25 Things I Realized by Age 25

“I said, let days speak and

many years teach wisdom.”

-Job 32:7

1. Life is not about things, status, or money. Life is about relationships and most importantly my relationship with God.  (Mark 12:30-31)

2. Quiet time EVERY DAY with the LORD is NECESSARY. (Mark 1:35-37)

3. Apart from my decision to obey the gospel of Christ and become saved, one of the next most important decisions I can ever make is who I choose to marry. (Eph 5:31)

4. My contentment will never be found in a particular relationship status, my true contentment will only be found in the Lord. (Phil 4:12-13)

5. Every single day I have to choose to forgive and extend grace over and over again, even when it hurts, and even when it’s difficult. Why? Because that’s what God does for me every single day. (Matt 6:14, Matt 18:21-22)

6. It’s something redemptive about loving enemies. Even though at times it may be painful, loving them and forgiving them is ultimately SO FREEING. It promotes true emotional and spiritual healing. (Matt 5:44-45)

7. Some of my most beautiful blessings occur during the dark moments of my life. I get to know God in such a deeper way and because of that I have a reason to always give thanks. (Psalm 119:71)

8. Manipulation is NOT LOVE. In fact, manipulation is satanic in nature. Love must be sincere. Real love has no hidden motives and no hidden agendas. It possesses no deception of any kind. True love is pure and unadulterated. (Rom 12:9)

9. I will never truly overcome the grief of losing a loved one as long as I remain upon this earth. I just learn to live through the grief with the amazing comfort of the Lord. (Matt 5:4)

10. True spiritual friendship is not forced. It’s a beautiful gift created, orchestrated, and presented to me by the Lord. When friendship is God-sent, I don’t have to question it, I KNOW. (Proverbs 18:24, Proverbs 27:5-6)

11. God is more interested in me developing godly character, than me experiencing earthly comfort. I was never designed to get comfortable down here. I’m simply a pilgrim, on my way to eternity. (Romans 5:3-4, Phil 3:20)

12. Spiritual maturity does not necessarily come with age; it comes by a willingness to continue to have a humble, sincere, and receptive heart towards God’s word. (1 Pet 2:2)

13. What God chooses to give me and what he chooses to take away from me are both blessings. A yes from God and a no from God STILL DESERVES my HALLELUJAH! (Deut 32:4)

14. My heart must be more focused on pleasing the Lord than pleasing others. My life is about living for an audience of one, that “ONE” BEING GOD. (Matt 6:1)

15. God is intentional, providential, and purposeful. No matter how bleak my life may look like at times, I can trust God because I know HE IS always at work in my life. (Romans 8:28)

16. Living to create an earthly legacy is a waste of time. Living to have an eternal dwelling in heaven is time well spent. (Rev 3:5)

17. God’s faithful promises are my shield of protection. His promises will guard me from the lies, the attacks, and the fiery darts of the enemy. His loving promises will carry me, and sustain me when nothing and no one else can. (Psalm 91:4)

18. It’s vital to have a spiritual village of people. People who have wisdom and have the best interest of my soul in mind. People who aren’t afraid to tell me the truth, even when it hurts. People who can see when the enemy has entrapped me, in moments where I may be spiritually blinded. (Proverbs 11:14)

19. I am the PRIVATE ME, not the just the public me. I am my thoughts, my intentions, and my motives. I am the “me” that God sees. I am what my heart looks like to Him. Him and only Him. (1 Samuel 16:7, Heb 4:12)

20. God pursues my heart every single second of every day. His pursuit towards me never ends. His love is incomprehensible and unquenchable! (Romans 8:35-39, John 3:16)

21. Physical beauty will fade, but a beautiful and sincere heart towards the Lord, will extend into the realm of eternity. (Proverbs 31:30)

22. I will never be able to escape the criticism of people, but I should never allow “criticism” stop me from growing in godly character. No matter what others say, I must keep doing good and keep living for the Lord. (Galatians 1:10)

23. I am designed to worship and glorify God AT ALL TIMES. The moment I stop worshipping and glorifying Him, is the moment I stop living out my purpose. (Psalm 86:12)

24. My past is not designed to paralyze me nor is my future designed to scare me. I must learn to use my past to mature me, my future to motivate me, and the present to mold me. (Phil 3:13-14)

25. I can always be sure of the faithfulness of God. For He IS FAITHFUL. (2 Thess 3:3)

With love,

Ashley Moneet

Fearless. Faithful. Following.