Tag: Self Improvement

25 Positive Affirmations to Begin Your Week ♡

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Hey, everyone! My name is Q’Zion, and welcome to The Joys and Trials of a Christian Teen! Today is Sunday, and that means a new week has officially begun. Regardless of what this upcoming week has in store for you, Sundays are a time for us to relax, recharge, and start off our week strong!

Positive affirmations are the perfect way to make sure your week is productive. And if Thanksgiving is coming up where you live, I’m sure we could all use a little bit of self care before the holiday season comes around!

Here are 25 fun, relaxing, and positive affirmations to help you start your week! Let’s get this party started!

25 Positive Affirmations to Begin Your Week

1. This week will be better than the last/ the best one yet!

2. This week, I will take time to recharge.

3. I am grateful for today, and I look forward to the week ahead of me.

4. I chose happiness today.

5. I am confident in the abilities that God has blessed me with.

6. This week, I will achieve my goals.

7. I am positive and creative.

8. I am enough, this week and forever.

9. I can handle whatever this week throws at me.

10. I am blessed.

11. My self-confidence is at an all-time high!

12. God is with me: there’s nothing I can’t do!

13. I will not allow anything to disturb my peace.

14. Many good things will happen, this week.

15. I am capable of doing great things!

16. I choose success and the work that will get me there!

17. This week is my time to shine!

18. I am unique, and proud of it!

19. I am exactly who God made me to be, and I will let my light shine, this week!

20. I will grow stronger every day, this week!

21. Today, I’ll take time to take care of myself.

22. Today is the new day that God has made!

23. My life has a purpose and a meaning.

24. Today, I chose healing.

25. This week will be a blessing in my life and the lives of others.

Whether or not it’s actually Sunday, for you, these positive affirmations are a great way to boost your energy level and make your week even more productive! And saying kind things to ourselves is one of the key factors to doing great things! I encourage you to try out these affirmations for yourself, and see just how positive your week can be!

Please tell me down below in the comments, which one of these encouraging and inspirational statements did you like the most? I would love to hear from you!

Have a happy and healthy rest of your day and/or night! God bless you all, and I will catch you next time! Peace in! ♡

Run With Me // a summer day at the park

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Hey, y’all! It’s Q’Zion, here and welcome back to The Joys and Trials of a Christian Teen! I hope you all are enjoying the beginning of the brand new school year; I know I definitely am!

Speaking of school, one of my electives that I’m taking right now is Health Opportunities Through Physical Education, also known as HOPE: in short, it’s like P.E., except it goes a bit more in depth with how we can set goals to benefit our physical, mental, social, and academic health.

This week, we have to submit this fitness assessment, where we do a variety of exercises to test our physical endurance, strength, and stamina. One of the largest parts of the assessment was the 1 mile walk/run. Me and Goodmommy decided to get the job done by visiting a local park for the first time.

I’ve got to admit that before I began taking the HOPE course, it had been a long time since I’ve actually went outside and had a good run; probably too long, in fact. But what I love about the course is it allows you to look at your overall health as is, and use the information that you gather from workouts like this to set goals for future improvement.

Our Apple Watches were a huge help in keeping track of our distance and heart rate, while we ran—and took walking breaks, in between. Seriously though; a fitness watch is truly a necessity for anyone who wants to keep track of their physical activity.

Everyone needs to get at least 30 minutes of exercise daily. And while it might take a little extra effort—there’s nothing like taking a walk in the summer breeze.

Walking in nature is such a different feeling then working out in your home. Not only is there much more space to move around, but it’s pretty hard to resist not taking a photo here and there. But can you really blame me? I’ve got to give it to Goodmommy, she found a beautiful park!

And I think one of the things that I love most about this particular location is that it has a lot of statues and other structures that can help you learn about the history of our country, such as past wars and victories. The historical aspect of the park almost makes it feel like an outdoor art museum.

This eagle statue on a podium was probably my favorite of them all. It looks so realistic; I can’t imagine how long it took to make. Plus, can we just talk about how perfect the landscaping is? Now that’s what I call ✨gorgeous ✨!

