When I first decided to embrace my faith, I imagined it would be as simple as flipping a switch—out with the old me, in with the new. But honestly, it’s turned out to be more like fine-tuning a thermostat, making little adjustments here and there, feeling the warmth gradually settle in, with a few cold spells along the way.
Take my morning routine, for instance. I used to wake up to the latest pop song, which would set the vibe for my day. Now, I aim to kick things off with a prayer, but there are days when I find myself scrolling through my old playlist, longing for those catchy beats that used to get me moving. It’s not that the music is bad; it just brings back memories of a life I’m trying to leave behind, and it’s a real struggle when I hit play instead of taking a moment to reflect.
Then there’s the way I talk to myself. I’ve always been my own toughest critic, especially when I mess up. Now, with the goal of seeing myself through God’s eyes, I’m working on swapping out those harsh thoughts for affirmations from scripture. But changing my inner dialogue? That’s like trying to redirect a river with just my hands—possible, but it requires time, effort, and a whole lot of grace. Some days I succeed; other days, I find myself slipping back into old habits.
Compassion is another hurdle I face daily. I remember this one time at work when someone took credit for my idea. My first instinct was to call them out, maybe even throw in a sharp comment or two. But my faith has me reconsidering these moments, urging me to seek patience and understanding instead. It’s not always a walk in the park; sometimes, I feel the sting of unfairness more than the call to love. Yet, with each experience, I’m learning to choose kindness, even when it’s tough.
And anger? Let’s just say it’s my go-to reaction when things don’t go my way. Like when I’m stuck in traffic or when the kids leave their toys all over the place. My faith nudges me to take a breath, to pray, to look at the bigger picture. But there are days when frustration gets the best of me, and I lose my cool. In those moments, I realize how much I still have to grow, but also how far I’ve come, because before I found my faith,
This journey isn’t about striving for perfection; it’s all about celebrating those small victories. Like opting to dive into a devotional instead of getting lost in the endless scroll of social media, or choosing to say sorry after I’ve lost my cool, or even just taking a moment to check in with my feelings before I act on them. Each decision is a step—sometimes we move forward, sometimes we take a step back—but it’s all part of the beautiful dance of becoming who we are.
Faith has taught me that life isn’t about dodging struggles; it’s about how we face them. It’s about understanding that even in my most relatable, human moments—those times when I lean towards the secular instead of the sacred or when I react impulsively instead of pausing to think—I’m still growing, and still on my journey. And honestly, that’s the most reassuring thought of all.