Sierra

---

It hurts me to see u in pain.. but like I said, I was a baaaad teenager.. and I experienced a lot of pain in my life!!!

I wish I would have had someone to speak truth to me.. but God allowed my pain for a reason.. I now use my stories to help others looking for a way out!! You may think ur happy being bad with friends.. but ur really never going to experience the joy God intended for u, until u start looking in the right place.. take it from me.. I tried everything else.. lol

Anyway, I put the first 5 days of notes from the book study we are doing at church, called "what on earth am I here for?".. its a 40 day journey guaranteed to change ur life!!

If ur interested in learning more about this, let me know. If your not ready, its okay..everyone has freedom to choose their own path. But let me warn u- there are only 2 ways to Learn, TRUTH or PAIN! I can help u learn the truth if u want :)

Let me know if u need me. I love u and will be here for u no matter what u choose.

Day1
Its not about you!
If u want to know why u were placed on this Earth, u must begin with GOD! You were made by God and for God-and until u understand that, life will never make sense!!

The search for purpose has puzzled ppl for thousands of yrs. All bc we typically begin at the wrong starting point- OURSELVES!! Asking questions like:
"What do I want to be?"
"What should I do with my life?"
"What are my goals, ambitions, and dreams?"
Focusing on ourselves will never reveal our life's purpose!!

Day2
You are not an accident!
Long before you were conceived by your parents, u were conceived in the mind of God. He custom-made ur body; he chose ur race and every other feature. He also determined the natural talents u posses and the uniqueness of ur personality.

God planned the days of ur life in advance, choosing the exact time of ur birth and death. The Bible says, "you saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe." (Ps139:16)

Regardless of the circumstances of who ur parents are... God had a plan in creating u :) He knew ur parents had just the right stuff to make the perfect you.

God was thinking of u even before he created the world. In fact, that's why he created it! Many ask, "why did he do all this? Why go thru all the trouble for us". And the answer is bc he is a God of love. He made u so he could love u. This is a truth to build ur life on.

If there was no God, we would all be accidents- life would have no purpose. There would be no right or wrong, and no hope beyond ur brief yrs here on Earth.

But there IS a God and he made u for a purpose.. ur life has profound meaning!! U are who u are for a reason. U look like u look for a reason. He chose ur parents with his plan in mind.

And "NO" im sure the pain ur going thru is not easy; know that God weeps that it hurts u so bad; But he is allowing it, to SHAPE you. When we learn this, we are able to rejoice in our sufferings.. knowing it's shaping us to be who he intended us to BE!

Day3- what drives u?
Many ppl are driven by ANGER..
They hold on to hurts, instead of releasing their pain thru forgiveness. They rehearse past over and over in their minds- causing some to "clam up" keeping anger in, while others may "blow up" and explode- both responses unhealthy and unhelpful! Ur past is ur past! Nothing will change it. You are only hurting YOURSELF by allowing bitterness to grow. For ur own sake.. learn from it and LET IT GO!!!

Many are DRIVEN by FEAR
Fears from traumatic experiences and other things cause ppl to miss great opportunities- afraid to venture out. FEAR is a self-imposed PRISON that will keep u from being all God intends for u to be!

DRIVEN by NEED FOR APPROVAL
Expectations of parents and friends control these ppl. Many are still trying to win approval of their unpleasable parents. Others are controlled by peer pressure- always worried what others think of them.

U need to know that... ppl who follow the crowd, usually get LOST in it!! One guaranteed way to miss God's purpose for ur life, is to be controlled by the opinions of others.

Knowing your purpose produces passion for living! Nothing energizes ppl more than knowing their purpose in life.. without knowing, just getting out of bed can become a major chore!

Day4- You were made to last forever!
One day your heart WILL stop beating.. That will be the end of your body and your time on Earth, but it will NOT be the end of u!

When u fully comprehend that there is more to life than the here and now, u will begin to live much differently. It will change how u handle every relationship, task, and circumstance. Suddenly, activities, goals and even problems that seemed so important will appear trivial. The closer u live to God, the smaller everything else appears.

What is it going to be like in eternity with God? Truth is.. there are no words that can fully explain how amazing it will be!! Rick Warren says, it would be like explaining the internet to an ant.

The bible says, "No one could imagine what wonderful things God has ready for those who love the Lord." 1Cor2:9

In heaven, we will be reunited with loved ones who are believers, released from all pain and suffering, rewarded for our faithfulness on Earth.

Day5-Life on Earth is a test!
God constantly watches ur response to ppl, problems, success, conflict, illness, disappointment. He watches even the simplest things such as opening a door for another, picking up a pc of trash or being kind to ppl.

God tests ur faith, ur hope, and ur love.. sometimes God intentionally draws back, where u cant sense his closeness.. this test of shows him what is REALLY in ur heart.

Ever heard the saying GOD WONT GIVE U MORE THAN U CAN HANDLE.. Its the TRUTH!!
(1cor10:13) "God keeps his promise, and he will not allow u to be tested beyond ur power to stand; at the time u are put to the test, he will give u strength to endure it, and provide u a way out"

---