<turbo-stream action="update" target="blog_feature_276013"><template>
      
<div class="blog-wrapper" id="blog_153829-wrapper">
  <div class="blog full clearfix" id="blog_153829-blog">
      <div class="tiled-sizer"></div>
      <div class="gutter-sizer"></div>

      <article class="post blog-article full-item post-full" data-controller="zoogle-video" data-action="message@window-&gt;zoogle-video#handleVimeoPostMessage">
    
<h2 class="heading-secondary heading-blog alt-font">
  <a href="/blog/blog/6072634/revelation-not-resolution">Revelation Not Resolution</a>&nbsp;
</h2>

<div class="post">
  <div class="message"><p><img src="//images.zoogletools.com/u/329097/1435ddd1f508acda41bb5a453e7e9799ba81928c/original/img-4298.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Hi Everyone! </p>
<p>I hope you all had a beautiful New Years! </p>
<p>Last January, the leaders of our church held a servant leaders night and shared with us what God had put on their hearts.  Our Pastor explained how he really felt God directing us to focus our attention and our hearts on a single word God put in our minds.  Some of our Pastors shared what God was showing them as their focus for the year. </p>
<p>I fell in love with the idea.  We broke off into groups and told each other the one word God was putting in our hearts and then we prayed for each other.  The word that popped into my mind was passion.  I felt I needed to become more passionate about God, about my faith and my purpose. </p>
<p>As I prayed over the next months for passion, I felt so inspired by God.  I wrote more songs on faith, and became very passionate about this message.  I could see how faith in God had shaped my life and my story;  how faith had shaped the songs I’d written and the ones I was writing.  I got excited by the testimony God had given me.  It had been a tough journey, but the story of God’s redeeming love is so powerful. </p>
<p>I found God bringing His word to life and reminding me of stories of faith in the Bible, of passionate people like Simon.  I wrote a song called Walk on Water.  His excitement of seeing Jesus on the water and asking him to call him out.  He was brave enough to step off that boat and walk on the water.  Of course, we learn our lesson from him about keeping our eyes on Jesus, no matter how big the waves that come at us.  To be so full of passion, zeal and excitement that you’d pursue God and plunge in, that’s what I was wanting. </p>
<p>Same with the woman who knew if she could just touch the hem of Jesus’ garment, she’d be healed.  Such faith and passion.  She put all of her hope and trust in him to heal her,  which he did. </p>
<p>In saying all this, I’ve come to realize how instead of making New year’s resolutions, which I never keep, I want a New Year’s revelation.  I want to look to God this year again for what He’s putting on my heart.  What can I learn from God this year, as I live my life for him? What is God saying to you this year, as you pursue Him? </p>
<p>For me, it’s to fall in love with him all over again.  To love His word and spending time with him, not because I feel like I “have” to do devotions, but simply to spend time with him like I would my husband or my children.  To invest more of my time with him, to really get to know His heart more. </p>
<p>Happy New Year’s Revelations!!! </p>
<p>Andrea Vestby</p></div>
</div>


<footer class="meta blog-footer clearfix">
    <p class="post-info"><span data-time="2020-01-08T20:16:53-07:00" title="January 08, 2020 20:16">01/08/2020</span></p>

  <ul class="blog-actions pdf__hide">
    <li class="comment-count"><a title="Leave a comment" class="comment-link button button-secondary" href="/blog/blog/revelation-not-resolution#comments">Leave a comment</a></li>
      <li><div data-controller="share-dialog" data-share-dialog-url-value="https://andreavestby.com/blogs/beyond-the-fallout/posts/6072634/revelation-not-resolution" data-share-dialog-title-value="Revelation Not Resolution" data-share-dialog-text-value="" data-share-dialog-fb-app-id-value="286076425227">
  <a class="button button-tertiary zoogle-share pdf__hide" title="Share Revelation Not Resolution" data-action="click-&gt;share-dialog#open" href="javascript:void(0)">
    <i class="icon-share"></i>Share
</a>
  <dialog data-share-dialog-target="dialog" data-action="click->share-dialog#clickOutside" class="dialog dialog-share style-section-style-1">
    <button class="dialog-close" data-action="click-&gt;share-dialog#close" aria-label="close">
      <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 11 11" class="icon" width="12px" height="12px"><path d="M6.755 5.502l3.836 3.97-1.438 1.39-3.81-3.942-3.926 3.942L0 9.452 3.953 5.48 0 1.39 1.438 0l3.927 4.064L9.41 0l1.417 1.411-4.073 4.091z" fill-rule="evenodd"></path></svg>
</button>    <div class="share_desc">
      <div>
        <span data-share-dialog-target="title">Revelation Not Resolution</span>
        <br>
        <span class="byline" data-share-dialog-target="byline">
        </span>
      </div>
    </div>

    <ul class="share_icons">
      <li class="threads">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="threadsLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="550" data-popup-window-height-value="357" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 36 36" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M36 18C36 8.05887 27.9411 0 18 0C8.05887 0 0 8.05887 0 18C0 27.9411 8.05887 36 18 36C27.9411 36 36 27.9411 36 18ZM23.7524 16.9806C23.8587 17.0263 23.9638 17.074 24.0671 17.1235C25.5284 17.8245 26.597 18.8859 27.1575 20.1926C27.9387 22.0149 28.0101 24.9832 25.6397 27.3514C23.828 29.1615 21.6287 29.9784 18.5087 30H18.4946C14.9852 29.9757 12.2865 28.7948 10.4735 26.4901C8.86024 24.4393 8.02805 21.5855 8.00009 18.0084L8 18L8.00009 17.9916C8.02805 14.4145 8.86024 11.5608 10.4735 9.50991C12.2865 7.20522 14.9852 6.02431 18.4946 6H18.5087C22.0252 6.02439 24.7545 7.20084 26.6206 9.49675C27.5414 10.6295 28.218 11.9953 28.648 13.5803L26.6296 14.1188C26.2749 12.8311 25.7368 11.7267 25.023 10.8485C23.5674 9.05767 21.3735 8.13891 18.5016 8.11756C15.6505 8.13875 13.4942 9.05311 12.0923 10.8353C10.7794 12.5042 10.101 14.9147 10.0757 18C10.101 21.0853 10.7794 23.4958 12.0923 25.1646C13.4942 26.9469 15.6505 27.8612 18.5017 27.8824C21.072 27.8635 22.7728 27.252 24.1876 25.8385C25.8025 24.225 25.7724 22.2459 25.2559 21.0415C24.9521 20.333 24.4021 19.7436 23.66 19.2957C23.4792 20.6429 23.0699 21.712 22.4226 22.537C21.5704 23.6234 20.3487 24.2175 18.7915 24.3029C17.6124 24.3673 16.4778 24.0829 15.5969 23.5014C14.555 22.8135 13.9452 21.7605 13.8799 20.5365C13.7514 18.1235 15.6656 16.3869 18.6431 16.2154C19.7001 16.1548 20.6889 16.2026 21.6031 16.358C21.4818 15.6156 21.2366 15.0274 20.8701 14.6018C20.3665 14.0171 19.5884 13.7173 18.5572 13.7107L18.5286 13.7106C17.7006 13.7106 16.5765 13.9423 15.8601 15.0291L14.1378 13.8476C15.0966 12.3926 16.6546 11.593 18.5278 11.593L18.5702 11.5931C21.702 11.6131 23.5671 13.5673 23.7524 16.9806ZM15.9524 20.4215C16.0193 21.6761 17.3751 22.2619 18.6801 22.1884C19.9578 22.1182 21.408 21.6169 21.6553 18.5291C20.9924 18.3842 20.2633 18.3085 19.4839 18.3085C19.247 18.3085 19.0059 18.3154 18.7602 18.3296C16.6145 18.4533 15.9029 19.4913 15.9524 20.4215Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="facebook">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="facebookLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="550" data-popup-window-height-value="357" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 18 18" class="icon"><path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M9 0a9 9 0 110 18A9 9 0 019 0zm2.606 4H10.24c-1.575 0-2.17.77-2.215 2.076l-.002.166v1.034H7V9h1.023V14h2.046V9h1.365l.181-1.724H10.07l.003-.862c0-.417.036-.655.553-.687l.128-.003h.853V4z"></path></svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="twitter">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="twitterLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="685" data-popup-window-height-value="246" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 36 36" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M36 18C36 8.05887 27.9411 0 18 0C8.05887 0 0 8.05887 0 18C0 27.9411 8.05887 36 18 36C27.9411 36 36 27.9411 36 18ZM26.4163 9L19.7142 16.6226L27.0001 27H21.6396L16.7316 20.0104L10.5876 27H9L16.0278 19.0075L9 9H14.3604L19.0068 15.6173L24.8287 9H26.4163ZM13.5996 10.1714H11.1606L22.3878 25.8861H24.8275L13.5996 10.1714Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="email">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="emailLink" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 18 18" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M18 9C18 4.02944 13.9706 0 9 0C4.02944 0 0 4.02944 0 9C0 13.9706 4.02944 18 9 18C13.9706 18 18 13.9706 18 9ZM4.02511 5.73566C4.00872 5.77691 4.00004 5.82153 4.00004 5.86854L4 12.1317C4 12.1897 4.0135 12.2449 4.03762 12.2938C4.04581 12.2775 4.05691 12.2621 4.07041 12.2482L7.39793 8.87439L4.0772 5.81961C4.05116 5.79611 4.0338 5.76684 4.02511 5.73566ZM4.34327 12.4991L4.34195 12.499L7.67 9.12427L8.60412 9.98343C8.86598 10.2242 9.26962 10.2228 9.52956 9.98007L10.4564 9.11563L13.768 12.4736C13.7251 12.4904 13.6783 12.5 13.6296 12.5H4.3704C4.3612 12.5 4.35243 12.4996 4.34327 12.4991ZM13.9971 12.1795L10.727 8.86376L13.9913 5.81857C13.9932 5.81713 13.9947 5.81569 13.9961 5.81425C13.9986 5.832 14 5.85023 14 5.86846V12.1315C14 12.1478 13.999 12.1637 13.9971 12.1795ZM13.7686 5.52686C13.7257 5.50959 13.6789 5.5 13.6297 5.5L4.37041 5.50006C4.33617 5.50006 4.30338 5.50486 4.27155 5.5135C4.29229 5.52117 4.31158 5.53316 4.32846 5.549L8.85585 9.71283C8.97448 9.8222 9.15822 9.82172 9.27637 9.71139L13.7382 5.54989C13.7479 5.54077 13.758 5.5331 13.7686 5.52686Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

    </ul>
    <div class="permalink" data-controller="clipboard">
      <p>Share link</p>
      <div class="control -has-addons">
        <input type="text" value="https://andreavestby.com/blogs/beyond-the-fallout/posts/6072634/revelation-not-resolution" data-clipboard-target="source" data-share-dialog-target="urlInput" data-action="click->share-dialog#selectUrl" readonly="true">
        <span class="control__suffix">
          <a class="button -simple -compact -icon-only" data-clipboard-target="button" data-action="clipboard#copy">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 16 16" class="icon" width="16px" height="18px"><path d="M4.166.597c-.184 0-.369.15-.369.342v1.365c0 .191.185.341.369.341h9.189v9.216c0 .191.15.342.341.342h1.365c.191 0 .342-.15.342-.342V.94a.338.338 0 00-.342-.342H4.166zm7.44 3.798H.34A.338.338 0 000 4.736v10.923c0 .19.15.341.341.341h10.923c.191 0 .341-.15.341-.341V4.395z" fill-rule="evenodd"></path></svg>
          </a>
        </span>
      </div>
    </div>
  </dialog>
</div></li>
  </ul>

  <p class="post-info"></p>
</footer>


</article>  <article class="post blog-article full-item post-full" data-controller="zoogle-video" data-action="message@window-&gt;zoogle-video#handleVimeoPostMessage">
    
<h2 class="heading-secondary heading-blog alt-font">
  <a href="/blog/blog/6038463/joseph">Joseph</a>&nbsp;
</h2>

<div class="post">
  <div class="message"><p><img src="//images.zoogletools.com/u/329097/8d457312b5a62bfe5b0ff5f75aba952f40c791b2/original/copy-of-copy-of-joseph.png/!!/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Hi Everyone! </p>
<p>Last Christmas, my eyes were opened to a part of the Christmas story that is not emphasized; and yet such a beautiful act of love. </p>
<p>Christmas is a beautiful celebration of the birth of Christ, our Saviour and the love of God come down.  Mary is an example of a servant heart, fully surrendered to God’s will, when she said, “I am the Lord’s servant…May your word to me be fulfilled.” Luke 1:38 (NIV) We often focus on Jesus and Mary’s role in fulfilling God’s plan for us. </p>
<p>What caught my attention, was Joseph.  I listened to the Christmas songs and how they rang out the story of Jesus.  The songs singing about Mary’s love, like Mary Did You Know.  I thought to myself, where is Joseph’s song.  Here is a noble man, who was faithful to the law, the Bible says; and when he found out she was pregnant, he did not want her disgraced.  He loved her enough that he was going to divorce her quietly. </p>
<p>It says, “But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.’” Matthew 1:20-21 (NIV) </p>
<p>As the story goes,  Joseph took Mary as his wife.  When I thought of writing a song about Joseph, I thought of how God saw him.  Here is a noble man that God was entrusting to be His son’s Dad.  He knew Joseph would love Jesus as his own.  He knew Joseph would teach Jesus of his Father’s love and would care for him.  God knew that Joseph had an obedient heart and each time He came to him in a dream,  Joseph obeyed.  He kept Jesus safe from Herod and he protected the Son of God until the day Jesus knew His real Father.  He is the greatest example of the beautiful love of a step-Dad. </p>
<p>This means a lot to me as my husband is a step-Dad.  My husband has such a beautiful love for his children, and has chosen to extend that same love to my children.  It is an amazing part of the Christmas story, the love God entrusted to both Mary and to Joseph.  He knew they were the right people to care for His son; God’s son who was “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14.  He knew Joseph would show him the love of his Father.  Joseph believed. </p>
<p>It also says in John 1:9-13, “The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.  He was in the world, and though the world was made though him, the world did not recognize him.  He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.  Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God - children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or husband’s will, but born of God.” </p>
<p>We are accepted as his family.  To all who believe, we are family. </p>
<p>Merry Christmas family! </p>
<p>Many blessings, </p>
<p>Andrea Vestby</p></div>
</div>


<footer class="meta blog-footer clearfix">
    <p class="post-info"><span data-time="2019-12-21T14:52:00-07:00" title="December 21, 2019 14:52">12/21/2019</span></p>

