Life advice – Page 6 – The Will to Wake Up

Making Room for Jesus

What can we never have too much of?

A friend of mine recently gifted me a beautiful Christmas book that contains ornaments with names of Jesus to hang on the tree each day of Advent. This gift was certainly thoughtful and well-appreciated.

The thing is, though, my tree is literally leaning by the weight of decades of passed-down ornaments. My parents had boxes of childhood and young adult belongings stolen years ago, but what was left behind? All those ornaments!

Tonight, as I placed one of the final ornaments on the tree, a snowflake with the words “Light of the World” on it, I joked, “I don’t think this tree has room for another Jesus ornament!”

Hmm…

So often in our lives we shut Jesus out because we don’t think we have room for Him. Our jobs, our relationships, and our well-being have to come first. And while I’m certainly an advocate for taking care of those aspects of our lives, I believe that when we center our lives around Jesus, everything else falls into place.

We can definitely have too much of most things in life, whether it’s old furniture or cheap knick-knats or our favorite snack. We can even have too much of our loved ones, requiring us to take some space away from them to appreciate them again.

But we can never have too much Light. In fact, love, peace, and hope aren’t in abundant supply these days either. Does anyone complain about an overflow of joy or contentment? Nope.

The only way we can truly have these things is through Jesus. He is the embodiment of anything lasting and worthwhile.

Now, I won’t pretend like dedicating our lives, or even simply our Christmas season, to Jesus is easy. It takes intentionality and grace, mostly grace for ourselves when we find ourselves slipping away.

And it doesn’t mean we will always feel wonderful or close to God. It means that we are willing to stick through the tough times and make sacrifices.

But it will all be worth it.

This Christmas, make room for Jesus in your life. He desperately wants to be there for you. All you have to do is invite Him in.

The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:14

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
James 1:17

I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness.
John 12:46

You Can’t Stop God

How do you view God?

Not when you were a child, not when you were a teen, not even yesterday, but today. How do you view God?

For many people, God is this powerful, tyrannical being who refuses us our desires and makes us earn His love. For others, God is a carefree parent who lets us do whatever we want out of the sake of His never-ending love.

To be honest, there are brief snippits of truth in both, yet it’s missing the core of who God is. But before I dig into that, I’d like move this conversation to the musical level 😉

I recently came across the song You Can’t Stop Me, by Matt Hammitt, that perfectly depicts our relationship with God. While this song could be a beautiful dialogue between two people (which it is!), I believe these lyrics are even more profound when spoken between us and God.

The song begins with these lyrics:

Keeping my heart at arm’s length
Pushing me so far away
Keeping my kindness at bay
Tell me who hurt you
Every time that you think
You’ll be too much for me to take
You give me a reason to stay
To see mountains move

Often, the reason why we are in a tense or distant relationship with God is because we have been hurt and misled about the character of God. We believe it’s safer to pretend like there isn’t a God so that we don’t have to “burden” Him with our lives.

However, God is given an even greater reason to pursue us when we believe our problems are too much for Him. God is given the opportunity to prove His love, such as Jesus did on the cross. God continues to show us reasons why He is powerful and all-knowing.

And if you don’t think I’m afraid
That loving you could bring me pain
Oh, I know that my heart could break
It’s a chance I’ll take

Now, God isn’t afraid of anything, but loving us does bring Him pain. While the earlier verses indicate God’s glory and supernaturalness, these verses remind us of God’s human qualities.

When Jesus sacrificed Himself on the cross, when He came down at Christmas to endure earthly trials, He did all this out of His love for us. However, He certainly endured pain and heartbreak at the hands of sin, our sin.

Yet He reminds us that we are worth it.

And you won’t let anyone see you
But I know that one day I’ll reach you
You won’t let anyone love you
But you can’t stop me

In our society, we often choose to hide our true feelings and lives in order to portray an idealized version of ourselves in the hope of pleasing others. But God sees us. He knows us to the fullest extent.

In the end, it’s not our choice whether or not God loves us. We can’t stop God’s love. He doesn’t force this love on us, but it will always be there for us to accept. And someday, He will make His face known to us.

So does this God sound tyrannical, unreasonable, or overly tolerant? I certainly don’t think so.

