Struggles= Strengths

"My last years battles and break ups made room for this years breakthroughs and victories"- Me

Over the past two years I have gone through some major struggles with in myself. As a young woman, I struggled to find who I was as a person. The question that often came across my mind was Who am I ? I wanted to know, what makes me unique and what all my likes and dislike are, what makes me happy, ya know the pieces of me.

 It was not until this summer after listening to Ledisi's, hit song "Pieces of me"  that I began to reflect on where God had brought me that I realized that through my struggles, have I have developed my strengths and the pieces of me had come together.

 Last December, I went through the worst break up of my life. However, it  turned out to be the best thing that could have ever happened to me. Before, during, and after my break up I was EMOTIONALLY DRAINED. My life revolved around him and what made him happy. So when the relationship ended, it was as if my life did also. I did not know what to do next. I had let someone else be in control of my happiness.Ya know, if he was good, all happy go lucky and such, so was I. If he was mad so was I.

Ultimately, YOU are in control of your happiness and no one else. Do not let your emotions control you. Stay on top of them. Until we, woman especially get a grasp on that concept, we will never live a life of purpose. We will be consumed with the happiness of others. I am not saying that we should not be concerned with making others happy but we will fail at doing so if we are not first happy with ourselves. I am not sure where this quote came from originally but, I saw it over the weekend and it fits in this moment " To thine own self be true"

 December 18, 2010, something came to me and said Ciera, get it together. I knew it was God speaking to me. I began a season of fasting. I fasted on and off from Facebook and Twitter. Instead of checking those two social media accounts I dove in to God, NOT into someone new. I would listen to Gospel on the way to and from work, during my work day I would listen to sermons( Mostly Jamal Bryant) on you tube and read scriptures instead of viewing those two media outlets. This was the beginning of me hearing Gods voice and of me receiving my own voice and developing my true happiness with in myself.

Now almost a year later I am stronger, wiser and overall, I AM HAPPY. Through my struggles, I truly found my strength. It was far from easy. But in order to find yourself in Gods will you will have to endure some pains and set backs that you might not understand during that season but in due time there will be a peaceful harvest for your obedience and faithfulness. (See Hebrews 12:11) I had to do some things that ultimately made me uncomfortable and not happy in the moment. As we grow as adults we have to learn that, we can not always do what makes us happy in the moment but, what will make us happy and be beneficial to us in the long run is what will reap the greatest harvest.

I say all of this to say, do not complain about your struggles. They are only set ups for your blessings! Your season of struggle is your time to prepare for what God has for you. God will not bless you if you have not prepared for what He has in store for you. He will keep testing you until you pass the test. (Remember God tests you, the devil tempts you) You ever wonder why God keeps letting the same thing happen over and over again??? (Your Voice: Why me God, not this again...God's voice Yes, you and yes, this again) *Light Bulb* Change up your strategy! Learn from your past experiences and move on to greater. God wants you to have a life of PEACE, JOY & HAPPINESS. Seek Him, diligently and he will reward you with a harvest. I know for myself.

Be Inspired,

Sweet Lady :)