image via "God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. " Romans 5:20 (NLT) today i wanted to talk about how its okay to not have it all together. it's okay to not have to feel the need to wear a mask and show people that you're feeling amazing, when really you feel in the dumps and everything is over your head. its okay! and you know why? well, we have an amazing father who loves us and takes us where we're at and for that, i am extremely grateful. you may have been reading my posts throughout this year and looking at my life (or even my instagram!) and seeing all my life (or anyone, really), and adoring how "perfect" their life may seem from the outside. i know in our generation, people use social media a lot and that's okay! just sometimes, we can forget that there can be other things going on in someone else's life other than everything that they are posting online. for example, one of my closest friends, her parents were going through a separation and i didn't even know. it's so so easy to look at someone and see the positives, and that they have their life together, simply by what we see; but it's only if we really dig deeper and you are willing to listen, and others feel comfortable sharing that we can truly open up and feel "free". free from all the chains we've been attached to, the built up hurt you've been feeling, this fake smile that you have been wearing for days and truly inside, you may feel like you want to cry on someone's shoulder. i went through this long period of my life where i felt alone; like i had messed up greater than anyone could have ever in their lifetime. i felt like i blew it. that no one liked me, and i was misunderstood. i constantly felt this need to "cover up" and be happy for the world, when in reality, i felt so, so broken. it wasn't until i attended this girls conference at a church in my city where i finally felt like i could break free. i felt the need to open up to someone; a leader, and let everything out. and you know what i did? i did just that. with open arms, i acknowledged that i couldn't do this on my own and i asked for help. in that moment, there were so many thoughts and feelings streaming through my body but the thing that was most bold was that, i was loved. that this Father who created me in my mother's womb, loved me for who i was and where i was at. i didn't have to fake this smile and life for Him. instead, i could be honest and true. there's this Savior called, Jesus who died on the cross for all our sins. no matter how great or small they could be.this act was done out of his great love for us. he paid the price for us so we wouldn't have to suffer. in that moment with my youth leader, i re-accepted Christ into my heart and knew that he was there for me. i didn't have to hide anymore. every struggle that we face, when we give it to Him, He meets it with something much greater. the lyrics of this song explain it perfectly: "For every curse, you’re the cure For every sickness, you’re the healer For every storm, you’re the calm For all that’s lost, oh, what a savior On that cross of calvary Every burden has been defeated Every wretched heart redeemed You drown our sins in seas of crimson" -Seas of Crimson, Bethel Music i'm not sure about you, but those words give me this great comfort; one that is so difficult to explain unless you've felt it yourself. there was a time in my life where i felt alone and ashamed to walk into a church, but God calls us to invite anyone in and show them his love. whether its a homeless man at the back of your congregation, the person you don't even know but sits alone at lunch, or that girl who was in your math class last year who asked you for help on a homework question. honestly, it can be anyone. show them His great love, and care for them. "We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters." 1 John 1:16 (NLT) i want to leave you today with a blessing and some words of encouragement. i know that you may be reading this and being unsure of where you are in your faith, or may not even be on this journey with Christ; but i do know one thing and it's this: He will meet you where you are at. to the girl reading this: if you are struggling with self image, friendship issues, mental illness (yourself, or in your family), school learning difficulties, bullying, chronic illness, your parents splitting up, or fights at home. whatever it may be. please know that you are SO SO LOVED by a God who died for you. he'll take you and accept you for where you're at. below is my prayer for you. dear Jesus, i thank you for each and every one of my readers. i know there are some who are going through a really rough patch or even a longer period of their life where they just feel alone and it's so tough. God, i pray you just give them the comfort, peace, and strength to help them get through their situation and guide them through their daily lives. show them your love and provide them with people who care for them. give them someone they can trust. God, you love your children so so much. i thank you for everything.
1 Comment
Eve
12/31/2015 08:33:20 pm
Happy New Year! 🙌🏼🎉 Love you!!! 💕 Great blog post, I love it!!!
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