an old note i wrote to myself some years ago

i love finding things you've written on the past, that you forgot you had kept somewhere. (:

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The only way to survive the ups and downs of friendships is to hold them close, but not try to own them. Then when (it's inevitable) you are let down, hurt, betrayed, etc., you'll be okay because God will be more important than those friends.

Don't get bitter. I can not stress that enough. Do not even let anger settle over you. Instead of scorning what was done to you, remember that God uses all things for your good, and instead scorn those vicious emotions that come to overtake you with human-nature's typical reaction. Get them away from you! It turns you into a different person, and comes in between you and God.

Remember that He loves YOU, you horrid specimen of humanity, so who are you to refuse love to anyone? Remember that He forgive YOU, in all your sick thoughts, habits and actions, so you have no place withholding forgiveness from anyone, no matter what they have done, no matter how many times the may do it.

You cannot survive without God. You would truly know all He is for you if His hand ceased to bless and protect you as it does now. You would see it then.

Don't let yourself rot inside. If you are going to accept His love and forgiveness, you cannot rightly refuse it to anyone else. So what if it tears you up and gets you down - think of what Jesus did for you, what He endured, the Blameless and Innocent Lamb, slain for you.

Is He not the Lord of your life? Then what else matters?

Bear all things in remembrance of Him. Being angry, bitter, judgmental, and unforgiving is in part saying that His sacrifice was not enough, not worth enough. Since you have received it, you were once in great need of it - therefore, who are you to decide who deserves forgiveness, grace, another chance?

Humility; above all things,strive to be humble. In humility you will remember, or re-realize how ridiculous you really are, Who is really important, and you will inevitably become closer to your lifeline, Christ.

Your life is only so long, can it really be so bad to suffer a little ow? In comparison to eternity, these things are so minuscule.

You will make no impact if you are angry, bitter and closed up. Think about what you want to do most, in this life, align it with what He created us for, and you will see there is absolutely NO ROOM for anything but joy, forgiveness, unconditional love, long suffering, serving, encouragement, etc.

Do you see how you stifle yourself?