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Ashley D. Wille is quite aware that many churches have misrepresented the true Gospel of grace. Whether deliberately or not, this has clouded the minds of many believers, making them unaware of how to truly live their lives.
Living your life with faith in Jesus Christ can give you strength, but finding the light to see the true path can be difficult.
Yet, even when things are hard, you can find a way to let your inner light shine.
Living Out Your Beliefs
Many people are quite smitten with the idea that it is in happiness that true joy is felt. They think it’s when you no longer have any problems to deal with. If that happens, then you will truly be happy.
But that’s not precisely true.
Real joy—real, God-given joy—isn’t about ignoring sadness.
Finding light is about facing problems while trusting in God’s plan. You don’t have to force yourself to smile all the time.
Instead, you can choose to believe God is with you, even in the bad times. Having this faith helps you handle problems instead of running from them.
Sometimes, this misunderstanding makes people feel terrible for not indulging in happiness inasmuch as they can. It’s not healthy to feel like you have to be cheerful every minute. You can be honest with God about your feelings. He wants you to give your sadness and struggles to Him. True strength comes from knowing that tough times are a part of life.
Real joy is in choosing Christ and to keep choosing him as you move forward, no matter what happens.
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Finding Light in the Darkness
Hope is an active choice you have to make each and every time it’s needed, and even when it’s not. It’s something that comes and goes, but is always there. Hope rests in God, and it has to be constantly affirmed and confirmed.
To have hope means believing in God’s promises for a better future, even when the present feels utterly dark.
Finding light and having faith in God gives you the power to keep going. When you have hope, you can start to see how God works in your life, even in the shadows. Thus, hope is akin to a light that guides you.
It helps you see that every problem has a purpose and will eventually end–as all things must.
Overcoming darkness is a journey of faith. You don’t have to win every battle on your own. You simply need to trust in God’s power. This journey will help you get stronger in Christ over time. Every small step you take is a step forward. Each time you choose to believe that a better day is coming, you are winning against darkness.
This journey makes your faith stronger and your light for Jesus brighter.
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
The Brightness Within You
Your faith is the most potent source of your inner light. This light is the Holy Spirit living inside you. It’s what you stand for and what you believe in.
When you begin to live by God’s Word, you shine for others also. This light helps you make good choices and stay true to your faith. Your inner light is your guide. It keeps you on the right path and gives you purpose.
If you ever feel lost, you can look inside yourself. The Holy Spirit is always there. You just need to connect with Him through prayer. You can also connect by reading the Bible or doing things that you feel God has called you to do. This connection makes you feel strong in Christ.
The light reminds you that you have value and a purpose that no one can take away.
I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Seeing the Good
To acknowledge the silver lining in things is a habit you should build. It’s about looking for small blessings every day. It could be a kind word from a friend, a sunny day, or a prayer that God answered. When you train your mind to look for good things, you will start to notice more of God’s grace. This practice of being grateful changes how you see things. It moves your focus from what’s wrong to what’s right. It shows you that even on bad days, God is still at work.
This habit isn’t just about what you see; it’s also about what you feel. When you notice God’s blessings, you feel more thankful and positive. This feeling helps you feel more connected to God. It helps you build a strong mind in Christ and gives you a way to deal with bad feelings.
give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
How to Stay Positive
Staying positive starts with simple steps. One of the best things you can do is control your thoughts. Your thoughts lead to your feelings. If you have a bad thought, give it to God in prayer. It takes practice, but it works. Another tip is to spend time with other Christians who encourage you. The people around you have a big impact on your mood, so choose to be with people who are also trying to find light.
Daily habits help. Try doing something for God that makes you happy every day. It could be reading a short devotion, listening to worship music, or enjoying a walk outside.
These small moments of joy add up. They accumulate to help you build a store of good feelings you can use on a hard day. Staying positive is a skill you get better at with practice and prayer.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
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These ideas can help you live a life full of light. Your journey is a testament to your faith in Christ. Your ability to find hope and live with purpose is a gift to the world.
Check out Ashley D. Wille’s My Journey Through the Cross.