It’s out of His love for us that He wants us to change and grow into better people, which means He will let us go through difficult circumstances. But it’s also out of His love that He never gives up on us and is willing to sacrifice everything for us.

So, let me ask you again: How do you view God?

For me, on this very day, God is certainly powerful, deserving of our adoration and respect. God is also loving and merciful, forgiving me when I repent from my mistakes. But most of all, God is here. God is with me. God is with you.

God is love, so when we are with God (which is always) we have nothing to fear because there is no fear in love.

And the sooner we accept the fullness of God’s love, the sooner we will finally find hope.

But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.
2 Thessalonians 2:13

To listen to You Can’t Stop Me, by Matt Hammitt (featuring Fleurie), check out this link: https://youtu.be/l_RUtxDRwJA

You are Somebody

Do you want to be “someone” in this world? Well, guess what? You already are!

A song that’s been stuck in my head the past few days is Someone to You, by Banners. A repeated line goes, “I just wanna be someone. Well, doesn’t everyone?”

Come to think of it, yes we do!

While this song implies finding a romantic partner, I believe we are all hoping to be someone in this world. We want to have meaning. And in a world of nearly 8 billion people, it’s a struggle to feel significant.

Often, on this quest to “be someone”, we get lost along the way. We may search for validation in romantic relationships, which leave us brokenhearted. Or perhaps we strive for a promotion or impressive resumé to boost our marketability. Maybe we think we can only be someone if we are famous or rich or popular.

And while the truth is that Jesus sees all of us as someone, this fact doesn’t bring us much reassurance. After all, if everyone is someone, then what’s so special about it?

Our society strives for uniqueness. Think about it in the fashion world. What’s more expensive, the mass-produced dress at Target or the hand-embroidered, one-of-a-kind designer gown? Obviously the one that’s harder to come by.

But here’s the thing: Jesus doesn’t work the way our society works. When He calls us treasured and valued and loved, it doesn’t matter that He also loves every single other person who ever existed. That’s because His love is infinite. It isn’t mass-produced, but unique and special to each individual.

As a kid, did you ever try taking home a stray animal or even a wild critter from outdoors? Your parents warned you not to name it because you couldn’t keep it. What’s so special about a name? Names build attachment; they form a connection.

Jesus knows us by name. In fact, He’s the one who named us and continues to call us by name. He knows every intricate detail of us, from the number of hairs on our head to our distant memories we can’t even remember anymore.

No matter what anyone says, you are somebody.

In fact, Jesus says that you aren’t just somebody. You are everything to Him.

Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine…Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life.
Isaiah 43:1,4

What are We Really Trying to Get from Social Media?

After scrolling through your feed, have you been left empty?

Now, based on the topic of this post, you’re likely assuming I’m about to bash social media. But honestly, I’m not one to criticize it too much considering I have multiple social media platforms and I’ve met several good friends thanks to Instagram.

However, I’ve also seen several waves of social media by being a GenZer (we’ll pretend that’s a word). I remember when my peers first got phones in middle school and there were talks in youth group about avoiding certain ads and being wary of internet stalkers. The reputations of apps have shifted over time, going from only the “popular kids” having social media to alternative forms of messaging being the main source of communication during quarantine.

But now, as we are (hopefully) emerging out of COVID times, what are people’s opinions of social media? Among my peers, many are just plain sick of it. It’s become too comfortable of a home for internet trolls, people who just want to start up a fight, and a place that harbors loneliness and comparison.

Now, arguably, social media has been a bridge for many to make friends, which I believe to be the biggest benefit of it. But I don’t think that’s the real reason why social media exists.

Social media is basically a platform where people get to handpick their friends, watch their lives from a distance, and share life’s highlights with the world. Never before have we been given the opportunity to gauge exactly how many people care about our lives. That’s essentially what likes and views mean, right? The higher the number, the more people we have who care about us.

So in essence, social media is less about what we’re actually posting and more about feeling loved. We get a cheap thrill from watching our numbers skyrocket, only to have our hearts shattered by a poorly worded comment or an unfollow.

