What's the Biggest Thing God has Taught You This Year?

What’s the Biggest Thing God has Taught You This Year?

40 Comments 21 August 2012

This post is for you. I want to know what God’s been doing in your life this year. How has He remodeled you? Shaken you up? Stirred you? Instructed you?

Me?

He’s doing something way down deep. Something on the inside. A holy discontent with how things are and what they should be. I got to the place where I realized I was tired of trying to do and be so much. I was tired of running on the treadmill of author-dom. I was just plain tired.

God’s been teaching me to rest. And to let results rest in His sovereign hand. With my upcoming book Everything, I am learning to hold the outcome completely loosely. I wrote this in an update to my launch team.

Let’s ask ourselves this: How can we advance God’s kingdom through the vehicle of this book?

That’s my heartbeat. What would it matter if I sold a bajillion books but made no tangible dent in the kingdom of God? It’s meaningless outside of that.

So there’s me.

It’s your turn. What is the biggest thing God has taught you this year?

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« Comparison kills. Stop it.

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Kristi

If He’s not in it, I don’t want it.
Still working on always trusting Him for this. It’s a big learning curve for me!
http://twitter.com/livingunveiled Brenna Kate Simonds

This may sound odd, but God has shown me how selfish I am. Not in a mean, punitive, finger-wagging way, but in a gentle, whispering voice sort of way. My selfishness and self-centeredness rears its ugly head in almost every area of my life. God & I are working on it
Positively Alene

Beautiful, Mary! This year has been a year of trusting in Him. I use to think I trusted, but I’d question and rebel along the journey. I’m not just listening and stretching ever so far to trust Him.
www.gloriaashby.wordpress.com

God is teaching me to wait. He is strengthening my patience and increasing my trust that He is indeed the one in control. And when I wait, He keeps coming through, sometimes in surprising ways, but always for my good.
annepeterson

I think the biggest thing that God is teaching me is no matter what He is there. It doesn’t matter who leaves, who subtracts themselves from my life, God will never leave. It’s a painful lesson, but one I desperately need to learn. God’s faithfulness.
http://www.onedressoneyear.com/ Bethany W.

He is teaching me to depend on Him, to trust, to wait, and to rest. It definitely has not been easy, but I’m grateful for the grace I’m learning and for the cloud of witnesses surrounding me that has led me back to my Shepherd time and time again, reminding me of the truth of who He is even when I can’t see Him in the darkness.

Thanks for asking (and sharing yours)!
Karen Nolan Bell

I’ve had a lot of health issues over the past several years. Unfortunately, my years of not being able to participate in the world around me caused me to fear attempting things I MIGHT not be able to do. So, for my new year’s resolution, I decided to spend the year pushing myself beyond what I THINK I can do. That’s exactly what I’ve done. Every attempt is an accomplishment. There are no failures when you judge your efforts by “trying.” As a result, I have added joy to my everyday life and reached out to make friends. I’ve spent more time with my son and attended functions I would not have risked last year. I’m smiling more as a result and taking more risks as the year progresses.
- http://www.marydemuth.com Mary DeMuth
  
  That is so lovely, Karen!!!!
Wayne Joubert

Gratitude and some perspective when disappointment appears. Even if things don’t turn out the way I wanted them to, on balance I’ve enjoyed great blessings and a life far better than I deserved.
- http://www.marydemuth.com Mary DeMuth
  
  Great words, Wayne. Gratitude is so good! (I need to exercise it more.)
http://twitter.com/abbysnews Abby Van Wormer

The biggest thing God has taught me this year is how much he loves me and cares about what I’m going through, what I’m thinking, what I’m feeling. He cares about every little detail. He’s compassionate. I wish everyone knew Him.
- http://www.marydemuth.com Mary DeMuth
  
  That’s sweet and true, Abby.
  - http://twitter.com/abbysnews Abby Van Wormer
http://www.OurStoriesGodsGlory.blogspot.com/ Elise Daly Parker

Really sounds like you are experiencing clarity and breakthroughs Mary. Awesome! I’ve had a few major setbacks this year. A memoir I was ghostwriting was put on hold (cancelled?) and I’m owed quite a bit of money for the work I’ve already done. There’s been a lot of family upheaval too. Our finances are tight. Unsettling things. BUT God…I am developing a Christian women’s website. It’s a concept that’s been on my heart for many years and there is so much practical that says NO, don’t do this. BUT God gave me the word, NOW, this year. The scripture I heard whispered to my heart was “See,
I am doing a new thing! NOW it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am
making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19
I believe the Lord is compelling me to press on no matter what. And so on September 15 CirclesofFaith.org will launch.
So the biggest thing God is teaching me this year is, no matter what our circumstances look like, no matter how impractical the work we are called to may seem. what God has said, that will He do!
- http://www.marydemuth.com Mary DeMuth
  
  I love the title of your new site. And yes, if God says now, just do it!
http://www.newequus.wordpress.com/ Mindy @ New Equus

God had taught me that I can’t just sit and be filled. I need to pour out my time and the talent he’s given me to help my church and to be a “voice” in the world. That I do have knowledge and experience that will be valuable to spreading His word.
- http://www.marydemuth.com Mary DeMuth
  
  Yes, we receive from Him, then dish it out for others.
Jenbh

We went through about 6 years of really, really hard stuff, through which God grew us tremendously. Then we had a year or so of relative calm, which was such a huge blessing…we needed that breather! Then at the first of this year, one of our children began experiencing health problems, and finally, several months later, she was diagnosed with Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy…which despite its name, is a lifelong form of epilepsy. That was another HUGE faith-building time for us…reminding us of all the things He had taught us over the past 7 years, and reminding us of our need to cling to Him every moment. He showed us over and over again our helplessness and His faithfulness.

