All of my life I have been raised in church, and I have always believed in God. But it wasn't until I was about sixteen that I actually started living for Him—and let me tell you, ever since I reached that pivotal point in my spiritual life, I have been a changed woman. My weaknesses became my strengths, my fear was replaced by hope, and my insecurity transformed into confidence. Everything that makes me who I am is because of God, and my gratitude for His work in my life is inexpressible. Nonetheless, especially in light of the Thanksgiving season quickly approaching, I will attempt to list "6 Things That I Thank God For."

1. I thank God for making me fearless.

It's no secret to any of us—sometimes, life can be downright terrifying. Sometimes we find ourselves in these impossible situations, and we think there's no way we can get out of it, no way we can defeat it, and no way to survive it. But with God? Anything is possible. It's invigorating and emboldening to know that the Lion of Judah is fighting with me, fighting for me, and roaring with power all the while. I know that, as long as I am doing what's right by Him, it doesn't matter how daunting the task or situation may appear; God will make a way. And He will protect me through every step.

"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" - Pslam 27:1

2. I thank God for making me resilient.

We all know what it's like for life to not treat us very kindly. For the people like me who are on the cusp of adulthood, trying to figure out what kind of people they'll be, what kind of work they'll do, and who they'll love, life can be especially unkind. Heartbreak is rampant during this time, and I have had my fair share of it over the past few years. But my hope in God and His plan for me has always given me a reason to press onward. He has always had my back, ready to catch me when I stumble, so I would never fall. Because of Him I have endured trials that I never thought I could, and I have found strength even when there seemed to be none.

3. I thank God for making me an optimist.

The world has been a dark place lately—full of hatred, division, prejudice, and malice. The future is unclear; and for some, it seems hopeless. But God has filled me with an indomitable sense of hope. Because of God, there is always a reason to be optimistic. There is always a reason to smile. There is always a reason to believe that life is not only good, but it is blessed.

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28

4. I thank God for giving me a bleeding heart.

Some say that my bleeding heart makes me a pushover, and you know what, they're kind of right. I admit that at this point. But even so, I am grateful that God has enabled me to see the best in people rather than to expect the worse. I view people this way because it is the way I would want others to view me, and because it is the way Jesus viewed everyone He met. There was a Tumblr post I found back in my sophomore year of high school that perfectly illustrates how I feel about this, so I'll just go ahead and leave that here:

Yes, sometimes you can end up getting hurt by being too trusting in people who end up not being trustworthy; but the way I see it, giving people a chance is worth the risk. Believe it or not, there are incredible people out there. But you'll never find them if you never look farther than just what is seen on the surface.

5. I thank God for making me suffer.

I do not blame or resent God for the suffering He has allowed in my life. I thank Him for it. I know that sounds a little crazy, but it is because of my deepest sufferings that I have learned my most valuable lessons. I won't lie, usually I get angry and confused at first when terrible things happen, but I always end up looking back on them in a positive light, because they become testimonies of all that God has delivered me from.

"In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." - 1 Peter 1:6-7

6. I thank God for making me His.

This, above all, is what I am most grateful for. In fact, I don't think I could ever show my gratitude enough. It is because God accepted me that I am able to be fearless, have hope, have compassion, have endurance, have life. Not only does He accept me, though, he is proud to be seen with me—mess and all. In Him, I will forever have a home, a place of rest, someone who understands me, and a place to belong.