Happy New Year Guys! Yes I know, I know, it’s been sooo long since I posted. A lot went on during the last few months of 2018! I travelled to my homeland Ghana, came back and started my job working as a nurse and oh I finally passed my driving test.

Looks like fun huh? Well it was, however during those last few months, I also faced many more tests (emotionally, physically and spiritually). I lost a family member, which was really hard to take in. I began to wonder why no one ever teaches on how to handle the loss of a loved one. I know everyone handles situations differently but it’s really not spoken about much.

Oh and about passing my driving test, I failed 4 times before passing. It was extremely painful to keep trying again and again. With the amount of money spent on it, and the prayers I did before each test, I began to feel as though God wasn’t listening to me. It really took a lot for me to keep trying again.

A few of my relationships with friends and family were also tested greatly. Also, working in a completely new hospital to the one I trained in, was extremely challenging.

Many other things happened, which all just made me feel so overwhelmed and very upset. But I want to share with you why things not going according to my plans, really got to me. It was simply because there was a shift in my mindset. I began to think about everything that wasn’t going right that I forgot about the things that were going well. I was counting my trials and tribulations, instead of counting my blessings. And this definitely left me feeling miserable and feeling like my whole world was crushing down.

It was really in the last few days of 2018, that I shifted my mind back on my blessings and had a reality check. Perhaps, I was over exaggerating about things. I was allowing minor things to seem huge in my eyes. Also, a powerful service at church made me realise how blessed I actually am. There are people in the world who are less privileged, do not have food to eat or nice clothes to wear. And there I was, complaining about my life, when I’m so blessed to be financially stable to afford life essentials which are taken for granted.

So I sat down and thought about everything that happened in 2018 and realised that it was only to make me stronger. Just imagine if your life was absolutely perfect, no tests or down moments, how exactly would you learn how to overcome and how to have faith in God?

I’m so grateful to God for my life. Although work is very challenging, I’m thankful to have finished university and to have a job as a nurse (which gives me the opportunity to help others). Although I failed my driving test a few times, I’m thankful to God for my car and for finally passing my test. Anyway, you get the point. Shift your mind to see the good in every situation. And one of my goals this year is to always have a thankful heart.

As my bishop said last Sunday – “Even when it seems overwhelming, give God thanks. If it doesn’t happen the way you want it to, give Him thanks. If you’re shedding tears, give Him thanks, because He knows the way out of that situation.” God knows what He is doing in you, trust Him. Don’t measure things according to your circumstances because they are only temporary.

The next time you see someone you admire, who are inspiring to you; for example your favourite preacher, or favourite actor, or favourite football player, etc.; just think about all that they went through to get to the stage they are at. All the rejections, falls, betrayal and tears. And ask yourself if you are willing to pass through those things and endure hardships as well.

Let’s take a look at Jesus, He suffered the most and even felt like giving up. But He looked ahead and saw the victory that awaited Him, so He endured and took every pain – even death. And look at what the outcome was? An opportunity for you and me to have eternal life if we believe!

I really hope this blog post encouraged you. I’m transparent about my flaws and hardships to let you know that there’s no such thing as a perfect Christian. Even pastors still face difficulties, they just push through and cling to God. The Bible does not say we will not face trials, but it says God will be with us through them (Isaiah 43:2).

No trial has overtaken you that is not faced by others. And God is faithful: He will not let you be tried beyond what you are able to bear, but with the trial will also provide a way out so that you may be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Don’t be silent in your struggles, get help if you need to. I’ve learnt a lot about myself in 2018. And I aim to improve on certain aspects such as my emotional intelligence and persistence. I pray you have a great year and don’t forget to stay thankful.

Lots of love,

Sharon.