For Those Who Feel broken, lost, alone, unloved, and forgotten

Does anyone else find it incredible how God can decide to use you in an area that, for me, I would define as something I could never do because I've never experienced it? But, God takes that fear and rips it away, leaving me utterly humble and bowed down before a God so indescribable, He often leaves me speechless at his feet. It humbles me, terrifies me, but makes me want to be a better person knowing that God has placed something on my heart to share to others who are going through difficulties that I've never truly experienced, but somehow find the words to encourage and minster.

Tonight I've been at a lost for words as to help a friend out, humbled by the words God places on my heart to say, and at peace by the fact that though I feel helpless to the situation my friend is in, God has the whole thing under control. He holds us all in his hands, bares us up when we fall down, pieces us together when we are broken, and loves us unconditionally even when we've turned away from Him. What a gracious, merciful, and loving Father we have!

But, tonight has reminded me that in a split second what we think could be going so well can change in an instant to a struggle. A reminder that we are all broken, lost, lonely, hurting, confused at times left feeling unloved, unheard, unwanted, and unknown. Even in those moments, there is one true God who has never deserted us, who has always been with us, who will always love, always hear, always want, and always know us.

It's so incredible how God is there to catch us when we feel like we are falling ever downward in a dark tunnel. He's holding us tightly when we see no one in the darkness surrounding us. He will fight for us, for He loves even when no one else can.

I often feel the most comforted in NF's music. Which is interesting because most people identify him as the brutally honest, negative, depressing singer. But his music speaks the most truth of how my life has been. The ups and downs, the near death, the loss, the pain, and stuck in my mind, the paralyzed feelings, the aloneness. He's spoken to it all. His music often up lifts me the most, because every song has a sliver of hope mixed into the buckets of reality.

Here is one of my favorite's of NF's; the one I often run to when I'm feeling desperately alone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0NOxf4uaZI

God has us. Even when we think He doesn't. Even when we've turned out backs on Him. Even when we are way off the path.
He.
Still.
Has.
Us.
He.
Loves.
You.
No.
Matter.
What.

To those of you contemplating the ending of your life, be strong and hold onto the knowledge that God put you on this earth for a reason. And "You were given this life because you are strong enough to live it." No one else has your life, because no one is as unique as you. Not a single soul in this entire universe is the identical copy of you. You are unique. So don't give up on this life. Don't give up on living. .Don't give up even when you feel like your drowning. I've been there. I've nearly ended my life because the darkness was too thick, the water too overpowering.

DO NOT GIVE UP ON THIS LIFE! STAND FIRM IN THE MIDST OF THE STORM. STAND STRONG IN THE LORD. 

Remember this: "If you saw the size of the blessing coming, you would understand the magnitude of the Battle you are fighting."

DO not let the devil win. Fight with every ounce of strength, call on the Lord to save you from the darkness within. Hold tight to reality and not the lies in your head.

Don't you dare give up! Not tonight. Not tomorrow. Not EVER!

HOPE is the one thing STRONGER than Fear.
Don't Run from the Darkness, turn and FIGHT! The Battle is the Lord's but he will give you the ability to FIGHT in the Storm.
Be Strong and Courageous. Do not be frightened. Do not be dismayed. God is with you ALWAYS.

"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." James 4:8
"I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:20
"God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid." Hebrews 13: 5-6
"The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him." Nahum 1:7
"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." I Peter 5:7

"To Live Would Be an Awfully Great Adventure."

CHANGE: Always Present, but Often Hated

Every time I heard the word "Change" in my younger years, I hated it. Change? Why? Why can't things stay the same, the way they always have been? 

I hated learning new things, going new places, making new friends, and anything else that provoked my fear of the unknown. 

I've always been fearful of everything, and change enhanced the fears.

Unknown anything was scary, because it was foreign. I didn't want to have to change the way I lived my life for the unknown. 

But, we aren't called to live this life the same, day in and day out. We can't. It's not apart of us to stay the same. We grow up from a baby to an adult. We make decisions that change our life in an instant. And yet, when it comes down to it, we don't want to change. Foreign is scary. It always has been and always will be. 

Unless we learn to do one thing.

Change our PERSPECTIVE.

Change the way we look at the unknown as a positive not a negative response to living. It's hard, and it takes time, especially if you are an introvert, but it's possible. I've done it before. I just have to remember to live on the positive side of change. Remind myself, in order to grow, I have to change, because change is the only way I can get from now to where I'm supposed to be.

A follower of Jesus, a writer for the Lord, a gospel sharer to the broken, a stronger version of myself, not just physically but spiritually. I was not called to be what I am today. I know I was called to be a warrior for Christ. And to do that.

I. 
Have. 
To. 
Change. 

Be Transformed by Jesus. 
To be a light. 
To Shine for Christ.

"By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going." Hebrews 11:8

I know it will be hard. It's been a trek to get to where I am today, but it will be worth it in the end. Because at the end I will look more like Jesus and less like myself. And that's the ultimate goal, isn't it? To be exactly who God wants you to be, to go where He leads, and to know He's got you?

The path will be long; success will not occur immediately. It will be gradual. But that is what makes the change worth it. Why the end is so rewarding, because it took blood, pain, and every ounce of will power and strength to change and transform. 

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and prefect." Romans 12:2

"But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself." Philippians 3:20-21

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." 2 Corinthians 3:18

"Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is." 1 John 3:2

So.  

What say you? Will you continue to go on living your life the way it is or will you decide to step out into the unknown? Face the fear head on. And fight onward for God's glory. Ever chasing after the path He is leading you to go and never looking back at the demons that could end it all. 

We are all warriors in our own way. 
Decide to accept the gifts God has given you. 
Accept that change is a good thing. 

And above all else, live to Glorify God through your life, through the changes, the good and the bad. 

LIVE. TRANSFORMED. FOR. CHRIST.