Captivated Me

I am learning:⁣
That in the grand scheme of things, ⁣there is very little we can control.⁣
As much as we would like to master the variables, at the end of each day, ⁣we are responsible only for our own choices, attitudes, and reactions.⁣
We can let our circumstances dictate our responses; we can let our emotions run the show; or we can ground ourselves in our identity as the beloved of the Creator, Healer, and Comforter and live in light of that identity.⁣
We can allow what happens to us or around us to overwhelm, debilitate, frighten, or destroy us; or we can choose to see each day as an opportunity to learn, stretch and grow with fierce and tenacious faith.
We can strive to master our own fate; or we can rest and submit our hearts in the hands of the One who knows us best, and let Him transform and renew those areas that are stagnant, hurting, selfish or in general need of construction.
In doing the latter, I believe we evolve more into the hearts we were purposed and designed to be.⁣
It’s a journey.⁣ It’s a process.
It’s downright painful at times – to acknowledge and sort through the hurt we inflict, the hurt inflicted on us, and the broken world we live in.⁣
And my word, do we ever stumble along the way.⁣
But there is always hope.⁣
When we stumble, we can get back up and we press on.⁣
We lean in to the discomfort rather than shying away.
We go through the pain and learn from it – understanding that healing is on the other side – rather than going around it and avoiding it altogether.
And as we do,⁣ we find that our past does not define us.⁣
We find ourselves free from chains that used to bind us.⁣
And we grow into deeper relationship with our sweet, redeeming Father, who makes things new and works all things out for good.