Renouncing Demons For Gratitude

Every year when New Year’s approaches, it seems to me, that people tend to focus on the bad things that happened the past year. They want to do things differently and avoid some of the heartache that occurred in the previous year. Hence, the creation of new year’s resolutions.

I sometimes dread this time of year because people ask you what your resolutions are going to be. It starts to feel like people asking you where you want to go to college and what your life plan is after graduation, etc… Anybody agree with me?

This year I started thinking about 2017 and the things that have happened and I can’t help but just to feel grateful for the opportunity to reflect on what I have to be happy for. Sure, many things have gone wrong, but it’s not what I’m focused on for the first time in a long while. I’ve been with family for the past couple of holidays and I couldn’t help thinking about the blessing they have been in my life. Every family has its ups and downs, but it’s different for me. I was adopted into the family I have now. I was sitting at dinner, looking around, and I just couldn’t help but think, “If I hadn’t been adopted into this family, I’d be somewhere else right now, not knowing that these wonderful people existed. But they would’ve been at this same table having the same meal.” And, where would I have been? It’s impossible to say. My blood family also consists of absolutely wonderful people, and I love them too. And I am so fortunate to have both.

In 2018, I have the opportunity to make my dream of working with type 1 diabetes a reality. I can’t believe my dream is actually in the beginning stages. It’s crazy and so wonderful to me that through all of the hardship since my college graduation, my life plans were hardly even interrupted. The one school I have always thought about going to grad school at was the only school I applied to and the one that accepted me. God is amazing. He knew I would go through a rough two years after graduation yet He still gave me something that I have prayed for and thought about since I was young enough to start dreaming. The thought that my dream would forever be put on hold has been put to rest. I’m so thankful.

I’m so thankful that just this last November, God freed me from the bonds of fear in relation to my MS. I mean, you guys, it’s clearly an opportunity for me to move on and start living up to my full potential. The funny thing is, I didn’t even know I needed to be released from my fear. God liberated me from that demon. God gifted me my freedom, and as a result, provided me with what I needed to finish my manuscript for my memoir. Within the next year I’m going to be a published author! And, I’m not restrained by the assumption that my book has to be good enough to make money. I just want my story out there to help somebody. If it helps one person, I’m going to be a happy camper. God will do what He wants with my story and take it to places I can’t, but it will be out there; it will be a powerful testimony to God’s healing power. I didn’t even dream, two years ago, that this would be a reality.

I’m thankful for my pain because it made moments of joy that much better. I’m thankful for my tears because it allows me to comfort others’ in their desperation for understanding. I’m thankful for those who stand strong in Christ because they encourage me. I’m thankful for those friends who have stayed close and present in my greatest time of need. I’m thankful for the opportunity to say goodbye to some demons that have haunted me this past year. Most of all, I’m thankful for a God who did not leave me at any point in my rocky path for the past couple of years. 2018 will be a year where this world needs God more than ever. I will need Him more than ever. And, from what I’ve experienced lately, He does not disappoint. It’s important to remember that God’s timing is not our timing. There is power in the name of Jesus. Happy New Year to everyone!

“…How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you? 

…You still my heart and you take my breath away. 

…You’re all I want, You’re all I need, You’re everything.”

-“Everything”, by Lifehouse

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

-2 Corinthians 4:16-18