  <ul class="blog-actions pdf__hide">
    <li class="comment-count"><a title="Leave a comment" class="comment-link button button-secondary" href="/blog/blog/joseph#comments">Leave a comment</a></li>
      <li><div data-controller="share-dialog" data-share-dialog-url-value="https://andreavestby.com/blogs/beyond-the-fallout/posts/6038463/joseph" data-share-dialog-title-value="Joseph" data-share-dialog-text-value="" data-share-dialog-fb-app-id-value="286076425227">
  <a class="button button-tertiary zoogle-share pdf__hide" title="Share Joseph" data-action="click-&gt;share-dialog#open" href="javascript:void(0)">
    <i class="icon-share"></i>Share
</a>
  <dialog data-share-dialog-target="dialog" data-action="click->share-dialog#clickOutside" class="dialog dialog-share style-section-style-1">
    <button class="dialog-close" data-action="click-&gt;share-dialog#close" aria-label="close">
      <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 11 11" class="icon" width="12px" height="12px"><path d="M6.755 5.502l3.836 3.97-1.438 1.39-3.81-3.942-3.926 3.942L0 9.452 3.953 5.48 0 1.39 1.438 0l3.927 4.064L9.41 0l1.417 1.411-4.073 4.091z" fill-rule="evenodd"></path></svg>
</button>    <div class="share_desc">
      <div>
        <span data-share-dialog-target="title">Joseph</span>
        <br>
        <span class="byline" data-share-dialog-target="byline">
        </span>
      </div>
    </div>

    <ul class="share_icons">
      <li class="threads">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="threadsLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="550" data-popup-window-height-value="357" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 36 36" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M36 18C36 8.05887 27.9411 0 18 0C8.05887 0 0 8.05887 0 18C0 27.9411 8.05887 36 18 36C27.9411 36 36 27.9411 36 18ZM23.7524 16.9806C23.8587 17.0263 23.9638 17.074 24.0671 17.1235C25.5284 17.8245 26.597 18.8859 27.1575 20.1926C27.9387 22.0149 28.0101 24.9832 25.6397 27.3514C23.828 29.1615 21.6287 29.9784 18.5087 30H18.4946C14.9852 29.9757 12.2865 28.7948 10.4735 26.4901C8.86024 24.4393 8.02805 21.5855 8.00009 18.0084L8 18L8.00009 17.9916C8.02805 14.4145 8.86024 11.5608 10.4735 9.50991C12.2865 7.20522 14.9852 6.02431 18.4946 6H18.5087C22.0252 6.02439 24.7545 7.20084 26.6206 9.49675C27.5414 10.6295 28.218 11.9953 28.648 13.5803L26.6296 14.1188C26.2749 12.8311 25.7368 11.7267 25.023 10.8485C23.5674 9.05767 21.3735 8.13891 18.5016 8.11756C15.6505 8.13875 13.4942 9.05311 12.0923 10.8353C10.7794 12.5042 10.101 14.9147 10.0757 18C10.101 21.0853 10.7794 23.4958 12.0923 25.1646C13.4942 26.9469 15.6505 27.8612 18.5017 27.8824C21.072 27.8635 22.7728 27.252 24.1876 25.8385C25.8025 24.225 25.7724 22.2459 25.2559 21.0415C24.9521 20.333 24.4021 19.7436 23.66 19.2957C23.4792 20.6429 23.0699 21.712 22.4226 22.537C21.5704 23.6234 20.3487 24.2175 18.7915 24.3029C17.6124 24.3673 16.4778 24.0829 15.5969 23.5014C14.555 22.8135 13.9452 21.7605 13.8799 20.5365C13.7514 18.1235 15.6656 16.3869 18.6431 16.2154C19.7001 16.1548 20.6889 16.2026 21.6031 16.358C21.4818 15.6156 21.2366 15.0274 20.8701 14.6018C20.3665 14.0171 19.5884 13.7173 18.5572 13.7107L18.5286 13.7106C17.7006 13.7106 16.5765 13.9423 15.8601 15.0291L14.1378 13.8476C15.0966 12.3926 16.6546 11.593 18.5278 11.593L18.5702 11.5931C21.702 11.6131 23.5671 13.5673 23.7524 16.9806ZM15.9524 20.4215C16.0193 21.6761 17.3751 22.2619 18.6801 22.1884C19.9578 22.1182 21.408 21.6169 21.6553 18.5291C20.9924 18.3842 20.2633 18.3085 19.4839 18.3085C19.247 18.3085 19.0059 18.3154 18.7602 18.3296C16.6145 18.4533 15.9029 19.4913 15.9524 20.4215Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="facebook">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="facebookLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="550" data-popup-window-height-value="357" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 18 18" class="icon"><path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M9 0a9 9 0 110 18A9 9 0 019 0zm2.606 4H10.24c-1.575 0-2.17.77-2.215 2.076l-.002.166v1.034H7V9h1.023V14h2.046V9h1.365l.181-1.724H10.07l.003-.862c0-.417.036-.655.553-.687l.128-.003h.853V4z"></path></svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="twitter">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="twitterLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="685" data-popup-window-height-value="246" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 36 36" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M36 18C36 8.05887 27.9411 0 18 0C8.05887 0 0 8.05887 0 18C0 27.9411 8.05887 36 18 36C27.9411 36 36 27.9411 36 18ZM26.4163 9L19.7142 16.6226L27.0001 27H21.6396L16.7316 20.0104L10.5876 27H9L16.0278 19.0075L9 9H14.3604L19.0068 15.6173L24.8287 9H26.4163ZM13.5996 10.1714H11.1606L22.3878 25.8861H24.8275L13.5996 10.1714Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="email">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="emailLink" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 18 18" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M18 9C18 4.02944 13.9706 0 9 0C4.02944 0 0 4.02944 0 9C0 13.9706 4.02944 18 9 18C13.9706 18 18 13.9706 18 9ZM4.02511 5.73566C4.00872 5.77691 4.00004 5.82153 4.00004 5.86854L4 12.1317C4 12.1897 4.0135 12.2449 4.03762 12.2938C4.04581 12.2775 4.05691 12.2621 4.07041 12.2482L7.39793 8.87439L4.0772 5.81961C4.05116 5.79611 4.0338 5.76684 4.02511 5.73566ZM4.34327 12.4991L4.34195 12.499L7.67 9.12427L8.60412 9.98343C8.86598 10.2242 9.26962 10.2228 9.52956 9.98007L10.4564 9.11563L13.768 12.4736C13.7251 12.4904 13.6783 12.5 13.6296 12.5H4.3704C4.3612 12.5 4.35243 12.4996 4.34327 12.4991ZM13.9971 12.1795L10.727 8.86376L13.9913 5.81857C13.9932 5.81713 13.9947 5.81569 13.9961 5.81425C13.9986 5.832 14 5.85023 14 5.86846V12.1315C14 12.1478 13.999 12.1637 13.9971 12.1795ZM13.7686 5.52686C13.7257 5.50959 13.6789 5.5 13.6297 5.5L4.37041 5.50006C4.33617 5.50006 4.30338 5.50486 4.27155 5.5135C4.29229 5.52117 4.31158 5.53316 4.32846 5.549L8.85585 9.71283C8.97448 9.8222 9.15822 9.82172 9.27637 9.71139L13.7382 5.54989C13.7479 5.54077 13.758 5.5331 13.7686 5.52686Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

    </ul>
    <div class="permalink" data-controller="clipboard">
      <p>Share link</p>
      <div class="control -has-addons">
        <input type="text" value="https://andreavestby.com/blogs/beyond-the-fallout/posts/6038463/joseph" data-clipboard-target="source" data-share-dialog-target="urlInput" data-action="click->share-dialog#selectUrl" readonly="true">
        <span class="control__suffix">
          <a class="button -simple -compact -icon-only" data-clipboard-target="button" data-action="clipboard#copy">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 16 16" class="icon" width="16px" height="18px"><path d="M4.166.597c-.184 0-.369.15-.369.342v1.365c0 .191.185.341.369.341h9.189v9.216c0 .191.15.342.341.342h1.365c.191 0 .342-.15.342-.342V.94a.338.338 0 00-.342-.342H4.166zm7.44 3.798H.34A.338.338 0 000 4.736v10.923c0 .19.15.341.341.341h10.923c.191 0 .341-.15.341-.341V4.395z" fill-rule="evenodd"></path></svg>
          </a>
        </span>
      </div>
    </div>
  </dialog>
</div></li>
  </ul>

  <p class="post-info"></p>
</footer>


</article>  <article class="post blog-article full-item post-full" data-controller="zoogle-video" data-action="message@window-&gt;zoogle-video#handleVimeoPostMessage">
    
<h2 class="heading-secondary heading-blog alt-font">
  <a href="/blog/blog/6000656/god-with-us">God with Us</a>&nbsp;<span class='reset-font'>&nbsp;<span class="podcast"><img src="//assets-app-production-pubnet.bndzgl.com/assets/usersites/podcast-ff0f451d9e650aa49c1c887f1b4eab6655e151de0aba4c11a992f6637163c058.png" /></span></span>
</h2>

<div class="post">
  <div class="message"><p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="track" href="/track/1678667/hardest-time-of-year" target="_blank"><img src="//images.zoogletools.com/u/329097/a1d9b3a3bd11305e12395f9d4fab3b617e2eb934/original/hardest-time-of-year-cover-2.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a></p>
<p>Hi Everyone! </p>
<p>Thank you for your patience, it’s been a few weeks since I posted.  I wanted to keep consistent with the blog, however, life gets in the way occasionally.  I know this time of the year is busy for everyone, not just me. </p>
<p>My husband and I have been attending a course called Family Connections put on Sashbear Foundation.  This week was our last session.  It has been an amazing course, that I highly recommend for anyone who has a family member with emotional dysregulation.  Our family has suffered from PTSD, anxiety, depression and mental illness.  I went seeking a way to connect with my one son who has Bipolar, and I walked away with so much more.   The course was jam-packed with so much good information and filled with  practical application.  One of the concepts they taught, that resonated with me, was the idea of Radical Acceptance. </p>
<p>I know this time of the year can be a hard time for some.  I remember all to well the first Christmas I was alone with six children.  I was trying hard to make it a good holiday and fun for the kids, yet all along I knew we were all hurting.  Their Dad was not home and there was no hope for restoration. </p>
<p>I feel for all those who have lost loved ones and are facing Christmas with a loneliness that can’t be filled.  My heart cries out for all those who are suffering from illness, are distant from family, who are suffering financial hardships, who feel alone, and for those suffering with mental illness. Let’s be reminded to care for those in our lives who find Christmas to be the hardest time of year. </p>
<p>As I walk a difficult road right now with a family member struggling with mental illness, I am reminded this season that Jesus is Emmanuel.  He is God with us.  He came as a baby and grew into a man, humbled himself and walked among us.  He came down from Heaven to be among us  to show us his love in the most tangible way that we would understand,  When the angel said Jesus is to be called Emmanuel… God wanted us to know that Jesus is God with us.  He saw the suffering of humanity, felt as we feel, and showed us His love. </p>
<p>I want to encourage you as I have been encouraged.  With God on this journey with me,  I am embracing what the Family Connections course has taught me on Radical Acceptance.  It is similar to the Serenity Prayer, which my one daughter loves.  “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”  We don’t have to like the reality we live in, but in order to reduce our suffering, we accept it. </p>
<p>In accepting our reality, it enables us to truly trust in God for what we cannot handle on our own. </p>
<p>The verse God brought to my attention this week was Psalm 46: 1-3 </p>
<p>“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” (NIV) </p>
<p>Sometimes it feels like life is falling apart, like the earth has given way under the weight of our problems.  Yet, God is our refuge and strength, our ever-present help in times of trouble.  In the midst of the chaos of our lives, God is with us…ever-present.  So, as David said in Psalm 25:1, “In you, Lord my God, I put my trust.” (NIV).  He is close to the broken-hearted, and I know He is God with us. </p>
<p>May God bring you peace this Christmas!  May you feel His presence and know He is with you. </p>
<p>Blessings, </p>
<p>Andrea Vestby</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Hardest Time of Year - Lyric Video</p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="Fy33_B5TQDU" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/Fy33_B5TQDU/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Fy33_B5TQDU?rel=0&amp;wmode=transparent&amp;enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p></div>
</div>

  <div class="track">
    <article class="music-player display-track">
    
<div class="details zoogle-music-player without-track-artist" data-loop-playlist="false" data-shuffle="false" data-controller="zoogle-media-player">
  <div class="player-extra">
    
  </div>


  <div class="player pdf__hide" data-album-id="">
      <header>
        <div class="controls">
          <div class="player-play">
  <a href="#" class="button button-circle button-action play-button">
    <span
      class="icon icon-play"
      title="Play"
    ></span>
    <span
      class="icon icon-pause"
      title="Pause"
    ></span>
  </a>
</div>

          <div class="player-track track">
            <div class="player-track-inner">
              <div class="player-title">
                <div class="marquee-wrap">
                  <div class="marquee title text-main alt-font" data-action="resize@window->zoogle-media-player#resizeApplyMarquee" data-target="player-title"></div>
                </div>
              </div>

              <div class="player-artist">
                <span class="by-artist ellipsis" data-target="artist"><span class="artist"></span></span>
              </div>

              <div class="actions">
  <div class="share">
    <div class="share-contents">
      <div class="links"></div>
    </div>
  </div>

  <div class="action"></div>
</div>


            </div>
          </div>

          <div class="player-nav">
  <nav class="track-nav">
    <a
  href="#"
  class="
    button-action button-action-secondary previous-button nav-button
    text-main
  "
  title="Previous track"
>
  <i class="icon icon-first"></i>
</a>

    <a
  href="#"
  class="button-action button-action-secondary next-button nav-button text-main"
  title="Next track"
>
  <i class="icon icon-last"></i>
</a>

  </nav>
</div>

        </div>
      </header>
    <div class="progress bg-accent"><div class="position bg-main"></div><span class="player-time time text-tertiary"><span class="cur">0:00</span><span class="sep">/</span><span class="duration">???</span></span></div>


  </div>

    <ol class="track-list hide">
    <li><a type="audio/mp3" data-id="1678667" data-artist="Andrea Vestby" data-duration="3:54" data-title="Hardest Time of Year" data-category="Plays" data-dest="/podcast/6000656/tracks/1678667.mp3" data-zoogle-track="true" class="play" href="#">Hardest Time of Year</a></li>
</ol>

</div>
</article>
</div>
<div class="track-actions pdf__hide">
  <a class="button" target="_blank" href="feed://andreavestby.com/blogs/beyond-the-fallout.rss">Subscribe with iTunes</a>

  <a class="button" target="_blank" href="https://andreavestby.com/blogs/beyond-the-fallout.rss">RSS feed</a>

  <a class="button download" target="_blank" href="/tracks/1963063926/1678667?post_id=6000656">Download</a>
</div>


<footer class="meta blog-footer clearfix">
    <p class="post-info"><span data-time="2019-12-13T18:39:40-07:00" title="December 13, 2019 18:39">12/13/2019</span></p>

