Sometimes, when it feels like you can’t catch a breath and your heart feels parched and weary, God will send someone to breathe life back into your soul with their words. I deeply value those moments when God places someone in my path with just the right message.
I shared these words with an old friend from high school who reached out to me after many years. She told me that every time she passed by the Mayo Clinic, she prayed for me and my family, and that she continues to pray to this very day. Her words melted my heart, leaving me both grateful and blessed.
As we caught up, my friend mentioned something that really stuck with me. She said she always saw me as someone who had it all together. Hearing this made my heart sink because I knew the truth—I was far from it. If only people saw the difficult days as frequently as they occurred…would I still be a beacon of Christ’s light? Would people still accept and love the real me, amidst all the turmoil inside? I admit, there are days I wear a mask of denial, thinking it’s better than exposing the struggles I face. Can anyone relate?
Over the years, I’ve realized you never truly know what someone else is going through. Some people are open about their challenges, while others prefer to keep their pain out of sight. I often find myself walking this fine line, but when I do share my vulnerabilities with someone I trust, I am usually met with encouragement and love. While some struggles are deeply personal, sharing them can significantly lighten the load.
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11
It’s surprising how letting down your guard allows others to do the same, peeling back layers and revealing a softer side to each other. This can lead to deeper connections and perhaps even lifelong friendships. It’s a strange but beautiful truth how shared suffering can forge strong bonds between people.
“By yourself you’re unprotected. With a friend, you can face the worst. Can you find a third? A three-stranded rope isn’t easily snapped.” – Ecclesiastes 4:12 (MSG)
So, would I still be a shining light for Christ? Absolutely, and perhaps even more so. I hope others will see how God is working in my life, helping me mend and grow stronger through the trials. I pray that His light shines through me more brightly than ever, even on days when I struggle to see it myself.
And will people still love me, despite the chaos within? They should. While it’s true that some may drift away as you heal, and that’s okay—sometimes God removes them for our betterment. But there will always be those who love you unconditionally, seeing you through compassionate eyes.
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:2
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ,” as stated in Galatians 6:2, is a powerful directive from scripture that encourages us to engage deeply in the art of compassion and mutual support. This verse calls us not merely to observe each other’s struggles, but to actively participate in alleviating the weight that our friends, family, and even strangers might be carrying. It is a call to embody love by stepping into the trenches with those who are suffering.
Remember, you are a precious gem in the eyes of your Heavenly Father. What you might see as a mess, others may view as a message of hope and resilience.
