One of my roommates moved out this week, and I moved into her bedroom to take advantage of the bigger space. I don’t own a lot of furniture because I’ve moved around a lot lately and have not yet been able to settle into a “home.” So, my furniture consists of random and obscure items that roommates of the past have left behind, and none of them are in top notch quality nor do they match at all. As someone who appreciates aesthetic and beauty, I like to live in a space that is pretty and that looks nice. After becoming frustrated with my bedroom, I became even more upset when I realized how I felt was similar to how I felt about my life.Just like my bedroom, other areas of my life such as my job, where I live, my relationships, etc. are currently not what I want them to be. I asked God what to do about my frustration, and He told me to, “Be still in the process.” Change doesn’t always happen overnight. It’s a process that occurs gradually. Upon asking myself what I could do to better enjoy the process, I realized that dwelling on all of the things I didn’t like wasn’t going to help.So, instead, I wrote out a list of everything that I was thankful for. The Bible says, “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thess. 5:18, ESV). Not only is it the will of God in our lives, but thankfulness also steers our focus and reminds us of all that He has done for us. Next, I wrote out a list of all the things I have to look forward to, which raised my faith and made me expectant of all that God is going to do. The Bible says “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Heb. 11:1, NIV).Last but not least, I turned on some worship music and sang my heart out. Worship changes an atmosphere and can get our hopes and expectations up in an instant. Not only that, but it raises our spirits, and I firmly believe that having fun and finding joy in every day life is key, no matter what season you’re in!{photo: @victorialemosphotography}
Tatiana Jaeger
Tatiana is a 23-year-old idealist living in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She is a lover of all things creative, and would happily spend the rest of her days learning more about the heart of the Father through what he has revealed to us in creation. She loves deep conversations and connecting with people in a real and authentic way, and her heart is to break through the surface level to find the gold in people. You can usually find her outside on a sunny day, going on long hikes in nature, or taking a drive around the city while singing along to her favorite album of the week on repeat.
