Mental Health Matters – The Will to Wake Up

Through the Looking Glass

Do you stare at yourself in the mirror and wonder what’s missing?

The next time you look in the mirror, I hope you can remember, this isn’t the whole of who you are.

When you examine your reflection, wondering what could be better, wishing to be someone else, remember that you are only getting a snapshot of who you are.

Staring at old photographs, pondering old dreams, searching for something more, may you know that you were created for more, but you don’t have to become more than who you are in order to fulfill your purpose.

The mirror can lie. The mirror can boast. The mirror can tell us all sorts of things. But there is one thing the mirror cannot tell us.

It can’t tell us who we are inside.

We don’t have to be controlled by a mere reflection. A reflection that changes each day, curving and bending with each new angle or shard of glass. A reflection that isn’t at all who we were made to reflect.

We were made to reflect the One who loves perfectly, who loves us perfectly in fact. We were made to shine the light of our Savior, our Maker, our Helper.

We are made for greater things than worrying about our image. We are made for so much more than this meaningless swirl of doubts.

You, yes you, are here for a reason. So step back from the mirror or the photo or whatever is causing you to feel unworthy.

Open your love letter from God, reach out to the people who love you no matter what, and help where you are needed. There will always be a place for you. You will always be beautiful to God and to others who see you for everything you are. Nothing can ever change your purpose. Nothing. ❤

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
1 Corinthians 13:12

To the Person Who Feels Alone

A letter to you who feel lonely tonight ❤

Dear Chosen,

You may feel anything but chosen tonight as you sit alone. Perhaps you aren’t physically alone, but you feel alone in your pain, alone in your longing for more.

The world feels like it’s passing you by; you can barely stand on your own two feet without shaking. Yet the world tells you that you have no other choice but to keep on going.

Day after day, the ache inside grows stronger until you can barely breathe. Is this it? Is this really life?

For the days when it feels like nobody cares, I want you to know that you matter.

You don’t matter because of what you do. You matter because you are human. You matter because you are still here, still willing to pursue your purpose, even if that simply means getting up in the morning.

You matter because you are fearfully and wonderfully made by Someone who loves you enough to die for you. You may not feel close to God right now. You may not even believe in God.

But let my confidence be enough for you tonight–you were made for amazing things. You are loved just the way you are and you don’t have to do anything to prove that.

In fact, you were made to be loved. Not to win metals or gain followers or invent the latest technology. Not even to be “special”. You were made to be loved by your Creator.

Yet you are not alone in feeling deserted. You have no reason to be ashamed for wondering why you’re here or doubting your purpose. Behind flocks of friends or countless accomplishments hide insecure, scared people who wonder what they are made for too.

That may bring you relief to know that you’re not alone, but I hope it does even more for you. I hope it empowers you to step out and remind someone else tonight that they aren’t alone either.

As you grow comfortable in your identity of being a beloved child of God, you will find it easier and easier to remind others of how loved they are too.

But first things first: Allowing yourself to take a moment to remember that this isn’t it. This isn’t all there is. You are made for more. More love, more respect, and more grace.

It isn’t too late for you. You are never alone. ❤

Love,

Hannah

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

To the Person on the Verge of Giving Up

A letter to those who feel rejected.

Dear Beloved,

Sometimes it feels pointless. You are there for others, and then they make you their second best, if even that. You let their words–or rather, lack of words–define who you are.

But even if you are never chosen by the people you love, remember this: The world is not full of truth. People don’t know what they’re missing. You aren’t missing out–they are. By continuing to be faithful, you will do something much greater than be “chosen” by these people.

You will leave a lasting legacy. A legacy full of love. And guess what?

You are chosen. Maybe not by the people who fill your mind and break your heart, but by the people God has led to love you. You may not know who they are yet, but they are there.

Most of all, God chose you. He chose you when He sent His son as a sacrifice. He sent Jesus as your salvation and proof of His love. God chooses you every day, even when our sin breaks His heart.

You are someone’s first choice. You are God’s first choice. Don’t let anyone make you feel otherwise.

You will always, always be loved and needed right here.

Love, Hannah ❤

And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
Romans 5:5-6

To the Person Who Needs to Let Go

The first of many letters to my faithful readers ❤

I’m starting a new series sharing journal entires I’ve written (either to myself, God, or others) that I believe will encourage you. Each post will be dedicated to the person who I best believe will benefit from these simple words. Hopefully that person is you today. ❤

Today’s journal entry comes from last August.

Dear You Who May Relate,

Recently I’ve been sad for many reasons, but a big one is the fear of letting go. I’m scared of letting go of people. I’m scared I won’t make new friends. I’m scared of leaving my job and I’m worried I won’t find a job as meaningful. I’m scared all my relationships will change.

But today, something I’ve been trying to repeat to myself finally clicked.

If I hold too tightly to the past, I’ll miss what’s coming. If I allow the past to dictate the present and future, then things won’t get better. But if I have hope for each brand new day, then I can finally experience true joy and rest. Maybe each new day is one step closer to meeting a new friend or mentor or achieving a dream?

What if–instead of dread–I can feel excited for the new season? Letting go is not abandoning others–it’s leaving room for joy and expectation of God’s promises.

And, as Hannah six months later, I can confirm that the road to this new season is rocky, but also lined with unexpected blessings and growth opportunities.

Hope is not lost–not for either of us. God has never (and will never) leave your side. You are not alone.

Love, Hannah ❤

What no eye has seen,
what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”—
the things God has prepared for those who love him.
1 Corinthians 2:9

“Letting go” does not mean you’re giving up, it just means that after all this time, you are finally beginning to see even without the closure: You are worth the new beginning.
Morgan Harper Nichols

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

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.
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.
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.
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

You Can’t Save Yourself

Do you feel ready to give up on God and turn to yourself when life gets difficult?

I firmly believe you have immense value, you are loved, and we should do whatever we can to encourage each other. But one thing I will never stand behind is the false belief that we have the power to save ourselves.

Usually, this lie isn’t delivered this bluntly. It’s packaged in phrases like “I am my own hero” and “I am the only one I can rely on” and “The only one who can help me is me“.

When we first get tempted to believe this lie, we may feel refreshed, happier than we’ve ever been. But over time, we become even more drained than before, wondering what went wrong, and having even less self-confidence than before.

How do I know this is true? Because I’ve tried it, my friend, and it doesn’t do any good.

A few years ago, I was in a situation that left me feeling rejected and unimportant. So where did I go with my wounded pride? Social media.

Scrolling through positive self-confidence feeds until all I could repeat were those mantras. I believe repeating positive phrases is important, but not when they cause us to fixate on ourselves and rely on false strength.

At the end of it, I felt invigorated, ready to conquer the world and bash all those people who had hurt me. I’m a better version of me now, I thought. I can do anything!

As time went on, I began harboring more and more resentment towards the people who made me feel less-than. My focus wasn’t on helping myself; it was on seeking revenge.

Have you ever heard the phrase, “The best revenge is living a life worth being jealous of?”

No–don’t live a good, fulfilling life that way. Why? Because you can’t live an honest, purposeful life while constantly looking over your shoulder to make sure others are admiring it!

Live a life you are thankful for and proud of so that you can know you’ve made a difference in the world for the greater good…for God’s good.

So what finally got me out of this resentful, self-consumed mindset? Actually spending time with the people who had hurt me.

After one conversation, my feelings fizzled away. I was humbly reminded that I wasn’t the only one going through tough things. That yes, my feelings mattered, but they don’t dictate everyone’s lives and they shouldn’t be the sole ruler of mine.

That night, I felt stripped of any false confidence and strength I possessed before. Instead, I was convicted of the bitter, awful feelings buried in my heart.

Those feelings weren’t pleasant. I’d prefer not to relive them, even though I have been convicted of these things since then. But you know, by the end of it, I felt even better than I had before.

I was finally at the root of my problems. It wasn’t really about trying to improve myself; it was about the hurt and rejection I had experienced that led me to believe I wasn’t worthy in the first place.

But that just isn’t true, for either of us.

After admitting the core of my problems to God, I felt clean. I felt made new. I felt like I was finally getting somewhere in life.

Ultimately, I felt like God was using me again.

The saddest part about believing we can save ourselves is how it influences our relationship with God. God is the only One who can save us. He’s the only One who could’ve created us to begin with! So how can we possibly take credit for the work only our Divine Savior can accomplish?

It’s tempting to believe we are our only saviors when life doesn’t go the way we hope. It’s tempting to turn to positive mantras, colorful reassurances, and all the things that give us a temporary confidence boost.

But God never promises that life will be easy or that our prayers will be answered the way we hoped or within our timetable. God gives us a greater promise: that His will is going to be done, that He is always with us, and that we have nothing to fear.

I’m urging you now, before you become somebody you are not, to release your wounds and deep feelings to God. Allow yourself to feel disappointed or scared or overwhelmed with grief. Once you admit how you feel and that you are only truly strong through God, you will begin to feel better knowing that you are not alone.

Though none of us can save ourselves, you do have the power to help yourself. So help yourself today by resting and being vulnerable with Jesus, as well as those who also love you. I know that you can get through this, one step at a time. Remember, you are worth what it takes to truly heal ❤

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:8-10

Joy Can Be Found in Every Season

No matter what season you’re in, joy can still be found.

Does each new season of life come abruptly for you? In certain seasons, this change may be warmly welcomed. But in others, this shift feels like the rug has been torn out from under your feet.

Each season is unique and special, both in its pain and healing. But what if I told you that joy can be found in every season, even the most difficult?

Every individual’s life is different, but I often think of life as having five general seasons (not always cycling in the same order).

A season of preparation (also thought of as waiting, though I’ll explain the difference in word choice momentarily)
A season of loss
A season of trials
A season of rest and healing
A season of new opportunities

Now, once again, I’d like to clarify that our lives are too complex to be minimize and shoved into a set of five boxes. However, for the sake of simplicity, we will stick to these five main categories for today. I also realize that my life doesn’t mirror everyone’s lives, but I will use personal illustrations because these seasons have been so clearly reflected throughout my past year.

I use the word preparation rather than waiting because I believe we are waiting in every season. In a season of preparation, we are eagerly anticipating what’s to come. In a season of loss, we are waiting for the pain to ease. In times of testing and trials, we are waiting for our hard work and persistence to pay off. When we are recovering from fast-moving seasons, we are waiting to feel ourselves again. And when we are being restored, we are waiting to see what comes next.

Yet, through everything, we can still have hope and joy.

The SEason of Preparation

I distinctly remember this season starting. I had just graduated and the future felt so bright and hopeful. Yet, I was overcome by a sense of longing, a desire to move forward faster. Little did I know all that lie ahead.

Now, I firmly believe that preparing is an active word. When we feel stagnant in our current states, we must take the time God is giving us to be with Him, encourage others, and spend time in the Bible. We must be ready for what’s to come, yet ultimately trusting God with whatever the future holds.

How can we have joy when life feels boring?

We can reflect on the past and all that God has done through our different stages of life. We can develop our dreams and see how they align with God’s will for us. We can get excited about the future while being intentional about noticing what’s beautiful in the present.

More than any other season, intentionality is key as we prepare for what God has in store for us. Our time won’t feel wasted when we know our efforts are being put to good use.

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:10

The season of loss

This is arguably the most difficult season to find joy. When a loved one or a dream is stripped away from us, we are left feeling wounded, abandoned, and empty.

During this season, we are tempted to escape from the deep healing God is trying to stir within us. Last summer, I experienced loss and a sense of impending doom for the future. I wanted to run away from my problems, and I tried to do that, only to be faced with the truth.

God only wants the best for us. When we are experiencing pain, He is using that to draw us closer to Him. That doesn’t mean we should belittle our pain or brush off the efforts of others to relieve it.

Rather, we should allow ourselves to feel the depth of our pain and heartache. We may not always be in safe places to do this, but when we are given the opportunity, we must be honest with our feelings.

I have often found that my most intimate moments with God come out of seasons of disappointment, loneliness, and grief.

Allow yourself to be immersed in God’s comfort and love. Let these truths sink in:

You are loved.

You are important.

This person, this dream, this opportunity matters.

Your feelings matter.

You are going to get through this, one day at a time.

You can still find joy in this season by realizing you have the unique opportunity to feel God’s very presence in your life. You are able to relate to Jesus’ pain in a way you never have before. And ultimately, this season will lead to deeper healing.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.
2 Corinthians 1:3-7

The season of Trials

This season may feel as difficult as the season of loss, yet for different reasons. Instead of feeling immense sadness or grief, you are faced with feelings of frustration and discouragement. You may even wonder whether or not you have a purpose.

You may be tempted to give up when the end feels so far away, yet our greatest strength comes from our most trying circumstances.

We experience the most growth during our tests of faith and perseverance. This growth should not be taken lightly. It is a true gift to be able to develop the skills and characteristics God has placed within us.

We can find joy in the fact that we are becoming more and more like Jesus the longer we follow Him and allow His love to infiltrate every aspect of our lives.

Yes, you are being challenged, and yes, you deserve time to rest. You may feel stretched to the limits, perhaps both emotionally and physically. But you can trust that this time is not being wasted.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4

The season of rest and healing

Though some would rather choose to “skip” this season, we all must take the time to rest and heal from the strain life puts on us.

You are not weak for needing rest. You are not weak for needing time to heal. You are certainly not weak for asking for help during this season, whether it be from a trusted mentor, a close friend, or a professional skilled in helping others work through trauma.

Now, this season may not come after the “most traumatic incident of your life”. We need to periodically take the time to recover so that we are able to show up as our best selves during the seasons that ask a lot of us. Even the most skilled warriors and leaders in the Bible took time to rest. God commanded it, that’s why He built it into our weekly schedule.

But our society makes us feel insufficient when we aren’t able to carry the weight of the world alone any longer. How can we respond to that with joy?

By accepting the fact that yes, we are all insufficient. We need Jesus to carry our burdens with us and give us the deep healing we desire. And once you accept the restoration Jesus offers, you will begin to feel fully yourself, deeply known and loved by God.

Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed. Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said.
Hebrews 4:1-3

THe Season of New opportunities

I have recently come out of a season of healing. Though I put every last bit of myself into my work, relationships, and education, I plummeted into the season of healing as a shell of myself. I am so thankful to have had several weeks to rest and do things that bring me joy. This has prepared me for the season I believe to be entering, a season of new opportunities.

Over the past few days, I have been overwhelmed by new opportunities and fresh starts. Never have I actually entered a new year with this many changes.

While this is exciting, it is also slightly frightening. After so much has happened, it is hard to believe that good can really come out of life.

During this season, we face immense pressure to be grateful and happy. But we can’t force those feelings. Gratitude is important, but must come wholeheartedly. Happiness doesn’t last, not the way joy does.

Perhaps you are also in this season, or have experienced the desire to be joyful, yet you aren’t sure how to make these feelings appear.

The truth is, joy comes slowly but surely. It isn’t necessarily the initial spark of excitement or eagerness that comes when an opportunity is first presented to us. It isn’t even the relief that comes once things work out. It is in the process of trusting that God is using our gifts and diligence for good.

So, despite the unknowns lying ahead, you can have hope that everything will work out according to God’s faithful plan.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
2 Corinthians 5:17

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.

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.
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.
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

Free to Move On

Do you feel trapped in a toxic situation or relationship?

I once read a caption that said something along the lines of “If you have bad vibes, you are free to move on with no explanation. This is your life, so even when people question your decisions, it’s not their call to make.”

Now, I don’t know about the whole “bad vibes” thing, but there is definitely truth to the essence of this claim. Our society has been built upon compromising, second-guessing, and putting status above wellbeing for so long. Why can’t we change that?

Recently, I made the tough decision to get out of a toxic situation. I held to my commitment until it was over, but I was under an immense amount of stress that eventually felt unbearable. Now, this decision came at the cost of convenience, temporary “peace”, and having to deal with interrogations from others with different priorities.

This was a decision that affected multiple aspects of my life and has completely altered what the rest of my freshman year of college will look like. I understand why people have questions, especially those who don’t fully know the situation, but what pains me the most is hearing others’ stories of similar situations that they forced themselves to suffer through.

So many people were willing to compromise their mental health, not to mention their sleep and studies, for the sake of avoiding conflict. And I don’t blame them for this decision. After all, that’s how our society has been set up, isn’t it? We keep quiet when we’re being used. We stick with a company that’s treated us unfairly. We maintain relationships with people we’d rather avoid. All for what exactly?

As a Christian, I’ve struggled with setting boundaries and removing myself from difficult circumstances because I’ve held the false belief that we have been commanded to just deal with things as they are. But when Jesus says, “Turn the other cheek”, He doesn’t mean stay in toxic relationships. In fact, He commands us as His disciples to do the opposite.

To clarify, we are to spread the good news to everyone, including those who may have hurt us or who we disagree with. We are supposed to love others the way Jesus loves us. However, that doesn’t mean enabling toxic, manipulative, potentially even abusive behavior. In fact, if we really love someone, we should want to help them grow into the people they are designed to be.

We are all created with a divine purpose. Jesus offers us extraordinary opportunities to see Him in action if we listen and trust Him. In fact, when Jesus first sent out His twelve disciples, they were given miraculous healing powers and the chance to spread the gospel to many, many people.

As Jesus gave them instructions, He added something that we don’t often discuss.

Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. ⁵If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.
Luke 9:4-5

Jesus cares about us being treated right. He wants us to be in loving relationships and treated as His precious children.

Of course, this realistically can’t always happen, but when we are given the opportunity to get out of toxic situations and relationships, we need to take them. It isn’t “Christian” to stick around just to get hurt more. Rather, we need to see ourselves the way Jesus sees us–worth more than this.

We are given an important purpose, just as the disciples were. When we are distracted by those whose only intent is to harm us, then we aren’t able to fulfill our purpose the way Jesus intended. But we also don’t need to regret the bad situations we’ve been in either. Jesus will use every part of our story to shape us into the people we are meant to be, and that is a beautiful thing.

Today, if you are trying to step away from something harmful, I want you to remember that no matter what anyone else says, you’re worth it. You don’t owe anyone any explanations. This is your one and only life. Be free to be who God designed you to be.

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
Ephesians 4:1

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