Dear Friends,
So I find myself more than ever talking to girls and guys who struggle with self image. Not only that, but they struggle with being single. I find myself, as a guy, struggling with the same things. With that being said, I always find myself trying to help that girl or that guy through their problems. My heart goes out to them because everyone has problems. I have my own, but more and more I find myself pushing aside those problems for someone else to tell me theirs. That does take a toll on someone. Carrying the burdens of another is hard work, but God does say to come alongside of each other and carry the burdens (Galatians 6:2). With that being said, I want to share a couple thoughts I have about people in general.
My first thought is that people are hurting. We are all hurting in different ways, but let me remind you that you are worth more than gold. Christ thought you were enough that he shed his blood for you. I know it's easy for the heaviness of life and the burden of sins to outweigh the light we have. The strongest people let the burdens and heaviness of their lives lie at the feet of Jesus. While some people carry their burdens for a long time, and it takes its toll on their life, relationships, and other aspects they face.
It's not easy setting your problems down, nor is it easy to carry them. People have to find the fine line of doing both. People each day are hurting more and more. The pain you feel makes you stronger, but remember that the curse of sin is broken. Not only that, but you have the promise of eternity because Jesus died for you. He didn't die for your family story or your church story. He died so your Christ story could influence someone else.
It’s hard to think about the fact that Christ died for you. It’s hard to think that someone would die for me in general. I don’t think I’m special. I think I am just a country hick from the back woods. My name is not special. My personality isn’t special. I’m just me, so why would Christ die for me? He died so that girl would have everlasting life. He died so that guy could have everlasting life. You see, Christ's message was a message of hope. I believe that when I pick up his word. I find myself setting my pain aside so that I can keep moving forward. The real question that people who are hurting face is if they want to get better?
The answer to that question is very simple: yes, no or maybe. What's the question? You mean some people don't want to get better? Why would anyone want to hurt? People hurt for all sorts of reasons. Some people hurt because of their past. Maybe it's their family story or their daily stress that they face. Some people hurt for attention.
They hurt because they want someone to love them when ultimately the one who loved them died on a Cross two thousand years ago, then he won the war by overcoming the grave. Reality is that you're an overcomer, and because Christ loves you, he died so that you may find peace in your life. So what's holding you back from laying your problems down at the feet of Jesus? Is it that we don't want to do what God wants us to do?
Sadly, I think that's the truth. God has a plan, but we let our problems get in the way of the plan. Let me remind you that the church that the man who stands in the pulpit and preaches has problems, too. He faces adversity just like everyone else does in the church. Everyone has problems. It's how you deal with your problems that defines who you are. Each person has that problem in their life that won’t go away. Sometimes it’s the simple fact that they don’t want to be alone. Sometimes it’s more than that.
Girls, let's have a little pow-wow, shall we? I want you to hear something. Lean in close and clear out all the noise in the background. You! Yes you! The girl who might be overweight. The girl who thinks she's ugly. The girl who thinks she's not worth it. You are beautiful. Not only are you beautiful, but God has a plan for you. You might be alone, but sometimes the valley has to get low before you reach the mountaintop. Sometimes it takes a great challenge to overcome. But you are beautiful in the eyes of God. Remember that next time you look in the mirror. Remember that next time you think you aren't worth it.
While we are having this pow-wow, let's talk about some other things if that's okay. First off, we have established that you are beautiful. Second, let's establish that you are worth more than gold. Don't believe me? Well let's look at it this way: your life can't be bought. If you die tomorrow, no amount of money can bring you back. It's not the movies where they put some type of drug in you and you rise up! Reality is that your life is worth more than gold. Have your standards like that.
Don't let a guy treat you like dirt because you deserve the best of the best. You deserve a Cinderella story with a prince. Kind of like the Disney version. Not saying you're going to have the wedding like that, but every girl deserves the best. While I'm at it, if you don't see a future, time to say goodbye. Adios. Or as they say in the south, don't let the door hit you on the way out. It's not easy being a girl, nor is it easy being alone. We all want to be loved. But sometimes waiting is the key to happiness.
Happiness is a key to life. We all want to be happy. The question is, where do you find your happiness or who makes you happy? The question then becomes, are we chasing temporary happiness or are we chasing forever happiness?
In Christ Alone,
His Silent Humble Servant