And really, the whole thing feels ridiculous, right? Stewing over a conversation with a stranger or devastated by a lack of response. Making assumptions about others from a single emoji or caption. The more our minds spiral, the more stupid we feel. This causes us to invalidate our feelings, which only creates further harm.

So what’s the solution? Delete social media? Go AWOL?

I don’t think so.

Honestly, if social media were erased from the planet, our problems wouldn’t go away. Humans have constantly searched for love in all the wrong places, and social media isn’t the only wrong place.

Instead, we need to figure out where true love really comes from. And, despite what the holiday Hallmark movies might tell you, it doesn’t come from under the mistletoe 😉

We can love each other, whether as family members, friends, or romantically. But none of us can love perfectly, no matter how amazing you are (which you are amazing, no doubt).

Only God can.

God never gives up on us, never forces us to impress Him or earn His love, and is the only One with the power to truly forgive us. He knows us inside and out, and yet He is still longing to be in relationship with us.

So this holiday season, perhaps others’ posts have made you feel isolated or discouraged if you haven’t had the best winter season so far. Maybe you’ve seen one too many engagement posts or families matching in Christmas pajamas. Yet you feel more alone than ever.

Don’t let comparison steal your joy.

When you find your love and your joy in Jesus, you will be able to feel happy for others while having hope about your own future.

You are loved, no matter what. Never forget that. ❤

In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.
Exodus 15:13

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
Psalm 5:11

What’s Worth Celebrating?

Are you having trouble finding reasons to celebrate this Christmas?

Christmastime: The season of joyful singing, generous giving, and reflections of gratitude over the past year. We celebrate Jesus coming to save us and how our world has been fantastic ever since He left…right?

Well, we may not exactly feel that way this year. COVID has forced us to look past ourselves and the coverups of the mistreatment and pain many, if not all of us, experience over the course of our lives. We can’t hide behind bright lights, festive parties, and overspending.

And while vulnerability and honesty are valuable and important things we long for, we can’t help but have a bitter taste in our mouths as we struggle to find what’s worth celebrating these days.

So, what are we really celebrating when our world doesn’t feel like it’s been saved?

The one thing that can’t be changed: God’s love.

Now, I know what you might be thinking. You’re already tired of hearing the word “love”. Love is overused and over-simplified through Hallmark movies, seasonal proposals, and the occasional hopeless romantic in your life who is making a desperate search for a companion for the holidays. But the truth is, when we take the time to realize what love really is, we are able to have something worth celebrating.

Love, in the grandest form, is sacrificial. And Jesus surely made the ultimate sacrifice for us. When He came down as a poor, homeless baby, He knew what lie ahead of Him. Temptation, betrayal, mockery, and ultimate death on a cross. He knew He had to literally step into every single possible situation we might experience so that He can empathize with us. And though this mission was risky and unpleasant, He was willing to do whatever it took to show us how much He loves us.

But yet, though Jesus came to offer hope, justice, and compassion, our world seems to be lacking every quality of Jesus. In fact, life feels like it’s getting worse most of the time.

So how come it doesn’t feel like Jesus’ sacrifice paid off?

Well, the simple answer would be that Jesus isn’t done restoring our world. It will reach a breaking point and Jesus will return to redeem us once and for all.

But what are we to do in the meantime? Why couldn’t Jesus get the job done the first time?

I’m sure Jesus could, but He knew that allowing us to live in a broken world would cause us to value His love even more. When we experience hardships, especially at the hands of others, we are able to better appreciate being in a relationship with someone (Jesus) who loves us no matter what and always works for our good.

Christmas isn’t about celebrating an idealistic world that hasn’t come yet, though we can certainly anticipate a day with no more pain. Christmas isn’t about celebrating what we wish the world could be and feeling resentful that we haven’t achieved these goals yet.

Christmas is about living in our present, often difficult, circumstances and celebrating that even though we are flawed human beings, the God of the universe was (and is) willing to sacrifice everything just to be in a relationship with us. We are celebrating that His love for us reaches no end and we have the capability to extend that love to others, particularly around the holidays.

This Christmas, you can have a smile on your face and unexplainable joy in your heart as you remember how much Jesus loves you and is alongside you through your journey.

