Above ALL!

This song makes me tear up. But I love it.

My Hope is in Christ.

When you feel that you are alone, when relationships go crazy, when people betray you, or gossip or lie about you. We have to remember that God will bring us through it. He is trying to teach us when we are going through all of this. In my case, He is showing me how much I need Him. He is my Friend, my Daddy, my Creator, my All in All, my Hope, my EVERYTHING! And I need to take that and show that and prove it.


Friends are going to fail us, people are going to lie, people are going to gossip, people won't always be there for us, people are going to not meet up to our standards, etc. But we can make God our ALL and take everything to Him.

This is one HUGE thing I have been learning this past year. With some relationships crashing, with people failing me, etc. I have been learning that I NEED God. He is ALWAYS here for me and always will be. Even if everyone else has failed me. He hasn't and will never fail nor leave me.

Keep this in mind.

Failing!

Man, I have felt like I have been failing everyone and everything. I really hate this feeling. It makes me feel extremely bad about myself. I feel that I am so done with everything. Honestly, I don't know how that I can keep moving on. I have no idea what the next step needs to be.

I really don't like the way I have been feeling, I really want to change, I just don't know how too. If you have ever felt this way, and you know a way that has helped you, please email me at: hannahbananacarrotcake@gmail.com

Thank you so much! I really appreciate all the prayers. :)

Who am I?

I am going through a lot right now. Feeling like I have been constantly failing at almost everything. It is not a good feeling at all. It gets me feeling stressed, depressed, and other things. 

Lately, I have been having a problem... Just trying to trust the Lord. I know that God would want me to trust Him through this time, even when it is really hard. I just don't know how to even start, I feel like when I try I tend to fail. It is really hard for me to keep going, after I have failed at it a few times. 

Lord, please help me to trust in You even when it is hard. I know that You are always here for me no matter what. You have been the one that has always been here for me, even after others have left me. You have seen me in a terrible mood, You have seen me in a terrible time of depression, You have seen me through everything I go through and my sins I struggle with. And You still love me. Lord, help me to know that You love me no matter how many times I fail. 

This song below, has been a huge encouragement to me. I really like it. I would encourage you to listen to it and read the words while you are listening to it. :) 

Have a blessed rest of the week! :)

Come as You are

I would encourage you to listen to this song.

It has been a huge blessing to me as I have been going through a lot lately. The lyrics are just super uplifting and helpful. I am so blessed by this song. :)

Identity

For the past couple of months I have been really struggling with a lot. And especially being adopted. Now that I am this age, I have been really struggling with my identity. And a couple months ago, it hit me... I thought that maybe some of my identity issues was because of all my adoption and stuff. I didn't know much about it at the time, and I wanted to know more. I became very bitter towards my family members and others... It wasn't good. I thought I knew what the best was for me, when really it wasn't the time for me to know. 

Finally, my parents told me everything, it was very hard to take. But I am so glad that I know now. 
After I found out, I was still struggling with my identity. It really confused me, because I thought that since I knew everything, that was my identity. After a couple weeks, it hit me...
My identity is not from my parents, or my friends or anyone or anything else.... My identity is in God. 

If I have God, that is what my identity is. 

It has really helped me to know that my identity is in Christ. Even though sometimes I have a hard time with it, I know that it is true. 

I am so blessed to be able to finally realize this awesome truth.

overwhelmed

Super encouraging

Encouraging

This is such an encouraging song... Take the time to listen to it.

Pressing on

The past few days have been extremely difficult for me. I have been very stressed about finals, papers due, and on top of that relationship conflicts I am dealing with, my thoughts, and so many other things. Been bullied because of my appearance and it is making me more self conscious about myself as well. It is super hard...

Lately, I just have been wanting to quit some things that I have been getting bullied in. It makes me want to just hid under a rock and never go out again. It makes me scared to eat, etc. But then one of my friends parents told me that I can't let these people win. If I do, they are only going to continue to do it. Which is totally true, but to think about all that is going on in my life. I feel that it would be a ton easier if I just forget about all these people and quit some of these classes. But then I would be letting them win and get away with it. So I have decided to try and just stick through it. I need to just trust the Lord, and know that God will deal with them about it if they continue. 

It is super hard going through all this when people don't know what I am going through and it is hard, because I feel like no one understands. But even if that were true, I need to continue to remember that God loves me and He understands me COMPLETELY. And He knows what I am going through. 

This morning, I found these verses that really have encouraged me. And for anyone that is going through anything like this, I pray that these verses will encourage you as much as they have me. 

