I Pray

Today I faced an encounter with the challenging part of life. Needless to say, it left me feeling a bit discouraged and heavy. As I shed a few tears over the situation, it hit me that there wasn't anything I could do to change what happened. I could cry over it - sure. I could be upset with those involved - absolutely. But would it change what had occured? Absolutely not.

So I did what I could do about it. I shed my tears, prayed about it, and kept it moving. I chose to not blame myself for the decision someone else made which in turn greatly effected me. Was it my fault that they chose to hurt me? No! That was their decision and ultimately that is what they have to deal with.

I want you to know that there will be days you will have an encounter with the challenging parts of life. There will be days that you don't want to go on because of that. There will be days you want to stay angry at whoever hurt you. Because its easier for us to let someone know that they've hurt us than it is to forgive them whether they apologize or not.

There will be days that your only source of encouragement will be yourself. And you will have to remind yourself that it's not a bad thing. You will have to remind yourself that it's okay.

I have learned (through experience, of course!) that we spend so much time defending our character not realizing that it will speak for us. Those who really know you, won't be easily convinced by what others may have to say. And neither will you.

I pray that God keeps your heart warm in such a cold world. I pray that you don't allow the pain you're feeling right now to isolate you from those who really mean you no harm. I pray that in such an evil world, you understand that the forgiveness you're struggling to give is not for them but it's for you!

I pray that you don't let your heart be troubled by anything or anyone that makes it lose its peace. I pray that you realize in the midst of the darkness you face, that there is a bright side somewhere and though it may be frustrating right now, you'll understand it all better by & by!

God, I pray so hard that you don't allow this world to make you so bitter that you can't receive your greatest blessings. I pray that you don't allow grudges to stop you from reaching your purpose in life! I pray that in the midst of desolation, God grants you serenity.

And I pray that God continues to have mercy on us all.

I pray He has mercy on those who have used your vulnerability against you. I pray He has mercy on those who took your weakness and used it to their advantage. And mercy on those who took your vunerable moment just to get the "411" then ran with it.

Because the fact of the matter is that there will be PLENTY of days you will have an encounter with the challenging parts of life. Things will happen with the intention of breaking you, tears will shed, your feelings will be hurt, the sagas of struggle will never seem to end. And we may never understand the point of any of it, but ones thing for sure - everything has its season.

The victory in life is learning from it. The victory in life is allowing it to stretch you and make you the best you that you could ever be. Obstacles and challenges will not stop; yet you can see them in a different light. Get a sense of knowing everything in life is purposeful. If we have no other mission in life, I pray that we always find the purpose for our pain and the lesson from our tears.

Stay strong. Stay in the race.

Blessings & Grace!

- Keyona