  <ul class="blog-actions pdf__hide">
    <li class="comment-count"><a title="Leave a comment" class="comment-link button button-secondary" href="/blog/blog/god-with-us#comments">Leave a comment</a></li>
      <li><div data-controller="share-dialog" data-share-dialog-url-value="https://andreavestby.com/blogs/beyond-the-fallout/posts/6000656/god-with-us" data-share-dialog-title-value="God with Us" data-share-dialog-text-value="" data-share-dialog-fb-app-id-value="286076425227">
  <a class="button button-tertiary zoogle-share pdf__hide" title="Share God with Us" data-action="click-&gt;share-dialog#open" href="javascript:void(0)">
    <i class="icon-share"></i>Share
</a>
  <dialog data-share-dialog-target="dialog" data-action="click->share-dialog#clickOutside" class="dialog dialog-share style-section-style-1">
    <button class="dialog-close" data-action="click-&gt;share-dialog#close" aria-label="close">
      <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 11 11" class="icon" width="12px" height="12px"><path d="M6.755 5.502l3.836 3.97-1.438 1.39-3.81-3.942-3.926 3.942L0 9.452 3.953 5.48 0 1.39 1.438 0l3.927 4.064L9.41 0l1.417 1.411-4.073 4.091z" fill-rule="evenodd"></path></svg>
</button>    <div class="share_desc">
      <div>
        <span data-share-dialog-target="title">God with Us</span>
        <br>
        <span class="byline" data-share-dialog-target="byline">
        </span>
      </div>
    </div>

    <ul class="share_icons">
      <li class="threads">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="threadsLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="550" data-popup-window-height-value="357" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 36 36" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M36 18C36 8.05887 27.9411 0 18 0C8.05887 0 0 8.05887 0 18C0 27.9411 8.05887 36 18 36C27.9411 36 36 27.9411 36 18ZM23.7524 16.9806C23.8587 17.0263 23.9638 17.074 24.0671 17.1235C25.5284 17.8245 26.597 18.8859 27.1575 20.1926C27.9387 22.0149 28.0101 24.9832 25.6397 27.3514C23.828 29.1615 21.6287 29.9784 18.5087 30H18.4946C14.9852 29.9757 12.2865 28.7948 10.4735 26.4901C8.86024 24.4393 8.02805 21.5855 8.00009 18.0084L8 18L8.00009 17.9916C8.02805 14.4145 8.86024 11.5608 10.4735 9.50991C12.2865 7.20522 14.9852 6.02431 18.4946 6H18.5087C22.0252 6.02439 24.7545 7.20084 26.6206 9.49675C27.5414 10.6295 28.218 11.9953 28.648 13.5803L26.6296 14.1188C26.2749 12.8311 25.7368 11.7267 25.023 10.8485C23.5674 9.05767 21.3735 8.13891 18.5016 8.11756C15.6505 8.13875 13.4942 9.05311 12.0923 10.8353C10.7794 12.5042 10.101 14.9147 10.0757 18C10.101 21.0853 10.7794 23.4958 12.0923 25.1646C13.4942 26.9469 15.6505 27.8612 18.5017 27.8824C21.072 27.8635 22.7728 27.252 24.1876 25.8385C25.8025 24.225 25.7724 22.2459 25.2559 21.0415C24.9521 20.333 24.4021 19.7436 23.66 19.2957C23.4792 20.6429 23.0699 21.712 22.4226 22.537C21.5704 23.6234 20.3487 24.2175 18.7915 24.3029C17.6124 24.3673 16.4778 24.0829 15.5969 23.5014C14.555 22.8135 13.9452 21.7605 13.8799 20.5365C13.7514 18.1235 15.6656 16.3869 18.6431 16.2154C19.7001 16.1548 20.6889 16.2026 21.6031 16.358C21.4818 15.6156 21.2366 15.0274 20.8701 14.6018C20.3665 14.0171 19.5884 13.7173 18.5572 13.7107L18.5286 13.7106C17.7006 13.7106 16.5765 13.9423 15.8601 15.0291L14.1378 13.8476C15.0966 12.3926 16.6546 11.593 18.5278 11.593L18.5702 11.5931C21.702 11.6131 23.5671 13.5673 23.7524 16.9806ZM15.9524 20.4215C16.0193 21.6761 17.3751 22.2619 18.6801 22.1884C19.9578 22.1182 21.408 21.6169 21.6553 18.5291C20.9924 18.3842 20.2633 18.3085 19.4839 18.3085C19.247 18.3085 19.0059 18.3154 18.7602 18.3296C16.6145 18.4533 15.9029 19.4913 15.9524 20.4215Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="facebook">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="facebookLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="550" data-popup-window-height-value="357" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 18 18" class="icon"><path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M9 0a9 9 0 110 18A9 9 0 019 0zm2.606 4H10.24c-1.575 0-2.17.77-2.215 2.076l-.002.166v1.034H7V9h1.023V14h2.046V9h1.365l.181-1.724H10.07l.003-.862c0-.417.036-.655.553-.687l.128-.003h.853V4z"></path></svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="twitter">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="twitterLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="685" data-popup-window-height-value="246" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 36 36" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M36 18C36 8.05887 27.9411 0 18 0C8.05887 0 0 8.05887 0 18C0 27.9411 8.05887 36 18 36C27.9411 36 36 27.9411 36 18ZM26.4163 9L19.7142 16.6226L27.0001 27H21.6396L16.7316 20.0104L10.5876 27H9L16.0278 19.0075L9 9H14.3604L19.0068 15.6173L24.8287 9H26.4163ZM13.5996 10.1714H11.1606L22.3878 25.8861H24.8275L13.5996 10.1714Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="email">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="emailLink" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 18 18" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M18 9C18 4.02944 13.9706 0 9 0C4.02944 0 0 4.02944 0 9C0 13.9706 4.02944 18 9 18C13.9706 18 18 13.9706 18 9ZM4.02511 5.73566C4.00872 5.77691 4.00004 5.82153 4.00004 5.86854L4 12.1317C4 12.1897 4.0135 12.2449 4.03762 12.2938C4.04581 12.2775 4.05691 12.2621 4.07041 12.2482L7.39793 8.87439L4.0772 5.81961C4.05116 5.79611 4.0338 5.76684 4.02511 5.73566ZM4.34327 12.4991L4.34195 12.499L7.67 9.12427L8.60412 9.98343C8.86598 10.2242 9.26962 10.2228 9.52956 9.98007L10.4564 9.11563L13.768 12.4736C13.7251 12.4904 13.6783 12.5 13.6296 12.5H4.3704C4.3612 12.5 4.35243 12.4996 4.34327 12.4991ZM13.9971 12.1795L10.727 8.86376L13.9913 5.81857C13.9932 5.81713 13.9947 5.81569 13.9961 5.81425C13.9986 5.832 14 5.85023 14 5.86846V12.1315C14 12.1478 13.999 12.1637 13.9971 12.1795ZM13.7686 5.52686C13.7257 5.50959 13.6789 5.5 13.6297 5.5L4.37041 5.50006C4.33617 5.50006 4.30338 5.50486 4.27155 5.5135C4.29229 5.52117 4.31158 5.53316 4.32846 5.549L8.85585 9.71283C8.97448 9.8222 9.15822 9.82172 9.27637 9.71139L13.7382 5.54989C13.7479 5.54077 13.758 5.5331 13.7686 5.52686Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

    </ul>
    <div class="permalink" data-controller="clipboard">
      <p>Share link</p>
      <div class="control -has-addons">
        <input type="text" value="https://andreavestby.com/blogs/beyond-the-fallout/posts/6000656/god-with-us" data-clipboard-target="source" data-share-dialog-target="urlInput" data-action="click->share-dialog#selectUrl" readonly="true">
        <span class="control__suffix">
          <a class="button -simple -compact -icon-only" data-clipboard-target="button" data-action="clipboard#copy">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 16 16" class="icon" width="16px" height="18px"><path d="M4.166.597c-.184 0-.369.15-.369.342v1.365c0 .191.185.341.369.341h9.189v9.216c0 .191.15.342.341.342h1.365c.191 0 .342-.15.342-.342V.94a.338.338 0 00-.342-.342H4.166zm7.44 3.798H.34A.338.338 0 000 4.736v10.923c0 .19.15.341.341.341h10.923c.191 0 .341-.15.341-.341V4.395z" fill-rule="evenodd"></path></svg>
          </a>
        </span>
      </div>
    </div>
  </dialog>
</div></li>
  </ul>

  <p class="post-info"></p>
</footer>


</article>  <article class="post blog-article full-item post-full" data-controller="zoogle-video" data-action="message@window-&gt;zoogle-video#handleVimeoPostMessage">
    
<h2 class="heading-secondary heading-blog alt-font">
  <a href="/blog/blog/5958493/all-you-need-is-a-little">All You Need is a Little</a>&nbsp;
</h2>

<div class="post">
  <div class="message"><p><img src="//images.zoogletools.com/u/329097/0b2be53331888eed70ec9659fad0a3431f5dda6f/original/shutterstock-406236346.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Hi Everyone! </p>
<p>My husband challenged me this past week about my attitude.  I was really defensive at first, you know how that goes.  Yet, the more I reflected on what he said,  the more I realized he was right. </p>
<p>I have caught myself this week thinking negatively and critically about my life’s circumstances, instead of focusing on what God can do and what I can do to make it better.  So in my husband’s words, I am living with a “defeat-est” attitude. </p>
<p>What I feel God challenging me this week to remember is that all it takes is a little faith.  Often what I’ve worked up in my mind is not really what happens even 10% of the time.  And, if the worst case scenario comes true, what am I going to do about it? </p>
<p>I am going to have faith in God. </p>
<p>In Matthew 17:14-21, the disciples were faced with a situation they were not ready for.  There was a large crowd waiting for Jesus and a man came to him with his son.  He thought his son had a demon inflicting him, because he was suffering from seizures sometimes causing him to fall into the cooking fire or into the river.  “I brought him to your followers, but they weren’t able to heal him.” (v.16) </p>
<p>I can only imagine what the disciples were feeling.  They were still growing in their faith and they were seeing Jesus perform miracles;  and now people were expecting them to do the same thing.  I’m sure they felt inadequate. </p>
<p>Jesus healed the young man.  And, it says, “Later the disciples came to him privately and asked, ‘Why couldn’t we cast out the demon?’” (V.19) </p>
<p>“He told them, ‘It was because of your lack of faith.  I promise you, if you have faith inside of you no bigger than the size of a small mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move away from here and go over there,’ and you will see it move!  There is nothing you couldn’t do!  But this kind of demon is cast out only through prayer and fasting.’”  Matthew 17:20-21 (The Passion Translation) </p>
<p>He didn’t judge his disciples, but he used this “worst case” scenario that was overwhelming them, to teach them more about faith.  God is not asking for more than we are capable of;  he’s asking for faith as small as a mustard seed.  He’s not asking for powerful, perfect strong faith; instead all you need is a little. </p>
<p>So, when I am confronted with overwhelming circumstances, I need to remember to have a little faith.  Instead of jumping to an attitude of defeat or the worst case scenarios,  I need to remember that all it takes is a little. </p>
<p>Today, may you have faith no matter your circumstances and may God be with you this week in everything you do.  Remember, all you need is a little. </p>
<p>Blessings! </p>
<p>Andrea Vestby</p></div>
</div>


<footer class="meta blog-footer clearfix">
    <p class="post-info"><span data-time="2019-11-12T19:10:43-07:00" title="November 12, 2019 19:10">11/12/2019</span></p>

  <ul class="blog-actions pdf__hide">
    <li class="comment-count"><a title="1 comment" class="comment-link button button-secondary" href="/blog/blog/all-you-need-is-a-little#comments">1 comment</a></li>
      <li><div data-controller="share-dialog" data-share-dialog-url-value="https://andreavestby.com/blogs/beyond-the-fallout/posts/5958493/all-you-need-is-a-little" data-share-dialog-title-value="All You Need is a Little" data-share-dialog-text-value="" data-share-dialog-fb-app-id-value="286076425227">
  <a class="button button-tertiary zoogle-share pdf__hide" title="Share All You Need is a Little" data-action="click-&gt;share-dialog#open" href="javascript:void(0)">
    <i class="icon-share"></i>Share
</a>
  <dialog data-share-dialog-target="dialog" data-action="click->share-dialog#clickOutside" class="dialog dialog-share style-section-style-1">
    <button class="dialog-close" data-action="click-&gt;share-dialog#close" aria-label="close">
      <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 11 11" class="icon" width="12px" height="12px"><path d="M6.755 5.502l3.836 3.97-1.438 1.39-3.81-3.942-3.926 3.942L0 9.452 3.953 5.48 0 1.39 1.438 0l3.927 4.064L9.41 0l1.417 1.411-4.073 4.091z" fill-rule="evenodd"></path></svg>
</button>    <div class="share_desc">
      <div>
        <span data-share-dialog-target="title">All You Need is a Little</span>
        <br>
        <span class="byline" data-share-dialog-target="byline">
        </span>
      </div>
    </div>

