Tag: darkness

Here is My Struggle, but Here is My Strength

Published on by KendallLeave a comment

“Jesus wept.” John 11:35

There is not a single soul on this Earth that is not in some way broken. Everyone has a Goliath- a struggle that they’re facing. Whether it is life shattering, or merely something that plagues your day, there is nobody in existence that leads a life free from pain and struggles. Each and every day there are people suffering from illness, depression, anxiety, addiction, shame, guilt, fear, and so many other clouds of darkness that can threaten to overtake a beautiful life.

Look around at our world today and you’ll see a society that is always trying to appear perfect. We chase the latest and greatest to gain status. We cover ourselves in makeup to appeal to what we think is the ideal image of how we should look. We hide anything that shows the cracks in a seemingly perfect life. This world celebrates the ideal and frowns upon anything less. We tend to dismiss the suffering, ignore the cries for help, and heartbreakingly enough, we push away our own heartache and demons swirling within for fear of being judged by the world.

We all hurt in some way but instead of owning our pain, we try to hide it. We fear the judgement we believe awaits us. We are becoming an uncaring and judgemental society that feeds on the condemning of those that encounter failure. We love to quote the Bible and say that even Jesus cried and hurt but we refuse to admit and own up to the hurt we feel ourselves. We don’t realize what that verse is fully saying. Jesus, the Savior of mankind cried. He did not hide His pain from the wolrd but laid himself bare for all to see. If Jesus could show fear and heartache, we as mere humans should be able to do the same. Teach the world that the way of judgement and condemnation is not the way of goodness and will ultimately lead to ruin.We need to break the norm and change the ways of this society. Showing our pain is not weakness, in fact to show one’s pain to the world is true strength.

It is so unbelievably easy to tell people of your latest accomplishment, so why is it so hard to speak of our current heartache? To become vulnerable and real to the world frightens us. When we are hurt, we build up barriers and scab over so we can’t be hurt again and so that others won’t see our weaknesses. But what is so crazy is that ripping off the figurative scab and breaking down our barriers is the most liberating feeling when plagued by pain. Show the world your struggle and don’t be afraid- for your struggle shows your strength.

To conquer a struggle and a dark time requires perseverance, faith, hope, and strength. We can show all of this just by showing our wound. We need to stop being afraid and stop covering up the test because that test will become the testimony. The struggle shows the strength. Your mess, will become your message. Show the world your pain, but don’t focus on it. Say, here is my struggle, but look at what I did or am doing to conquer it.

Stop plastering on fake smiles for the sake of the world and let them see the realness underneath. You don’t need to be all smiles all the time, just be real. Let’s face it, we are a broken world full of broken people. We’re not all perfect and we’re not all thriving but we’re doing the best we can to be the best we can be. Show the world the truth and don’t fear the rejection…  welcome the liberation.

Don’t muffle your own voice. Say to the world- Yes, I am grieving. Yes, I am heartbroken. Yes, life is not ideal right now. But no, I don’t want sympathy. No, I don’t need judgement. No, this will not break me. Don’t focus on my mess but focus on my message and testimony and see all that God is doing to help me out of this pit. That’s what so many fail to realize. We don’t acknowledge the fact that each and every one of us were made to bring glory to our creator and to do work for His kingdom. By hiding the largest aspects of our lives, we are hiding part of the beautifully imperfect story He has written for us. The faith it takes to get out of a dark time is a message in and of itself and you never know who desperately needs to see that strength and faith.

When you are so tempted to dig deeper within yourself to hide, focus on the light drawing you up to the surface and out into the world. Focus on the world that needs to hear your story. One thing that this world applauds more than perfection is redemption. We all want to see the underdog come out on top, and the bad guy become a hero. Let the world become a part of your redemption story and through it all, turn the eyes of those around you to the full glory of the King. Focus on the good He is showering down through the hard times and show that to the world.

Go out there and break down your walls. Wash off that painted smile. Tear off that sheet that is blocking the world from your struggle. Stop worrying about how you’ll be perceived. Live your life as it is and do your gosh darn best to make the best of it. Yes I’m broken but see, I’m still strong. Because of my hurt, I have been built up. Because of my pain, I’ve been softened and given a new heart. Because of my current darkness, I will search for the beauty this world possesses. Yes I’m heartbroken, but I am still strong through the storm. Here’s my struggle, but here’s my strength.

“Sometimes you have to be knocked down lower than you ever have been to stand up taller than you ever were before.”

Don’t hide anymore. You were given this life because you were strong enough to live it, now get out there and go for it, with all walls torn down.

❤

Love y’all and God bless:)

A Heavenly Light

Published on by KendallLeave a comment

“In truth, God is always close to those who genuinely seek after Him. The real problem is that we drift away from Him, lose interest, and leave His presence. So let’s seek Him and receive His grace and help while we recognize that He alone is the one who truly saves.”

Some people treat a relationship with God how they treat a nightlight. When the light is on/when things are going really well in life, they don’t appreciate the light or fully embrace it. They don’t realize how valuable it truly is. When the light burns out, uncertainty and panic arise. Those people who are just living from lightbulb to lightbulb are the ones afraid of the unknown. When you are used to the light, what do you do when it burns out? You become frightened and unsure.  But those who embrace God and a relationship with Him do not fear when the bulb goes out and when it becomes dark, for they know that He is right there and that He always has been and will be by their side. They are the ones that are not afraid of the hard times and trials of life and the ones who do not fear because they know that God, their light, will never leave them nor forsake them.

It’s like the saying, “You never know what you have until it’s gone.” Sometimes you don’t know or realize how well things are truly going or how dependent you are on your Heavenly Father day to day until something goes wrong. When the bulb goes out and life gets hard, you can truly see how dependent you are on that lightbulb, on your Father. Faith isn’t just about holding on tight and growing your relationship with God when things are hard and dark, but rather growing and embracing it at all times, through both the good and bad. God is always there for you through every moment and we need to acknowledge Him and that fact in all times of our lives.

The beautiful thing is that even though we tend to sometimes reject God and move away from Him, He never moves. While you can take a hundred steps away, it only takes one step to get back to Him. God wants us to want and need Him and it breaks His heart when we walk away, but instead of forcing us back to Him, He lets us take the step back. It is our responsibility to initiate a relationship with our Father and once we open ourselves up to that, He closes all gaps and comes to where we are. While we tend to walk away from the light, it’s always right there waiting for us to return. A relationship with God is dependent on our pursuit of Him and a desire for one. He’ll meet you exactly where you are, broken or whole, just call to Him to come.

As you walk through life, think about and ask yourself this… are your fully embracing the Heavenly light?

❤

Love y’all and God bless:)