Category: Advice

Reactions Versus Reality

Do negative reactions cause you to doubt your purpose?

The perfect gift: a little heart-shaped box filled with colorful paper strips of personalized compliments. I had worked so hard on it and I was so excited to give it to my friend. I was a little nervous to see this friend’s reaction, but I just knew it had to be encouraging.

But when I handed it to him, all I got was a “thanks” before the box was chucked into the back of the car and never to be spoken of again. Afterwards, I wondered if my act of kindness wasn’t really so kind? Perhaps I was in the wrong for thinking I could be encouraging.

Years later, as chuckle ruefully at the memory, I am reminded of how important it is to not allow others’ reactions remake reality.

When we do a kind act, but we are not appreciated for it, we are less inclined to go the extra mile in the future. When we wear something that makes us feel special, but someone teases us, we aren’t encouraged to express ourselves. When we choose to reach out to a lonely person, but that person doesn’t respond the way we intended, we regret our brave choice.

But that doesn’t make any of those actions bad or wrong. It doesn’t mean we should regret helping others or being true to ourselves.

It just means that people’s reactions shouldn’t dictate the way we live our lives.

Think about someone who inspires you. Someone who is kind, even on an off-day. Someone who forgives and is willing to move on. Someone who uses their talents to bring hope and light into the world.

What if that person let one negative reaction stop them from caring? What if that person chose to follow the crowd instead of shine their light?

Well, you know personally that the world would be far less beautiful without their gifts.

You are just as capable of making a difference as the people you admire. But we are all susceptible to being torn down by negative reactions.

So how can we combat discouragement?

By following a different guidebook for life. And I think you know which guidebook I’m talking about!

When we follow God’s calling on our lives (through reading the Bible, the best guidebook there is), we are able to live without regret. Even if people laugh at us, don’t understand us, or pretend like we don’t matter, we will know that our presence and our faithfulness is making a difference.

Today, I hope that you can rest assured that every single kind thing you do matters. Every smile, every check-in, every time you do something extra. It all matters, both to God and to greater humanity, whether you realize it or not.

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

1 Peter 5:10

College: Expectation Versus Reality

Are you struggling to decide where to go for college or what to do in your next stage of life?

This post is a little different from the norm, but that’s okay! I have experienced so much stress (and growth) through my time in college so far, and I know that younger-Hannah would’ve appreciated some down-to-earth advice about what college is really like when making the big decision.

Here I’ll go through a few college expectations I (or others) have had and how they compare to the truth.

Expectation

I need to have a lot of transfer credits in order to save time in college.

Reality

Transfer credits are only helpful when you have a clear idea of what you want to pursue in college. They can definitely save a lot of time, but the truth is it will likely still take 2-3 years to get an undergraduate degree.

However, getting general education credits before starting at a university is very helpful and just getting a feel of what college level classes are like may ease your level of stress while making that transition.

The best thing to do is check with the universities you are interested in and make sure they will take the credits you are transferring! Don’t stress either way. No matter what, this will be a learning experience for you.

Expectation

I have to make all my forever friends during my first year of college and I have to let go of my high school friends in the process.

Reality

Honestly, it’s true that you will likely drift apart from many of your high school friends if you aren’t going to colleges near each other. However, that doesn’t have to be the case for all your friendships. If you really care about the relationship, then you will be able to make it work. It will just feel different, but different isn’t always a bad thing!

And don’t put pressure on yourself during your freshman year of college, especially when it comes to making friends. You may meet life-long friends during your first year, but a lot of people are in an adjustment period and want to get to know as many people as possible without making lasting comittments.

Though it hurts when people move from one person to the next, that’s unfortunately part of starting fresh in a new place. But that’s okay–you have plenty of time to make wonderful friends during and after college, and over time people will start to value lasting friendships.

Expectation

College has to be the best time of my life.

Reality

Wouldn’t it be sad if you limited yourself to thinking that it’s all downhill after age 21? You have so much of your life ahead of you. Don’t think that college is the “be all or end all” of life.

Honestly, my first few quarters of college were pretty rough. The college experience is different for everyone. But one thing I can promise you is this: No matter where you go, you will learn, find your people, and grow into who you are meant to be.

Expectation

I have to find the perfect college in order to be happy.

