For many years I would ask myself where it was that I thought I would be 10, 20, even 50 years down the line. Â God and family were always included in my vision for my life but I never saw my purpose until recently. Â That purpose has been carved out for me through Blogging for God’s glory. Â What was once a mystery has now taken form.
It has been one year since I have started Christian Blogging and just in case you missed it, I wrote about the challenges of blogging here in Part One.
I very well couldn’t list all of the challenges without also listing the immense blessings that I’ve experienced. Â I tell you of these blessings, not to boast in what I’m doing, but what God is doing.
The Blessings of Blogging
Boldness/Stepping out in Faith
At the beginning of the year the Lord put the word “boldness” on my heart. Â This was way out of left field for me because this is definitely not a word I would associate with myself. Â In fact, I’m probably the exact opposite.
Yet, God spoke this word to me saying that this year I would step out in ways I never had before. Â That I would speak and write things that I normally wouldn’t. Â That my introverted shell would be shattered and I would venture outside of my comfort zone. Â This made me really nervous because I liked my place of comfort…a lot.
Then the Lord reminded me of a passage of scripture…
“This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid hands on you.  For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
2 Timothy 1:6-7 Â NLT
My spirit is no longer that of fear. Â If I allow fear to grip me, then I won’t be as effective as the Lord wants me to be.
If I allow fear to grip me, then I won't be as effective as the Lord wants me to be Share on X
Overcoming Challenges
When you become part of the technical world challenges come at you from all directions. Â For example…codes don’t work, plug-ins are interfering, and your host has crashed. Â The beautiful part of those challenges is that God provides a way for you to get through them.
That’s exactly what He has done for me. Â The Lord has shown me that He has been equipping me from the get go. Â Things that once made me nervous and incited feelings of panic are now simple for me. Â For instance, when I first started blogging I started on the Blogger platform. Â I hadn’t the foggiest idea how to get started on WordPress. Â Yet, I felt His gentle nudging to transfer my site. Â I was overwhelmed at the thought of it, but I found when I took action the doors opened. Â Things that I once found confusing suddenly made sense. Â This wasn’t because I had figured it out on my own, but because He equipped me with what I needed to understand. Â It was by the power of His spirit, not my own. Â He has empowered me to figure this stuff out.
“May He equip you with all you need for doing His will. Â May He produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to Him. Â All glory to Him forever and ever! Â Amen.”
Hebrews 13:21 Â NLT
Seeing Things From an Eternal Perspective
Something shifts when you are involved in a day-to-day ministry. Â Your perspective changes to one of heart service and to the eternal instead of the temporary.
When I was a new believer I really struggled with temporary setbacks and grew frustrated very quickly when things did not go my way. Â Since then I’ve learned how to examine things with an eternal perspective. Â Ministry only accelerates that growth.
I have come to realize that I am part of a spiritual battle, headed up by the one true God. Â The attacks that are meant to deter me are allowed to take place so they can grow me. Â I am fighting against the enemy of my soul who will use any weapon he can grab.
Satan doesn’t want me to follow through in ministry, he doesn’t want me to reach the lost. Â So where is the blessing in that you ask?
I get to reach the lost anyway, and share the message about the grace of God. Â The privilege of that far outweighs the costs. Â The privilege of reaping an eternal reward and winning hearts for Jesus.
“But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus–the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.”
Acts of the Apostles 20:24 Â NLT
 Friends I’ve made
I wouldn’t be able to count the blessings without giving mention to the fact that I’ve made glorious friendships with women who live hundreds if not thousands of miles away. Â They have been my confidants, my prayer warriors, and my sisters in Christ. Â The Lord is showing me that He doesn’t desire for me to do this on my own, that I have helpmates that understand because they have been called to do the same. Â This bonds us in a way I never could have foreseen.
This blesses me beyond words because I thought I would be on my own. Â True I would have God leading the way on this journey, but who else would I seek advice from? Â God’s provision has shown up. Â He knew who I needed before I even did. Â How awesome is that?
“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. Â If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. Â But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.”
