Haley Treiber

**DISCLAIMER** I am just starting my journey with God and by no means are where I want to be with Him, but felt that I needed to write this post today. I ask that you please be mindful of where am I at in my struggle and do not post negative comments!

I've recently made a decision to become closer to God and build my relationship with Him. I've been reading "The Purpose Driven Life" and watching the LIVE service every Sunday at Bridgepoint Church (still building my courage to actually go to the REAL service). I'm making baby steps, but they are STEPS towards my relationship with Him. 

It's funny how God works in our lives and he knew exactly what kind of message I have been needing to hear. About 4 weeks ago, I started attending the live service online with the "CHANGE" series. Bridgepoint Church usually does 4-6 week series where they discuss certain topics/issues that we face today. I usually make excuses and say I will start watching when the new series starts so I can start at the beginning. But I came in late with the CHANGE series and it was like God knew that THIS SERMON was exactly the one I needed to start with! The whole CHANGE series made me come face to face with SEVERAL things I've been struggling with and there are a few things I'm still fearful to change. When the pastor asked to write the things we needed to change, I STRUGGLED with coming face to face with my faults. BUT, I realized that God is with me and is meeting me on my level and going to change one thing at a time! 

I sat up all night tossing and turning with the message He delivered to me yesterday and whether or not I should share this! Because I'm so new in my journey with Him, I felt like I couldn't really write about my relationship with Him so far and how he is working within me to CHANGE. I am looking forward to the changes, but at the same time those changes are scaring the living daylights out of me!

Like me, some of you are also struggling to change! I previously wrote, I'm without my husband and I've used that as an excuse to slip back into my unhealthy eating habits and drinking wine everyday. I kept telling myself that it's okay for me to do that because I'm alone, feeling sad, and feeling an empty void! But I was trying fill a void that couldn't be filled with fast food and alcohol. I'm trying to make those small changes and put my TRUST in God, but the struggle is a real struggle daily! We all struggle and we all slip back into our old ways...and I've done it too! But we have to take a step and make the decision to change our old habits and put trust in Him!

So whether you are trying to break that cigarette addiction, your wino mindset, your unhealthy eating binges, or if you are trying to start a new healthy habit...you have to start somewhere and make a CHANGE! 

Whether you are the spiritual/religious type or not, there are going to be days where you will want to slip back and you will struggle to say NO to those bad habits, but remember there was something missing from your life and made you want to change...ALWAYS remember why you wanted to change and keep that mindset in the FOREFRONT of your head!!! Heck...write it on a bunch of POST-ITS and stick them up on your bathroom mirror or on your coffee maker! 

We are all human! We all struggle to change and having people who are in the same boat as you, helps with the struggle! If you are wanting to change something, but don't know where to start, please reach out to me or someone! It just takes the first step of admitting you need to change...the change will happen if you let it!  

Here is the first CHANGE sermon I watched that helped me with my struggle! I think it could help you too!