25.- Quarter Life Lessons

As I wind down from weekend festivities celebrating my 25th birthday, I realize how content and blessed I am with life.

A year ago , let alone a month ago, I was in a totally different season in my life. I have grown tremendously and God gets all the glory! I truly look back at all the pain, downfalls and disappointments. It’s those very things that contributed to my growth today! I have learned so much and would like to share 25 of my Quarter Life Lessons with you all!

1)Realize your value and identity in Christ, before society decides for you!– I can truly say that I realized my worth and identity in what Gods words says this past year. It’s one thing to hear it and it’s one thing to actually believe it in your heart…and live by it! Once you grasp that, you will truly start living!

2) Know who God REALLY is.- I can go through countless twitter statuses, blogs, podcast, e,t,c and learn about God. However, there is nothing like knowing and learning who God is through His word. Don’t take “facts” about God from what others say, but go through the word in order to learn and experience God for yourself.

3) There is joy in the simple things.

4) You can’t do life on your own!– Life is HARD. It isn’t something that was designed for us to do on our own. I quickly realized that my own isolation at times actually hindered my growth. Surround yourself with people that inspire you to grow, challenge you and speak the truth always. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when necessary.

5) Be selfless.– I believe that selflessness is not only for romantic relationships, but also for friendships. It is important to learn to put yourself aside in certain situations when necessary. It’s not always about you, but it’s what can I do to serve other individuals? How can I be there for that person?

6) Save, Save, SAVE!

7) Expectations are just a no-no.– Leave room for God to work. I have recently realized that you have to somewhat be adventurous as a Christian. Nothing happens in the timing you want, but it happens in Gods perfect timing. Having major expectations can disappoint you. Instead, let your requests be made known unto God (Phillipians 4:6) and have faith that he is moving before His plan unfolds.

8) Relationships take effort– As I’ve gotten older, I look at some of the strongest relationships I have. Both the individual and I truly invest in each other. Somedays, you may have to carry the full weight of 100 and other time 50/50, but that is what keeps the friendship on fire.

9) Learn to be committed.– Commitment is so crucial. I used to be an individual that hopped around in my career life because I had bad days or my co-workers were terrible. It was horrible self-discipline because you won’t like everything in life and you can’t live by your feelings. Learn to stay committed regardless of the circumstance (unless it’s crazy horrible…thats a different story)

10)Responding vs. Reacting- When something/someone gets you upset, analyze how you feel and then respond. I have made MAJOR mistakes reacting without thinking about it. Think first, analyze if it’s true and then move forward

11) Be a good steward of your time.– Time is crucial. It’s really up to us to manage it in a way that is more efficient.

12) Seek the council of others– Proverbs 11:14 states “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety”. Make sure you are seeking council when necessary. Please keep in mind that councilors should be great leaders that can guide you spiritually and offer advice because they’ve been there. Friends aren’t councilors.

13) FACTS over FEELINGS– What we thinking isn’t always necessarily true. Don’t live by your unstable feelings! Truly analyze what you feel before accepting it as a fact.

14) Meal prepping saves so much money.

15) PREPARE before it happens- Prepare even before “it” happens. The worst thing that can happen is arriving at a place in life you haven’t prepared for. Do as much preparation as you can…especially prepare spiritually.

16) Looks won’t raise future generations to come– I learned a long time ago that a persons looks won’t raise a child. It won’t stabilize and build a strong foundation. Don’t enter into a relationship JUST because of how a individual looks physically! It won’t last.

17) In relationships long history isn’t equivalent to great quality– Know that all relationships aren’t meant to last. As humans, majority of us are always developing. You may not be able to keep some of the past friendships you have had because you’ve change. That is okay. Accept it!

18)Pride is a no-no– Know when you are being prideful! Proverbs 16:18 states “Too much pride will destroy you”. Stay humble in all that you do, knowing the Lord provides ALL THINGS.

19) Everything doesn’t deserve a response.

20) You can’t change people!– I used to think it was my responsibility to change people. The truth is all we can do as individuals is pray. Don’t try to be God. Cast it down to Him and he will handle it.

21) Your circumstance is not your destiny– Praise God that our circumstance is never our destiny. God already gave us the victory. Know that no matter how bad it may seem, there will be beauty in process.

22) Patience is a virtue– Patience is so hard sometimes! I still struggle with this at time. Just know that waiting strengthens your faith. Trust that God is already moving in your life and the situations you’ve told Him about.

23) Don’t fight conviction/correction– God corrects us because He loves us. Imagine if we didn’t receive any correction? Imagine if we were never convicted? I would have to question my salvation. Don’t fight it. Ask God to do a work in the areas of your life that are weak.

24) Overthinking kills productivity- When you overthink, you are spending more time thinking rather than taking action. You get nothing done. Overthinking can produce fear and doubt. When you start to over think, ask God to renew your mind at that very moment. Ask Him to increase your faith and solely focus on HIM.

25) God is the one and only true source of all things.