New blog

Hi! I made a new blog- so you'll find me there, instead of here!

byina.blog.com


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Hopeful

The counseling school I've been doing in Amsterdam is coming to an end. Today was the last day of lectures. I have loved it so much, although it has been really hard. This city is amazing, despite how broken it is. God is doing wonderful things here, and greater things are yet to come. 

One thing I have learned during this school is that we need to choose to deal with our issues and the problems we are facing. Because of the fall, the world is evil, and bad things happen to us. But we need to make a choice whether we want the bad things to define us and keep us stuck, or if we want to learn and grow from them. The thing is that we cannot do it alone. We need God, He is the only One who can heal, who can restore, who can give us hope, and a future. It is amazing to experience how God has been working in my life. He has given me more confidence and He has given me so much hope. Hope is one of my favorite words. Hope is more than just luck, more than just a good thought. Hope is faith. Hope is trusting in God. Hope is surrendering ourselves to the Lord. Hope is being excited and joyful for the future. Hope is enjoying the moment because we know that all things work together for good for those who love God. Hope is letting go of worries. Hope is letting go of fears and being confident in what is about to come. Hope is a gift from God, and I am blessed to have recieved it.

God wants to bring you hope. He wants to bring you healing. He wants to restore what you thought was broken, and unfixable. Whether it is how you view yourself, a relationship, a traumatic experience, a bad memory- no matter what it is. Nothing is impossible for God. 

It is so easy to fall into the enemy's trap of feeling hopeless, feeling worthless, and feeling like no one really truly knows you- and if they did; they would not like you. I've had all these feelings for a long time, and some days I might feel like this. But my life is not controlled by my feelings or my thoughts anymore. They are controlled by Gods view of me, and my identity and worth in Him. The Creator of me, the Creator of the oceans and the waves, the wind and the mountains, the Creator of the universe is pleased with me. Just because I am. He is pleased with you. Just because you are you. You do not need to do anything, you do not need to accomplish anything, you do not need to look a certain way nor behave a certain way. It is enough that you are you. 

There is nothing you could do to make Him love you more.

 There is nothing you could do to make Him love you less. 

 Thank you for everyone who read my blog (and is currently reading this.) I really apprecciate the support and feedback I got! Next time you'll hear from me- I'll be back in Norway.. oooh! 

Good enough

Hello, and welcome to my first blog post!

I decided to make this blog as a way to better explain what God has called me to do. During DTS (Discipleship Training School) it became clear that my calling in life is to bring God's restoration and healing to the lost and broken. He did however, not call me to Africa, which is what I thought being a missionary was all about. It's not just Africa that needs Jesus. This whole world is so broken, and the western-world is no different.

My passion has always been fashion design. But I felt like it was such a "superficial" interest and most times I did not dare tell anyone that it was my dream. What I now realize is that this dream, is a God-given dream! And I am so excited to see what God will do in the fashion-industry. His dream for us, as sons and daughters- is that we will realize our true worth and identity in Him. When we are living in this appearance-focused world it is hard not to get impacted by the worldly standards. It seems like no matter how "good" you are, how "skinny" you are, how "beautiful" you are, or how "fit" you are - it just isn't enough.

Never enough; that is the message we get from the world today. We are never enough. However, we are told to never stop giving up on the goal of being enough. So we work out more, we eat less, we eat healthier, we wear more makeup, wear less clothes, and we wait for the day we can finally feel good enough. But what is "good enough"? What is "being enough?" Will we ever really be "good enough," or simply "enough" for the world? I used to not feel good enough. I used to strive to be enough, and I used to strive for perfection. I found myself stuck, because no matter how much weight I lost, no matter how much makeup I wore, no matter how many nice clothes I had- I just didn't feel like it was "enough."

Over the last year God has shown me that in His eyes, I am good enough, and I am more than enough. There is nothing that I could do or say or be that would make me better. Because in His eyes; I am all He ever wanted me to be. That is such a powerful and wonderful message. Not just because it is the truth, but because the truth will set you free. I no longer strive for perfection, because I know God is the Only One that is perfect. I no longer try to be good enough for the world, because I was never made for the world. I know that I am more than good enough, just as I am. 

This is what the world needs, this is what the fashion industry needs, this is what the society needs; the truth. I am excited to see where God will take me to bring His healing and restoration. What I do know, is that living out my calling will be nothing but boring! And I am excited for whoever wants to follow me on this journey!

GOD BLESS YOU WITH A WONDERFUL WEEK!