Redeemed

The following is a thought I've been pondering the past two weeks. Nothing is an absolute other than the part about God being my source (and hopefully yours, too).

~~~

We often let what other people say, or think (or, what I mean is, we often think they are thinking this), that we're stuck in the moment of failure we once experienced... OR after making years of progress and inner change, in one simple reminder of a past event, our thinking flashes back to the way it once was. The majority of the time the inner battle is much harder than we'd expect. It is especially difficult when we don't have a foundation in which we can build up on. When we put our hopes in our own efforts, or in the people around us, there is a tendency to fail and be disappointed greatly. Don't get me wrong, we have to make the effort, and we need each others support to get through some of life's battles; but when we or they become our everything we will be left disillusioned. The only supreme source which can fully be trusted is God Himself. 


I would like to encourage those who feel as though the battle to redemption is "too hard", "too long", and possibly "unattainable". Allow me to assure you that it is not. God wants to see you be your very best; He has designed you with a purpose and can use any mistake for His glory. 

You're not stuck.

Real change can happen.

It did for me. I am redeemed.

Scriptures 

Isaiah 43:1-3a NIV

But now, this is what the Lord says—

he who created you, Jacob,

he who formed you, Israel:

"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;

I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 

When you pass through the waters,

I will be with you;

and when you pass through the rivers,

they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire,

you will not be burned; 

the flames will not set you ablaze.

For I am the Lord your God,

the Holy One of Israel, your Savior..."

2 Timothy 1:9 NIV

He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time... 

Psalm 146 NIV

Praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord, my soul.

 I will praise the Lord all my life;

I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

Do not put your trust in princes,

in human beings, who cannot save.

When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;

on that very day their plans come to nothing.

Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob,

whose hope is in the Lord their God.

He is the Maker of heaven and earth,

the sea, and everything in them—

he remains faithful forever.

He upholds the cause of the oppressed

 and gives food to the hungry.

The Lord sets prisoners free,

the Lord gives sight to the blind,

the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down,

the Lord loves the righteous.

The Lord watches over the foreigner

and sustains the fatherless and the widow,

but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.

The Lord reigns forever,

your God, O Zion, for all generations.

Praise the Lord.

Music 

These are a few songs that helped me through, and hopefully they will also help you:
Big Daddy Weave - Redeemed
MercyMe - Greater
Britt Nicole - Through Your Eyes