Reality

There is no perfect college. Instead of stressing yourself out over where you should go, ask yourself these six questions:

  • Can I see myself living here for a year or more?
  • Have I talked to someone similar to me who went here and enjoyed it?
  • Do they have programs that I’m interested in?
  • Does the school’s values and priorities align with mine?
  • Is the surrounding area a place I’d like to explore or become familiar with?
  • Do the other students seem like people I can learn from and feel comfortable with?

It can be hard to answer all of these at once, especially if you’re unable to visit the campuses you’re looking into. But community, campus environment, and the programs themselves matter so much, way more than I anticipated when choosing a college.

If after doing as much research as you can, you still feel lost, remember that you can’t do anything to mess up God’s plan for you. He will use you wherever you go to do great things.

To sum it all up…

Ultimately, no matter where you go or what you do, you will always be:

–Loved

No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

1 John 4:12

–Made for a Purpose

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28

–Treasured

For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.

Deuteronomy 7:6

–Chosen

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

1 Peter 2:9

–Beautiful

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

Ecclesiastes 3:11

And so much more. ❤ Best wishes on this next exciting chapter!

We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience.

Colossians 1:9-11

Unraveling the Cycle of Overthinking

Do you find yourself ruminating on embarrassing or hurtful memories rather than feeling good about yourself?

It’s the end of a long, brutal day. You settle down for a relaxing evening when suddenly–WOAH–something on your phone catches your eye. Maybe it’s a post or a text that reminds you of someone from your past. Or perhaps your phone is put away and an embarrassing memory pops into your brain instead.

Now your evening is essentially ruined because you’ve spent the past hour or so ruminating over a single interaction or response or photo. Maybe they like you, or maybe they never want to see you again. Maybe they think you’re attractive, or maybe they took one look at you and decided you’re not their type. Perhaps they left hidden messages in their text, or perhaps they were on the go and sent whatever Siri suggested for them.

You’ll never really know, and that’s the key issue. You just HAVE to know!!

Or do you really?

Have you ever found yourself stuck in the cycle of overthinking?

I appreciate Merriam Webster’s definition of overthinking, which is classified as, “putting too much time into thinking about or analyzing (something) in a way that is more harmful than helpful”.

The truth is, everything does have meaning, even if the meaning isn’t what we are imagining. However, we can’t let these embarrassing moments or interactions control our lives. Getting stuck down the rabbit hole of overthinking leads to feeling bad about yourself, resentful towards others, and fear for the future.

But how can we stop it? As an overthinker myself, I am also on the journey of reversing this cycle. Here are a few tips, and I’d love to hear any pieces of advice you have on this topic!

Tips to Avoid Overthinking

  1. Figure out what triggers your overthinking. Is it a particular app? If so, limit your time on it or unfollow the person who makes you feel bad about yourself. If a specific person leads you to overthink, reevaluate the relationship to see if your interactions with this person are leading to growth and joy or doubting and stress.
  2. Listen to positive and/or calming music. Sometimes songs, especially about heartbreak or disappointment, can lead to overthinking. Or if a song is tied to a memory that you continue to relive, you may want to avoid listening to it and focus your mind on things that will bring you hope.
  3. Acknowledge that you could be right, but that doesn’t mean the end of the world. See if there are any realistic, practical steps you can take to get out of the situation or change your circumstances. If not, seek help and wise advice rather than trapping yourself in the cycle of overthinking.
  4. Ultimately, remind yourself of what God says about you. God’s thoughts are the only ones that should really matter to us. He’s the only one who knows us fully and has our best in mind. He loves you, cares about you, and plans to use you for amazing things!

Everything does have meaning, but rarely does anything mean enough to take over our lives. Don’t let these intrusive thoughts get the best of you, but don’t beat yourself up when a discouraging thought pops into your head. Instead, take hold of it and release it. You are stronger than you think and more loved than you will ever know ❤

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:8-9

The Freedom to Unfollow

Is the presence of unfriendly faces hindering your chance to experience joy through internet connection?

You’re sitting there, phone in hand, Instagram open. Your finger hovers over the “unfollow” button. One simple click and you’ll stop receiving life updates, constant reminders of your bitterness, and the opportunity to relive an ugly part of your past. But an invisible force is holding you back.