For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
Romans 11:29

In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
John 1:4-5

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him…
John 1:9-10

If you have an children in your life and are searching for a heartwarming, yet straightforward version of the Christmas story, here is a book I co-authored that shares the true meaning of Christmas!

To check out this book: https://www.blurb.com/b/10989294

Happy Birthday… By Hannah Chung

Book Preview

Jesus, Heal Our Land

Our broken world needs healing more than ever, but how can we obtain that?

I came across a verse this evening that really resonated with me.

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14

Now, for a bit of context before we dive into this passage, God is speaking to Solomon right after Solomon dedicated his newly constructed temple to the Lord. Clearly, the Israelites already have a track record of not listening to God after asking for a worldly, human ruler in place of God and constantly looking to other ungodly people groups to gain “inspiration” for how to live. However, even after everything, out of the endless love in His heart, God promises His people that He will listen when they call out to Him.

As you can see, our world is no better than the world during 2 Chronicles. There is so much man-made destruction of relationships, identity, nature, and internal wellbeing. People are dying every day at the hands of others’ selfishness. Others are suffering for the sake of wealth or status or even tradition. None of these things would be happening if God were recognized as our leader because God is just, merciful, and loving. We need deep healing in our land.

You might think that we are too far gone. And truthfully, I often feel that way as well. But God is always willing to give us a second (or millionth) chance. When we cry out, He listens. But we need to be in the right “heart space” in order to have this intimate relationship with God.

And where better to learn than through God’s own instruction?

Humble Yourselves

The first command God gives Solomon for the Israelites relates to humility. Pride (the opposite of humility) is one of our biggest separators from God. When we recognize that our worth comes from God alone, we accept that we need His grace and forgiveness in order to live fully. We cannot do anything by our own strength. The glory must truly go to God.

Pray

Prayer comes in many forms. The traditional list of prayer requests often feels lengthy and unnecessary. But prayers are really just a conversation with God. We need to build in time for listening and accepting the convictions He gives us. That often requires discomfort, but it’s worth it for the sake of growth. And if we have followed the first step, humbling ourselves, then we are more likely to be able to take the changes God wants for us. We are also given the opportunity to experience joy through gratitude during these times of prayer.

Unique ways to pray:

Prayer journaling

Writing letters to God

Singing

Taking a walk through nature and listening for God

Popcorn prayers (going back and forth with another person to list off what needs prayer)

Reading scripture

Seek My Face

We can’t just expect God to be waiting to serve us at our hands and feet. We need to make intentional effort to have a relationship with God too. By reading the Bible, listening for God, and truly having the desire to know Him, we will be able to seek His face. God loves a willing, inquisitive heart and will reward the efforts you make to find Him.

Turn from Your Wicked Ways

Something our culture doesn’t like to hear is that we do actually do things that aren’t right. Shocking, I know.

But seriously, while God loves us no matter what, He doesn’t want us to stay buried in our lives of sin. He wants to free us from the chains sin places on us. Knowing what is a sin and being willing to accept that we aren’t perfect requires all the previous steps (humility and knowing God’s character).

The awesome thing is that when we do things that are wrong, God doesn’t inflict shame upon us the way the world does. Rather, we are given hope that things can get better and that we are designed for greater things.

I hope you will join me in praying for our broken world. My heart goes out to all of you who have truly felt the weight of the world on your shoulders. You are loved. Don’t give up showing God’s light, we need it more than ever.

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

What If…It’s Gonna Be Okay?

Hope for when life is confusing.

I don’t know about you, but for me, when life doesn’t go the way I hoped, I start questioning all my decisions. I get angry at myself for not choosing the opposite choice, assuring myself that if I had only known better, things wouldn’t have ended up this way. If I had picked a different school, became friends with someone else, researched more before making a choice…the list of what ifs could go on and on.

But what if…

The reason why you didn’t know was so that you could grow?

Just think about it. If you hadn’t made that mistake, would you still be the person you are today? If you hadn’t gotten into that rough situation, would you still be the compassionate and understanding individual you are now? You may not feel strong, but the truth is, with every difficult season, you are growing into a stronger person.

And what’s the worst that could happen if you dare to believe that the future is bright? What if this isn’t the end? What if this is the beginning of something amazing?

