I wish I could shout this on repeat for days on end. It’s okay to not be okay. It’s okay that you’re struggling. There is no shame in feeling depressed or overwhelmed. Don’t allow the lies of the enemy to seep into your heart that says no one understands or cares. That everyone would be better off without you. Friend, it’s okay to not be okay. Even when the darkness feels so heavy, it’s okay to reach out for a lifeline. Your life matters. You are loved. You are needed. You are not alone.

I am watching people around me grieving someone who lost this silent battle. It’s been a loss that runs so deep that it’s almost soul crushing for the ones left behind. What I’m realizing is that we need to be more intentional on saying it’s okay to not be okay. We need to be covering our family and friends in prayer. We need to be asking God to give us eyes to see people deeply. But we also need to be praying that our people who may be struggling in this silent battle that they could find hope in knowing that God is for them.

Reality is we can’t save everyone, only Jesus can. We can’t make people do anything we can only do our best to love them and create the space for them to feel loved and not judged. It’s ultimately up to them to take you up on that space.

We can say on repeat it’s okay to not be okay. Your life matters. You are loved. You are needed. You are not alone. If you or someone you know is struggling and needs support reach out for that lifeline.

You matter, your life matters.

It’s crazy how in the early hours of the morning a storm is raging and suddenly a burst of lightning and bolstering thunder strikes and jolts you awake. You spend the rest of the morning fighting to fall back asleep. You nestle all cozy in your bed and watch the lightning show dance across your windows as it lights up the room.

Then God speaks.

I am suddenly so aware of his presence in the midst of the storm.

We are woken up by a storm but not completely derailed because we are protected and comforted by our surroundings. We may sit and watch a storm in awe of the beauty it brings. We may fight the urge to go jump in the puddles finding joy in the midst of the rain. Then we patiently wait for that rainbow that follows to take in the beauty that follows.

Why is it that we instinctively know how to embrace, find joy, and be in awe of a storm but we often find ourselves completely derailed when it’s a storm that raging deep within us. When we face storms that surround us we suddenly lose all sense of security and comfort. We are focused so deeply in the destruction of the storm that we lose sight of the beauty that’s hidden within in. We often take for granted the promises those rainbows that God fulfills.

Storms aren’t meant to define you, but to refine you — shaping strength from struggle and purpose from pain.

When you find yourself in the midst of the storm allow it to strengthen, stretch and challenge you. Remember to take a moment and see what God is doing in the midst. Remember this too shall pass. Soon enough it will be a distant memory of how God healed something in you, showed up for you or carried you through what you thought would break you.

God opened up the opportunity for me to share a part of my life story last week with my new friend Danielle Zapchenk. I know it’s just the beginning of what God is going to do in this next season. God will use ALL things for HIS good and HIS glory!

I had to share it with you all!

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In the mix of the trial and in the middle of the storm you cry out to God why me? You are overwhelmed and at the end of your rope. You have nothing else to give. You feel alone. Everything around you is burning up. You feel that you are frozen in time and feel like you possibly cannot move forward. You are trying your best to keep it all together and you finally break down. Tears streaming down your face. You scream again GOD WHY ME?

The Lord replies: Why not you?

We are so quick to zero in on the trial when we don’t take a minute to recognize that maybe God knows we can survive this trial. Maybe because we will be able to walk through that fire and escape it without being burned and live to help and encourage someone else someday. About a year ago I found myself in that moment pleading with God why me. He so tenderly answered with a Why Not you? I will be honest I was annoyed at his response at first. Of course, in my very bratty nature, I scuffed and rolled my eyes replying because God I don’t want to go through this. In a moment where I felt like I was losing my barrings and was going to just fall apart, God reminded me that I face nothing alone. Many times our trials are chapters of our life story to inspire others later.

Don’t waste time questioning God. Ask Him to see you through so you can come out of the other side unscathed, healed and walking in victory. Because one day you will be linking arms with someone else that may need the extra encouragement to make it through a similar chapter.

Perspective is different when we have a kingdom mindset.