Then just weeks ago, God very suddenly led us to leave our home church, which is truly family to us and which we love dearly, and go out to a tiny, struggling mission church. What an adventure it has been! He is teaching us SO MUCH about the blessings of obedience…that we so often see obedience as a drudgery, and yet all through the Bible we see that obedience brings joy and blessing! He has blessed us SO much more through this transition than He has even begun to use us to bless our new little church. He has also reminded me all over again of the truth of His using ALL things to work together for good to those who love Him and who are called according to His purpose. I realized this week that I don’t think we would EVER have left our home church and gone to our new church if God hadn’t taken us through all the trauma of the preceding 8 years. I don’t know that we would have recognized His call, and I’m not sure we would have trusted enough to obey it if we had. He’s used all the yucky stuff of those previous years and all He taught us through it to bring us to a place of ministry where He is healing our hearts and blessing our socks off in ways we could never have imagined!
- http://www.marydemuth.com Mary DeMuth
  
  This is the kernel of a terrific blog post, Jen. Thanks for sharing your heart here.
  - Jenbh
    
    Thanks, Mary…I think I’ll spend some time working it up.
http://twitter.com/GodGirlGail Gail Molsbee Morris

This year God has taught me that comparing myself to others is a waste of my energy and emotion.
- http://www.marydemuth.com Mary DeMuth
  
  So true.
Diane McElwain

God has given me the word–Empowered this year. He is working deeply in me, giving me strength and confidence I never had. It’s his work in me.
- http://www.marydemuth.com Mary DeMuth
  
  Yes, amen!
http://cherionethingivelearned.blogspot.com/ Cheri Gregory

For almost 45 years, I’ve believed “nothing’s worse than making mistakes.” This year, God is showing me that NOTHING–fearful paralysis–is far, far worse than making mistakes. I’m finally seeing and rejecting Perfectionism for the bully and tyrant it is.

http://purseonalitychallenge.blogspot.com/2012/07/perfectionism-crime.html
- Jenbh
  
  I’m going to share your linked post with my daughter, Cheri…thanks for posting it! She has been a perfectionist since day one, and as she moves into her teens I realize more and more how much that has a hold on her life. I love the way she strives for excellence, but don’t want her to get stuck in that paralysis you mention. Thanks for sharing this!
- http://www.marydemuth.com Mary DeMuth
  
  Well said. It’s better to try than to sit back and worry.
http://twitter.com/wendyvaneyck Wendy van Eyck

This year has not been what I expected. Newly married my husband and I had big plans for our life, then he was diagnosed with cancer. God’s taught me that even though life isn’t always what we expect he is holding on to me. I’ve been clinging to this verse (and he’s been clinging to me): The minute I said, “I’m slipping, I’m falling,” your love, God, took hold and held me fast. Psalm 94:18 (MSG)
- Jenbh
  
  Wow, Wendy. Praying for you and your husband, but what beauty in what He is teaching you! Needed to read that verse this morning….thank you for sharing it!
- http://www.marydemuth.com Mary DeMuth
  
  Wow. That’s very, very hard, Wendy. I’m sorry. Great verse. Jesus, please heal Wendy’s husband!
http://www.facebook.com/hope.harris1 Hope Harris

Big year of growth for me, I am learning to to invite Jesus into my pain and let Him heal the tender spots of my life. I have learned a great deal about surrendering every aspect of who I am to Him
- Jenbh
  
  He is such a gentle and perfect healer! I love the verse in Isaiah 9:6 where Jesus is called “Wonderful Counselor”. He has truly been that for us through some deep pain, and I love to read/hear how He is being that for others, too. I’ve read a little of your story through the launch team, Hope, and it’s been such a blessing to me! Thank you for sharing God’s work in your life!
- http://www.marydemuth.com Mary DeMuth
  
  So important. It’s a lifelong journey, but I sense Jesus so clearly within you, Hope. Be encouraged.
Mandy

Oh, Mary! God has been overhauling me! He is teaching me Who He really is, my worth in Him, and that His plan for me is GOOD.
- http://www.marydemuth.com Mary DeMuth
  
  That’s awesome, Mandy!
http://twitter.com/KristenLEvensen KristenLeighEvensen

This post is so timely, Mary! This year, God has taught me how to worship Him–despite circumstances. This year was full of ups and downs–and the downs were really far down. When I could not see beyond that very second, God impressed upon my heart “worship Me”. With my eyes on the Savior, there is little time or attention on my circumstances, and I feel strengthened to wait it out!
- http://www.marydemuth.com Mary DeMuth
  
  What a great word, Kristen!
- Jenbh
  
  Love the little chorus “Bow the knee”…our youngest, who was a preschooler at the time, used to go around the house singing it all the time when we were going through some of the hardest days of our lives…God so gently reminding me of just what you say…that our first response whenever we don’t understand or feel overwhelmed should be to worship! Thanks for this reminder today, Kristen.
Kimberly

The biggest thing God has taught me this year is that I should never compromise my Christianity for the sake of “getting along.” I have learned that I must be willing to take a stand on and for His truth even when it is unpopular in the eyes of the crowd-at-large.
- http://www.marydemuth.com Mary DeMuth
  
  Yes, amen. Not easy to do, but it’s awesome to be able to look yourself in the mirror!

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