Overall, me and Goodmommy had such an awesome time together. From now on, we plan on going outside to get some fresh air a lot more often. Next time I’ll be sure to take pictures of us in action. I can already see both me and Goodmommy reaching our fitness goals pretty soon! And I can’t wait to continue to document our journey!

What’s your favorite way to exercise? Also, do you prefer to work out inside or outside? I would love to hear from you all down below in the comments!

Hav a great rest of your day or night, y’all! God bless you all, and I’ll see you next time! Laters! ✨

5 Tips for Overcoming Your Fears

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Hey, everybody! This is Q’Zion, and welcome back to my corner of the Internet! ♡

Let’s talk about fear. It’s a word that we have all heard once or twice, at the very least. And while for some, it’s just another word in the dictionary, other people may suffer from anxiety on a much more regular basis. While fear is not a bad thing, it’s important that we don’t let it take control. The only thing is, that can be a lot harder said than done.

This being said, conquering our fears is an amazing way to help us become more compassionate, confident, brave, and wise human beings. Plus, it’s a big help when it comes to checking things off of our bucket lists. And since July 26th is National All or Nothing Day, it made perfect sense to talk about just that.

To help you start your journey, here are a few tips for conquering your fears. Let’s get started! ♡

Start Small

When we learn how to swim, we don’t just dive right into the deep end; instead, we learn the basics and build on our progress. Facing fears is a very similar process. Instead of diving into the things that make you nervous head on, sometimes its better to take baby steps. This not only helps prepare you for the time when you face your fear, but it also helps to build your courage and confidence, in the process.

Realize That The Only Way You Can Fail is If You Quit

One of the biggest obstacles that can get in the way of facing a fear is the thought of failing your mission. But in the scenario that you try and things don’t immediately go as planned, that is only a bump in the road so long as you keep giving your all to succeed. But the journey only stops if we give up. Remember that the bumps in the road are just another part of your road to victory.

Be Kind to Yourself

While doing our best is of utmost importance in life, making sure that you’re taking care of yourself is, too. Therefore, if you ever do encounter one of those bumps in the road, give yourself some time to recoup with a short session of mindfulness. Whether that is taking some deep breaths, taking a nap, or reading a book, never punish yourself for making mistakes along the way. After all, love is one of the gems of life. We should never take it for granted.

Turn Your Fear into Fuel

Life is filled with a handful of trials, and fear is one of them that we all have to conquer at one point or another. But instead of ignoring our fears until they multiply, try to use it as a drive to make every effort to conquer the anxiety. A lot of times, it’s the trials in life that can make us stronger than ever. All we have to do is turn our fears into fuel.

Acknowledge Your Achievements

Even though there are some trials in life, we mustn’t ignore the endless list of joys. During every journey, there tends to be some type of achievement or growth that occurs along the way. Therefore, make sure to give yourself positive rewards for the things that you’ve done to achieve your goals. These celebrations serve as an extra push in the right direction of facing a fear.

I know that facing a fear is a process, but I hope that these tips will help make it easier for anyone on their journey. Keep in mind that as long as we keep the faith that we can and will succeed, there is nothing that we cannot achieve. Thank God for victory!

LET’S CHAT~What are some of the tips that you have for facing fears? Feel free to share your responses in the comments!

Have a wonderful day everybody! God bless you all, and until next time, peace in! ♡

5 Clever Ways to Get Rid of a Fear of Public Speaking

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Almost everyone has had a case of stage fright at least once in their life. And while the thought of speaking in front of an audience–large or small–can have a variety effects on different people, some dread it so much that they might feel their heartrate quicken or break into a sweat. This could be an example of glossophobia, also know as the fear of public speaking.

It is easy to guess that this fear is one of the most common phobias of all time; some mental health experts have even gone as far to say that it could affect about 75% of the world’s population. As a result, a number of sources say that glossophobia is the most common phobia in the world, even above the fear of spiders or heights.

While most of us are afraid of something, conquering our fears is always a good strategy to self improvement. It is International Freedom from Fear of Public Speaking Day. And considering that this fear is so popular, I have a list of tips for anyone who wants to become more confident about speaking in front of a crowd.

