"Building yourselves in your most holy faith"

Just reading what i wrote in January, has made me realise how different my life has become in just a few short months. On the 29th of January 2012, i could not have forseen or even guessed the challenges that i would have to face on the work front, as well as on the personal front. It's only April and already I feel as though i have "lived a lot" already in 2012.

At the start of this year I was very expectant of what God would do in and through me. It being a milestone year for me, since I turned 30 in February, i had a deep desire for this year to be an extra special one. A year where I would really be able to see the hand of God at work in my life, where I would be able to experience the fruit of many prayers that I have sown in the past year(s). A year where I would be able to harvest and reap. A year where I would dare to hope and believe what the word of God says.

So far it seems to be one fight after the other; with each "battle" stretching and challenging my limits and thresholds of emotional pain. From the threat of legal action against our business, to personal health problems that required that I undergo minor surgery; 2012 has not been the smooth coasting ride that I envisioned or antcipated.

This morning I have been encouraged by a passage that was shared on the very first Sunday of this year, which coincidentally was also the first day of 2012. It's from Jude 1:20-21 and reads "But you beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God..." Our Pastor shared with us on this day that 2012 was going to be a year of Hope. This did not necessarily mean that things would be smooth sailing till December, but rather, in whatever challenging circumstance we may find ourselves, the word encourages us to build ourselves in faith and remain in the Love of God, and therefore we hold onto the hope of His calling, His promisses and His deliverance in our lives.

I decided to have an attitude adjustment regarding the challenges I have been and am still facing. These are necessary paths that I need to walk as part of my personal Faith Buliding exercise. They are the very opportunities I have been praying for that will allow me to see the Love, Grace and Mercy of God in my life in a whole new light. They are the fabric that will make and shape my personal testimony and make it unique.

It's only April, and I am so excited (yes excited) to see how God is going to redeem every situation and work it out for my good!

Be Blessed