Definition: Obedience, in human behavior, is a form of “social influence in which a person yields to explicit instructions or orders from an authority figure”
If I would have still compared myself to the next woman, I wouldn’t know who I am and my abilities of enduring this thing called life. If I still cried over the hurt from my past, I wouldn’t know how it feels to overcome and live in the victory that I am today. If I didn’t take the time to be abstinent & honor my body of filthy things that harmed my body (alcohol, smoke, sex, unhealthy foods, etc.) at the times I did, I wouldn’t have the best health that I do now. If I would have became bitter and mean because people disliked me for being the nice and kind hearted person I was, I wouldn’t be a role model and inspiration to some who admire my beauty in being kind to others. If I would have listened to the criticism, negative, harsh words, rumors and dirt that have been thrown upon me over the years, I would be what the world sees me as, not who God sees me as. If I didn’t let go of friends, “sisters”, old people from the past, I wouldn’t have the new, awesome people and those who still remain in my life who have helped me and taken me to greater heights. If I would have fought every battle that I have come across, I would have lost and would not be the strong, Christ-like person that I am today. If I didn’t take multiple fasts from social networks away from everyone else’s life, I wouldn’t have had the time to live out my own and appreciate it. If I would have listened to what my family said I should do or how to live my life just as they did, I wouldn’t know what MY purpose in life would be. If I would have listened to single, bitter friends who only want strong, black men and all that jazz, I wouldn’t appreciate or care about love as I do now. I would still be single, looking for fulfillment, talking to just anyone. Plus I wouldn’t have the out of my race type love that I have LONGED to have since I was little. If I would have continued going back to every guy that has hurt and played me in some kind of way, I wouldn’t know that true love still existed in this world. If I didn’t believe that the one God said was for me was for me when he sent me every image, word and notification in the world to my heart, I wouldn’t be happily married as I am now. If I would have not listened to God when he sent a voice to my heart, all of these things could have be avoided from occurring BUT I wouldn’t be where I am and who I am today.
BUT……
Because I stopped comparing, crying, abstained, listened, let go, didn’t fight, and BELIEVED, All the things that were for me, came to me.
My obedience towards God not only caused him to forgive me for my sins and disobedience but he gave me exceedingly, abundantly, above and beyond what I was worthy of receiving. I never thought that someone could love and still see the good in someone so broken internally, so full of pride and hurt, overwhelmed with triumphs, always picked or lied on…but he said in his word that he is close to the broken hearted and I am thankful that he remained close by to allow me to do better in his ways.
I’m not doing this to be better than others or to forget all the circumstances that I have endured in life, but because he said to honor your mother and father and your days will be long on this earth. Since he is my one and only father, I HAVE to obey him in order to see his glory, to see what more he has for me, to be the change I want to see in the world, and TO BE A GOD PLEASER AND NOT A PEOPLE PLEASER. This journey has not been easy and the tests to pass them haven’t been the easiest either, but I tell you one thing…The rewards in doing so are so much greater than me not wanting to do it. People don’t have to like it or can continue to talk and question how am I being so blessed yet I was this or did that…I don’t know either but if you want to know, you better ask God. 🙂