Change Is Gonna Come, But Only If YOU Allow It!!!

The above scripture is from 2 Timothy 1:9 NLT and is used to affirm what today’s post is all about. The rest of that scripture says, “…to show us His grace through Christ Jesus.” As we encounter people on a daily basis during this holiday season, I’m sure we’ll all witness people complaining about their lives, dysfunctional relationships, situations they’re in, doors that have closed, missed opportunities, family drama, political uproar, finances, New Year’s resolutions, etc. It’s the end of the year and that’s typically what happens when people start analyzing and obsessing about their current state of affairs. You may even be one of those people but please don’t feel no shame nor discomfort for this isn’t a judgement call, I’ve been there too.

Thinking about all the things that bother people makes me wonder why many aren’t turning to God. With all the turmoil that’s going on, you’d think the one, most important place a person would turn to is to the Man Upstairs (Father God); yet still, many do not bother Him. I wonder why that is. Since it’s Christmas time, allow me to share a quick story about the power of Jesus Christ and the importance of turning and giving all your cares and problems over to God.

I can recall a time when I felt so lost and doomed in my life. Actually, it was just a year ago — my what a difference a year makes. I was depressed, overtaken by grief, completely bankrupt, had failed businesses, dreams crushed, was heartbroken from love lost and stressed out beyond belief. I was bombarded with real life responsibilities like student loans, other bills, legal fees and the debts of my late grandmother’s estate. I would spend all day applying to jobs and all night crying about the miserable life I was living. I would see everyone else winning in their respective lives while I was still stuck losing everything I had. My confidence was shattered, my pride completely destroyed, my self esteem non existent and my hope was lost.

Hitting rock bottom wasn’t fun at all. It was beyond embarrassing. All of the hopes and dreams I had for myself were gone. All of the friends and people I thought loved and cared about me were nowhere to be found. My life was a joke for I was the girl who once had it all and now I had nothing to show for it. At this point, I was contemplating suicide for I could no longer see a way out of the pitiful, hell hole I was in. I definitely felt like a lost cause.

It wasn’t until I got to my lowest point of brokenness and hopelessness that I allowed God to truly show me who He was and what I meant to him. It was after that final suicide attempt that I came to the realization that my life was meant for something bigger than just being my late grandmother’s caretaker. As tears fell from my face, I cried out through my pain,

“God, I cannot do it all on my own anymore. I NEED YOUR HELP!!! The enemy is winning and I can no longer see a way out. Please send me some answers because I am lost, broken-hearted and all alone!”

With all of my upbringing in church and start of my personal faith walk many years ago, I still hadn’t quite put 100% of my trust in God to deliver me from the stressful life I was in. Yup, even with all the knowledge I was reading and receiving from the Word of God, I was still trying to do things on my own. Fortunately, I wasn’t getting far with fixing my own life. Giving 50% to God and trying to handle the other half on my own just was not working. Nothing changed in my life until I turned 100% of my life over to God.

“Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.”

‭‭(2 Corinthians‬ ‭12:9‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

Once I gave it ALL to God, my life began to change. I made it my business to follow and understand God’s business. Through my daily prayers and studies of the Word, I found my purpose and received God’s calling on my life. I found I was able to understand the scriptures a lot better once I allowed Him to guide me. Before when I was reading them with a 50% investment into my faith, I was only able to have a vague, limited relationship with God. Although my eyes were awakened to the light of God, my full transformation didn’t happen until I completely gave my ALL to God. Again, it wasn’t easy, but I was desperate and knocking on death’s door so I knew I needed a drastic change.

It still took some hardcore time and investment for I had to change me! Rather, I had to start fully allowing God to change me. By letting God take the reigns meant that I had to really take a close look at what I was doing wrong and how I was contributing to my own self demise. Many times we like to blame people for our own misfortunes in life, but it takes a strong person to take a look in the mirror and peel away the layers of fake perception of self and get real with the person staring back at you.

We have to take responsibility for our own lives and the people we allow to be a part of our journeys. We cannot be mad at someone else for their treatment towards us. We can only be mad at ourselves for allowing the behavior to occur. We cannot be mad for things not going our way, when had we allowed God to order our steps, we’d be walking on a path of continuous open doors. We cannot be mad at who we chose to love, when had we listened to God (also disguised as our intuition), we would’ve never been in that relationship to begin with. We cannot be mad when God calls someone He loves home for He’s the bringer and giver of life and death.

Life is not promised to us but death is certain. If we turn to God and give Him our all, we would not be lost sheep knee deep in our own mess. God sends us all signs. Whether we want to listen or accept His warnings is up to us for He gave us a free will. The best thing about God is that even when we fall, He’s there to catch us and dust us off. Even when we cry out in pain, He’s there to cover and comfort us with His peace and compassionate love. He can set us back on the right track if we let Him.

“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)

So today I pray for those who are going through tough times. May you seek God in the midst of your troubles. Call out to Him and tell Him what’s concerning you. Choose to become a better person by diving into the Word of God. Seek encouragement, empowerment and understanding from God’s word. Allow the lessons taught by Christ to mold you into becoming the best version of yourself. May He show you the areas in your life that you need to change and may you be bold and desperate enough to allow the changes to occur. In Jesus name, I pray all these things be counted done, Amen.

Sincerely with love,

~A.G.Rogers

(Instagram: @AndreaGees)

Travel photography by IG user: @birddetective

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