Have a blessed day! :)

1. "It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." -Deuteronomy 31:8

2. "I have set the LORD continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken." -Psalm 16:8

3. "When I am afraid, I will put my trust in Thee. In God, whose word I praise, In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can [mere] man do to me?" -Psalm 56:3-4

4. "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16.33

5. "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 4:6-7

6. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." -John 14.27

7. "You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance." -Psalm 32:7-8

8. 'I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure upon me of concern for all the churches.' -2 Corinthians 11:27-28

9. "When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and rescues them from all their troubles." -Psalm 34:17

10. "So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace." -Romans 8:6

wearing a mask

Right now I am going through a difficult time feeling like no one really cares about me and that I am not worth anything. Having relationships end, being talked rudely to, being made fun of, and so many other things, this is really hard. When people ask me how I am doing, I usually say that I am doing ok, but in reality... When I am down, it is super hard to be able to not share with your close friend about what you are going through. So sometimes I will share with someone, but it is quite hard for me... Sometimes I will just push it off and act like it is no big deal. (When really it is, I just know that I will cry if I say something) Yes I hate crying in front of others, but I know that it is good to sometimes just get it out.

The thing that I wish we never did was "Wear Masks" People tend to wear them. They act like their life is all fine, when really it is not. I would just suggest that you would all take time to check on friends and family of yours. You never know how much someone is going through until you take the time to talk to them. I would encourage all you who are reading this to take the time to see how a person is doing.

Having confidence

As I have been getting older, I have been running into a lot more. Recently I have been having a front row seat of what it really is like to see some of the sin that is happening in our world. (I am not saying that I am perfect, because I am far from perfect. And I know that God doesn't look at any of our sin differently. Therefore, I cannot judge anyone that struggles with different sins. Because I struggle with my own sin as well.) Seeing some friends, relatives, and celebrities fall in deep sin... It is really hard for me to watch. It is especially hard when I cannot do anything for them except be a light to them through Christ. Yeah that is a huge thing, but when you are in the middle of it... Sometimes it feels like nothing is happening. 

Honestly, even though I am sensitive and have a hard time with people that are totally far from the Lord. I know that it is super hard to see all these people that are heading down the wrong road. 

But I have TOTAL confidence that the Lord has full control of every persons life. And I know that He can change ANYTHING. 

Rejoice always!

When I was younger, I always thought that I had it hard. So I always was looking forward to becoming a teenager. Once I became a teenager, it really only has gotten more challenging. Yes, I love being able to make more decisions and stuff. But quite honestly, it is difficult. When I was younger, I thought that I would never struggle with being adopted, having friend drama, not getting along with certain people, struggling in school, and the list goes on.

A couple months ago, I started realizing that I was missing something... I started struggling with my identity. I didn't know who I really was. I thought that maybe part of it was because I didn't know much about my adoption stuff. I knew that my parents were trying to protect me from some information, because they knew that how emotional I am, that I wouldn't be able to handle some of the info. Up until a couple months ago, it didn't really hit me. Until finally I started struggling on who I really am. 

Finally the day came where I became so frustrated, that my parents were becoming confused and not knowing what to do. Finally I talked with my parents about everything and truth came all out. When I found out the truth about a lot of things... To be honest, it burdened me at first. But then I looked back from something that happened a few months ago, and I knew that the Lord totally prepared me for the situation I was now in. Honestly, right then all I could really do was just thank God for how He planned this all out. Knowing that everything is out in the open now is totally a blessing. 

These past couple months have been the hardest, most amazing, most wonderful months I have ever had. Yeah, it has been hard going through a lot. (Finding out about all my adoption stuff, struggling in school, getting terribly bullied, loosing some relationships, getting into a car accident, etc) But honestly, I wouldn't trade it for the world. Through all this I have been able to lean on the Lord and be able to find my satisfaction in Him. It has been amazing to be able to just lay at His feet each day and cling to Him. I just have to say, even through trials.. rejoice always. 

James 1:2-8

2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various [c]trials,3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces [d]endurance. 4 And let[e]endurance have its perfect [f]result, so that you may be [g]perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and [h]without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8 being a [i]double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Love this song!

This is such an encouraging song! And if you haven't watched the movie, I would highly encourage you to. It really made me think about how I need to put the Lord first.

What Should we Find Satisfaction in?

Day after day, I keep making the same mistake over and over. Finally I feel that it is too late to ever change back to not ever doing that same thing over and over again. So I keep slipping into the trap. Within a few months, I find that it only is leading in a bad place: Ruined relationships, being depressed, becoming angry easily, feeling that you are never satisfied. This is what keeps happening when you give into the trap. Finally you get to far into the trap, that it is so hard to get out. It feels that it is impossible to ever get out now.

Sometimes it takes something very hard to come down to, to make you really want to change.