1. Speak about a topic that you are passionate about.

There are a whole bunch of topics that many people value. Racial stereotypes, mental health, and protecting wildlife are just a few great examples of many. I am a firm believer that when you have the option as to what you want to speak about, you should definitely use that to your advantage. It is much easier to get over your nerves–while connecting with your audience–when the purpose of your speech hits closer to home.

2. Focus on the purpose of your speech, not the audience.

What throws a lot of people off when it comes to speaking in public is the amount of people sitting in the audience. But the thing is, the people who are watching should never be the first thing in your mind when you are giving a speech. Instead, try to focus on what you will be speaking about–this is why choosing a topic that gets you excited is so important. The more you focus on the topic, the less important the amount of people in the crowd will become.

3. Do regular breathing exercises.

A good tip for anyone with anxiety–or anyone who is working on a public speech–is to practice taking deep breaths; specifically when you feel as if your heartbeat is getting faster. Not only does this fill your lungs with a breath of fresh air, but it also helps you remain calm and keep your heartbeat at a steady pace. Even if you need to pause a few times during your speech to take a breath, it truly is a tremendous help when it comes to keeping your nerves in check.

4. Bring a real presentation.

While there are some situations in which the environment is more casual–take school, for example–other speeches may take place in an area where you want to look more professional. While it is always good to make sure that you are presenting yourself in a way that is, well, presentable, you also want to make sure that you don’t loose who you are and what you stand for in the process. Trying to be perfect or speak like everyone else is simply putting on a fake face. No matter how much experience a person has, they are never an “expert.” Even the people who speak often mess up here and there. It’s okay to be nervous, and most importantly, to be you. Trust me, your audience will likely appreciate it just as much as you do.

5. Practice, practice, practice!

Like any other skill, public speaking is not something that becomes natural without putting in some effort. That’s why before the big day comes where you have to present your speech, it’s important to try building up your confidence little by little. This could be by speaking in front of your stuffed animals, your family, your friends, or even a mirror. The more you repeat your speech, the more confident you’ll likely become in what you have to offer in your presentation.

I remember having a much harder time speaking in front of small crowds when I was little. To be honest, sometimes I would be quiet infront of people who spoke to me first lol. But with much practice and experience, I am much more sociable and confident with speaking now. And I hope that these tips will help you, as well.

LET’S CHAT~Have you ever had a past fear of public speaking? If so, what measures did you take to conquer your fear? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.

Have a beautiful and blessed day everybody! Peace in, and I’ll see you all next time! ♡

My thoughts on entering the second-half of 2022

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It feels like 2022 just began, but instead it’s already July. Don’t get me wrong, I’m excited about what this year has yet to come. I’ll be starting high school, plus my birthday, Christmas and Thanksgiving–my three favorite holidays–are getting closer and closer. But at the same time, it seems like the days are flying by.

The first half of this year was pretty eventful due to the frequent end of the year tests and hours that I spent to finish my school work early. Now, everything feels so relaxed and serene. So far, my summer break has really given me a chance to kind of mentally recharge as I prepare for the new school year.

July 1st gives us all an opportunity to reflect on our goals and growth, as well as how we matured for the first six months of 2022. Is there anything that we could have done better or a goal that we set to the side? While we might not achieve every single one of our New Year’s Resolutions, it is never too late to get back on track.

No matter what you do for the rest of the year, remember to approach 2023 with optimism and confidence; even though we don’t know what the future has in store, it is much easier to better yourself and achieve each of your goals if you believe that this second half will be even greater than the first! After all, there’s nothing that we can’t do with a little bit of faith.

I hope you all have a productive, positive, and peaceful second half of 2022. Also, Happy Canada Day to all the Canadians out there! Peace in!

The Joyful Blogger Tag 🌻 | national day of joy ♡

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If you could describe the best feeling in the world, what would it be? Come to think of it, there are a few that come to my mind. Love, gratitude, hope, peace. But what about the word “joy”? The dictionary itself defines the word as “a feeling of great pleasure or happiness.”