    <ul class="share_icons">
      <li class="threads">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="threadsLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="550" data-popup-window-height-value="357" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 36 36" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M36 18C36 8.05887 27.9411 0 18 0C8.05887 0 0 8.05887 0 18C0 27.9411 8.05887 36 18 36C27.9411 36 36 27.9411 36 18ZM23.7524 16.9806C23.8587 17.0263 23.9638 17.074 24.0671 17.1235C25.5284 17.8245 26.597 18.8859 27.1575 20.1926C27.9387 22.0149 28.0101 24.9832 25.6397 27.3514C23.828 29.1615 21.6287 29.9784 18.5087 30H18.4946C14.9852 29.9757 12.2865 28.7948 10.4735 26.4901C8.86024 24.4393 8.02805 21.5855 8.00009 18.0084L8 18L8.00009 17.9916C8.02805 14.4145 8.86024 11.5608 10.4735 9.50991C12.2865 7.20522 14.9852 6.02431 18.4946 6H18.5087C22.0252 6.02439 24.7545 7.20084 26.6206 9.49675C27.5414 10.6295 28.218 11.9953 28.648 13.5803L26.6296 14.1188C26.2749 12.8311 25.7368 11.7267 25.023 10.8485C23.5674 9.05767 21.3735 8.13891 18.5016 8.11756C15.6505 8.13875 13.4942 9.05311 12.0923 10.8353C10.7794 12.5042 10.101 14.9147 10.0757 18C10.101 21.0853 10.7794 23.4958 12.0923 25.1646C13.4942 26.9469 15.6505 27.8612 18.5017 27.8824C21.072 27.8635 22.7728 27.252 24.1876 25.8385C25.8025 24.225 25.7724 22.2459 25.2559 21.0415C24.9521 20.333 24.4021 19.7436 23.66 19.2957C23.4792 20.6429 23.0699 21.712 22.4226 22.537C21.5704 23.6234 20.3487 24.2175 18.7915 24.3029C17.6124 24.3673 16.4778 24.0829 15.5969 23.5014C14.555 22.8135 13.9452 21.7605 13.8799 20.5365C13.7514 18.1235 15.6656 16.3869 18.6431 16.2154C19.7001 16.1548 20.6889 16.2026 21.6031 16.358C21.4818 15.6156 21.2366 15.0274 20.8701 14.6018C20.3665 14.0171 19.5884 13.7173 18.5572 13.7107L18.5286 13.7106C17.7006 13.7106 16.5765 13.9423 15.8601 15.0291L14.1378 13.8476C15.0966 12.3926 16.6546 11.593 18.5278 11.593L18.5702 11.5931C21.702 11.6131 23.5671 13.5673 23.7524 16.9806ZM15.9524 20.4215C16.0193 21.6761 17.3751 22.2619 18.6801 22.1884C19.9578 22.1182 21.408 21.6169 21.6553 18.5291C20.9924 18.3842 20.2633 18.3085 19.4839 18.3085C19.247 18.3085 19.0059 18.3154 18.7602 18.3296C16.6145 18.4533 15.9029 19.4913 15.9524 20.4215Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="facebook">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="facebookLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="550" data-popup-window-height-value="357" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 18 18" class="icon"><path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M9 0a9 9 0 110 18A9 9 0 019 0zm2.606 4H10.24c-1.575 0-2.17.77-2.215 2.076l-.002.166v1.034H7V9h1.023V14h2.046V9h1.365l.181-1.724H10.07l.003-.862c0-.417.036-.655.553-.687l.128-.003h.853V4z"></path></svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="twitter">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="twitterLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="685" data-popup-window-height-value="246" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 36 36" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M36 18C36 8.05887 27.9411 0 18 0C8.05887 0 0 8.05887 0 18C0 27.9411 8.05887 36 18 36C27.9411 36 36 27.9411 36 18ZM26.4163 9L19.7142 16.6226L27.0001 27H21.6396L16.7316 20.0104L10.5876 27H9L16.0278 19.0075L9 9H14.3604L19.0068 15.6173L24.8287 9H26.4163ZM13.5996 10.1714H11.1606L22.3878 25.8861H24.8275L13.5996 10.1714Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="email">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="emailLink" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 18 18" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M18 9C18 4.02944 13.9706 0 9 0C4.02944 0 0 4.02944 0 9C0 13.9706 4.02944 18 9 18C13.9706 18 18 13.9706 18 9ZM4.02511 5.73566C4.00872 5.77691 4.00004 5.82153 4.00004 5.86854L4 12.1317C4 12.1897 4.0135 12.2449 4.03762 12.2938C4.04581 12.2775 4.05691 12.2621 4.07041 12.2482L7.39793 8.87439L4.0772 5.81961C4.05116 5.79611 4.0338 5.76684 4.02511 5.73566ZM4.34327 12.4991L4.34195 12.499L7.67 9.12427L8.60412 9.98343C8.86598 10.2242 9.26962 10.2228 9.52956 9.98007L10.4564 9.11563L13.768 12.4736C13.7251 12.4904 13.6783 12.5 13.6296 12.5H4.3704C4.3612 12.5 4.35243 12.4996 4.34327 12.4991ZM13.9971 12.1795L10.727 8.86376L13.9913 5.81857C13.9932 5.81713 13.9947 5.81569 13.9961 5.81425C13.9986 5.832 14 5.85023 14 5.86846V12.1315C14 12.1478 13.999 12.1637 13.9971 12.1795ZM13.7686 5.52686C13.7257 5.50959 13.6789 5.5 13.6297 5.5L4.37041 5.50006C4.33617 5.50006 4.30338 5.50486 4.27155 5.5135C4.29229 5.52117 4.31158 5.53316 4.32846 5.549L8.85585 9.71283C8.97448 9.8222 9.15822 9.82172 9.27637 9.71139L13.7382 5.54989C13.7479 5.54077 13.758 5.5331 13.7686 5.52686Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

    </ul>
    <div class="permalink" data-controller="clipboard">
      <p>Share link</p>
      <div class="control -has-addons">
        <input type="text" value="https://andreavestby.com/blogs/beyond-the-fallout/posts/5958493/all-you-need-is-a-little" data-clipboard-target="source" data-share-dialog-target="urlInput" data-action="click->share-dialog#selectUrl" readonly="true">
        <span class="control__suffix">
          <a class="button -simple -compact -icon-only" data-clipboard-target="button" data-action="clipboard#copy">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 16 16" class="icon" width="16px" height="18px"><path d="M4.166.597c-.184 0-.369.15-.369.342v1.365c0 .191.185.341.369.341h9.189v9.216c0 .191.15.342.341.342h1.365c.191 0 .342-.15.342-.342V.94a.338.338 0 00-.342-.342H4.166zm7.44 3.798H.34A.338.338 0 000 4.736v10.923c0 .19.15.341.341.341h10.923c.191 0 .341-.15.341-.341V4.395z" fill-rule="evenodd"></path></svg>
          </a>
        </span>
      </div>
    </div>
  </dialog>
</div></li>
  </ul>

  <p class="post-info"></p>
</footer>


</article>  <article class="post blog-article full-item post-full" data-controller="zoogle-video" data-action="message@window-&gt;zoogle-video#handleVimeoPostMessage">
    
<h2 class="heading-secondary heading-blog alt-font">
  <a href="/blog/blog/5939316/everyone-sees-mountains">Everyone Sees Mountains</a>&nbsp;
</h2>

<div class="post">
  <div class="message"><p><img src="//images.zoogletools.com/u/329097/4497c780c837c95fff014888ba76ec79b98f1aeb/original/shutterstock-1459000715.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Hi Everyone! </p>
<p>One important lesson I’ve learned, with everything I’ve gone through, is not belittling other people’s problems when mine feel so huge.  Everyone see mountains.  Each challenge, each circumstance that happens in our lives that is out of our control, feels huge. </p>
<p>I’ve had to learn not to judge other people’s struggles with the weight of my own.  Learning to be compassionate to others in the middle of my own pain is important. It is not a test of whose problems are bigger than whose.  It’s never been about comparison.  Yet, sometimes it is human nature to compare and minimize what others are feeling, based on our own feelings. </p>
<p>I’ll give you an example of where I’m going with this.  I was at a soccer game one night and my boys were playing.  I enjoyed sitting on the sidelines chatting with the other Moms.  I was a new single Mom of six children;  it was still fresh, it was the first year after my ex left.  We were forming new routines, getting used to life on our own, and I was lonely.  Especially at night, when the kids all went to bed and the house got quiet…I had no one to talk to.  Silence can be deafening! </p>
<p>A Mom on the sidelines of the soccer game started to complain about her struggles when her husband worked out of town.  She said she felt like a single Mom when he was away. </p>
<p>It took a lot of energy inside me not to compare.  In my mind, I wanted to say that you “feel” like a single Mom but you are not.  In a defined period of time, your husband will return and you will have love, you will have a break, you will feel supported, and you won’t feel alone. I bit my tongue.  For her, these periods of loneliness were overwhelming.  For this Mom, being on her own was a mountain she had to face regularly as his shifts ebbed and flowed. I could not say to her that she didn’t understand what a single Mom “really” feels like.  For a single Mom, there is no love from a husband ever;  no breaks other than what friends and family can give you, and it’s lonely. As much as others try to help, at the end of the day, you are alone.  The mountain I faced was different. </p>
<p>I was challenged that day, not to belittle how someone else feels, no matter how I am feeling.  Everyone faces a different mountain and each mountain feels like a really big climb.  There are no comparisons, and each one deserves compassion for the struggles they face.  Each one of us seeks validation for how facing the mountain feels, and each one of us deserves the encouragement needed to climb that mountain. </p>
<p>“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.  If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.  Each one should test their own actions.  Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load.”  Galatians 6: 2-5 (NIV) </p>
<p>If I thought for a moment and put myself in the other soccer Mom’s shoes, I could understand how she felt.  Without my own problems clouding my judgement, I could see her loneliness too those weeks he was gone.  I could see the burden she carried of having to take care of her children all by herself and getting them to all of their activities alone.  I could see her weariness.  It didn’t really matter that she had a husband who would be home soon.  What she was feeling that day and those weeks was real.  We all carry the weight of our own struggles and we should learn to be kind to one another with no judgement.  No comparisons. </p>
<p>Everyone sees mountains, and each mountain is different. May God bless you with all the strength you need today to climb your mountain!  May you be able to encourage others who face their mountains. </p>
<p>Blessings friends, </p>
<p>Andrea Vestby</p></div>
</div>


<footer class="meta blog-footer clearfix">
    <p class="post-info"><span data-time="2019-10-25T17:56:58-06:00" title="October 25, 2019 17:56">10/25/2019</span></p>

  <ul class="blog-actions pdf__hide">
    <li class="comment-count"><a title="Leave a comment" class="comment-link button button-secondary" href="/blog/blog/everyone-sees-mountains#comments">Leave a comment</a></li>
      <li><div data-controller="share-dialog" data-share-dialog-url-value="https://andreavestby.com/blogs/beyond-the-fallout/posts/5939316/everyone-sees-mountains" data-share-dialog-title-value="Everyone Sees Mountains" data-share-dialog-text-value="" data-share-dialog-fb-app-id-value="286076425227">
  <a class="button button-tertiary zoogle-share pdf__hide" title="Share Everyone Sees Mountains" data-action="click-&gt;share-dialog#open" href="javascript:void(0)">
    <i class="icon-share"></i>Share
</a>
  <dialog data-share-dialog-target="dialog" data-action="click->share-dialog#clickOutside" class="dialog dialog-share style-section-style-1">
    <button class="dialog-close" data-action="click-&gt;share-dialog#close" aria-label="close">
      <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 11 11" class="icon" width="12px" height="12px"><path d="M6.755 5.502l3.836 3.97-1.438 1.39-3.81-3.942-3.926 3.942L0 9.452 3.953 5.48 0 1.39 1.438 0l3.927 4.064L9.41 0l1.417 1.411-4.073 4.091z" fill-rule="evenodd"></path></svg>
</button>    <div class="share_desc">
      <div>
        <span data-share-dialog-target="title">Everyone Sees Mountains</span>
        <br>
        <span class="byline" data-share-dialog-target="byline">
        </span>
      </div>
    </div>

    <ul class="share_icons">
      <li class="threads">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="threadsLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="550" data-popup-window-height-value="357" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 36 36" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M36 18C36 8.05887 27.9411 0 18 0C8.05887 0 0 8.05887 0 18C0 27.9411 8.05887 36 18 36C27.9411 36 36 27.9411 36 18ZM23.7524 16.9806C23.8587 17.0263 23.9638 17.074 24.0671 17.1235C25.5284 17.8245 26.597 18.8859 27.1575 20.1926C27.9387 22.0149 28.0101 24.9832 25.6397 27.3514C23.828 29.1615 21.6287 29.9784 18.5087 30H18.4946C14.9852 29.9757 12.2865 28.7948 10.4735 26.4901C8.86024 24.4393 8.02805 21.5855 8.00009 18.0084L8 18L8.00009 17.9916C8.02805 14.4145 8.86024 11.5608 10.4735 9.50991C12.2865 7.20522 14.9852 6.02431 18.4946 6H18.5087C22.0252 6.02439 24.7545 7.20084 26.6206 9.49675C27.5414 10.6295 28.218 11.9953 28.648 13.5803L26.6296 14.1188C26.2749 12.8311 25.7368 11.7267 25.023 10.8485C23.5674 9.05767 21.3735 8.13891 18.5016 8.11756C15.6505 8.13875 13.4942 9.05311 12.0923 10.8353C10.7794 12.5042 10.101 14.9147 10.0757 18C10.101 21.0853 10.7794 23.4958 12.0923 25.1646C13.4942 26.9469 15.6505 27.8612 18.5017 27.8824C21.072 27.8635 22.7728 27.252 24.1876 25.8385C25.8025 24.225 25.7724 22.2459 25.2559 21.0415C24.9521 20.333 24.4021 19.7436 23.66 19.2957C23.4792 20.6429 23.0699 21.712 22.4226 22.537C21.5704 23.6234 20.3487 24.2175 18.7915 24.3029C17.6124 24.3673 16.4778 24.0829 15.5969 23.5014C14.555 22.8135 13.9452 21.7605 13.8799 20.5365C13.7514 18.1235 15.6656 16.3869 18.6431 16.2154C19.7001 16.1548 20.6889 16.2026 21.6031 16.358C21.4818 15.6156 21.2366 15.0274 20.8701 14.6018C20.3665 14.0171 19.5884 13.7173 18.5572 13.7107L18.5286 13.7106C17.7006 13.7106 16.5765 13.9423 15.8601 15.0291L14.1378 13.8476C15.0966 12.3926 16.6546 11.593 18.5278 11.593L18.5702 11.5931C21.702 11.6131 23.5671 13.5673 23.7524 16.9806ZM15.9524 20.4215C16.0193 21.6761 17.3751 22.2619 18.6801 22.1884C19.9578 22.1182 21.408 21.6169 21.6553 18.5291C20.9924 18.3842 20.2633 18.3085 19.4839 18.3085C19.247 18.3085 19.0059 18.3154 18.7602 18.3296C16.6145 18.4533 15.9029 19.4913 15.9524 20.4215Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="facebook">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="facebookLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="550" data-popup-window-height-value="357" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 18 18" class="icon"><path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M9 0a9 9 0 110 18A9 9 0 019 0zm2.606 4H10.24c-1.575 0-2.17.77-2.215 2.076l-.002.166v1.034H7V9h1.023V14h2.046V9h1.365l.181-1.724H10.07l.003-.862c0-.417.036-.655.553-.687l.128-.003h.853V4z"></path></svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="twitter">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="twitterLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="685" data-popup-window-height-value="246" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 36 36" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M36 18C36 8.05887 27.9411 0 18 0C8.05887 0 0 8.05887 0 18C0 27.9411 8.05887 36 18 36C27.9411 36 36 27.9411 36 18ZM26.4163 9L19.7142 16.6226L27.0001 27H21.6396L16.7316 20.0104L10.5876 27H9L16.0278 19.0075L9 9H14.3604L19.0068 15.6173L24.8287 9H26.4163ZM13.5996 10.1714H11.1606L22.3878 25.8861H24.8275L13.5996 10.1714Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="email">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="emailLink" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 18 18" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M18 9C18 4.02944 13.9706 0 9 0C4.02944 0 0 4.02944 0 9C0 13.9706 4.02944 18 9 18C13.9706 18 18 13.9706 18 9ZM4.02511 5.73566C4.00872 5.77691 4.00004 5.82153 4.00004 5.86854L4 12.1317C4 12.1897 4.0135 12.2449 4.03762 12.2938C4.04581 12.2775 4.05691 12.2621 4.07041 12.2482L7.39793 8.87439L4.0772 5.81961C4.05116 5.79611 4.0338 5.76684 4.02511 5.73566ZM4.34327 12.4991L4.34195 12.499L7.67 9.12427L8.60412 9.98343C8.86598 10.2242 9.26962 10.2228 9.52956 9.98007L10.4564 9.11563L13.768 12.4736C13.7251 12.4904 13.6783 12.5 13.6296 12.5H4.3704C4.3612 12.5 4.35243 12.4996 4.34327 12.4991ZM13.9971 12.1795L10.727 8.86376L13.9913 5.81857C13.9932 5.81713 13.9947 5.81569 13.9961 5.81425C13.9986 5.832 14 5.85023 14 5.86846V12.1315C14 12.1478 13.999 12.1637 13.9971 12.1795ZM13.7686 5.52686C13.7257 5.50959 13.6789 5.5 13.6297 5.5L4.37041 5.50006C4.33617 5.50006 4.30338 5.50486 4.27155 5.5135C4.29229 5.52117 4.31158 5.53316 4.32846 5.549L8.85585 9.71283C8.97448 9.8222 9.15822 9.82172 9.27637 9.71139L13.7382 5.54989C13.7479 5.54077 13.758 5.5331 13.7686 5.52686Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

    </ul>
    <div class="permalink" data-controller="clipboard">
      <p>Share link</p>
      <div class="control -has-addons">
        <input type="text" value="https://andreavestby.com/blogs/beyond-the-fallout/posts/5939316/everyone-sees-mountains" data-clipboard-target="source" data-share-dialog-target="urlInput" data-action="click->share-dialog#selectUrl" readonly="true">
        <span class="control__suffix">
          <a class="button -simple -compact -icon-only" data-clipboard-target="button" data-action="clipboard#copy">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 16 16" class="icon" width="16px" height="18px"><path d="M4.166.597c-.184 0-.369.15-.369.342v1.365c0 .191.185.341.369.341h9.189v9.216c0 .191.15.342.341.342h1.365c.191 0 .342-.15.342-.342V.94a.338.338 0 00-.342-.342H4.166zm7.44 3.798H.34A.338.338 0 000 4.736v10.923c0 .19.15.341.341.341h10.923c.191 0 .341-.15.341-.341V4.395z" fill-rule="evenodd"></path></svg>
          </a>
        </span>
      </div>
    </div>
  </dialog>
</div></li>
  </ul>

  <p class="post-info"></p>
</footer>


</article>  <article class="post blog-article full-item post-full" data-controller="zoogle-video" data-action="message@window-&gt;zoogle-video#handleVimeoPostMessage">
    
<h2 class="heading-secondary heading-blog alt-font">
  <a href="/blog/blog/5931043/the-bitter-weed">The Bitter Weed</a>&nbsp;
</h2>

<div class="post">
  <div class="message"><p><img src="//images.zoogletools.com/u/329097/db359e2f5bd34839073cb6d2dbe9e852d95fdc58/original/shutterstock-94998922.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Hi Everyone! </p>
<p>One of the greatest challenges we face in this life, no matter what the circumstances inspiring it, is not letting bitterness take root.  I have struggled with the bitter weed.  I feel like bitterness is a terrible weed, that if unchecked, and left to take root it spreads in our souls like quack grass. </p>
<p>I don’t know about your experiences with quack grass, but my flower beds have had their fair share and when I try to pull them, I always miss some of the roots.  I’ve tried different ways of getting rid of it, but it’s tenacious.  Winter is coming, but as soon as the snow melts and things start to grow again, the weed will come back, as some of the roots run deep. </p>
<p>As hard as things were, and still are, with my ex, the one thing I wanted most was to protect my soul from the bitterness that could take root.  I prayed and struggled with it.  It was, and still is, a daily surrender to God.  I had to talk to God often about how I was feeling and give it to him over and over.  I had to ask God to forgive me when I was feeling resentful and bitter.  I had to forgive my ex each time he said or did something that upset me. </p>
<p>As hard as it was, with the things my family faced, I could have felt like it was my right to be the victim.  I could have felt justified in being bitter and angry, and no one really would have held that against me.  However, I knew that for me bitterness and anger were like a weed that would spread and poison my soul.  I feel like, with unchecked bitterness, I would have lost more of myself to my circumstances.  I would have lost the part of me that I like. </p>
<p>The one thing I didn’t want either, was to pass on any bitterness or resentment to my children.  I wanted to show them what grace and compassion look like, what forgiveness looks like and what it looks like to take the high road. </p>
<p>Ephesians 4:31 &amp; 32 says, “ Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (NIV) </p>
<p>This is so much easier said than done, yet, it is so worth the struggle to keep the heart weeded and free from the bitter weed.  So, when I say that bitterness is like quack grass and when I pull the weed, sometimes I don’t always get the root; I say this because, I still struggle at times.  There are times, when I thought I had pulled all of the weed and I was doing good.  Then I realize, something grew again in me that I needed to weed once more.  There are no quick and easy fixes for our hearts.  We have to be vigilant and diligent to weed them when needed. </p>
<p>One of my favourite verses is Proverbs 4:23, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (NIV) </p>
<p>Don’t let bitterness, the bitter weed, grow you into something you don’t want to be. If you need to, do a bit of weeding, and by that I mean praying. Whatever you do, be the best you! </p>
<p>Blessing, </p>
<p>Andrea Vestby</p></div>
</div>


<footer class="meta blog-footer clearfix">
    <p class="post-info"><span data-time="2019-10-18T21:07:54-06:00" title="October 18, 2019 21:07">10/18/2019</span></p>

  <ul class="blog-actions pdf__hide">
    <li class="comment-count"><a title="Leave a comment" class="comment-link button button-secondary" href="/blog/blog/the-bitter-weed#comments">Leave a comment</a></li>
      <li><div data-controller="share-dialog" data-share-dialog-url-value="https://andreavestby.com/blogs/beyond-the-fallout/posts/5931043/the-bitter-weed" data-share-dialog-title-value="The Bitter Weed" data-share-dialog-text-value="" data-share-dialog-fb-app-id-value="286076425227">
  <a class="button button-tertiary zoogle-share pdf__hide" title="Share The Bitter Weed" data-action="click-&gt;share-dialog#open" href="javascript:void(0)">
    <i class="icon-share"></i>Share
</a>
  <dialog data-share-dialog-target="dialog" data-action="click->share-dialog#clickOutside" class="dialog dialog-share style-section-style-1">
    <button class="dialog-close" data-action="click-&gt;share-dialog#close" aria-label="close">
      <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 11 11" class="icon" width="12px" height="12px"><path d="M6.755 5.502l3.836 3.97-1.438 1.39-3.81-3.942-3.926 3.942L0 9.452 3.953 5.48 0 1.39 1.438 0l3.927 4.064L9.41 0l1.417 1.411-4.073 4.091z" fill-rule="evenodd"></path></svg>
</button>    <div class="share_desc">
      <div>
        <span data-share-dialog-target="title">The Bitter Weed</span>
        <br>
        <span class="byline" data-share-dialog-target="byline">
        </span>
      </div>
    </div>

    <ul class="share_icons">
      <li class="threads">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="threadsLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="550" data-popup-window-height-value="357" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 36 36" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M36 18C36 8.05887 27.9411 0 18 0C8.05887 0 0 8.05887 0 18C0 27.9411 8.05887 36 18 36C27.9411 36 36 27.9411 36 18ZM23.7524 16.9806C23.8587 17.0263 23.9638 17.074 24.0671 17.1235C25.5284 17.8245 26.597 18.8859 27.1575 20.1926C27.9387 22.0149 28.0101 24.9832 25.6397 27.3514C23.828 29.1615 21.6287 29.9784 18.5087 30H18.4946C14.9852 29.9757 12.2865 28.7948 10.4735 26.4901C8.86024 24.4393 8.02805 21.5855 8.00009 18.0084L8 18L8.00009 17.9916C8.02805 14.4145 8.86024 11.5608 10.4735 9.50991C12.2865 7.20522 14.9852 6.02431 18.4946 6H18.5087C22.0252 6.02439 24.7545 7.20084 26.6206 9.49675C27.5414 10.6295 28.218 11.9953 28.648 13.5803L26.6296 14.1188C26.2749 12.8311 25.7368 11.7267 25.023 10.8485C23.5674 9.05767 21.3735 8.13891 18.5016 8.11756C15.6505 8.13875 13.4942 9.05311 12.0923 10.8353C10.7794 12.5042 10.101 14.9147 10.0757 18C10.101 21.0853 10.7794 23.4958 12.0923 25.1646C13.4942 26.9469 15.6505 27.8612 18.5017 27.8824C21.072 27.8635 22.7728 27.252 24.1876 25.8385C25.8025 24.225 25.7724 22.2459 25.2559 21.0415C24.9521 20.333 24.4021 19.7436 23.66 19.2957C23.4792 20.6429 23.0699 21.712 22.4226 22.537C21.5704 23.6234 20.3487 24.2175 18.7915 24.3029C17.6124 24.3673 16.4778 24.0829 15.5969 23.5014C14.555 22.8135 13.9452 21.7605 13.8799 20.5365C13.7514 18.1235 15.6656 16.3869 18.6431 16.2154C19.7001 16.1548 20.6889 16.2026 21.6031 16.358C21.4818 15.6156 21.2366 15.0274 20.8701 14.6018C20.3665 14.0171 19.5884 13.7173 18.5572 13.7107L18.5286 13.7106C17.7006 13.7106 16.5765 13.9423 15.8601 15.0291L14.1378 13.8476C15.0966 12.3926 16.6546 11.593 18.5278 11.593L18.5702 11.5931C21.702 11.6131 23.5671 13.5673 23.7524 16.9806ZM15.9524 20.4215C16.0193 21.6761 17.3751 22.2619 18.6801 22.1884C19.9578 22.1182 21.408 21.6169 21.6553 18.5291C20.9924 18.3842 20.2633 18.3085 19.4839 18.3085C19.247 18.3085 19.0059 18.3154 18.7602 18.3296C16.6145 18.4533 15.9029 19.4913 15.9524 20.4215Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="facebook">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="facebookLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="550" data-popup-window-height-value="357" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 18 18" class="icon"><path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M9 0a9 9 0 110 18A9 9 0 019 0zm2.606 4H10.24c-1.575 0-2.17.77-2.215 2.076l-.002.166v1.034H7V9h1.023V14h2.046V9h1.365l.181-1.724H10.07l.003-.862c0-.417.036-.655.553-.687l.128-.003h.853V4z"></path></svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="twitter">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="twitterLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="685" data-popup-window-height-value="246" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 36 36" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M36 18C36 8.05887 27.9411 0 18 0C8.05887 0 0 8.05887 0 18C0 27.9411 8.05887 36 18 36C27.9411 36 36 27.9411 36 18ZM26.4163 9L19.7142 16.6226L27.0001 27H21.6396L16.7316 20.0104L10.5876 27H9L16.0278 19.0075L9 9H14.3604L19.0068 15.6173L24.8287 9H26.4163ZM13.5996 10.1714H11.1606L22.3878 25.8861H24.8275L13.5996 10.1714Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="email">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="emailLink" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 18 18" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M18 9C18 4.02944 13.9706 0 9 0C4.02944 0 0 4.02944 0 9C0 13.9706 4.02944 18 9 18C13.9706 18 18 13.9706 18 9ZM4.02511 5.73566C4.00872 5.77691 4.00004 5.82153 4.00004 5.86854L4 12.1317C4 12.1897 4.0135 12.2449 4.03762 12.2938C4.04581 12.2775 4.05691 12.2621 4.07041 12.2482L7.39793 8.87439L4.0772 5.81961C4.05116 5.79611 4.0338 5.76684 4.02511 5.73566ZM4.34327 12.4991L4.34195 12.499L7.67 9.12427L8.60412 9.98343C8.86598 10.2242 9.26962 10.2228 9.52956 9.98007L10.4564 9.11563L13.768 12.4736C13.7251 12.4904 13.6783 12.5 13.6296 12.5H4.3704C4.3612 12.5 4.35243 12.4996 4.34327 12.4991ZM13.9971 12.1795L10.727 8.86376L13.9913 5.81857C13.9932 5.81713 13.9947 5.81569 13.9961 5.81425C13.9986 5.832 14 5.85023 14 5.86846V12.1315C14 12.1478 13.999 12.1637 13.9971 12.1795ZM13.7686 5.52686C13.7257 5.50959 13.6789 5.5 13.6297 5.5L4.37041 5.50006C4.33617 5.50006 4.30338 5.50486 4.27155 5.5135C4.29229 5.52117 4.31158 5.53316 4.32846 5.549L8.85585 9.71283C8.97448 9.8222 9.15822 9.82172 9.27637 9.71139L13.7382 5.54989C13.7479 5.54077 13.758 5.5331 13.7686 5.52686Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

    </ul>
    <div class="permalink" data-controller="clipboard">
      <p>Share link</p>
      <div class="control -has-addons">
        <input type="text" value="https://andreavestby.com/blogs/beyond-the-fallout/posts/5931043/the-bitter-weed" data-clipboard-target="source" data-share-dialog-target="urlInput" data-action="click->share-dialog#selectUrl" readonly="true">
        <span class="control__suffix">
          <a class="button -simple -compact -icon-only" data-clipboard-target="button" data-action="clipboard#copy">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 16 16" class="icon" width="16px" height="18px"><path d="M4.166.597c-.184 0-.369.15-.369.342v1.365c0 .191.185.341.369.341h9.189v9.216c0 .191.15.342.341.342h1.365c.191 0 .342-.15.342-.342V.94a.338.338 0 00-.342-.342H4.166zm7.44 3.798H.34A.338.338 0 000 4.736v10.923c0 .19.15.341.341.341h10.923c.191 0 .341-.15.341-.341V4.395z" fill-rule="evenodd"></path></svg>
          </a>
        </span>
      </div>
    </div>
  </dialog>
</div></li>
  </ul>

  <p class="post-info"></p>
</footer>


</article>  <article class="post blog-article full-item post-full" data-controller="zoogle-video" data-action="message@window-&gt;zoogle-video#handleVimeoPostMessage">
    
<h2 class="heading-secondary heading-blog alt-font">
  <a href="/blog/blog/5922779/roses-and-thorns">Roses and Thorns</a>&nbsp;
</h2>

<div class="post">
  <div class="message"><p><img src="//images.zoogletools.com/u/329097/d02b38ce746b5e17ce6a963363692bf5cc97e74e/original/shutterstock-18872149.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Hi everyone! </p>
<p>I had a thought this week about roses and thorns.  It is a reflection of the years and all the struggles I have faced.  Roses are a beautiful flower. So delicate and pretty.  However, you have to hold them just right.  As beautiful as they are, they have a sharpness.  I am a rose.  I know God sees beauty in me, as He sees beauty in all of us. </p>
<p>However, I sport some good thorns.  I know that I have hurt those who’ve gotten close to me at times. I know that there have been times where in my desperation to deal with my situation, I have hurt people and I have offended others.  They see the rose, but when they get too close to help they get pricked by the thorns.  Some people give up right away and don’t feel like this rose is worth the pain.  Some people push past the initial pain of the thorns and find a way to still see the beauty and how to hold the rose. </p>
<p>For all those who have held this rose despite my thorns, I want to thank you. </p>
<p>Please be encouraged, do not avoid the roses.  I am not the only rose.  There are many who need us to see the beauty of who God created them to be.  The circumstances we have weathered have created a few thorns, yet each one of us is worth knowing despite the thorns.  Don’t give up on those in your life who are struggling with painful circumstances and are sharp at times.  Hurt people often hurt people.  Please see the beauty in each person, and find a way around the thorns to love them and nurture them. </p>
<p>Love the Roses and the thorns. </p>
<p>Blessings! </p>
<p>Andrea Vestby</p></div>
</div>


<footer class="meta blog-footer clearfix">
    <p class="post-info"><span data-time="2019-10-10T20:54:29-06:00" title="October 10, 2019 20:54">10/10/2019</span></p>

  <ul class="blog-actions pdf__hide">
    <li class="comment-count"><a title="Leave a comment" class="comment-link button button-secondary" href="/blog/blog/roses-and-thorns#comments">Leave a comment</a></li>
      <li><div data-controller="share-dialog" data-share-dialog-url-value="https://andreavestby.com/blogs/beyond-the-fallout/posts/5922779/roses-and-thorns" data-share-dialog-title-value="Roses and Thorns" data-share-dialog-text-value="" data-share-dialog-fb-app-id-value="286076425227">
  <a class="button button-tertiary zoogle-share pdf__hide" title="Share Roses and Thorns" data-action="click-&gt;share-dialog#open" href="javascript:void(0)">
    <i class="icon-share"></i>Share
</a>
  <dialog data-share-dialog-target="dialog" data-action="click->share-dialog#clickOutside" class="dialog dialog-share style-section-style-1">
    <button class="dialog-close" data-action="click-&gt;share-dialog#close" aria-label="close">
      <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 11 11" class="icon" width="12px" height="12px"><path d="M6.755 5.502l3.836 3.97-1.438 1.39-3.81-3.942-3.926 3.942L0 9.452 3.953 5.48 0 1.39 1.438 0l3.927 4.064L9.41 0l1.417 1.411-4.073 4.091z" fill-rule="evenodd"></path></svg>
</button>    <div class="share_desc">
      <div>
        <span data-share-dialog-target="title">Roses and Thorns</span>
        <br>
        <span class="byline" data-share-dialog-target="byline">
        </span>
      </div>
    </div>

    <ul class="share_icons">
      <li class="threads">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="threadsLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="550" data-popup-window-height-value="357" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 36 36" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M36 18C36 8.05887 27.9411 0 18 0C8.05887 0 0 8.05887 0 18C0 27.9411 8.05887 36 18 36C27.9411 36 36 27.9411 36 18ZM23.7524 16.9806C23.8587 17.0263 23.9638 17.074 24.0671 17.1235C25.5284 17.8245 26.597 18.8859 27.1575 20.1926C27.9387 22.0149 28.0101 24.9832 25.6397 27.3514C23.828 29.1615 21.6287 29.9784 18.5087 30H18.4946C14.9852 29.9757 12.2865 28.7948 10.4735 26.4901C8.86024 24.4393 8.02805 21.5855 8.00009 18.0084L8 18L8.00009 17.9916C8.02805 14.4145 8.86024 11.5608 10.4735 9.50991C12.2865 7.20522 14.9852 6.02431 18.4946 6H18.5087C22.0252 6.02439 24.7545 7.20084 26.6206 9.49675C27.5414 10.6295 28.218 11.9953 28.648 13.5803L26.6296 14.1188C26.2749 12.8311 25.7368 11.7267 25.023 10.8485C23.5674 9.05767 21.3735 8.13891 18.5016 8.11756C15.6505 8.13875 13.4942 9.05311 12.0923 10.8353C10.7794 12.5042 10.101 14.9147 10.0757 18C10.101 21.0853 10.7794 23.4958 12.0923 25.1646C13.4942 26.9469 15.6505 27.8612 18.5017 27.8824C21.072 27.8635 22.7728 27.252 24.1876 25.8385C25.8025 24.225 25.7724 22.2459 25.2559 21.0415C24.9521 20.333 24.4021 19.7436 23.66 19.2957C23.4792 20.6429 23.0699 21.712 22.4226 22.537C21.5704 23.6234 20.3487 24.2175 18.7915 24.3029C17.6124 24.3673 16.4778 24.0829 15.5969 23.5014C14.555 22.8135 13.9452 21.7605 13.8799 20.5365C13.7514 18.1235 15.6656 16.3869 18.6431 16.2154C19.7001 16.1548 20.6889 16.2026 21.6031 16.358C21.4818 15.6156 21.2366 15.0274 20.8701 14.6018C20.3665 14.0171 19.5884 13.7173 18.5572 13.7107L18.5286 13.7106C17.7006 13.7106 16.5765 13.9423 15.8601 15.0291L14.1378 13.8476C15.0966 12.3926 16.6546 11.593 18.5278 11.593L18.5702 11.5931C21.702 11.6131 23.5671 13.5673 23.7524 16.9806ZM15.9524 20.4215C16.0193 21.6761 17.3751 22.2619 18.6801 22.1884C19.9578 22.1182 21.408 21.6169 21.6553 18.5291C20.9924 18.3842 20.2633 18.3085 19.4839 18.3085C19.247 18.3085 19.0059 18.3154 18.7602 18.3296C16.6145 18.4533 15.9029 19.4913 15.9524 20.4215Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="facebook">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="facebookLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="550" data-popup-window-height-value="357" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 18 18" class="icon"><path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M9 0a9 9 0 110 18A9 9 0 019 0zm2.606 4H10.24c-1.575 0-2.17.77-2.215 2.076l-.002.166v1.034H7V9h1.023V14h2.046V9h1.365l.181-1.724H10.07l.003-.862c0-.417.036-.655.553-.687l.128-.003h.853V4z"></path></svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="twitter">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="twitterLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="685" data-popup-window-height-value="246" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 36 36" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M36 18C36 8.05887 27.9411 0 18 0C8.05887 0 0 8.05887 0 18C0 27.9411 8.05887 36 18 36C27.9411 36 36 27.9411 36 18ZM26.4163 9L19.7142 16.6226L27.0001 27H21.6396L16.7316 20.0104L10.5876 27H9L16.0278 19.0075L9 9H14.3604L19.0068 15.6173L24.8287 9H26.4163ZM13.5996 10.1714H11.1606L22.3878 25.8861H24.8275L13.5996 10.1714Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="email">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="emailLink" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 18 18" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M18 9C18 4.02944 13.9706 0 9 0C4.02944 0 0 4.02944 0 9C0 13.9706 4.02944 18 9 18C13.9706 18 18 13.9706 18 9ZM4.02511 5.73566C4.00872 5.77691 4.00004 5.82153 4.00004 5.86854L4 12.1317C4 12.1897 4.0135 12.2449 4.03762 12.2938C4.04581 12.2775 4.05691 12.2621 4.07041 12.2482L7.39793 8.87439L4.0772 5.81961C4.05116 5.79611 4.0338 5.76684 4.02511 5.73566ZM4.34327 12.4991L4.34195 12.499L7.67 9.12427L8.60412 9.98343C8.86598 10.2242 9.26962 10.2228 9.52956 9.98007L10.4564 9.11563L13.768 12.4736C13.7251 12.4904 13.6783 12.5 13.6296 12.5H4.3704C4.3612 12.5 4.35243 12.4996 4.34327 12.4991ZM13.9971 12.1795L10.727 8.86376L13.9913 5.81857C13.9932 5.81713 13.9947 5.81569 13.9961 5.81425C13.9986 5.832 14 5.85023 14 5.86846V12.1315C14 12.1478 13.999 12.1637 13.9971 12.1795ZM13.7686 5.52686C13.7257 5.50959 13.6789 5.5 13.6297 5.5L4.37041 5.50006C4.33617 5.50006 4.30338 5.50486 4.27155 5.5135C4.29229 5.52117 4.31158 5.53316 4.32846 5.549L8.85585 9.71283C8.97448 9.8222 9.15822 9.82172 9.27637 9.71139L13.7382 5.54989C13.7479 5.54077 13.758 5.5331 13.7686 5.52686Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

    </ul>
    <div class="permalink" data-controller="clipboard">
      <p>Share link</p>
      <div class="control -has-addons">
        <input type="text" value="https://andreavestby.com/blogs/beyond-the-fallout/posts/5922779/roses-and-thorns" data-clipboard-target="source" data-share-dialog-target="urlInput" data-action="click->share-dialog#selectUrl" readonly="true">
        <span class="control__suffix">
          <a class="button -simple -compact -icon-only" data-clipboard-target="button" data-action="clipboard#copy">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 16 16" class="icon" width="16px" height="18px"><path d="M4.166.597c-.184 0-.369.15-.369.342v1.365c0 .191.185.341.369.341h9.189v9.216c0 .191.15.342.341.342h1.365c.191 0 .342-.15.342-.342V.94a.338.338 0 00-.342-.342H4.166zm7.44 3.798H.34A.338.338 0 000 4.736v10.923c0 .19.15.341.341.341h10.923c.191 0 .341-.15.341-.341V4.395z" fill-rule="evenodd"></path></svg>
          </a>
        </span>
      </div>
    </div>
  </dialog>
</div></li>
  </ul>

  <p class="post-info"></p>
</footer>


</article>  <article class="post blog-article full-item post-full" data-controller="zoogle-video" data-action="message@window-&gt;zoogle-video#handleVimeoPostMessage">
    
<h2 class="heading-secondary heading-blog alt-font">
  <a href="/blog/blog/5906046/every-little-blessing">Every Little Blessing</a>&nbsp;
</h2>

<div class="post">
  <div class="message"><p><img src="//images.zoogletools.com/u/329097/723a40a0060be8c2a30a4705c7bc83ff030e698f/original/andrea-135.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Hi Everyone! </p>
<p>In every tough circumstance I have walked through, there is one thing that has been so important to me and that is reflecting on every little blessing.  No matter how little the blessing.  There is always at least one thing to be thankful for. </p>
<p>I try every day to list a few things to thank God for, no matter how small or big.  I believe it is important to guard my heart against bitter thoughts, against being negative and against thinking critically.  I have tried my best to remain an optimist, which is challenging some days. </p>
<p>I believe strongly in what it says in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 &amp; 18: </p>
<p>“Make your life a prayer.  And in the midst of everything be always giving thanks, for this is God’s perfect plan for you in Christ Jesus.”  The Passion Translation </p>
<p>In my darkest days, I could thank God for those in my life who surrounded me with love and  helped me where they could. I could give thanks for the little things my kids would do that would put a smile on my face in the middle of my sadness and brokenness.  For the many pictures the kids would draw, the jokes they would tell, the little hugs they would give, and their boundless energy that kept me busy. Too busy during the day to stew over how I was feeling.  Sometimes that felt like a good thing. </p>
<p>One of my favourite memories during this time of my life, was two little fingerprints.  My daughter was only three and by accident she left two little fingerprints on my windshield, directly above my steering wheel.  It created a perfect heart.  When I would drive at night, the lights from the oncoming traffic would light up her heart-shaped prints and it would always put a smile on my face.  It would remind me of how in the hard times, I had the beautiful love of a child. </p>
<p>I wrote a song about her little fingerprints. It was one of those little blessings that meant the world to me.  I called it Fingerprints. I knew she would grow older one day and I wouldn’t have that van anymore.  Believe me, I left her fingerprints on my windshield for more than three years, I wouldn’t let anyone clean them away.  I wanted to forever remember counting every little blessing. </p>
<p>I believe a shift happens in our souls when we start giving thanks for the good things, no matter how small, and refuse to focus on only the bad things.  The bad things don’t go away and we need to process them and heal, however, there is a time for that and a time for focusing on the good.  It doesn’t do us any good emotionally and physically to only focus on those things that weigh us down. </p>
<p>I want to encourage each of you to think of one or two things each day to be thankful for.  Count every little blessing.  See how it changes your heart and your perspective.  The hardest things we have to walk through can sometimes become a little more bearable, when we have noticed the things that have made us feel thankful. </p>
<p>May God reveal to you today and this week every little blessing! </p>
<p>Blessings, </p>
<p>Andrea Vestby</p></div>
</div>


<footer class="meta blog-footer clearfix">
    <p class="post-info"><span data-time="2019-09-26T21:25:55-06:00" title="September 26, 2019 21:25">09/26/2019</span></p>

  <ul class="blog-actions pdf__hide">
    <li class="comment-count"><a title="Leave a comment" class="comment-link button button-secondary" href="/blog/blog/every-little-blessing#comments">Leave a comment</a></li>
      <li><div data-controller="share-dialog" data-share-dialog-url-value="https://andreavestby.com/blogs/beyond-the-fallout/posts/5906046/every-little-blessing" data-share-dialog-title-value="Every Little Blessing" data-share-dialog-text-value="" data-share-dialog-fb-app-id-value="286076425227">
  <a class="button button-tertiary zoogle-share pdf__hide" title="Share Every Little Blessing" data-action="click-&gt;share-dialog#open" href="javascript:void(0)">
    <i class="icon-share"></i>Share
</a>
  <dialog data-share-dialog-target="dialog" data-action="click->share-dialog#clickOutside" class="dialog dialog-share style-section-style-1">
    <button class="dialog-close" data-action="click-&gt;share-dialog#close" aria-label="close">
      <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 11 11" class="icon" width="12px" height="12px"><path d="M6.755 5.502l3.836 3.97-1.438 1.39-3.81-3.942-3.926 3.942L0 9.452 3.953 5.48 0 1.39 1.438 0l3.927 4.064L9.41 0l1.417 1.411-4.073 4.091z" fill-rule="evenodd"></path></svg>
</button>    <div class="share_desc">
      <div>
        <span data-share-dialog-target="title">Every Little Blessing</span>
        <br>
        <span class="byline" data-share-dialog-target="byline">
        </span>
      </div>
    </div>

    <ul class="share_icons">
      <li class="threads">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="threadsLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="550" data-popup-window-height-value="357" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 36 36" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M36 18C36 8.05887 27.9411 0 18 0C8.05887 0 0 8.05887 0 18C0 27.9411 8.05887 36 18 36C27.9411 36 36 27.9411 36 18ZM23.7524 16.9806C23.8587 17.0263 23.9638 17.074 24.0671 17.1235C25.5284 17.8245 26.597 18.8859 27.1575 20.1926C27.9387 22.0149 28.0101 24.9832 25.6397 27.3514C23.828 29.1615 21.6287 29.9784 18.5087 30H18.4946C14.9852 29.9757 12.2865 28.7948 10.4735 26.4901C8.86024 24.4393 8.02805 21.5855 8.00009 18.0084L8 18L8.00009 17.9916C8.02805 14.4145 8.86024 11.5608 10.4735 9.50991C12.2865 7.20522 14.9852 6.02431 18.4946 6H18.5087C22.0252 6.02439 24.7545 7.20084 26.6206 9.49675C27.5414 10.6295 28.218 11.9953 28.648 13.5803L26.6296 14.1188C26.2749 12.8311 25.7368 11.7267 25.023 10.8485C23.5674 9.05767 21.3735 8.13891 18.5016 8.11756C15.6505 8.13875 13.4942 9.05311 12.0923 10.8353C10.7794 12.5042 10.101 14.9147 10.0757 18C10.101 21.0853 10.7794 23.4958 12.0923 25.1646C13.4942 26.9469 15.6505 27.8612 18.5017 27.8824C21.072 27.8635 22.7728 27.252 24.1876 25.8385C25.8025 24.225 25.7724 22.2459 25.2559 21.0415C24.9521 20.333 24.4021 19.7436 23.66 19.2957C23.4792 20.6429 23.0699 21.712 22.4226 22.537C21.5704 23.6234 20.3487 24.2175 18.7915 24.3029C17.6124 24.3673 16.4778 24.0829 15.5969 23.5014C14.555 22.8135 13.9452 21.7605 13.8799 20.5365C13.7514 18.1235 15.6656 16.3869 18.6431 16.2154C19.7001 16.1548 20.6889 16.2026 21.6031 16.358C21.4818 15.6156 21.2366 15.0274 20.8701 14.6018C20.3665 14.0171 19.5884 13.7173 18.5572 13.7107L18.5286 13.7106C17.7006 13.7106 16.5765 13.9423 15.8601 15.0291L14.1378 13.8476C15.0966 12.3926 16.6546 11.593 18.5278 11.593L18.5702 11.5931C21.702 11.6131 23.5671 13.5673 23.7524 16.9806ZM15.9524 20.4215C16.0193 21.6761 17.3751 22.2619 18.6801 22.1884C19.9578 22.1182 21.408 21.6169 21.6553 18.5291C20.9924 18.3842 20.2633 18.3085 19.4839 18.3085C19.247 18.3085 19.0059 18.3154 18.7602 18.3296C16.6145 18.4533 15.9029 19.4913 15.9524 20.4215Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="facebook">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="facebookLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="550" data-popup-window-height-value="357" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 18 18" class="icon"><path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M9 0a9 9 0 110 18A9 9 0 019 0zm2.606 4H10.24c-1.575 0-2.17.77-2.215 2.076l-.002.166v1.034H7V9h1.023V14h2.046V9h1.365l.181-1.724H10.07l.003-.862c0-.417.036-.655.553-.687l.128-.003h.853V4z"></path></svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="twitter">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="twitterLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="685" data-popup-window-height-value="246" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 36 36" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M36 18C36 8.05887 27.9411 0 18 0C8.05887 0 0 8.05887 0 18C0 27.9411 8.05887 36 18 36C27.9411 36 36 27.9411 36 18ZM26.4163 9L19.7142 16.6226L27.0001 27H21.6396L16.7316 20.0104L10.5876 27H9L16.0278 19.0075L9 9H14.3604L19.0068 15.6173L24.8287 9H26.4163ZM13.5996 10.1714H11.1606L22.3878 25.8861H24.8275L13.5996 10.1714Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="email">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="emailLink" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 18 18" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M18 9C18 4.02944 13.9706 0 9 0C4.02944 0 0 4.02944 0 9C0 13.9706 4.02944 18 9 18C13.9706 18 18 13.9706 18 9ZM4.02511 5.73566C4.00872 5.77691 4.00004 5.82153 4.00004 5.86854L4 12.1317C4 12.1897 4.0135 12.2449 4.03762 12.2938C4.04581 12.2775 4.05691 12.2621 4.07041 12.2482L7.39793 8.87439L4.0772 5.81961C4.05116 5.79611 4.0338 5.76684 4.02511 5.73566ZM4.34327 12.4991L4.34195 12.499L7.67 9.12427L8.60412 9.98343C8.86598 10.2242 9.26962 10.2228 9.52956 9.98007L10.4564 9.11563L13.768 12.4736C13.7251 12.4904 13.6783 12.5 13.6296 12.5H4.3704C4.3612 12.5 4.35243 12.4996 4.34327 12.4991ZM13.9971 12.1795L10.727 8.86376L13.9913 5.81857C13.9932 5.81713 13.9947 5.81569 13.9961 5.81425C13.9986 5.832 14 5.85023 14 5.86846V12.1315C14 12.1478 13.999 12.1637 13.9971 12.1795ZM13.7686 5.52686C13.7257 5.50959 13.6789 5.5 13.6297 5.5L4.37041 5.50006C4.33617 5.50006 4.30338 5.50486 4.27155 5.5135C4.29229 5.52117 4.31158 5.53316 4.32846 5.549L8.85585 9.71283C8.97448 9.8222 9.15822 9.82172 9.27637 9.71139L13.7382 5.54989C13.7479 5.54077 13.758 5.5331 13.7686 5.52686Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

    </ul>
    <div class="permalink" data-controller="clipboard">
      <p>Share link</p>
      <div class="control -has-addons">
        <input type="text" value="https://andreavestby.com/blogs/beyond-the-fallout/posts/5906046/every-little-blessing" data-clipboard-target="source" data-share-dialog-target="urlInput" data-action="click->share-dialog#selectUrl" readonly="true">
        <span class="control__suffix">
          <a class="button -simple -compact -icon-only" data-clipboard-target="button" data-action="clipboard#copy">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 16 16" class="icon" width="16px" height="18px"><path d="M4.166.597c-.184 0-.369.15-.369.342v1.365c0 .191.185.341.369.341h9.189v9.216c0 .191.15.342.341.342h1.365c.191 0 .342-.15.342-.342V.94a.338.338 0 00-.342-.342H4.166zm7.44 3.798H.34A.338.338 0 000 4.736v10.923c0 .19.15.341.341.341h10.923c.191 0 .341-.15.341-.341V4.395z" fill-rule="evenodd"></path></svg>
          </a>
        </span>
      </div>
    </div>
  </dialog>
</div></li>
  </ul>

  <p class="post-info"></p>
</footer>


</article>  <article class="post blog-article full-item post-full" data-controller="zoogle-video" data-action="message@window-&gt;zoogle-video#handleVimeoPostMessage">
    
<h2 class="heading-secondary heading-blog alt-font">
  <a href="/blog/blog/5898824/you-are-not-the-only-one">You are Not the Only One</a>&nbsp;
</h2>

<div class="post">
  <div class="message"><p><img src="//images.zoogletools.com/u/329097/ee0e07b2af836b874d3e94e52304bb5246571104/original/untitled-design-2.png/!!/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Hi Everyone! </p>
<p>I started attending a course called Family Connections to learn more about emotional dysregulation.  The first class was an overview and all about getting to know the Instructors and the fellow attendees.  It reminded me that no matter what we are going through in life, we are not the only ones and we are definitely not alone. </p>
<p>So many of their stories resonated with events in my life that I had gone through in one way or another, as my children and I journeyed through healing from abuse and divorce.  We have had our share of struggles with mental illness; depression, anxiety, PTSD, and bipolar to name a few. </p>
<p>I remember when the tough times hit, my first impulse was to isolate myself from others.  I didn’t want to have to explain what was happening in my life and I didn’t want any judgement either.  Life was hard enough to get through without anyone adding to it. </p>
<p>However, what I fail to realize is that we all have a story and things we’ve had to walk through.  All too often we put up a false front, so that others think things are great. How sad that we can’t just be real with each other and tell the truth.  How important it is to share our burdens with one another and not feel like we carry the weight of it alone.  It is so invaluable to learn that you are not the only one who has gone through something. </p>
<p>Ecclesiastes 1:9 says, “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.” </p>
<p>There is nothing new.  It’s only new to us when something happens that we are completely unprepared for, ashamed of, or struggling with.  For example, this past month when my son went into the hospital due to mental illness, I was struggling with my emotions over the situation.  I was overwhelmed.  The moment I phoned my cousin, who’s own son had struggled with mental illness, I felt relief.  She listened, let me cry and she prayed with me.  She offered the understanding I needed so that I didn’t feel like I was alone in my struggles. I was not the only one. </p>
<p>I want to encourage you, it is refreshing to the soul to speak to someone who knows your struggles and can share in your journey with you.  I recommend you use wisdom; not everyone is understanding and non-judgemental.  However, look for the right person who shows understanding and kindness.  Look for the person who is a good listener or who you know has faced tough times in their past, or is facing something similar presently. </p>
<p>I want to encourage all who have found healing to look for those who need encouragement, who need someone to talk to, who need someone who’s willing to be real with them.  It says in Ephesians 4:2, “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”  I believe we can love others by being truthful and honest, being real about our lives and helping each other understand that in this life we are not the only ones. </p>
<p>Help someone today to realize they are not alone and not the only one.  Please share this encouragement with others.  If you have no one to talk to, please email me at info@andreavestby.com.  I would love to support you on your journey.  Let’s shake it up a little and be real with each other! </p>
<p>Blessings! </p>
<p>Andrea Vestby</p></div>
</div>


<footer class="meta blog-footer clearfix">
    <p class="post-info"><span data-time="2019-09-19T22:13:01-06:00" title="September 19, 2019 22:13">09/19/2019</span></p>

  <ul class="blog-actions pdf__hide">
    <li class="comment-count"><a title="Leave a comment" class="comment-link button button-secondary" href="/blog/blog/you-are-not-the-only-one#comments">Leave a comment</a></li>
      <li><div data-controller="share-dialog" data-share-dialog-url-value="https://andreavestby.com/blogs/beyond-the-fallout/posts/5898824/you-are-not-the-only-one" data-share-dialog-title-value="You are Not the Only One" data-share-dialog-text-value="" data-share-dialog-fb-app-id-value="286076425227">
  <a class="button button-tertiary zoogle-share pdf__hide" title="Share You are Not the Only One" data-action="click-&gt;share-dialog#open" href="javascript:void(0)">
    <i class="icon-share"></i>Share
</a>
  <dialog data-share-dialog-target="dialog" data-action="click->share-dialog#clickOutside" class="dialog dialog-share style-section-style-1">
    <button class="dialog-close" data-action="click-&gt;share-dialog#close" aria-label="close">
      <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 11 11" class="icon" width="12px" height="12px"><path d="M6.755 5.502l3.836 3.97-1.438 1.39-3.81-3.942-3.926 3.942L0 9.452 3.953 5.48 0 1.39 1.438 0l3.927 4.064L9.41 0l1.417 1.411-4.073 4.091z" fill-rule="evenodd"></path></svg>
</button>    <div class="share_desc">
      <div>
        <span data-share-dialog-target="title">You are Not the Only One</span>
        <br>
        <span class="byline" data-share-dialog-target="byline">
        </span>
      </div>
    </div>

    <ul class="share_icons">
      <li class="threads">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="threadsLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="550" data-popup-window-height-value="357" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 36 36" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M36 18C36 8.05887 27.9411 0 18 0C8.05887 0 0 8.05887 0 18C0 27.9411 8.05887 36 18 36C27.9411 36 36 27.9411 36 18ZM23.7524 16.9806C23.8587 17.0263 23.9638 17.074 24.0671 17.1235C25.5284 17.8245 26.597 18.8859 27.1575 20.1926C27.9387 22.0149 28.0101 24.9832 25.6397 27.3514C23.828 29.1615 21.6287 29.9784 18.5087 30H18.4946C14.9852 29.9757 12.2865 28.7948 10.4735 26.4901C8.86024 24.4393 8.02805 21.5855 8.00009 18.0084L8 18L8.00009 17.9916C8.02805 14.4145 8.86024 11.5608 10.4735 9.50991C12.2865 7.20522 14.9852 6.02431 18.4946 6H18.5087C22.0252 6.02439 24.7545 7.20084 26.6206 9.49675C27.5414 10.6295 28.218 11.9953 28.648 13.5803L26.6296 14.1188C26.2749 12.8311 25.7368 11.7267 25.023 10.8485C23.5674 9.05767 21.3735 8.13891 18.5016 8.11756C15.6505 8.13875 13.4942 9.05311 12.0923 10.8353C10.7794 12.5042 10.101 14.9147 10.0757 18C10.101 21.0853 10.7794 23.4958 12.0923 25.1646C13.4942 26.9469 15.6505 27.8612 18.5017 27.8824C21.072 27.8635 22.7728 27.252 24.1876 25.8385C25.8025 24.225 25.7724 22.2459 25.2559 21.0415C24.9521 20.333 24.4021 19.7436 23.66 19.2957C23.4792 20.6429 23.0699 21.712 22.4226 22.537C21.5704 23.6234 20.3487 24.2175 18.7915 24.3029C17.6124 24.3673 16.4778 24.0829 15.5969 23.5014C14.555 22.8135 13.9452 21.7605 13.8799 20.5365C13.7514 18.1235 15.6656 16.3869 18.6431 16.2154C19.7001 16.1548 20.6889 16.2026 21.6031 16.358C21.4818 15.6156 21.2366 15.0274 20.8701 14.6018C20.3665 14.0171 19.5884 13.7173 18.5572 13.7107L18.5286 13.7106C17.7006 13.7106 16.5765 13.9423 15.8601 15.0291L14.1378 13.8476C15.0966 12.3926 16.6546 11.593 18.5278 11.593L18.5702 11.5931C21.702 11.6131 23.5671 13.5673 23.7524 16.9806ZM15.9524 20.4215C16.0193 21.6761 17.3751 22.2619 18.6801 22.1884C19.9578 22.1182 21.408 21.6169 21.6553 18.5291C20.9924 18.3842 20.2633 18.3085 19.4839 18.3085C19.247 18.3085 19.0059 18.3154 18.7602 18.3296C16.6145 18.4533 15.9029 19.4913 15.9524 20.4215Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="facebook">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="facebookLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="550" data-popup-window-height-value="357" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 18 18" class="icon"><path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M9 0a9 9 0 110 18A9 9 0 019 0zm2.606 4H10.24c-1.575 0-2.17.77-2.215 2.076l-.002.166v1.034H7V9h1.023V14h2.046V9h1.365l.181-1.724H10.07l.003-.862c0-.417.036-.655.553-.687l.128-.003h.853V4z"></path></svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="twitter">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="twitterLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="685" data-popup-window-height-value="246" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 36 36" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M36 18C36 8.05887 27.9411 0 18 0C8.05887 0 0 8.05887 0 18C0 27.9411 8.05887 36 18 36C27.9411 36 36 27.9411 36 18ZM26.4163 9L19.7142 16.6226L27.0001 27H21.6396L16.7316 20.0104L10.5876 27H9L16.0278 19.0075L9 9H14.3604L19.0068 15.6173L24.8287 9H26.4163ZM13.5996 10.1714H11.1606L22.3878 25.8861H24.8275L13.5996 10.1714Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="email">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="emailLink" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 18 18" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M18 9C18 4.02944 13.9706 0 9 0C4.02944 0 0 4.02944 0 9C0 13.9706 4.02944 18 9 18C13.9706 18 18 13.9706 18 9ZM4.02511 5.73566C4.00872 5.77691 4.00004 5.82153 4.00004 5.86854L4 12.1317C4 12.1897 4.0135 12.2449 4.03762 12.2938C4.04581 12.2775 4.05691 12.2621 4.07041 12.2482L7.39793 8.87439L4.0772 5.81961C4.05116 5.79611 4.0338 5.76684 4.02511 5.73566ZM4.34327 12.4991L4.34195 12.499L7.67 9.12427L8.60412 9.98343C8.86598 10.2242 9.26962 10.2228 9.52956 9.98007L10.4564 9.11563L13.768 12.4736C13.7251 12.4904 13.6783 12.5 13.6296 12.5H4.3704C4.3612 12.5 4.35243 12.4996 4.34327 12.4991ZM13.9971 12.1795L10.727 8.86376L13.9913 5.81857C13.9932 5.81713 13.9947 5.81569 13.9961 5.81425C13.9986 5.832 14 5.85023 14 5.86846V12.1315C14 12.1478 13.999 12.1637 13.9971 12.1795ZM13.7686 5.52686C13.7257 5.50959 13.6789 5.5 13.6297 5.5L4.37041 5.50006C4.33617 5.50006 4.30338 5.50486 4.27155 5.5135C4.29229 5.52117 4.31158 5.53316 4.32846 5.549L8.85585 9.71283C8.97448 9.8222 9.15822 9.82172 9.27637 9.71139L13.7382 5.54989C13.7479 5.54077 13.758 5.5331 13.7686 5.52686Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

    </ul>
    <div class="permalink" data-controller="clipboard">
      <p>Share link</p>
      <div class="control -has-addons">
        <input type="text" value="https://andreavestby.com/blogs/beyond-the-fallout/posts/5898824/you-are-not-the-only-one" data-clipboard-target="source" data-share-dialog-target="urlInput" data-action="click->share-dialog#selectUrl" readonly="true">
        <span class="control__suffix">
          <a class="button -simple -compact -icon-only" data-clipboard-target="button" data-action="clipboard#copy">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 16 16" class="icon" width="16px" height="18px"><path d="M4.166.597c-.184 0-.369.15-.369.342v1.365c0 .191.185.341.369.341h9.189v9.216c0 .191.15.342.341.342h1.365c.191 0 .342-.15.342-.342V.94a.338.338 0 00-.342-.342H4.166zm7.44 3.798H.34A.338.338 0 000 4.736v10.923c0 .19.15.341.341.341h10.923c.191 0 .341-.15.341-.341V4.395z" fill-rule="evenodd"></path></svg>
          </a>
        </span>
      </div>
    </div>
  </dialog>
</div></li>
  </ul>

  <p class="post-info"></p>
</footer>


</article>  <article class="post blog-article full-item post-full" data-controller="zoogle-video" data-action="message@window-&gt;zoogle-video#handleVimeoPostMessage">
    
<h2 class="heading-secondary heading-blog alt-font">
  <a href="/blog/blog/5889016/live-with-no-guilt">Live With No Guilt</a>&nbsp;
</h2>

<div class="post">
  <div class="message"><p><img src="//images.zoogletools.com/u/329097/2f6b6b1ec754b30c8b69992ab8990eb31536d9ad/original/live-with-no-guilt.png/!!/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Hi Everyone! </p>
<p>I wanted to post a video, as I had shared last week, of the song Be In The Moment.  However, I had technical difficulties and will have to post that when I have it recorded properly.  I am so sorry for not sharing it this week. </p>
<p>So instead, I thought I would share from my heart a part of my story.  One of my biggest struggles, after living with abuse and divorce, was living with guilt.  I had stayed in a relationship longer than I should have.  It hurt me, but it also hurt my children.  I noticed that the burden of guilt weighed down my children, as much as it did me. </p>
<p>The Cambridge dictionary defines guilt as a feeling of worry or unhappiness that you have because you have done something wrong, such as causing harm to another person. </p>
<p>I had a heavy heart, feelings of guilt and my own sense of condemnation.  I was condemning myself for staying in the abuse, for how it affected my children, and for not recognizing how unhealthy our lives were until it became painfully obvious.  There were so many things I wish I could have changed.  So many things we lived through, that I couldn’t change, but wish had never happened. </p>
<p>Romans 8:1 says, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…”  The word condemnation according to the Oxford dictionary means the expression of very strong disapproval. </p>
<p>The one thing I had to learn was the difference between feeling guilty and feeling condemned. I had a strong sense of disapproval of myself, why had I stayed until it had gotten so bad.  Yet, how could I have fully known how life would go.  I was not in control of the choices my ex made.  Yet, I was in control of my choices.  I didn’t recognize the abuse, and I didn’t get out when I should have.  Staying so long caused so many wounds that needed healing. </p>
<p>So, how did I find healing? </p>
<p>A counsellor recommended a book to me called Self Compassion by Dr. Kristin Neff.  It opened my eyes and my heart to understand forgiveness more.  The one thing I am really good at is self-criticism, which makes living with guilt so much easier.  However, the book walked me through the journey of learning self-compassion and forgiveness.  Simply put, if a friend came to me and shared everything that I was dealing with, what would be my response? What would my advice be to that friend? </p>
<p>I would tell my friend I was so sorry she experienced such suffering and I would encourage her that it was not her fault.  I would want her not to feel guilty or condemned.  I would encourage her to let go of the things she couldn’t change and to have grace for herself.  I would want her to forgive herself from perceived failings and find peace in her heart. </p>
<p>So, I had to put this into practice.  Each day, I would pray and ask God for wisdom and strength to let go of the guilt and the condemnation I felt that was really not mine to hold or carry.  I would pray for peace in my heart.  I would remember how Jesus forgave us, and that I deserved the same forgiveness for myself.  He thought I was worthy and I needed to find my own sense of worth again.  The guilt could not define my life.  I learned to let go of living with guilt and I embraced the freedom God had for me. </p>
<p>It doesn’t mean I don’t remember the past; it changed my life.  However, I’m not living with the guilt anymore.  I pray that this encourages you to have self-compassion, to forgive, and to let go of guilt and condemnation.  I pray you find peace and freedom to be who God made you to be. </p>
<p>If you know someone living with guilt, please share this encouragement with them, that they may find freedom too. </p>
<p>Blessings! </p>
<p>Andrea Vestby</p></div>
</div>


<footer class="meta blog-footer clearfix">
    <p class="post-info"><span data-time="2019-09-11T22:14:52-06:00" title="September 11, 2019 22:14">09/11/2019</span></p>

  <ul class="blog-actions pdf__hide">
    <li class="comment-count"><a title="Leave a comment" class="comment-link button button-secondary" href="/blog/blog/live-with-no-guilt#comments">Leave a comment</a></li>
      <li><div data-controller="share-dialog" data-share-dialog-url-value="https://andreavestby.com/blogs/beyond-the-fallout/posts/5889016/live-with-no-guilt" data-share-dialog-title-value="Live With No Guilt" data-share-dialog-text-value="" data-share-dialog-fb-app-id-value="286076425227">
  <a class="button button-tertiary zoogle-share pdf__hide" title="Share Live With No Guilt" data-action="click-&gt;share-dialog#open" href="javascript:void(0)">
    <i class="icon-share"></i>Share
</a>
  <dialog data-share-dialog-target="dialog" data-action="click->share-dialog#clickOutside" class="dialog dialog-share style-section-style-1">
    <button class="dialog-close" data-action="click-&gt;share-dialog#close" aria-label="close">
      <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 11 11" class="icon" width="12px" height="12px"><path d="M6.755 5.502l3.836 3.97-1.438 1.39-3.81-3.942-3.926 3.942L0 9.452 3.953 5.48 0 1.39 1.438 0l3.927 4.064L9.41 0l1.417 1.411-4.073 4.091z" fill-rule="evenodd"></path></svg>
</button>    <div class="share_desc">
      <div>
        <span data-share-dialog-target="title">Live With No Guilt</span>
        <br>
        <span class="byline" data-share-dialog-target="byline">
        </span>
      </div>
    </div>

    <ul class="share_icons">
      <li class="threads">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="threadsLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="550" data-popup-window-height-value="357" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 36 36" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M36 18C36 8.05887 27.9411 0 18 0C8.05887 0 0 8.05887 0 18C0 27.9411 8.05887 36 18 36C27.9411 36 36 27.9411 36 18ZM23.7524 16.9806C23.8587 17.0263 23.9638 17.074 24.0671 17.1235C25.5284 17.8245 26.597 18.8859 27.1575 20.1926C27.9387 22.0149 28.0101 24.9832 25.6397 27.3514C23.828 29.1615 21.6287 29.9784 18.5087 30H18.4946C14.9852 29.9757 12.2865 28.7948 10.4735 26.4901C8.86024 24.4393 8.02805 21.5855 8.00009 18.0084L8 18L8.00009 17.9916C8.02805 14.4145 8.86024 11.5608 10.4735 9.50991C12.2865 7.20522 14.9852 6.02431 18.4946 6H18.5087C22.0252 6.02439 24.7545 7.20084 26.6206 9.49675C27.5414 10.6295 28.218 11.9953 28.648 13.5803L26.6296 14.1188C26.2749 12.8311 25.7368 11.7267 25.023 10.8485C23.5674 9.05767 21.3735 8.13891 18.5016 8.11756C15.6505 8.13875 13.4942 9.05311 12.0923 10.8353C10.7794 12.5042 10.101 14.9147 10.0757 18C10.101 21.0853 10.7794 23.4958 12.0923 25.1646C13.4942 26.9469 15.6505 27.8612 18.5017 27.8824C21.072 27.8635 22.7728 27.252 24.1876 25.8385C25.8025 24.225 25.7724 22.2459 25.2559 21.0415C24.9521 20.333 24.4021 19.7436 23.66 19.2957C23.4792 20.6429 23.0699 21.712 22.4226 22.537C21.5704 23.6234 20.3487 24.2175 18.7915 24.3029C17.6124 24.3673 16.4778 24.0829 15.5969 23.5014C14.555 22.8135 13.9452 21.7605 13.8799 20.5365C13.7514 18.1235 15.6656 16.3869 18.6431 16.2154C19.7001 16.1548 20.6889 16.2026 21.6031 16.358C21.4818 15.6156 21.2366 15.0274 20.8701 14.6018C20.3665 14.0171 19.5884 13.7173 18.5572 13.7107L18.5286 13.7106C17.7006 13.7106 16.5765 13.9423 15.8601 15.0291L14.1378 13.8476C15.0966 12.3926 16.6546 11.593 18.5278 11.593L18.5702 11.5931C21.702 11.6131 23.5671 13.5673 23.7524 16.9806ZM15.9524 20.4215C16.0193 21.6761 17.3751 22.2619 18.6801 22.1884C19.9578 22.1182 21.408 21.6169 21.6553 18.5291C20.9924 18.3842 20.2633 18.3085 19.4839 18.3085C19.247 18.3085 19.0059 18.3154 18.7602 18.3296C16.6145 18.4533 15.9029 19.4913 15.9524 20.4215Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="facebook">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="facebookLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="550" data-popup-window-height-value="357" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 18 18" class="icon"><path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M9 0a9 9 0 110 18A9 9 0 019 0zm2.606 4H10.24c-1.575 0-2.17.77-2.215 2.076l-.002.166v1.034H7V9h1.023V14h2.046V9h1.365l.181-1.724H10.07l.003-.862c0-.417.036-.655.553-.687l.128-.003h.853V4z"></path></svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="twitter">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="twitterLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="685" data-popup-window-height-value="246" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 36 36" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M36 18C36 8.05887 27.9411 0 18 0C8.05887 0 0 8.05887 0 18C0 27.9411 8.05887 36 18 36C27.9411 36 36 27.9411 36 18ZM26.4163 9L19.7142 16.6226L27.0001 27H21.6396L16.7316 20.0104L10.5876 27H9L16.0278 19.0075L9 9H14.3604L19.0068 15.6173L24.8287 9H26.4163ZM13.5996 10.1714H11.1606L22.3878 25.8861H24.8275L13.5996 10.1714Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="email">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="emailLink" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 18 18" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M18 9C18 4.02944 13.9706 0 9 0C4.02944 0 0 4.02944 0 9C0 13.9706 4.02944 18 9 18C13.9706 18 18 13.9706 18 9ZM4.02511 5.73566C4.00872 5.77691 4.00004 5.82153 4.00004 5.86854L4 12.1317C4 12.1897 4.0135 12.2449 4.03762 12.2938C4.04581 12.2775 4.05691 12.2621 4.07041 12.2482L7.39793 8.87439L4.0772 5.81961C4.05116 5.79611 4.0338 5.76684 4.02511 5.73566ZM4.34327 12.4991L4.34195 12.499L7.67 9.12427L8.60412 9.98343C8.86598 10.2242 9.26962 10.2228 9.52956 9.98007L10.4564 9.11563L13.768 12.4736C13.7251 12.4904 13.6783 12.5 13.6296 12.5H4.3704C4.3612 12.5 4.35243 12.4996 4.34327 12.4991ZM13.9971 12.1795L10.727 8.86376L13.9913 5.81857C13.9932 5.81713 13.9947 5.81569 13.9961 5.81425C13.9986 5.832 14 5.85023 14 5.86846V12.1315C14 12.1478 13.999 12.1637 13.9971 12.1795ZM13.7686 5.52686C13.7257 5.50959 13.6789 5.5 13.6297 5.5L4.37041 5.50006C4.33617 5.50006 4.30338 5.50486 4.27155 5.5135C4.29229 5.52117 4.31158 5.53316 4.32846 5.549L8.85585 9.71283C8.97448 9.8222 9.15822 9.82172 9.27637 9.71139L13.7382 5.54989C13.7479 5.54077 13.758 5.5331 13.7686 5.52686Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

    </ul>
    <div class="permalink" data-controller="clipboard">
      <p>Share link</p>
      <div class="control -has-addons">
        <input type="text" value="https://andreavestby.com/blogs/beyond-the-fallout/posts/5889016/live-with-no-guilt" data-clipboard-target="source" data-share-dialog-target="urlInput" data-action="click->share-dialog#selectUrl" readonly="true">
        <span class="control__suffix">
          <a class="button -simple -compact -icon-only" data-clipboard-target="button" data-action="clipboard#copy">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 16 16" class="icon" width="16px" height="18px"><path d="M4.166.597c-.184 0-.369.15-.369.342v1.365c0 .191.185.341.369.341h9.189v9.216c0 .191.15.342.341.342h1.365c.191 0 .342-.15.342-.342V.94a.338.338 0 00-.342-.342H4.166zm7.44 3.798H.34A.338.338 0 000 4.736v10.923c0 .19.15.341.341.341h10.923c.191 0 .341-.15.341-.341V4.395z" fill-rule="evenodd"></path></svg>
          </a>
        </span>
      </div>
    </div>
  </dialog>
</div></li>
  </ul>

  <p class="post-info"></p>
</footer>


</article>

</div></div>
    <nav class="pagination">
    <span class="first">
  <a data-remote="true" href="/blog/features/load/blog_feature_276013.turbo_stream?p=1"><span class='pagination-decoration icon icon-first'></span>First</a>
</span>

    <span class="prev">
  <a rel="prev" data-remote="true" href="/blog/features/load/blog_feature_276013.turbo_stream?p=1"><span class='pagination-decoration icon icon-previous'></span>Prev</a>
</span>
        <span class="page">
  <a rel="prev" data-remote="true" href="/blog/features/load/blog_feature_276013.turbo_stream?p=1">1</a>
</span>

        <span class="page current">
  2
</span>

        <span class="page">
  <a rel="next" data-remote="true" href="/blog/features/load/blog_feature_276013.turbo_stream?p=3">3</a>
</span>

      <span class="next">
  <a rel="next" data-remote="true" href="/blog/features/load/blog_feature_276013.turbo_stream?p=3">Next<span class='pagination-decoration icon icon-next'></span></a>
</span>
      <span class="last">
  <a data-remote="true" href="/blog/features/load/blog_feature_276013.turbo_stream?p=3">Last<span class='pagination-decoration icon icon-last'></span></a>
</span>

  </nav>




</template></turbo-stream>