Praying And Slaying; An Ode To Spiritual Health

Initially, I wanted to title this post, IN THE STRUGGLE: HOW TO LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE DESPITE THE CIRCUMSTANCES, but I didn't feel as if that is currently the story of my life. Each of my posts is written by the most raw version of myself, and I cannot identify with the term "struggle," any longer. Things are not exactly as I planned and I could definitely be more well off in different aspects of my life, but my facing challenges and conquering life is not THE STRUGGLE! I've been through some struggles. Please don't get me wrong! I've been low, I've been broken, I've been weak and faltering. However, I had to step back and ask myself, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" When I couldn't think of an answer to my question, things started to change. It's not about what you're going through, but how you get through it.  So here is my ode to spiritual health...

Last year, my life took a hit spiritually, mentally and financially. Although I was proud of myself and how much I had accomplished in a short period of time, I felt empty. The days were all the same and I felt stagnant. I had failed miserably at attending church services and also reading my Bible. The positive, beautiful soul that is I, was dark. I began going through life, but I didn't feel as if I was really getting through it. As days went on and grew longer, I felt more and more complacent. I was thankful that I had the means to handle everything that was being thrown at me, but was distraught by the fact that everything I had worked so hard far had been depleted. My resources, my back up and my thoughts had been diminished.
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I had a really long talk with God one night. I cried and let Him know what He already knew. I told God that I was weak. I was tired of hurting. I needed something to encourage me to keep growing. I asked for understanding and for wisdom. I asked God to show me what it was that I could not see. I asked for a modified and more clear vision. ​I asked God to grant me a 

heightened sense of focus and love for my life. I called. He answered and I began to experience life more abundantly. I truly could identify with the phrase, "Prayer Changes Things!" Slowly but surely, things began to look up and maybe things had been changing the entire time, but my perspective was different. My outlook on life had been altered for the better. I started to feel better about myself as I took small steps towards becoming a new person; a greater and more empowered version of myself. This version of me had been called and delegated by God to go forth and to do His work. With a renewed spirit and clear mind, things seemed to take different turns. I don't believe that anything really got easier, but I did not feel alone like I had. At this point, I was working on walking with God and not trying to conquer life by myself.

I asked for more and was not ashamed to admit that I needed help. I began delegating and taking personal time for myself. I stopped letting the world run my spirit. I stopped letting other people determine my worth. I stopped allowing people to come into my life to use and abuse me for their own personal gain and then leave me when I needed them. I stopped  needing others and chose to look for God in my times of desperation. My confidence grew. My smile got bigger. My life got better.

It's amazing what kind of things can happen when you simply rely on God to be your guide. Keep Him in your heart and allow Him to lead your path. Allow God to light your journey and use you along the way. There is no greater love than His and in order to obtain a positive spiritual health, you have to let go of worldly pains and negative energy.​​ Let go. Let God. Move forward! Go forth and prosper, but don't waste time looking back!

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He make me to lie down in green pastures: He leads me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. Thou prepare a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anoint my head with oil; my cup run over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever."

God is for us,
Alyssa Renee