I once heard that the one thing that elevates humans above other species is our imagination. This imagination can cause our minds to run wild with fears, doubts, and questions. Questions that trap us in the past, ruminating over all the scenarios that could have been.

But I like to think of imagination as one of life’s greatest blessings. What if your imagination allows you to see the potential in others, the light that God has placed inside each of us? What if your imagination restores your hope in yourself?

You can be rest assured that no matter what your life looks like right now, yes, you are capable of good things. Yes, there is more ahead of you. Yes, you aren’t a mistake.

Today, on the day dedicated to gratitude, I want you to soak in the goodness of God’s promises. He calls you chosen. Forgiven. Blessed. Chosen. Loved.

When we focus on all we have to be grateful for, our hope is restored. We aren’t sugarcoating the past or only focusing on its downfalls. We are recognizing how both the good and the painful have shaped us into who we are today.

And that person, no matter how you are showing up today, is amazing.

So thankful for you. ❤

For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.
1 Timothy 4:4-5

Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Psalm 106:1

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

his love endures forever.
1 Chronicles 16:34

Behind You, Beside You, Before You

Is your calling from God difficult to understand?

I’ve always seen the value in honesty, and while this blog is dedicated to encouragement, I need to be real with you about my struggles as well as my joys and past lessons learned. It’s really easy finding the morals in the stories that are so far off, they no longer feel like real life, but merely distant history. But perhaps, as we journey together, we can find hope within the current hardships.

Over the past four months, I have really struggled with my mental health. At first, it was related to triggering events over the summer that left me feeling hopeless. I was looking forward to college as an escape from the issues burdening me over the summer. However, college was definitely not what I thought it would be at all.

I want to highlight that I have made many incredible friends who have truly shown God’s love to me and I would never want to undermine the impact they, as well as understanding professors, have lent me during this time.

Yet many of the things I had eagerly anticipated fell through the cracks. A certain friendship that I had hoped would bring joy and encouragement ended up causing me to experience anxiety attacks and many sleepless nights. I began to feel unsafe, unsure of what to do from here.

Lately, I’ve been reading through the book of Isaiah, which I shared on a previous post. I always associate Isaiah with the idea of being “sent” by God.

I love the verse, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8)

I believe that we all have a calling and that God wants to work through whoever is willing. But what I have struggled to comprehend is the fact that God does not always send us to places where we feel fulfilled or loved or worthy. God does not always send us to people who want to embrace us and accept the gifts we bring.

For Isaiah, his calling was incredibly unpleasant. He had to warn the people of the impending destruction of their entire way of life. No one would like him after that. No one would want to listen to him either.

However, Isaiah was willing, and God worked through him to bring forth many miracles.

Later on, Isaiah is given another message, the exciting news of the promised Messiah! But it took sharing the bad news before Isaiah could share the good news.

Not every single one of your callings will be uncomfortable. We can have hope in that. God will never leave us stranded.

As I’ve been trying to comprehend why the past few months have felt like a never-ending rollercoaster of surprising misfortunes, I came across this verse in Isaiah chapter 8: “Devise a plan; it will fail. Make a prediction; it will not happen. For God is with us.” (Isaiah 8:10)

One of my biggest reasons for feeling discouraged during this season is because so many of the things I truly believed would be huge blessings have ended up exactly the opposite of what I had anticipated. Yet this verse tells us that we can find hope when our plans and predictions don’t follow through. God’s presence is enough to make all things right and sustain us when we feel like we can’t take another step step further.

Later on in this passage, God instructs Isaiah to tell the people to not fear what the world fears. The world fears an effaced reputation, a loss in self-confidence, and ultimate desolation. But we know that our strength, our confidence, our identity, and our future is in God’s hands. We have nothing to fear.

Today, let God’s words to you resonate in your soul. God loves you so much and His plan is far greater than any battle you are fighting. He will go above you, before you, behind you, and beside you. ❤

I will wait for the Lord,
who is hiding His face from the house of Jacob.
I will wait for Him.
Isaiah 8:17

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,¹⁰so 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, ¹¹being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, ¹²and 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. ¹³For he has rescued us from the dominion of darknessand brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, ¹⁴in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Colossians 1:9-14