When you’re a new believer or have been one for a while, things can get blurry quick with all the things you are learning from everyone around you.
I decided to say yes to the Lord in December of 2012 in a serious way. And I remember how I would get so much from a sermon, song, or from conversation with people.
I felt like a sponge, and at times it was hard to keep up with sweet advice and truths I learned.
During the time I said yes to the Lord, I was still in college and life was busy all around. A month after committing to the Lord I remember being overwhelmed, stressed, anxious, and exhausted with school and life in general.
In the midst of everything, somehow I forgot the peace, joy, rest, and freedom that I had found in the Lord when I said yes in the beginning. I realized I had run back to my old life and tried to be in charge of everything that the Lord had freed me from. And I realized that there was way more to this Christian walk thing than I was expecting.
So the following are 10 things to focus on as you enter into this new life with the Lord as a new Christian.
Don’t forget the identity the Lord has called you into.
When we get tired, overwhelmed, and stressed by the world, it’s easy to forget all the truths that the Lord has spoken to us through his word.
If you are in a place where you’re overwhelmed, and being unkind to yourself, remember that you are loved, you were planned, set apart, and wonderfully made in everyway.
Don’t allow the world to steal your identity and who you were created to be.
God cares about your whole life, not just your “spiritual life.”
You’ll quickly get into the habit of talking to the Lord about all the spiritual stuff.
And that’s fine, but the Lord also wants to know about your family, friendships, who you have a crush on, what annoys you, and the desires of your heart.
He wants to be your beloved, your friend, your guide, your father.
Don’t limit him, because he is limitless- far deeper than talking in Psalms all the time.
You’re not only saved by grace, but you grow by it, too.
You will have the tendency to feel scolded or disappointed in yourself when you make a mistake.
And that’s actually heathy, it’s called conviction.
But with conviction also comes encouragement and uplifting from the Lord. His grace is sufficient, meaning it covers any sin because of Jesus and his death on the cross.
Get in a habit of praying often.
Imagine talking your best friend, or a family member.
The same way you talk to them, you can talk to the Lord. You can go to him with everything that you are facing. He is high and holy as well as loving and understanding.
He is everything we need. So talk to him, let him and watch him change you from inside out.
Read your bible as much as you can and be intentional about it.
Personally when I think of the bible, it can be overwhelming because there is so much to learn.
Sometimes being overwhelmed by its power and bulkiness can cause you to stop or put off reading it.
The best advice I can give you is; pick a book from the new testament.
I suggest John and just focus on that. Really dig in and allow the Lord to show you all that he has for you just from that one book.
Don’t allow doubts and challenges back into your heart.
Doubts are the enemy’s way of keeping you distracted. His mission is “how long can I distract that child of God from fully knowing and embracing who God has called them to be.”
 Learn to challenge the doubts that comes into mind. Ask the hard questions and really allow the Lord speak truth into your life.
Challenges are a part of life and the Christian walk. When you say yes to Jesus, it doesn’t mean challenges go away.
But instead we become a target, and the enemy’s job is to try to trip us up as much as he can. So learn to see your challenges differently. Instead of saying why this challenge or why me? Say, Lord what am I suppose to learn from this difficult time? Lord show me your hard in and your work in this season.
Trust the Lord with your whole heart, soul and mind.
This one is hard to do especially since you’re just starting out in your walk with the Lord.
But don’t be afraid, you have the Holy spirit inside of you that guides, directs, and instructs your steps when you allow him too.
The same way you trust your best friend, mom or dad is the same way you can strive to trust the Lord. Something to keep in mind is that the Lord already knows you and about you, so you never have to feel like you have to be this person to please him.
Don’t compare your walk with others.
If there was one thing I could tell my younger self is not to spend so much time comparing my walk with the Lord with other’s.
First, everyone is different and learns things at a different pace and in a different phase.
Second, everyone’s walk with the Lord is so different, unique and intimate that comparing your walk to your fellow brother’s and sister’s in Christ can cause you to miss what He is trying to show you.
Let go of control in your life.
At this point in time, no matter how recently you became a Christian, you should’ve realized that we have zero control over the situations and circumstances in your life. Learn to let go, allow the Lord to be Lord over your life.
You will find yourself, less stressed, more in freedom, and more in peace with the people around you.
You are a daughter/son of the most high king. Before Christ, you struggled and didn’t know your identity in Christ and who you belong to.
You felt left out, like a misfit, and like you didn’t belong. That is not the case anymore. And instead you are a daughter of the most High King. You are adopted, set apart, and anointed.
The Lord has a plan and a will for your life. He loves you, cares about your thoughts, desires, and dreams. Nothing on the face of the planet can ever snatch you from his hand because he cannot leave his own. You are His and He is yours. You are His beloved daughter/Son.
Following Jesus and being in a relationship with Him is the most difficult and easiest thing you will ever do in your life.
It has its ups and downs, but knowing Him and being in a relationship with Him outweights the hard times.
Welcome to the best family on earth. I hope this post encourages you as you enter into this whole new life. You have made the best decision. Because of Jesus you have love, peace, joy, freedom and authority over the whole earth.
So live, walk, and breath like it.
Winnie N. Warner