This isn’t a big enough deal to actually click the button. I can live with seeing their posts every so often.

Or so you think.

But are your feelings of resentment and frustration leaving you empty and aching inside smaller than a simple number on a screen?

An action that seems so minimal may actually change your life…for the better.

Yet we’ve made the choice to “unfollow” a much bigger deal than it has to be.

There are likely a few reasons why you are hesitant to unfollow.

  1. You may be genuinely worried about the other person’s feelings. And I’ll admit, it doesn’t feel good to know that someone has chosen to remove themselves from your social media page. But just think about it, if you aren’t constantly reminded of your bitter feelings towards them, comparing yourself to their so-called perfect life, then you’ll be kinder to them in-person, when it really counts. Your impression of them may even improve.
  2. You don’t want to miss out. Here’s where FOMO often trickles its way in. We get so preoccupied with others’ lives that we forget we have our own lives to live. Plus, social media very rarely reveals anything that can’t be shared more meaningfully in-person.
  3. You don’t want to lose followers. Well…is sacrificing your own wellbeing worth a few extra likes? I don’t think so.

Unfollowing someone who has been hurtful or has caused you to feel envious can even bring you joy. You are suddenly free from the cycle of resentment and comparison.

About a year ago, I made the choice to unfollow several people who had hurt my feelings in the past. This action was long overdue, yet I feared I’d lose their “support” or miss out on a huge event in their lives.

But my hesitation was fueled by curiosity and fear of losing something I never even had. Once I finally unfollowed them, I instantly felt less resentful towards them and felt free to move forward with my life. They had taken up way too much headspace.

Today, I encourage you to unfollow the people who make you feel less-than or insignificant. Unfollow those who make you uncomfortable or anxious. Remake your page into something that brings you joy and motivates others. Remember, you don’t owe anyone your life’s story or your support. Your love and appreciation need to come from the heart.

And trust me, you are doing yourself and the other person a favor. You are given the power of forgiveness.

Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:38

Life’s Cheap Replacements

What do we really need?

I’ve learned a lot from college so far, but one thing I didn’t anticipate learning was the importance of seat cushions.

That’s right, seat cushions. Considering the price we pay for living expenses on campus, you’d think they could splurge for more than a hard, plastic chair that squeaks. But nope, guess not. And after hours of studying, calling, drawing, and reading in that chair, my back got pretty upset with me.

When I got home, I returned to my much more comfortable chair. However, it also doesn’t have adequate back support. I had purchased a seat cushion for my chair at school, but it got packed away with the other boxes of things saved for next year. So what did I do?

Over the course of a week, I tried a variety of methods. First, I added a slim, silky blanket. Not sure what I thought that would do. Then I added a sherpa, an extra-thick and cushy blanket. That added a bit of support. Then I placed a pillow vertically against the back of the chair. Finally, I put another pillow on top of it, horizontally this time, for shoulder support.

By the time I got done, I barely had any room to sit! And the thing is, this design leaves very little room for finding the perfect seat position, meaning my back still gets sore, just not as quickly.

Now, you’re probably wondering two things: When am I going to stop talking about seat cushions and why didn’t I just search for my real seat cushion?

To answer your first question, trust me, this does have a point. To the second, I suppose it was laziness or the thought that maybe I could figure this out on my own. The more things I added, the more assurance I had that I’d be able to create a masterpiece of a chair.

The truth is, we do this a lot in our spiritual lives too. We feel an ache for God, but we fill that empty space in our hearts with something other than Him. Perhaps it’s material wealth, a relationship, or an adventurous lifestyle. Or maybe it’s a career, a fantasy, or even helping those in need.

None of those things are inherently evil, but when they are used to replace God, they leave us feeling betrayed. We get frustrated with ourselves because we’ve tried everything we can, only to end up tired and confused.

When we look at these cheap replacements for Jesus, we wonder why we’d ever go for what’s empty over what’s priceless. But perhaps our reasons are as simple as mine when it came to the chair. We’re tired already. We don’t want to do the work that it takes to build an intimate relationship with Jesus. Perhaps we feel like we’ve tried the whole “faith thing” and it didn’t feel the way we wanted it to.

