? Start by seeking the kingdom of God. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you on a journey, showing you who you really are by helping you correct all of your past mistakes. Open your Bible and begin reading about Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Meditate and pray alone in a quite place for God to show you and teach you His way. Make the effort every day to cultivate and nourish your relationship with God. Just as a plant needs sunlight, water and nurturing, so too does your relationship with God. 

Every relationship takes time so don’t expect perfection over night. Be kind to yourself as you start your relationship journey with God. It’ll be a tough pill to swallow in the beginning, but in the end, comes great joy. “Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”” (‭Matthew‬ ‭11:28-30‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

Sincerely with love, 

~A.G.Rogers 

(Instagram: @AndreaGees) 

Travel photography by IG user: @yolanda.hadid 

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