Day 26: Bethany Panza
Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23
As I was spending time thinking about what I was going to write, for a few moments I thought, “I don’t have much to boast about this year”. This year felt at times like an eternity. I had on and off health problems I was figuring out. I was helping run crisis intervention at my job which was rewarding but took a toll on my physical and emotional health. There were heartaches and broken relationships that at the moment felt impossible to recover from. This year was a year of many tears shed, lots of anxiety and pleas, and a whole lot of “what is going on?”-type of cries to God. I kept thinking of the burnout, and it felt like this year was weighing me down on all fronts. How can I boast in that?
But God has a great way of humbling me really quickly, and He very much reminded me of the greatness and faithfulness He provided this year. God quieted my heart and said “you are looking through the eye of the storm. You need to take some steps back”. He reminded me that it was actually a fruitful year. Through the chaos, there was so much wisdom, beauty, and goodness that occurred. I thought of a line of a song “How sweet it is, to trust you Jesus. To know you, I mean really know you”.
This year was a year of trusting God’s process. It was a year of saying “God, lead me to what is good and everlasting and refine everything else because You never fail”. Even when life seemed unsteady, the comfort of knowing there is a Father that knows and sees the bigger picture for my own good and leads me through it, is what brought peace, sanity and joy in 2024.
A flood of reminders of what He has done poured through my thoughts as I reflected. God answered prayers I’d been praying for years. I was able to move out of my parents’ house and into my own home. I developed Godly and solid friendships that I have been longing for years. My family was growing with nieces and nephews. God taught me wisdom, refined my thoughts and how I respond to life outcomes around me so that my faith and maturity can grow and deepen. He provided purpose in my life that helped me have vision for my future. He graciously opened a door for a job and a higher education opportunity that would further my career and skillset, and overall provided numerous enjoyable experiences that I am forever grateful for!
I am constantly amazed by how much He loves me so deeply and wants His children to live a bountiful life even when life throws some serious sour lemons. He brought so much life into this year that I’m excited to bring into 2025. He always makes a way for peace and joy on this Earth. I’m so thankful for the life God has given me, and that time and time again, He reveals to me His gracious love to enrich this journey I get to humbly walk.
Prayer
Father, words can’t describe how good You are. Thank You for always loving me, making a way when it seemed impossible, carrying me when I couldn’t walk on my own and leading me to a life that is full! Your faithfulness never ceases and Your kindness never fails. You are worthy of every ounce of praise and honor that I have. I am eternally grateful to You. Amen.
Lamentations 3:22-23
As I was spending time thinking about what I was going to write, for a few moments I thought, “I don’t have much to boast about this year”. This year felt at times like an eternity. I had on and off health problems I was figuring out. I was helping run crisis intervention at my job which was rewarding but took a toll on my physical and emotional health. There were heartaches and broken relationships that at the moment felt impossible to recover from. This year was a year of many tears shed, lots of anxiety and pleas, and a whole lot of “what is going on?”-type of cries to God. I kept thinking of the burnout, and it felt like this year was weighing me down on all fronts. How can I boast in that?
But God has a great way of humbling me really quickly, and He very much reminded me of the greatness and faithfulness He provided this year. God quieted my heart and said “you are looking through the eye of the storm. You need to take some steps back”. He reminded me that it was actually a fruitful year. Through the chaos, there was so much wisdom, beauty, and goodness that occurred. I thought of a line of a song “How sweet it is, to trust you Jesus. To know you, I mean really know you”.
This year was a year of trusting God’s process. It was a year of saying “God, lead me to what is good and everlasting and refine everything else because You never fail”. Even when life seemed unsteady, the comfort of knowing there is a Father that knows and sees the bigger picture for my own good and leads me through it, is what brought peace, sanity and joy in 2024.
A flood of reminders of what He has done poured through my thoughts as I reflected. God answered prayers I’d been praying for years. I was able to move out of my parents’ house and into my own home. I developed Godly and solid friendships that I have been longing for years. My family was growing with nieces and nephews. God taught me wisdom, refined my thoughts and how I respond to life outcomes around me so that my faith and maturity can grow and deepen. He provided purpose in my life that helped me have vision for my future. He graciously opened a door for a job and a higher education opportunity that would further my career and skillset, and overall provided numerous enjoyable experiences that I am forever grateful for!
I am constantly amazed by how much He loves me so deeply and wants His children to live a bountiful life even when life throws some serious sour lemons. He brought so much life into this year that I’m excited to bring into 2025. He always makes a way for peace and joy on this Earth. I’m so thankful for the life God has given me, and that time and time again, He reveals to me His gracious love to enrich this journey I get to humbly walk.
Prayer
Father, words can’t describe how good You are. Thank You for always loving me, making a way when it seemed impossible, carrying me when I couldn’t walk on my own and leading me to a life that is full! Your faithfulness never ceases and Your kindness never fails. You are worthy of every ounce of praise and honor that I have. I am eternally grateful to You. Amen.
Posted in Boast in the Lord \\\'25 pt2
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