Struggle won't be a stronghold.

Hello beauties!

I hope you're all doing well and that you're having a good week! Before I start writing, I just want to say how happy I am fall is finally here! Gah, I've been waiting so long for this weather!!! :)

Anyways, I'm not even sure where this blog is going, I just really want to put some things out there and talk a little about how God has been using some things to work for my good! (Romans 8:28)

I have recently messed up, in a very big way. I won't go into details because I don't think it needs to be plastered all over the internet, but I will say that I did mess up, and I am in the progress of restoration and freedom from this.
I realize one of my biggest struggles is not being able to forgive myself and that I hold onto things and constantly use them to talk down on myself and pretty much just make myself feel like crap. It's something I've struggled with all my life, and it's something that I am trying to overcome, but it does take time. For the past two weeks all I've been thinking about is my mess up. Constant and reoccuring thoughts of "How could you do that!? You're such an idiot. God gave you so much and you went agianst him." The list goes on and on, but for some reason I just can't shake these thoughts.
Just recently has it hit me that prayer is powerful. I have always loved prayer and praying for people, but I never really realized the power through it and how much it really can change someone and the situation they may be in. I've been in constant and steady prayer over this situation and God has really been putting my heart at ease and calming the war that is going on in my heart and spirit.
There are two verses that have been such a constant reassurance and breath of encouragment to me.

Romans 8:28
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.
I know that I have messed up, but I also know that I follow a king that loves me unconditionally and forgives like no other. I know that I have a purpose and a calling, and God doesn't expect me to be perfect. He knows my hearts, and He WILL make things work together for my good, even if at the moment things seem hard.

Ezekiel 36:26
And I will give you a new heart - I will give you new and right desires - and put a new spirit within you. I will take out your stony hearts of sin and give you new hearts of love.
This verse hit me really hard this past week. Goodness, I can't even expain how I am feeling right now. So overwhelmed with the Love that my God pours out onto my constantly. Not only is he going to make things work together for my good, but he will change my heart, he will set me on the right path. My God doesn't leave me in these times, he is more present and more powerful and is constantly reminding me that I am not alone and that he will help me to make this right.

I challenge you guys to really dig deep into God this week. If you have messed up in some way, even the smallest way, make sure to repent and spend some time in prayer. Prayer is healing. It's changing. It's powerful. Prayer is what helped to make this situation easier day by day. If you're not communicating with God you won't be able to feel the powerful changes he's doing in your life.
When I talk my God listens and I know that he answers me every single time.
In the times that I have fallen the hardest, God has helped me to stand up the quickest.

Stuggle won't be a stronghold.
My struggles will be a testimony of restoration and change. They will not hold me back or tear me down anymore.