JOURNEY: What You Do Not Always See
-Versus-
RESULTS: What You Do See:
It is very clear that appearances and social media posts can cause people to desire what other people have, as well as things that do not actually exist—like flawlessness, an always easy life, and (sometimes) an absolutely happy smile—causing them to feel bad if they do not have a thing or certain experiences in their own lives. Humbly said, due to compliments and comments I have received over the years, I have a spiritual and human responsibility to share what I am sharing with you now (as led by my Heavenly Father):
"Flawlessness" does not exist in my personal life. However, both my love for God and my love for others do exist. "Easy" is not always my situation—but I count all experiences "a blessing", in some way.
In my heart, genuinely expressing Godly love, patience, and forgiveness, will always be important—and while I am NOT perfect—I try to live my life according to God’s Word, lovingly, with patience, and with a forgiving heart. Laughter will always be welcomed, "silly" is who I am. I like to smile, so I do so often. At times, wrong assumptions are made in light of all that I have just expressed—because, sometimes, people make assumptions based on what they see on the surface. However, please know this: Aside from God Himself and His perfect will—flawlessness does not live within or amongst me, but love certainly does. My life is not always easy. My blessings and spiritual gifts do not always come without opposition and/or struggle. My smiles do not always express happiness—but rather, strength, survival, and hope in my Heavenly Father. Additionally, on my own, I have nothing . . . but with God, humbly said, I have everything I will ever need: God is my Provider.
I am 100% me, real, genuine. What I post about IS reality. However, naturally, it is not my entire reality. I go through hardships, just like everyone else does. There is just no need for me to share about my hardships, unless God has called me to do so for His purposes, for testimony. My family has issues too, just like everyone else's. However, I do not believe in bashing, blasting, or gossiping about my family members (or about anyone).
My not sharing when I am experiencing tough times does not mean that difficult times do not exist in my life. I am human too. Humbly said and all glory to God: I am a warrior and I am a survivor in multiple senses, beyond what most people know. My Heavenly Father gets me through and is my Guide.
This is NOT AT ALL just about compliments and comments that have been directed toward me; God just led me to use my life for an example. Many people make assumptions about other people and about their lives, and sometimes, they start comparing, they even start competing. That is universal. It is so important that you remember the following:
NEVER compare yourself to someone else. NEVER compare your family to someone else's family. NEVER compare your walk with someone else's walk in life. It is okay to be inspired or motivated by someone, and admiration is fine—but NEVER desire to be someone else other than yourself, NEVER desire someone else's life, and NEVER desire what someone else either has or appears to have in any envious, jealous, or covetous ways: YOU DO NOT TRULY KNOW WHAT YOU ARE REALLY ASKING FOR! We are all built with different capacities of what we can and cannot handle. For example, you might not be able to handle what I can, just like I might not be able to handle what you can. Why? Because when it comes to God's will for our lives: What God asks and requires from us all, in order for us to do our parts in the fulfillment of His will and our purposes in life—"individually" speaking—what God asks and requires from us will differ from one person to another when it comes to levels, intensities, and amounts.
Simply put (this is just a parable): Suppose God gave you the capacity to only be able to carry 200 lbs, and this is all your purpose in life requires. However, your friend can handle carrying 400 lbs—because this is the capacity God gave him, and his purpose in life and profession requires this amount of strength. Instead of angrily wondering why your friend is capable of reaching that strength and build, and being envious of him because he can carry 400 lbs, and you cannot: you should consider all that he had to go through in order to achieve those results, and why being able to do so is called for in his life.
Even when God blesses multiple people similarly (for example, five individuals are blessed with a new job): God blesses them each in ways that are unique to how He created those people individually and unique to their lives and purposes—and their journeys WILL NOT BE EXACTLY THE SAME. Desire God's will for YOU. Desire God's will for YOUR life. God's plans for YOU are perfect for YOU.
Please make no mistake, I feel blessed in my life, no matter what. I am accepting of God's perfect will. I smile. I laugh. I enjoy. God has things in store for my life that I look forward to. However, please understand this: Generally speaking, most times, YOU WILL ONLY SEE THE "RESULTS" BUT NOT THE "JOURNEY" IN SOMEONE'S LIFE. You will only see the results of someone's obedience to God. You will only see the results of having a loving, forgiving heart. You will only see what someone looks like only after they have survived. You will only see the results of someone's prayer life. You will only see the results of someone's patience through spiritual and personal attacks. You will not always know about all the pain, mistreatment, spiritual attacks, emotional and physical weariness, health issues, tears, heartbreak, heartache, breakdowns, disappointments, satanic opposition, and all of the tough life lessons, that someone PERSEVERED through and that happened ON THE WAY to that person’s blessings, breakthroughs, new beginnings, and happiness!
All that was just stated about one's behind-the-scenes, at times, tough journey: that is also MY truth. I will never brag or over-share about my blessings—God calls us to be humble, loving, wise, and compassionate toward others and what they might be or are certainly going through (Proverbs 25:20 can be referenced here). However, whatever blessings, moments of happiness, smiles, laughter, gifts from the LORD, and rewards I receive from my Heavenly Father, that I do share (of course, by God's leading), and whatever works I share for my Heavenly Father—just KNOW that there was a JOURNEY . . . and a mostly tough one . . . . Humbly, I accept and have learned and grown from it all. I count all of it to be blessings.
Gladly, embrace your own journey. Be prayerful through it all. Trust God's will for YOUR life. Be patient. Be thankful along your journey—there is a reason for everything. Be thankful in your results—do not forget about God, and remember to keep God first, when you get what you have prayed for and were patient for. God has perfect timing; there is a season for everything and everyone. Trust God's love for you.
All Glory to God,
Charrese Monique
Boldness & Virtue Ministries