Recently, I have been wanting to change. Questions I have been pondering on is: "How can I change?","Isn't it just easier to get answers from friends instead of God?", "Can't I just depend on my friends instead of God?", "Isn't God to busy for me?"

These are questions I have been pondering. I want to change. I would love to be able to depend on God for everything and run to Him first about everything and ask Him to help me. However, quite honestly, I really am struggling with this. Because I know that it is a lot more easier to find dependence in others instead of God. And I can get answers a whole lot quicker. But am I really satisfied with these answers? Are people going to fail me sometimes?

Recently, my friend told me that she was jealous of all the trials I am going through. I responded in shock and asked her why she felt that way, She shared with me that she was jealous of how I get to go through these trials and draw closer to Him through that. It really blessed me to hear that, because when I go through trials, I often fail to think this way. Often I think, "Why is God having me go through this? Isn't God big enough to make me not have to struggle with all this?" Well, yeah God is big enough to make me not go through trials, but He wants us to go through trials so that we will see His face through them and grow close to Him through them.

The other day, I was just living my life like I have been. I thought everything was all fine and normal, (as normal as it has been since I have been going through some things) and my friend was talking to me. She confronted me lovingly of how I have been making things my everything instead of God. It was quite honestly hard to take this in. But my friend was so loving about it, that I couldn't get mad. It made me realize that I really need to change. For the past few months, I have been wondering what I have been doing wrong. I knew that in my life I am missing something, but I haven't been able to figure it out. But then when this friend came up to me, I realized that this is what I am missing. I am totally missing that God wants me to cling to Him more than anyone else. He wants me to makes Him my EVERYTHING. He is trying to show me (by pulling some out of my life) that I am making others my everything, instead of Himself.

Sometimes I feel that I can be satisfied with the love, prayer, encouragement, advice, and care I get from others. But NO... I can only get that true satisfaction from the Lord.

If I am always looking for others to satisfy me, I will always have a hole to fill. But if I find my satisfaction in the Lord, I won't need anyone else to fill it.

I know this is going to be hard to do, because I can get an answer more quickly from friends... But my friends will fail me and my God will NEVER fail me. He will always be here for me. :)

I have learned many things within this, but the main thing I have learned is: Rely on the Lord and don't depend on others. They won't always be there for you, and they won't ever be perfect. But God will always be perfect, He never changes, and He will ALWAYS be there for you.



Yesterday, I ran into this quote, and quite honestly, it has really changed me. It is encouraging to know that we need to not hold things as tight as we are to God. We should be holding everything with open hands (for God to take away at anytime) instead of grasping it. The only thing we should be grasping onto is to our Heavenly Father.

I pray that this encouraged you as much as it has me.

Trusting!

This morning I woke up feeling scared, nervous, and emotions just filled my young soul. I was wondering why I felt this way. I didn't know why I was freaking out and wanting answers. Why am I feeling this way? Why is God letting me go through hard times in my life? Why am I struggling with some relationships? Why can't I just have a life without stress? Certain questions like these, came to my mind. 

After thinking about it for awhile, I realized that I was trusting in myself and not in God. God wouldn't want me to worry about whether or not I get sick, whether or not I am pretty or ugly, feeling guilty about something God has already forgiven me for, etc. 

I could worry all day about all of this. But God doesn't want me to. He wants me to put my trust in Him. And to know that He has everything under control. 

Sometimes, I wonder why God puts me in some situations, but then I just remember that God has me here for a reason. I may not know why He has put me in some situations, but I know that God works everything out for my good. He loves me and cares for me more than anyone else. My God never fails me. 

I don't need to be afraid when I don't know what is going to happen, because I have a loving Savior who loves me more than I can imagine. 

One quote that really encourages me is, "I don't know what tomorrow holds, but I know who holds tomorrow." 

I pray that if you struggle with some things like I am. I pray that this would all encourage you as well.  

Welcome!

Good afternoon everyone! I have blogged for awhile now, but I decided to start a new blog. I made the decision of starting a new blog because I just wanted a newer start on my blog. I want to be able to write more about things I have been learning. Learning a lot from hard decisions I made, finding out more about my life, growing to draw closer to the Lord, and so many other things.

Anyways, with all that said, I would like to welcome you to my new blog.

I decided to name my blog, Called Higher. The reason I did this was because for the past week or two I have been listening to this song called, Called Me Higher. It has really encouraged me as I have been struggling with lots of things. I remembered that we can just sit and wait for God's goodness, and to wait for His presence. But God has called us higher and deeper, so we should go where God leads us to go. Anyways, I was inspired by this song to name my blog this.

I would just encourage you to click the link below and watch/listen to the song. I pray that it will encourage you as much as it encouraged me.

Have a blessed weekend!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgAzLKXqcDk