16 Things I Learned in 2016

 2016 will soon be over.  I REALLY DO NOT UNDERSTAND THIS, PEOPLE.  I just can't wrap my mind around this.  HOW EVEN?! If someone could just explain this to me, that would be great, thanks.

 This year was one crazy year, and I'm going to do a wrap up post later this week, but in this post I'm just highlighting some things I learned in 2016.  Let's just say that I went into this year with a lot of expectations and things that I thought would happen, but they didn't.  Surprise! Eh, not really.  And sure, it was difficult to accept sometimes; BUT, I think that through situations in life where we don't understand why stuff happens or when it seems like everything is falling apart, it's in those moments that we truly learn about the power of God.  And what a good Father He is.

1.  Sometimes God's plans don't match yours.  That's okay.  I feel like this is one of the biggest things I learned this year.  A lot of things didn't go the way I wanted them to, but through it all, my challenge was, can I still say God is good? (Jeremiah 29:11).

2.  There is a lot to be grateful for, even when you feel anything but grateful. There were a lot of times this year when I felt like things weren't going how I'd wanted them to, but I learned that even though there are hard times, there is still so much to be grateful for.  I am blessed so much more than what I deserve. 

3.  God is preparing you for greater things.  And this gives me hope for life.  Hope that 2017 will be a blessed-beyond-measure year.  Hope that will stand regardless of whatever happens in the future.  Because my all-knowing God is in control of my unknown future. 

4.  It takes a strong girl to go against her emotions and obey God's will. This one really inspired me this summer.  There are so many temptations and choices that we have to make, but deep down, we all know what's right.  It's hard sometimes to do it, but it is so worth it to do the right thing.  This video was so encouraging for me.

5.  One cannot truly live unless he knows what he is willing to die for. For me this one wasn't like, literal.  But the message of this quote was what really struck out to me.  How far am I willing to go for what matters? How far am I willing to sacrifice my life for God and the things that matter? Ouch.

6.  Stay close to Jesus for true happiness and joy. There are a lot of things in life that do bring me joy, but ultimately, I learned that I can't put my full hope in those things, because they will disappoint sometime. Jesus is the only one that will always bring me true happiness. 

7.  All of life is all for JESUS. I think I found this quote on someone's Instagram bio this summer, but it's just one of those things that like...change your life. I can't even begin on this quote. 

8.  Living original isn't easy. I got this planner this year, and it really made me think.  Living original is a really easy thing to say, but wow, actually living original is quite possibly one of the hardest things ever.  

9.  Empty vessels make the most noise.  

10.  People change, people stay.  Don't put too much stock in them.  God comes, and God stays.  He's the only One that will never change; He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  And that gives me hope.  This year I had to let go of people, and I didn't want to, but I'm trusting that God will make something beautiful out of this. He is faithful. 

11.  Being in the center of God's will is what makes life worth living.  I know other years, my ultimate goal  was to 'live in the moment' and enjoy the moments.  That is great, and I love doing that, but what really makes life worth living? It's not the feelings and emotions, truthfully; it's God.  When I know that I'm doing what I'm supposed to be -- in the center of His will -- that makes life worth living. 

12.  Your abilities or lack thereof don't define you before the One who set the galaxies into motion.  I am so, so thankful I learned this one.  God doesn't look at what I can or can't do, and for that I am beyond grateful.  I may not be the most talented person at one particular thing, but that's okay!  God knows my name.  He created me (Psa. 139:14), and He loves me.

13.  Everything in life is fleeting, and only God is eternal.  People put so much time and effort into the here and now, and that is great and wonderful, but there's more to this life than that.  All the things we worry about will one day be...nothing.  Eternity is forever, and I want to build for eternity. 

14.  Comparing myself to others is the most useless thing I could possibly waste my time with.  "Comparison is the thief of joy" is an old, but true phrase. Wherever you are in life, there are people around you.  And sometimes it's easy to feel insecure when there are other people who look better, talk better, communicate better, just do "life" better than you. I BEG TO DIFFER. You are talented; you are good at it.   You are perfectly made, and you are gifted with the talents and abilities that only you have.  Not her, or him, or them, or anyone else. God made you special.  So comparing yourself to others is definitely, definitely never worth your time.

15.  Don't smile or say sorry if you don't mean it. I am all for being kind and smiling and saying sorry when you mess up, but I think there comes a point when it can be overused.  It is important, but think first. It'll mean more to you, and others.

16.  God's will only. I think this phrase wraps up 2016 in three words for me.  SO MUCH went on this year, not only in my life, but like, IN THE WORLD.  There were some times when 2016 was a really difficult year to live through, but there were also times when it was genuinely beautiful.  And yet, through it all, Jesus is on the throne and He is King. 

 Thank God.

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So thank you all for reading this post!  You are absolutely fabulous.  What was 2016 like for you? This post was kind of like all the more serious things I learned this year -- but there were other things too. 
 (*cough* thebeautifulnessthatiswaffles ;) I'm going to be doing a 2016 wrap-up post later this week, so this isn't my last post for this year. 

So what are some things you learned in 2016? CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT 2017 WILL BE HERE IN LESS THAN ONE WEEK?? This is so crazy, guys.  I just can't believe this. Are you all excited for the new year?

 have an amazing day and don't forget to smile :) 

-autumn