Footsteps To Freedom

Hate is a strong word. I must repent as soon as I realize I’ve said it out of my mouth. I must keep forgiving people who have wronged me. I know it can be challenging, but God has been good to me, so I must keep forgiveness in mind because I must live beyond the moment I was hurt; I must go beyond the moment of the betrayal and forgive. I must learn to love people despite the circumstances. I must learn to love people the way God loves me. I told myself that I would live well in the future and in the life I have left. Living well means being healthy, kind, gentle, and patient.

Living Healthy

Living healthy means getting more sleep, lessening work hours, and removing stressors and people without my best interest. Remove those things that cause me strife, contention, anger, or pain. Anyone who knows me knows that I am a hard worker. I give one hundred percent of myself to everything I do. I do this because I want people to get the very best of me. Believe it or not, we all have people attached to us who need our wisdom to help them through tough times. But we can’t do this; we can’t help them if we are unhealthy. I am living healthily to have a mind that is not stressed. I am living a life where my mental health is intact. I fight daily for good mental health. I pray without ceasing. I ask God to cover my mind. I put on the whole armor of God! So my mental health can be intact. I recognize that I have some people in my life who want me crazy, depressed, sad, empty! Yes, I said it! Because it is true. I must repent and ask God for forgiveness because I allowed those people into my life. But now that I know what is happening, I can move forward accordingly. I am walking in expectation that tomorrow it’s going to be alright! I am learning every day that no matter what those people think, how they try to make me feel insignificant, how they lie to me, blame me for their insecurities, I will live a healthy life, and if that means removing those people, so be it!

Be Kind

It is kind to be kind. No matter who I encounter, my first thought is to be kind. I want to be kind; not only is it the right thing to do, but someone was kind to me. When I got divorced, I was not making a lot of money. I had three children and a grandchild who depended on me to make a way. I worked every day and did the best I could with my money.  I was also struggling with my mental health and some medical health issues. But I kept pressing my way to care for my children and grandchild. While doing this, some people were kind to me and my family. People came from near and far to make sure my children had a meal on Thanksgiving and Christmas. People I didn’t even know brought toys and clothes to my home for the holidays so my children could enjoy the holiday. Those people were kind to me even when they didn’t have to be. They were kind to me just because they could be. When I got back on my feet, I told myself that I would remember to always be kind, especially to those who have less than me.

Be Gentle

I can be gentle. I have no problem being gentle. I am not violent and work hard to maintain my temper. I can tell you, maybe ten years ago, I could not say that. I was harsh and had no thought about what I said to you if you crossed me or made me mad. I am a work in progress, but I am not the person I used to be, and I thank God that I am gentler this day. I am mild-mannered and tender. I have my grandchildren to thank for that. They make me see the best in people, allowing me to be gentle toward others.

Be Patient

Psalm 37:7 reads Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! I waited patiently for the LORD, And He inclined to me And heard my cry. The revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false.

Let no one make you hate them.  If it gets to the point where hating them feels good, GET OUT, MOVE ON, AND LEAVE! Let no one steal your peace! Our peace is essential. Always know that you don’t have to live a life of desperation, hurt, or tears just because people take you to the point where you want to hate them! Don’t give them that power in your life. Understand who you are dealing with! Know that the enemy is accurate, and he will use ANYONE AVAILABLE TO HIM. It does not matter who it is. It could be your sister, brother, mother, father, husband, or wife! If those people are causing you to feel hate in your heart, work to live a healthy, kind, gentle, and patient life. Always know who you are and who you are! Don’t forget that you have value; your life means something! And let NO ONE TELL YOU DIFFERENTLY! Don’t allow anyone to have so much power in your life that you forget your worth! And remember “You can’t have value, if you don’t know your worth”. Whatever living healthy looks like to you, live it!