I AM BEING STRIPPED

I am being stripped. I am learning to set my affections on heavenly things and not earthly. I am learning that there are more important things to life besides living to survive on earth. In fact I have learned that there are so many things I thought I needed that I can actually live without. There are things more important than living to gratify myself or gratify others. It’s most important to live to gratify God. It’s more important to take the journey that brings life after death and have life most abundantly in heaven with Him and with Tre’. This true success can only be obtained through obedience and love. Success in earthly matters and material wealth are just a byproduct. It is God who gives us the power to gain wealth. Even when earthly riches don’t manifest in the time and way we think they should, the commitment must still remain. I almost always chose truth when growing up as a girl. If I tell the truth today it didn’t please God for me to live a quiet life. It didn’t please God for me to be the light hidden underneath a bowl regardless of how hard I have tried. People talk about how strong I am today but the truth is I have always been scared and fearful. I have always been scared of hurt and pain. My biggest fear is being successful and falling when all eyes are on me, causing others pain in the process. I have always tried to run and hide, but I’ve always been found. I tried hiding in the chemistry lab. I tried hiding on a job. I even tried hiding in the church, but now I hide myself in Him. God’s ways are not man’s ways. As I continue to move forward in Him, I see and understand this more and more. I’m doing something I’ve never done before, handing God EVERY fear, trusting Him in EVERYWAY, letting go and being completely vulnerable to Him. It’s a process for sure, but it’s one that starts with a firm, unshakeable decision. It is a decision that is spoken in words and followed in action regardless of the opposition from men or obstacles in life. It is a decision that is lived consistently and continuously. I’ve made the decision and now I am being prepared. Being stripped is a big part of the preparation part of moving forward.