Several years ago I attended a conference and something was said that really stuck with me. This wasn't even the main subject she was speaking about but just a nugget that she added to her sermon. But, it played over and over in my head for several days!! "It is okay to not be okay."
We as Christians, (especially those of us who have been raised in the church) tend to think that we have to have it all together! We've been taught to never show our weaknesses or confess our failures to others. We look at people around us and they seem to have life all together and that brings guilt and shame into our lives. We wonder why they have it all together and we don't. What's wrong with me? Why can't I be okay? We’ve been programmed to put our “happy face” on and go on with life as if everything is okay!
Maybe you're still grieving from a loss. Maybe your family seems to be falling apart or you just can't seem to find the joy you once had. Maybe you just don't understand where God is leading you. Whatever your situation is, you are just not okay!
The presence of social media in our lives has definitely played a role in pressuring us to “get it together.” We see everyone’s life and how perfect it is, but is that reality? We see the best few minutes of each other’s day. But, can I tell you that, that is not reality? We all have bad days! We all go through unbearable situations, disappointments, hurt, heartache, pain and times of loneliness! We all are faced with fear and uncertainty in our lives and when we do, that doesn’t mean we are bad or have done anything wrong.
If God had intended for us to never have problems then why would the Bible be full of verses that encourage and remind us to trust in Him? 1 Peter 5:7 says... “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” It clearly states that we are to cast our cares on Him... because we are going to have cares in this world!! Proverbs 3:5 says..“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”
Don't look at those around you to determine your worth. If they have it all together today then tomorrow life can take a drastic turn to change that! We all have days or seasons that we just aren't okay, and that is perfectly okay! We have to remember in these times to trust Him! The next verse from the one above says “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:6) If we keep acknowledging Him and keep trusting in Him, He will direct you!! Eventually, you WILL be okay!! Don’t determine your worth on a temporary situation! You’re going to be okay!
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