Life Ain't Always Beautiful,

But it's a beautiful ride. 

This song is one of my favorites because it expresses the emotion of life's difficulties so well. When I've been having a tough time this song helps me release my emotions somehow. It's kind of weird, I know. If there are any true country music fans out there at all, you will love this song. 

"Life Ain't Always Beautiful" sung by Gary Allen

For the lyrics click Here

Anyways, this song was  my sneaky way of incorporating this month's beauty theme into my post for today. I feel like my life has had me all over the place lately. I've found myself getting discouraged, feeling lonely, being confused, and plain apathetic about some things. The answer to all of this? Gary Allen of course! Just kidding. Let's try that again. The answer to all of this? Overwhelmingly, God. Maybe I've been feeling/being all of these things because I haven't been following God's lead. I haven't been letting him lead my life. Actually it's not even a maybe. It's a probably. Probably, since I have been engulfing myself in school work this week and not letting my savior have time to speak truth into me, I have felt the way i've been feeling. While i've been so busy with my life this week, i've lost the big picture. My life this past week just goes to show how dangerous it is when we let our armour slip off. 

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. - 1 Peter 5:7-9

You see when we let the shield down, open our face covers, and stop watching for attacks, we leave ourselves vulnerable to injury. When we let our God guard down, evil takes aim, and often hits us right in the heart. That's what I have been experiencing this week. An injury of the heart. 

Life certainly isn't always beautiful.

The Whole Armor of God

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, - Ephesians 6:10-19

This week as the Lord speaks truth into me, my heart will soon heal and my armour will return to it's shielding duty. I will once again be prepared to face the battle against evil. 

I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws. - Psalm 119:104-106

No. Life isn't always beautiful, but it's a beautiful ride. 

Especially with God.