Picture Perfect

Remember school photos?  Parents would dress up each child in the best clothes and send them on their way to school.  A few weeks later, a package would be sent home with the beautiful photos.

A few weeks ago, I browsed through photos of myself as a child and was saddened to see the light gone out in such young eyes.  Such a perfect picture thinly veiled the pain inside a young child.  How often we see this reality.

Fortunately, life goes on and we have a chance to rewrite our story by changing our future.  What are you doing to rewrite your present and future? 

A Reason For The Pain

Jesus answered, "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him."

John 9:3

 

The people had just asked Christ, "Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he is blind."  In the days of Christ's ministry, any infirmity or disability was viewed as a direct result of sin, whether that person's or the previous generation's.  Nothing just happened. 

When I read this passage, I internally jumped for joy.  I finally had an answer to this question, "why do bad things happen to good people?"  I struggled with this question in a more specific sense: Why did God allow me to be abused?  I knew that He would work good from the situation, but I just couldn't see why God would allow it or what I had done to deserve it.  I finally came to the realization that sometimes bad things just happen.

Bad things happen, but not without a purpose.  God has a plan to show His works through every situation if we would let Him.  Are you willing to let God work through your struggles and trials?  Are you willing to give it to Him that He may be glorified?

 

This does not negate the pain.  I know well how much it will hurt, even years after the fact.  However, to begin to heal, I have learned that I must look to God above who will help me through the pain. 

 

Challenge:  Reflect on a trying time in your life.  If it is recent, consider the ways God could be glorified and what His purpose may be.  If it is a more distant situation, consider what He has done through this difficulty and how He has shown Himself and His great works.

Value After Abuse

As a teen and college student, I struggled with seeing my value when much of my life had been filled with such horrid abuse.  All I could see, especially when I looked at my life through religious lens, was a person so dirty and invaluable.  I saw a person who was as good as trash, not as the valuable person God sees.

When I came to know Christ, I knew that He saw value, after all He died on the cross to save me.  However, this did not sink in until I went through a major depression.  I reached such a low that I considered ending my life and even gave God a deadline to change my mind.  Fortunately, God loves His rebellious and hurting child so much that He gave me such a strong answer that I could not give up. 

So, here I am, four years later.  While it is still a struggle to see the beautiful person God sees, I can now honestly say that God loves me, His beautiful and valuable creation, and that He saves us from our sin and, oftentimes, ourselves.

If you are hurting today, I ask that God would be with you.  Look to Him, and He will be with you, His beloved.

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." 
                     Jeremiah 1:5

"When the going gets tough..."

Many of us have heard this phrase: "When the going gets tough, the tough get going."
This principle proves quite useful in times of extreme stress. Rather than run from the difficult situation, we are better running toward the problem and taking it by the horns.

One such case comes from my college years. I had reached a point of such mental exhaustion that it had started manifesting through very real physical illnesses over several months. Rather than quitting (an idea I sadly entertained), I kept fighting through it. I spent many days voiceless and many sleepless nights as I, with the help of God and many friends, fought through my inner turmoil.

Now, I find myself thankful for the difficulty I struggled through and the deeper faith God has blessed me with.

Those of you who are in the midst of a difficult time, I offer this advice. Keep pushing through it and fighting. You will be stronger for it.

Be True To Yourself

What a concept, to be true to oneself.  To do so risks losing friends, offending family and strangers, and true happiness.

With this post, I am speaking to myself as well as you.  I know how it feels to stand with friends and wear a mask or to be at home and not share your hurt.  Lately, I have gone through a period of self reflection with God and seen how I have stifled His work through me because I am not true to myself and real with the world around me.

Today's a new day and a time to make a commitment to be true to yourself.  Look in the mirror and embrace who you are, for there is no one else who is exactly like you.  Stand tall today as you tell the world your story and share who you are, even at the risk of being hurt.

God be with you.

One More Day

One more day.  A very loaded phrase. 

One more day with friends.

One more day with family.

One more day outside of a hospital.

One more day on the earth.

For some just one more day is a gift they can only ask God for.  Many of us have experienced the loss of a loved one and wished we could have just one more day to say goodbye.  This sorrow runs deep and can only be healed by time and grieving.

For others, one more day of life is a question that only the next day can answer.  They understand the uncertainty of life for their own is such.

I came to a crossroads that juxtaposed the two.  I felt such despair I questioned if I could continue on one more day.  And yet if I didn't and chose to end my life, I would leave so many wishing for just one more day to change my mind and heart, to show me that there was a life worth living.

Fortunately, God gave me strength to continue on just one more day and people to show me the reason to continue. 

If you are at this same crossroads, I beg you to wait just one more day.  Reach out to God and let Him save you in this very literal sense.  He can show life worth living and can heal your wounded heart and body.  Don't give up yet.  Keep holding on just one more day, one night, one more hour. 

May God be with you and heal you.

Invisible No More

Like so many, I have tried to be invisible.  I feared telling others about my past because I don't have the scars that people can physically see.  I carry scars deep within.  In fact, many are still open wounds that have yet to become healed scars.  

I began sharing my story when I reached a point that where my life was at stake.  I reached out for help... And met mixed reactions.  Those who knew nothing about it made light of the situationa and even accused me of doing it for attention.  Fortunately, I met with far more who understood enough to offer their support rather than their judgment.

Regardless of the reactions, I began to feel free.  I no longer had a deep, dark secret.  I had a story worth revealing.  I found that little girl who loved life and people.  I found the creative and happy part of me.  And I began to heal.

I am not invisible, even though the scars are.  I challenge you to tell your story.  Speak it here.  Talk to a few trusted friends or family members.  Shout it from the rooftops if you need to.  Never let anyone diminish the pain you suffer.  You are not invisible.  You are special and wonderful.  You are loved and deserved to be loved with a love that never hurts. 

May God bless you tonight and always.