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 Â NLT
Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. Ecc 4:9 Share on X
It’s Better To Give Than Recieve
So here I am one year in, and working on year two. Â I can’t help but wonder what the Lord has in store for me, how else He’ll use me. Â The doors are already opening and it blows me away because I could have easily been disobedient and chosen my own path instead of His. Â Part of the blessing in learning what I have about blogging, is my passion for teaching what I have learned to others. Â I’m sharing some of my posts about blogging below for those of you who would like to know more about how to be better equipped as a beginner Blogger. Â I pray you are blessed and inspired as you read.
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 What I learned In My First 30-Days of Christian Blogging |
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Remember to read part one of my One Year of Blogging series here. Â It’s all about the challenges I’ve faced.
Thank you for stopping in today. Â God bless you as He has blessed me!
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Love your blog and your dedication to other bloggers–it seems way longer than a year! Good for you for being obedient to your calling–you are sure to be blessed for it 🙂
Thank you so much sweet Ally! I have a heart for likeminded bloggers who write for His glory. It has been a pleasure getting to know you more.
I’m with you on stepping out! I’m also very shy and it’s so scary. You never know if people will read but it always works out!
The best thing to do is be brave and put whatever God has put on your heart out there. You won’t regret it!
There are so many blessings to blogging. When we face challenges or are discouraged, it’s good to have this list.
I pray this post brings you encouragement Anne. Although blogging as a ministry is challenging, we have much to be thankful for in this responsibility. God bless you!
I thank God for you Natalie today! My favorite part about this post was that you get to share the gospel to the Lost even when Satan wants to see you (and I) defeated.
When we stand before our King and Judge ,I visualize our Lord smiling at us for being fervent in this blogging ministry.
Thank you for leaving me such an encouraging comment today 🙂
Blessings as you blog for many more years to come
Diana
Diana, you are such an immense blessing with words of encouragement at just the right time. I have no doubt that God will be smiling at us for all that we endure and persevere through in order to get His message to the lost. Thank you for being an absolute joy : )
I too have experienced similar blessings from blogging. It is great to read the take-aways from another and see what I may be overlooking in my own life. Love this post and am so enjoying reading your writing. You are right-Satan does not want you, or other bloggers to succeed in reaching the lost. You are writing light and God can overcome any challenge when we rely on His strength. Keep pressing in to Him and I look forward to reading your next year of posts!
Elaine, you have brought me so much encouragement from this comment. We have a great responsibility set before us and we have to be diligent with our call. God bless you sister, and I’m praying over your journey as I pray for mine.
I am subscribing to your blog, and am sure to learn from it! The best thought, I believe, is when you said “He knew who I needed before I even did”. I look forward to reading more from you. Thank you
Hi there Kelsey! I’m so excited that you’ve subscribed and I thank you for following along here at Milk & Honey Faith. I look forward to seeing you more : )
This is beautiful! What a joy to be in the blogging world. I started mine a few months ago, so I’m still taking baby steps, but I’ve already seen some of the things you have written about! It’s so cool to step back and see God’s plan play out. Thanks for this reminder!
Sydney Meek | meeklyloving.wordpress.com
Welcome to the blogging world Sydney! It’s awesome to read that you are joining His army of messengers : ) Thank you for stopping in.
I love this Natalie
Thank you friend! It’s always a pleasure : )
Congrats on one year of blogging. I loved reading about your blessings. I hit my one year mark in July and it was so wonderful to reflect on the year.
Congrats Maree! I know just how difficult it can be to reach such a milestone. We’ve made it and owe it all to God! Thank you for stopping in : )
Great blog post! I’m new to blogging and your words have encouraged me! Thank you for sharing your challenges and blessings! It’s a little intimidating in the blog world, but fear must not stop me! Thank you again!
Thank you Christina for being a breath of fresh air! Your words have brought me encouragement as well. Don’t be a stranger!
So happy to hear how God has crowned your efforts with success in this first year. You are an inspiration to so many bloggers. x0
Lisa, your words encourage me so much! Thank you friend!
Hay there, I’m a new blogger and inspired very much by this post. I was overwhelmed recently by the number of complexities and wrong information about blogging. Looking forward to get some valuable advice from you.