So much comfort. So much love.

So this week my head pain from nerve damage has been super awful. I ended up needing to go to the doctors again just to see if they could do anything to help manage the pain more. It's been really hard and I have been discouraged and broken. Last night I was sharing prayer requests with my best friend, and all I wanted was to not be discouraged while I was going through this trial. So then today I randomly decided to go through messages, between me and a friend of mine, that were from August of last year. Something reminded me of how much we were encouraging each other in the conversation we had and I wanted to read it again! When I came across what I'm about to share with you I just burst into tears of thankfulness... God brought me so much comfort and so much encouragement through something that I WROTE to encourage SOMEONE ELSE. So cool. This is what I wrote:

".."He comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." 2 Corinthians 1:4
That's how I look at my head pain too. I have asked SOOOO many times why God has given this to me... and then a little while later I will get a surprise visit or an email from someone saying that my trust in God through this trial is so encouraging to them. it amazes me beyond words! Sometimes we just aren't going to know why hard things happen... we really have to trust that God knows what He is doing... even when He is SO ABLE to just take it away.
"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." Romans 8:28
I believe that that "good" is becoming more like Christ Jesus!
God NEVER wastes a trial. ever."

How cool is God? I wrote this over a year ago thinking that I was only encouraging my friend... but God meant it to also encourage me TODAY... when I needed encouragement.

Thank You, God, for this today. Your light shines so bright in the darkness! I am so thankful for being able to know, and be comforted by, Your truth!

<3

Jessica McLean music video "Ocean Song"

days like these.

I am loving my life. So much. I am so stoked to look back when I'm older and remember everything that God did to draw my heart closer to His in these years of head pain. He has given me more than I could ever ask for. I am so thankful!

One of my best friends moved to Italy this week. I can still remember the day that I met him. his love for the Lord was BEAMING. I was having a bad day and he came up to me and decided to talk to me and tell me everything that he loved about his life. He didnt even know me... but he made me so stoked about life and so on fire for God. It was so cool that I thought he was an angel. I was convinced actually. hahaha we became the best of friends and he was there for me to laugh and praise Jesus in times of joy and to cry with me in times of pain. We had worship nights and we went surfing together and we ran around everywhere smiling and laughing. I am so blessed to know him. he is such a JOY. these past two weeks I have been such a mess just knowing that he was leaving. I was scared that I everything would change...

It seems like God brings special people into my life to catch me on fire for Him.. and push me so much towards Him.. and then they move away.. and although this is very hard for me, I know that God is just going to use them as lights somewhere else. I am so thankful that I have had so many wonderful people to change my life and make me love it so much more. Even though some of them are far away now, I will always remember them. I find myself wanting to be JUST like them.. and then I realize that it's the Love of GOD that I love IN them.. and really what I want is to be JUST LIKE JESUS. I am so thankful. so thankful.

God has been teaching me this week that any time I am feeling lost or upset, HE is my shelter and comfort. His love is everything. He satisfies in every situation. He is ALLPOWERFUL and in control. He is the center of everything. I am nothing without Him. I need Him! I need Him so much. I am falling into deeper love for Him every day because of the trials that come my way. He is so faithful to rescue and so good to know what I need and have a much bigger and better plan that anything I can imagine. thank You God.

I love the beach. I feel so close to God there. something about the sunrise and sunset... something about the ocean...something about being all salty and sandy. I am so thankful for my chill lifestyle. haha just following Jesus. and He has led me to teach surfing at the beach. HE IS AWESOME. I followed Jesus and He led me to the beach. haha I will always remember how cool that is. I am so happy to be able to serve Him there. I just know that no matter where He takes me, He is always the same, and He will always be LOVE.

Even though I am in massive pain every day, I am so beyond blessed to have days like these. thank You God. You are so cool. <3

switchfoot- The Shadow Proves The Sunshine

I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me

This picture makes me so happy. <333

Love is not affectionate feeling, but a steady wish for the loved person’s ultimate good as far as it can be obtained.
— C.S. Lewis

Hillsong Live - Our God Is Love

I love this song. It makes me so joyful! <333 God, YOU are wonderful.