But here’s the thing: Building any sort of lasting relationship takes time and effort. If it does with people, then certainly it will with God. Our relationship with God is arguably the most complex, intricate, and confusing relationship we’ll ever have. But isn’t the wholeness, the love, and the forgiveness He offers worth whatever sacrifices it takes?

Today, ask yourself what areas in your life are being used to replace God. Maybe it’s something small, easy to remove. Or perhaps it’s your lifestyle. You don’t have to let go of your entire way of being, but you may need to make changes in order to see where your priorities really are.

More than anything, Jesus wants this relationship with you. He’s ready to meet you wherever you’re at. So stop waiting around for things to get better on their own and start chasing Jesus like He’s chasing you.

Meanwhile, I’ll be hunting for my seat cushion. 😉

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

Revelation 3:20

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

James 4:8-10

Life Doesn’t Make Sense

Have you recently experienced loss or disappointment that makes you question God’s plan?

I think we can all agree that life is really confusing sometimes.

We expect things to go well and other things to be terrible. Occasionally, life surprises us with unexpected blessings. Other times, we are met with grief and confusion.

Going into college, I was nervous about a lot of things. A few weeks ago, when I reread my list of college fears, I realized most of them didn’t happen. However, many of the things I was most excited about ended up being draining and discouraging.

When we lose something, whether it’s a person or an opportunity or even hope, we are reminded that we live in a broken world. That brokenness that we all experience is often masked behind a clean reputation or an optimistic attitude, but nonetheless it’s there.

Yet there will always be something in life that makes us crack. Heartbreak, rejection, failures, misunderstandings. The list could go on and on. We don’t go into relationships looking for heartbreak. We don’t take risks with the intent to fail. It’s just a part of life being...life.

And when we reach our lowest point, we are faced with a question: Yes, we did not purposely make this happen, but how are we going to react to it anyway?

When we are overwhelmed by disappointment, the world just feels like a dark, gloomy, and lonely place. We want to guard ourselves from any future setbacks. And quite honestly, that mindset makes sense. If you never love anyone, then you’ll never get your heart broken. If you never try new things, then you will never fail. But is that really the best way to live?

Today, I was reading from Isaiah chapter 5. The speaker shares a story of a man who owned a vineyard. This man invested everything into his vineyard with the expectation that the vineyard would produce good fruit. However, to his dismay, he was left with a shriveled up garden and nothing to show for his hard work. He responds with anger and despair, traits often tabooed in our society. But you know what? God meets him in his brokenness.

God knows what we are going through. When He created the world, there was no death or brokenness. Wholeness and wellness abounded. Peace and love brought all creatures together. Imagine His disappointment when this beautiful world was tarnished by sin.

Yet God never gave up hope. He continues to fight for us each and every day. In your quiet moments, your sobs muffled behind closed doors, God is there. When you get a life-altering phone call, God is there. When life just feels like too much and you don’t know why, God is there, fighting, advocating for you.

When we lean into our brokenness instead of pretending like it doesn’t exist, we can grow alongside those around us. When we accept brokenness and admit we need healing, our lives will transform, as will our relationships.

God never stops trying. We must never stop trying either. Through our sorrow we have the opportunity to bring comfort to others and experience God’s love through relationships.

Today, I challenge you to admit the things that are not perfect in your life. Allow yourself to feel frustration or sadness or whatever is weighing you down. But then, instead of isolating yourself, see how you can use these feelings to draw closer to God and to those who love you.

You are not alone. You have the most powerful being in the universe fighting for you. With God on your side, you will win every battle.

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you[f] to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darknessand brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Colossians 1:9-14

Take a Deep Breath

Have you been feeling burned out lately? Here is an invitation to rest and invite God’s peace to fill your troubled heart today.

Do you ever just feel…burned out?

Maybe everything is crumbling around you. Perhaps you have had an increased workload or a new person is in your life who demands a lot of your attention and energy. Or maybe things are just…normal?

Honestly, don’t feel bad if normal is exhausting. Especially now, life still amidst a pandemic, living in a world full of brokenness and selfishness and division.

But maybe that isn’t the whole world. Maybe, despite things feeling as though they are getting worse, there is still room for gentleness.