And while some might say that joy is a synonym to the word happy, it’s more of an abundance of glee that feels like a burst of energy throughout your body; in other words, pure bliss. Today happens to be the National Day of Joy, and a special Hug Holiday, which ironically go together perfectly. I mean, if there’s anything that bring us joy, it’s a warm hug.

In order to celebrate this day catered to joy, I decided to answer some fun yet thought-provoking questions in my original creation: The Joyful Blogger Tag 🌻 Feel free to answer each of these questions on your blog, as long as you state my name as the original creator (Q’Zion) and provide a link to the homepage of my blog within that post. And, without further ado, let’s get started!

What brings you the most joy–that does not include materialistic items?

Firstly Father God, who all my joy comes from. Then my family and friends. My pet fish. Seeing others be kind to one another. Doing what I love to do: including writing, art, listening to music, singing, reading, looming, etc. I think I feel happiest when I am doing what I love with the people that I love. While participating in my hobbies is always fun, whether I do it individually or with others, I always love to share my work with the people whom I care about the most.

Which color do you associate with the word “joy” the most?

I know this might be a little standard, but yellow is the first color that comes to my mind after reading this question. Bubblegum pink is a pretty close second, though. I think both of those colors are bright, energetic, bright and happy–looking. Brighter colors in the warmer spectrum tend to make me the happiest. On the other hand, colors like purple, blue and green give me a serene vibe. It’s funny how different colors and shades can make us feel different emotions, isn’t it?

How do you think you’ve grown as an individual within the past year?

The past year–or two–of my life have had a huge affect on the person that I am today. For one, I think that I’ve got a lot wiser, both due to things that God and my Goodmommy has shared with me as well as personal experiences. Now I am much more confident in who I am and how I look, and as a result I am a lot less shy then I was years ago. I have come to discover that I am wonderfully and perfectly made. In other words, I am exactly who God wants me to be. And I think that as long as I keep that motto in my heart, I will continue to grow.

What are you most grateful for?

The list is so long that it would never end, as there are always things to be thankful for when you look at the big picture of your life and what it could be. Right now, I’m most thankful for love and peace in my home. Being able to laugh, smile, and just enjoy life. I know that’s a pretty simple answer, but the things that make us happy don’t have to be complicated. In fact, most times it’s the everyday miracles that bring us the most joy.

How do you find joy through the trials of life?

When life gets tough and you’re in a tight spot, it can be tough for some to find things to be joyful about. However, I always like to remember that even though things might not be going my way, I’m still alive and breathing. Therefore, my journey is not over. Life itself is one of the greatest blessings of all. If we weren’t alive, how would we be able experience joy in the first place?

Wow! Those questions were the exact daily dose of happiness that I needed. The entire purpose for this post was to give us a chance to reflect on what makes us feel joy, and what we are grateful for even throughout the trials that we face. Remember, nothing and nobody can take your joy without your permission!

LET’S CHAT~What brings you the most joy? And furthermore, what is your favorite way to spread joy to others? Feel free to share your responses in the comments. I would love to hear from you all!

Have a joyful day, everybody! See you next time! 🌻

Sweet Inspiration | 4 Quotes and Bible Verses to Inspire You

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I was browsing some of my oldest posts on my blog, and I stumbled upon this one. Not only was the post super underrated, but I wanted to give my followers (new and old) a chance to gain some inspiration with these 4 Quotes and Bible verses. Hopefully they will make you smile, today. Let’s get started! ♡

Quote 1: “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” – Oscar Wilde

Always remember that nobody else can be you, and therefore, you cannot be anyone else. Embrace who you are, and see the beauty in your authentic self. You are original, beautiful, and one of a kind.

Verse 1: Matthew 5:14 – You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 

I really admire this Bible verse. It tells us how it’s important that, in all the darkness of the world, we stand out, and be the light. Blending in with the crowd isn’t always the best thing. Therefore, it is best to do things that make you stand out, in a positive way!

Quote 2: “You are braver than you believe and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think. – A. A. Milne 

This quote can be very much true in some situations. Sometimes, we don’t see the potential that we really have, and how amazing we really are. However, we are brave, strong, and smart individuals, even if the world cannot see that.

