Lessons Learned

Anniversaries turn into years.
Years of pain.
Years of laughter.
Years of discovery.
Years of learning.
Years of growing.
Years.

Anniversary's are supposed to be joyous celebrations, yet my life contains some anniversary's that bring anxiety, heaviness, and gratefulness at God's goodness, grace, and blessings.  Those descriptions don't seem to go together, yet walking through this life has proven to be one of continual discovery at seeking the blessings in the dark spots; otherwise bitterness would ensue and Satan would win.

I have learned many lessons in these past years. Here are just a few of the more profound lessons I have been blessed to learn.
God has shown me that in my weakness, He truly is strong.
My shoulders are bigger than I thought they were, when I allow God to carry the load.
Fear and low self-esteem are my nemesis.
Anxiety and panic attacks are NOT fun to endure.
Friends, true friends, are not to be taken for granted.
Grief is exhausting and surprising at the same time.
Betrayal, regardless of the form it takes, is horrible to endure.
Christ is the only one who promises to never leave or forsake and He alone keeps His promises.
Satan is more powerful than we truly give him credit for, but Christ has won the victory in the end. Praise Him!
I have found that my faith is much deeper than I ever imagined and yet so lacking at the same time. Trust isn't easily regained.
All counselors are not alike.
Good teaching, taken out of balance, leads to becoming an enabler to someone else.  I wanted to do things so right, that I ended up doing them all wrong.  I allowed myself to get lost in what I thought was being a good, submissive person, friend, wife, mom, etc.  However, I had taken it to the umpteenth degree and enabled others to abuse me, disrespect me, dishonor me, devalue me. Boundaries are priceless.
The most important discovery is this:  My worth, my value, isn't found in a person, a job, an activity, a hobby, a title; my worth is found because of who I am because of Christ Jesus living inside me.
I can survive.
I am loved.
I am His!