This week God has kinda been showing me a lot...but one thing that I really want to share is this:

He hit me with this reality...
I have the Spirit of the Living God inside of me. The same Spirit that comforted Jesus in His times of need, the same Spirit that gave the Apostles the power to do miracles, the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead! Amongst so many other things...this same Spirit, is living inside of ME.
I know we all "know" this. But if we would really let this truth permeate in us, we would look at ourselves a lot differently. this is where i struggle with most. we would also live differently, treat people differently, act differently.
you see, i feel like we walk outside of grace, all the time. especially with ourselves. and often times with other people as well.

But the truth is, I have the Holy Spirit inside of me. I can know what to say to people, what to pray, what to do in my day, because He is inside of me, leading me, guiding me. I can be confident in who I am, becasue the Holy Spirit is my strength. I can have no shame, and walk in the person I am created to be, walk in the love of God. I can endure people, I can understand the Bible, I can have the fruit of the Spirit because the Spirit who gives gives all understanding and wisdom and knowledge and fruit, is INSIDE OF ME!
(do you get the point?!)

This realization and truth, is changing my sight. My view. Of myself. Which is what I needed. I don't have to dislike myself, be frustrated with myself and my failures, because the Holy Spirit is inside of me, and God is full of grace that I can walk in every moment. I can dwell on the goodness of God and all the other stuff fades away.

So just get to know Jesus. Spend time with Jesus. Realize that the Spirit of the Living God is inside of you and walk in grace at every moment. Focus on God.

The Holy Spirit is our strength. The joy of the Lord is our strength.