Verse 2: 1 Timothy 4:12 – Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 

The Lord says to us, that just because we are young, doesn’t mean that we should be looked down upon by adults. God gives us the will to set an example to others through our actions in love, faith, and purity! Therefore, don’t be afraid to spread God’s word! We are all his children!

Quote 3: Making mistakes is better than faking perfections. – Assan Jallow 

A lot of us have probably felt the pressure to be perfect. However, let’s be honest: this is unrealistic for anyone except God. Therefore, it is okay to make mistakes sometimes. Our mistakes are part of what make us who we are. Just be yourself, and don’t sweat it when you make a mistake! Your effort is what matters most!

Verse 3: Galatians 6:9 – Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 

We can be easily tempted to do wrong things in times of trouble. However, always remember to do what is right in the Lord’s eyes. If we do, then we will “reap a harvest,” or benefit from our actions, afterward.

Quote 4: You are enough, just as you are. – Megan Markle 

Although this quote is very simple, it holds a lot of truth. Whenever you feel as though you are not enough for a position, a person, or a task, remember that you are enough. You are worthy. As long as you tried your best, you did not fail.

Verse 4: Deuteronomy 31:6 – Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” 

If you ever feel intimidated by someone, such as people from school, remember that God is always with you, and he will protect us and take care of us! He never leaves our side, even if we cannot see him as we can each other.

I really hope that you enjoyed these 4 Inspirational Quotes and Bible Verses! Always remember to be yourself and trust in the Lord. He will not give us more then we can handle, and who we show up as in the world should be a light in all of the darkness.

LET’S CHAT~Do you have a favorite quote and/or Bible verse? Feel free to share in the comments.

Have a fantastic day, y’all! See you next time!✨

I read my original poem to an audience for the first time… ♡

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Today I had another meeting with my Creative Writing Club. Every month we have an Open Mic Night, where we as students can submit our original works in Google Forms to read aloud to the group. In celebration of April, National Poetry Month, every presentation for today’s meeting was a poem or another short form of writing.

School is almost over, this is the last open mic night of the year, and I had never shared any of my original work with the group. Due to these factors, I thought this was the perfect opportunity to get the exposure that I needed.

I decided to use the poem that I wrote for International Women’s Day, “Words to Women” as my selection. And sure enough, when the club leader announced who would be speaking today, I saw my name as number 5 on the list.

Although I was nervous about the whole thing going into it, I became more relaxed as I heard each student read their original works. A majority of the poems were about self confidence or female empowerment, and they all seemed to connect to each other in some way, which I thought was really cool.

What I love about this club so much is that it gives me an opportunity to meet people who love to write, just like me. Not only did tonight’s meeting give me a chance to learn and gain inspiration from others’ work, but I was even able to share what I liked about each poem, and provide positive constructive criticism if the author requested it.

When it was my turn to read my poem, the whole thing went by very smoothly–I knew that what I had wrote was good. I was a little shocked at the flood of positive feedback that popped up in the chat. Many of the other club members repeated a quote of the poem that identified with them or gave positive comments such as how they liked how I talked about our differences and how they make each of us beautiful.

One of the most rewarding parts of being a writer is knowing that your work was able to touch a person and remind them of themselves. Poetry can be interpreted in many different ways. And one sentence can hold a lot of power.

Overall, I shared this with you all today to remind you that it’s good to step out of your comfort zone, from time to time; it feels so good to know that you conquered a past fear or challenge of yours.

Some things can be nerve wracking to think about doing, especially when that something is sharing your original work in front of an audience. However, when we are doing something that makes us nervous, it shows that we care. Not to mention that it gives us room to grow as people.

I hope this was able to inspire you, today. Don’t forget to be thankful for every moment, because we never know which one will be our last. May God bless you all; peace in! ♡

God blesses us so we can be a blessing – Words of Wisdom #13

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Philippians 2:3-4 New International Version (NIV)
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Try to think of all the things in life to be thankful for….the truth is, there’s probably too many to count. And thank God for it.

Every second, minute, hour and day on this Earth is a blessing from the Lord. But the thing is, it’s one thing to be blessed, and it’s another to use your blessings to bless others.