Last weekend was particularly rough for me. I won’t go into detail, but I witnessed the reality of our broken world. I felt powerless as people in need surrounded me and all I could do was take care of my own safety. And even then, I couldn’t protect a friend when she was harassed by a stranger. As I turned left and right, I saw how truly divided we have become. We think we’ve made progress in loving others and cultivating peace, but have we really? This weekend has planted an image in my mind of what Jesus meant when He described the evil we will face in the world.

Perhaps you’ve experienced something similar lately, a fresh slap of reality right in the face. It hurts, doesn’t it?

When you get hurt, it isn’t usually the initial contact that stings the most. It’s the sharpness that penetrates through your body until it’s all you can think about. It resonates deeply within you, leaving a lasting imprint. A scar that symbolizes a point in your journey.

But that is what it is–a point. It’s not the beginning, it’s not the end. It’s not the whole story. Your life has scars and it will get more scars as you keep going. But with every scar comes the rebuilding of skin, a healing process.

Though the healing process brings revival and joy back into your life, it doesn’t always feel beneficial at first. Be gentle with yourself as you take a look at what is causing the pain in your life. Change is hard and it’s important to just take it one step at a time.

Close your eyes for a moment and take a deep breath. Recently, I’ve seen the value of breath prayers, aligning your heart with God’s through a few simple words and actions. When you inhale, you will pray a few words. As you exhale, you will finish the prayer.

Pray with me:

Inhale: Jesus, my Protector

Exhale: Fill me with Your peace.

Allow yourself to feel the meaning of these words. Jesus offers us unexplainable, never ending peace with Him. No matter what’s going on, you can rest in His faithfulness.

But in my distress I cried out to the LORD; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry to him reached his ears.

Psalm 18:6

Never worry about anything. Instead, in every situation let your petitions be made known to God through prayers and requests, with thanksgiving. Then God’s peace, which goes far beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your hearts and minds in union with the Messiah Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

What Does “Casting My Cares” Really Look Like?

Are you feeling stressed out and you’re unsure how to find the peace Jesus offers? Here is some advice and encouragement.

I’m sure you’ve all heard the phrase (which stems from a verse), “Cast your cares on Jesus because He cares for you”. This verse can be incredibly reassuring, especially when we are dealing with anxious thoughts or troubled hearts. While this verse alone is completely true, we often miss out on a key part of the passage.

These two verses go, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your cares on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7). How can we fully cast our cares on Jesus? By being humble.

Now, it might be hard to see how these two things correlate. But the truth is, when we stop caring so much about whether or not we are pleasing others, being successful in the world’s eyes, or needing to be the best, a lot of our anxieties disappear.

Think about it. What’s been really stressing you out recently?

If it’s the division in our world, then humility is the answer. When we take a moment to be humble rather than shove our ideas and opinions in others’ faces, we can come together, despite our different convictions. Being a good listener takes humility, but isn’t unity worth it?

If it’s feeling upset by an argument, then perhaps the solution to your distress would be humbly apologizing or at least being willing to take the first step in mending the relationship. Even if it isn’t your fault, being the one to initiate reconciliation can bring you both deeper healing.

If it’s experiencing difficulty obtaining a goal, then ask yourself why you have this goal. Is it to “get ahead” in life, so that you can please others? Allow yourself to be immersed in God’s love for you instead and remember that He sees you as enough just by being who you are.

I’m sure there are countless other things you are stressing over, but as you list them down, think about whether or not you’d still be stressed about it if you didn’t care so much about your reputation. Does being right really matter that much? Does being in a higher status truly define your worth? I don’t think so.

Jesus offers us everything we could ever need. However, He does require us to do some work too. We have to be willing to be humble, like Jesus, in order to begin seeing change in our lives. We certainly don’t need to be perfect at humility, but Jesus honors our efforts, regardless of how others may react to them.

Today, allow yourself to be vulnerable and open minded to what others around you say. Remember that no matter how others treat you, Jesus loves you fully and intentionally. Once you let go of the belief that your worth depends on who others say you are, you will finally find peace.

Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.

1 Peter 3:8

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

1 Peter 5:6-7

Changing Seasons

Is change difficult for you? As the leaves are changing color around us, may we also be ready and willing to embrace our changing circumstances.

As I sit here and write, my mind is whirling with thoughts, worries, and hopes for the next season of my life. Today will be the last day (for a while) of writing from my usual chair in my room. I have a clear view of a maple tree outside, a tree that has weathered many storms, watched its companion tree fall, and shaded our house during the heat of the summer. Though it has swayed and it has lost, it has remained tall and strong, growing each day.

I don’t know about you, but I’m not the biggest fan of change. It used to be worse, though. Even at the age of 9, I refused to admit I was turning 10 until much after my birthday. Based on all the posts I’ve written about letting go, you can probably tell my opinion of change has only gradually improved…

The past can make us both excited and fearful for the future. We can be excited because perhaps this current season is draining, and we long for a season of rest. Or maybe this is a slow season and we look forward to things getting a little more interesting.

But perhaps we are looking back at the past and thinking about all we’ve gone through. Though we’ve made it through every battle we’ve faced, we are still worried a harder one will follow.

God doesn’t lie to us about seasons. There will be seasons of growth, seasons of joy, seasons of trials, and seasons of loss. There will be so many seasons of your life that you won’t even be able to remember them all. But the one thing that doesn’t change, through every single season, is God.

God is for you. He is fighting for you when you don’t feel strong enough to fight for yourself. He is rooting for you and cheering you on. He is teaching you lovingly when you must learn from a mistake. He is waiting for you to turn to Him. No, He’s actually running to you even when you aren’t ready to run to Him yet. He is constantly loving you.

No matter what is changing in your life, remember that God is with you through it all. He will never change. He is faithful.

You are stronger than you think. Instead of fearing the future when thinking of the past, remember how you have grown with each new challenge. You have lost and you have gained. You have had to go through painful change, but you have become a better person out of it. You are just like the beautiful tree out my window. You have weathered many storms, yet you are still standing. And that, my friend, is worth celebrating.

For the embarrassing moments, look back and laugh. For the joyful moments, cherish them and thank God for them. For the moments of grief, allow God’s comfort to fill your heart as you remember that this is not the end of anyone’s journey. And for the moments of hardship, cling onto the hope that this season will eventually end.

You are loved far beyond your imagination. ❤

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Galatians 6:9

He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.”

Acts 1:7

 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

2 a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
3 a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

When Life’s Just Plain Mean

Are you feeling tired, burned out by all that’s going on around you? Take the time to rest and nourish yourself.

            I started off writing a post about life’s interruptions. I have had my share of interruptions recently, and though things haven’t exactly made sense, all my experiences seemed to tie together for that post. I was really excited about it, feeling God’s hand on the piece, and then when I went to post it, half the article got deleted.

            I collapsed in my chair, tears streaming down my face, about ready to throw my computer out the window. Yes, things get deleted a lot, but, as I’ll share in that post (which I am definitely going to finish–the enemy can’t win that easily!!!), a lot has been going on in my life that hasn’t made sense. In fact, these things have drained me, shaken me, broken my heart, and have resulted in poorer mental and physical health this summer. This felt like the last straw. If at least one good thing could come out of the situation, I thought, then maybe things would begin to make sense.

            But you know what? Life doesn’t always make sense. I often try to put meaning behind everything (which I still believe that everything is intentional), but sometimes we just have to allow ourselves the time to grieve. Grieve what was, grieve what is, grieve what might be to come. Letting go is hard. Change is hard. Acceptance is hard.

            I’m sure you know all these things by now. In fact, you’re probably waiting for me to finally tell you something you don’t know. Well…I don’t know if I can do that today.

            Here’s what I will tell you. Whatever you’re going through matters. No matter how small, no matter how big, no matter how many people it affects. As long as it affects someone (and yes, you are a someone) then it matters. If it matters to you, it matters to God.

            God promises to be with us through everything. That doesn’t mean we won’t have storms come our way, but it does mean we will never be alone. It’s okay to be angry and hurt and frustrated. But instead of lashing out at others or criticizing yourself or throwing your computer out the window, call out to God. He wants to hear from you during every single season of your life, including the painful, overwhelming ones. 

            And once you’ve done that, rest. Take time to breathe. Take time to listen to calming music or visit a place that brings you joy. Things won’t be solved overnight and you may not feel better that fast either. However, each day is brand new, full of an opportunity to be replenished by God’s peace and grace. Take however long you need to let your heart heal. You’re worth it.

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Matthew 11:28-30