Good Morning!

As Joanna Gaines would say, “Today is a good day for a good day!”

David puts it like this in Psalm 118:24 – “This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.”

I’d like to add my two cents:  God gave us a new day.  A good day.  A day that allows fresh new growth.

Whether we take a baby step today or a huge one, if we are moving forward with Jesus today, doing one hard thing, we will experience growth of some kind.

But like we talked about yesterday, let’s get specific.  Let’s pray about that one hard thing we want to do today, that thing that Jesus has asked us to trust Him in, that’s intended for the growth of our minds and souls, and more importantly drawing us closer to Him and creating a more passionate heart for others and His kingdom.

This will look different for everyone.  For some of us, we might be battling something so difficult in our lives that every day’s hard thing will be the same for a year.  For others, every day might hold something new.  Some days might merely be a difficult choice, other days might be heart-wrenching changes.

It doesn’t matter. This is a personal journey of 365 days of growth that each of us will, if we so choose, walk with Jesus.

If you’re still in the praying and asking phase of what your first hard thing will be, that first step toward personal and spiritual growth, remember God’s promises:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do,and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. James 1:5

For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding…Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Proverbs 2:6, 9-10

If you’re like me, you know the first hard thing to do, but have been putting it off.  It will be uncomfortable.  Take time.  Make you vulnerable.  Invite you to something different, better.  Require laying down things like convenience or pride or fear.

It will insist that you hold tightly to Jesus’ hand and trust His heart for you. That He will never leave you.  That He loves you.  That He has more in mind for you than you can imagine.  More of Himself.  More of that abundant life He talks about.

So, as promised yesterday, today I will share with you my first specific step:

I will make my first counseling appointment today.  

There.  I said it.  I put it in bold letters.  You are my witness.

I know that based on the direction God is leading me and the many hard steps toward that, this has to be the first.

The verse I am claiming today as I do this is this:

Proverbs 12:15 – The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a wise man is he who listens to counsel.

I need some help to work through some deep pain that has nestled so far into my soul that I don’t know how to let it all out.  Calling the counselor today will be difficult.  My first hard step of 2017.  This “strong” girl might just fall apart completely once the dam lets loose.

And I guess that’s a really good place to start.

-What will be your first hard step today?  What promises of God can you cling to while you do it?

-How will your heart and mind look a little different tomorrow than they do today?  How will your faith grow?

If you want to join hands on this and want a more private way to connect, feel free to contact me at janajarvis82@gmail.com.

Just one hard thing today.

With all the love of Jesus,

J