Living through the brokenness

Sometimes it hits like a punch.
There you are, trying to plan and prepare.
...and all at once, you're hit.
This feeling that it's all been for nothing.
That you haven't accomplished what you thought you had.
That no-one understands... or cares.
All your hopes and dreams and aspirations are nothing but dust and ash ... and clutter in someone else's eyes.
It hurts.
And your heart breaks.
...again...

A dear friend keeps reminding me, and I've started passing it on, that it's none of my business what other people think. Seriously, what is in another person's mind is none of my business.
It seems pretty basic to realize my business is to work on me.
​I remember being told once (several times really), "It's not all about you."
I finally answered, "Actually it is. Because I'm the only one I can change. So I have to concentrate on that. Becoming a better person, learning from my mistakes and downfalls... If I'm not working on that, then I'm not growing and that is really all I can do."
​I remember the shocked look I got.

Truth

It's true. In all we do, we can only grow, become a better person, do a better job... Other things are true too.

• I am good. Gen 1:31
• I deserve. Galatians 4:7
• I am chosen. John 15:16
• I am of value. Luke 12:7
• I am protected. Psalm 121:3
• I have what it takes. Philippians 4:13

Sometimes it's hard to believe these truths. We've all had a lifetime of being told, in one way or another, lies that hide and sabotage these very truths.

The struggle is real

Being part of the peculiar, chosen generation (1 Peter 2:9) means we are set apart. It means our struggle is against more than flesh and blood, it's against principalities and powers, (Ephesians 6:12) rulers of the darkness of this world. That's huge! And scary!

So often, I think we forget where the real battle is. ...or that we're actually in a war.

We want to concentrate on our blessings or set in discontent concentrating on the things we want, rather than what we have... Either way, we miss that we are at war and in a battle for our very souls.

Yes, salvation is there for the acceptance. That doesn't mean the enemy doesn't keep trying to trip us up and keep us from being all our Creator has made us to be. None of us are meant to only "be saved" but to also be the "light of the world." (Matthew 5:14)

"If you look at the world, you'll be distressed. If you look within, you'll be depressed. If you look at God you'll be at rest." ~ Corrie ten Boom

Corrie ten Boom was an amazing woman. She's absolutely right. While we do need to concentrate on our growth, asking the Lord to show us areas we need to change or repent... We need to concentrate on Him and His truth. Even His truth about us. After all, we are created in His image (Genesis 1:27) and created "for such a time as this." (Esther 4:14)

It's okay to hurt

Sometimes we think because we are His, we should never struggle or hurt. The Psalms are full of struggle through the ups and downs of hurtful things.
Allowing ourselves time to feel the emotions is part of working through the hurt and beginning to heal.
For me right now, it's living through the brokenness.