Fighting the Yicks

So as most people know I have been fighting the Yicks lately. Some people may call them the blues or something similar, but for me they are the yicks. I don't feel like myself. I can't put words around it. I can't really explain it. I don't know exactly what the source of it is - although I have some sneaking suspicions as to a few causes (none of them major - just a lot of little things eating away at my inner being).

A sweet friend of mine sent me an email this morning that was so touching and awesome. She pulled out a verse that just blew me away....

"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule." - Matthew 5:3 from the Message

I let this roll around in my head all day today.....really let it sink in. I love God with all of my heart and feel very passionate about living a life that reflects God's love. However, I know that I am guilty...that I am not perfect. When times are good, when I am living high on life and the world around me....I am more self focused and less God focused. This is a sad but true fact. I hope others will not judge me for my honestly on this point. I think that it is easy to forget God when times are good and easy to turn to Him when we hit a rough patch.

But how sweet is it that no matter where we are, no matter if we are living high or at our lowest point God is ALWAYS there. He has never left us. He is faithful. He loves us unconditionally. How AWESOME is that!

This verse reminds me that sometimes I need to stop and look at my life. I need to look at what is most important. I need to prioritize. But most importantly I need to filter. I need to remove the things from my life that are not beneficial. I need to cut ties with relationships that are a drain on my time, emotions, and that make me feel bad about myself.

I believe that I am a good person. I believe that I have others best interests at heart. I believe that I have valuable things to offer people. I believe that I am the person God created me to be and that He does have a purpose for my life. I know that I have to go through the valleys in order to get to the mountain tops.

Today I stand at the end of my rope and I am blessed. I am blessed because in the silence of my prayer time I can hear God. I can feel Him tugging at my heart. I know He is working in my life. I know He has a purpose for me and that if I am faithful, if I listen, if I learn to be content and purposeful He will reveal to me the path for my life. I know it will not always be easy and it will not always be laughter and cheer. Being a Christian does not always mean that life will be happy and easy. But it does mean that my life will be full and blessed and wonderful in it's own special way.

I am here! I will live another day. Things will brighten up! I will become stronger! And no matter what, God will always be there with me....cheering me on and giving me the strength to fulfill my purpose.

"Thank you God for bringing me to the end of my rope. For making more room for You in my life. For bringing me back to a place where I can refocus. You are always faithful and intentional. Your love is bigger than me. I love you with all that I am and thank you for your continued blessings!" Amen