How can we spread God’s love if we do things hoping for a selfish outcome? In order to be His examples as His children, we should be on the lookout for how we can invest in others, just like God has invested (and continues to invest) in us.

God may show us something or put something in our lives not only so that we may be blessed, but so that we may use it for His glory by doing something kind in the interests of others.

Keep in mind that blessing people is different from letting others take advantage of you. While giving is always a blessing from the Lord, the truth is that there can be people who we may encounter in life who might try to take advantage of our kindness. And if you ever encounter that type of person, always know that its okay to distance yourself from them, if needed. You don’t need to try to be friends with everyone in order to be respectful and kind towards them.

That being said, if you have extra food, why not give it to people who need it? If you have a day(s) on your calendar that are empty, why not take the opportunity to volunteer? If you feel really good today, why not show a smile? And if we can pray for our friends, why not pray for our enemies?

Genesis 12:2-3 New International Version (NIV)
 2 I will make you into a great nation,

    and I will bless you;

I will make your name great,

    and you will be a blessing.

3 I will bless those who bless you,

    and whoever curses you I will curse;

and all peoples on earth

    will be blessed through you.

Being a blessing can come in many forms– a smile, a prayer, a hug, or even a few words of encouragement can do the trick. Even when you can’t do something big, do something small. It’s little things that add up.

The more God blesses us, the more we can be a blessing. So who has God placed in YOUR spirit to be a blessing to today?

An open letter to my younger self…

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Dear younger self,

First of all, let me say that I love you, and I know what you’re facing: I was you. While I’m not that much older than you, and I still have much to learn, I hope that you will read these words with an open heart. God has given me lots of wisdom, and like you I am learning every day. I still have things that I need to do and I still have imperfections. But through it all, God has always been there for us, and He always will be. This is the advice that I have for you.

Just be you. I know that you may look in the mirror and see imperfections. But God says that you’re beautiful, inside and out. Even with your flaws, you are the apple of His eye. Don’t ever look in the mirror and wish you looked like someone you’re not. From now on, when you look at your reflection, say “If God says that I’m beautiful, then I think so, too.” The more you say it, the more you’ll believe it. Just shine. Be the the light in the darkness that God chose you to be.

It’s okay to have just a couple friends, because sometimes “friends” can be the same people who will try to take advantage of you in your highs and abandon you in your lows. However, through it all, God is your friend. You are your friend. Goodmommy is your friend. And you might even meet one or two more friends along the way~but don’t rush it. For the Bible says that a friend will stick closer than a brother. And considering that we have a great little brother already, I know that can be pretty hard to beat, LOL.

Keeping the peace is more important than being right. I know that you’re a perfectionist. I am, too. Naturally, we want everything to be perfect all the time. Sometimes, we might think that something isn’t fair or that someone owes us an apology. We might think it in our heads. But a rule to always remember is avoid speaking everything that pops up in your brain. Every thought isn’t meant to be spoken. And if you ever need guidance, pray about it. God will tell you what to do. He’s good like that.

Don’t compare yourself to people. There will be times where you may look at someone else and think that they’ve got everything together. They may always have the biggest smile on their face. They may be popular. They may be pretty. They may be rich in money and jewels. But never forget that sometimes only God knows what’s happening beneath the surface. Rich in money is far from the same thing as rich in peace, joy, and love.

Stop worrying about what other people think about you. What do YOU think about you? What do the people who love you for who you are think about you? And most importantly, what does GOD think about you? What does He call you in His Word? These are the voices that you should listen to. The rest is nothing but background noise.

Let God fight your battle. Life might not be easy in every moment. You may need to make important decisions, and sometimes you might not know what to do. If and when these moments come, be still and listen. Let God fight for you, because He’s already won this battle. Some of the trials that we face are simply a test, where God is asking us “Will you keep your faith in Me?” In everything, God is able. And in His timing, the perfect timing, every season will pass. And with each season, God will make you stronger in Him.

With lots of love,

– Your future, teenage self ♡

If you could say anything to your younger self, what would it be? Feel free to share your thoughts in the chat. I’m super excited to hear from you!

Thank you all so much for reading! Have a beautiful and blessed day, everyone! God bless you all! ♡