Today was a day like every other day. You woke up and decided that you were going to make it and that you were going to be okay. You succeeded. As you walk in the front door to your home you breathe a sigh of relief that the day is over. Tonight is like every other night. You're alone in your room and you start to think.
You feel inadequate. You aren't pretty enough, skinny enough, or talented enough. Maybe you have wonderful friends, or maybe you wish you had more, but at the end of the day you feel completely and utterly alone. You sit down and ask yourself what would bring you peace. Being well known? Being more athletic, more involved, having more money, or being skinnier? You think back to the things you've chased in the past. Were you truly satisfied when you were 10 pounds lighter, played sports, and had money? When you're completely honest with yourself you realize that even in those moments you felt like something was missing. You had every worldly thing you could want, but in the darkness of night you felt unloved, ugly, and worthless. You turned from God in those moments because you felt unworthy. You didn't understand how any person could love you through your faults and you definitely couldn't comprehend how a God could love someone like you.
You put on a smile and tried to love others with your own strength. You read the Bible and prayed, but you were unwilling and seemingly unable to give your struggle to God. You kept your struggle a secret because being vulnerable terrified you. You cried at night, you watched mindless TV, you overate, starved yourself, got in an unhealthy relationship, watched porn, or turned to alcohol or drugs. You did whatever it took to fill the void in your life and make it through another day. You craved freedom more than anything you've ever wanted, but deep down you believed that finding that freedom was never going to happen. You read about Paul talking about the thorn in his flesh in 2 Corinthians 12 and decided that this was your thorn and decided it was never going away. You prayed. You begged God and you believed that He could take this from you, but you never knew where to go from there. Where is the freedom? Where is the peace? You feel broke, alone, and empty. It seems inescapable and you feel like you're drowning.
You know that the answer is Jesus and you know that He is the only way, but He seems so far away.You finally reach a breaking point. You can't do this anymore. It's all or nothing. You consider giving up and you cry at the very idea of it. You're mad and you yell at God. All you want is for that weight to be off your shoulders. You're desperate to let this go and you scream out "God please rescue me!". For the first time you mean it will all your heart. You're willing to do anything and tell anyone that needs to know. You see that freedom and you taste it and you want more. You want to run in the light and never look back. You're terrified beyond words that you'll turn back to the darkness, but you press on and run towards freedom.
You finally understand that the God of the universe believed that you were worth dying for. He picked you, He chose you and He wants you. You are worthy worthy because He believes you are. There is freedom in Jesus. He will hold you and carry you. Run to Him. Cling to Him. Jesus is your only peace.
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13.
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-29.
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7.
You feel inadequate. You aren't pretty enough, skinny enough, or talented enough. Maybe you have wonderful friends, or maybe you wish you had more, but at the end of the day you feel completely and utterly alone. You sit down and ask yourself what would bring you peace. Being well known? Being more athletic, more involved, having more money, or being skinnier? You think back to the things you've chased in the past. Were you truly satisfied when you were 10 pounds lighter, played sports, and had money? When you're completely honest with yourself you realize that even in those moments you felt like something was missing. You had every worldly thing you could want, but in the darkness of night you felt unloved, ugly, and worthless. You turned from God in those moments because you felt unworthy. You didn't understand how any person could love you through your faults and you definitely couldn't comprehend how a God could love someone like you.
You put on a smile and tried to love others with your own strength. You read the Bible and prayed, but you were unwilling and seemingly unable to give your struggle to God. You kept your struggle a secret because being vulnerable terrified you. You cried at night, you watched mindless TV, you overate, starved yourself, got in an unhealthy relationship, watched porn, or turned to alcohol or drugs. You did whatever it took to fill the void in your life and make it through another day. You craved freedom more than anything you've ever wanted, but deep down you believed that finding that freedom was never going to happen. You read about Paul talking about the thorn in his flesh in 2 Corinthians 12 and decided that this was your thorn and decided it was never going away. You prayed. You begged God and you believed that He could take this from you, but you never knew where to go from there. Where is the freedom? Where is the peace? You feel broke, alone, and empty. It seems inescapable and you feel like you're drowning.
You know that the answer is Jesus and you know that He is the only way, but He seems so far away.You finally reach a breaking point. You can't do this anymore. It's all or nothing. You consider giving up and you cry at the very idea of it. You're mad and you yell at God. All you want is for that weight to be off your shoulders. You're desperate to let this go and you scream out "God please rescue me!". For the first time you mean it will all your heart. You're willing to do anything and tell anyone that needs to know. You see that freedom and you taste it and you want more. You want to run in the light and never look back. You're terrified beyond words that you'll turn back to the darkness, but you press on and run towards freedom.
You finally understand that the God of the universe believed that you were worth dying for. He picked you, He chose you and He wants you. You are worthy worthy because He believes you are. There is freedom in Jesus. He will hold you and carry you. Run to Him. Cling to Him. Jesus is your only peace.
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13.
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-29.
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7.
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