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!