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Rust Shirtdress: Anthropologie (currently 30% off! I'm wearing Size 4) | Velvet leggings: Bloomingdale's | Booties: Sam Edelman (currently 30% off!) | Sunglasses: c/o Coastal | Lip Color: NYX Wine & Dine (only $2.99!)

Leave Your Rust in the Dust

Floods wash over our lives...the water doesn’t stay forever, but do you let the residue of the storm take up residence in your heart? Is there rust and corrosion as a result of hard times, or do you come out shining like pure gold?

I don’t know about you, but when the dust settles on my life, I’d like it to be said that I handled life’s floods and fires with grace and godliness…simply golden.

★  “A diamond is a chunk of coal that did well under pressure.”  ★

Experiencing life's challenges can be…challenging. There’s no denying it and no one's exempt from it, but everyone is given an opportunity when life throws its curveballs. What is your response?

★  “What matters most is how well you walk through the fire.”  ★

As we look at 2017 with a long list of plans, goals and dreams, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Examine the motives, intentions and attitudes of your heart. Are you faded and jaded, or renewed and washed clean? Do you have some housecleaning to do before the New Year?

If you find yourself in that place, it’s easy to get rid of the rust, the stains, the muck and the build-up of life that hides in the corners of our hearts and taints our perspective and focus. Ask God for a makeover! Invite Him into the places that hurt and ask Him to heal your heart. Let’s get golden!

★  “If you get the inside right, the outside will fall into place.”  ★

Just a little fun song to lighten your load. :)

Much love,

Jess

These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold--though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. 1 Peter 1:7

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. Isaiah 43:2

For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1:3-4

God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. Romans 12:12

I have swept away your sins like a cloud. I have scattered your offenses like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have paid the price to set you free. Isaiah 44:2

Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. Ephesians 4:21-2