There’s been a lot going on lately. The stresses of school and life in general just feel like they’re creeping up on me; overwhelming my thoughts. I feel like I can’t do enough, say enough, be enough for everything I have going on. There is a constant pressure to project an image of unbrokenness. Unbroken in the sense of “I have my act together twenty four-seven.” Which, deep down, we all know isn’t true. I know you know that I’m not walking around perfect. But I still feel this need to act like I am.

Here is the problem. These thoughts; these pressures? They aren’t coming from God. These aren’t holy, good thoughts, meant to bring me closer to my father in Heaven. No friends, these are very real, very evil thoughts that have absolutely no place in my mind. Comparison? Not from God. Depression? Not from Him. Anxiety? Guilt? Not from Him. And the worst part about all of these? They do nothing but put distance between me and the cross, which leave room for more of these feelings and thoughts.

But here is the very real good news. God does not intend for me to have these feelings. They are not from Him, they do no represent Him. He sent His only son Jesus to die on the cross in order to forever eradicate our sin. And in that moment, He took hold of our hearts for the rest of time. And now we can find security in Him. We don’t need to search anywhere else. Not in grades, friends, jobs, or worldly successes. I don’t need to be “unbroken,” because Jesus doesn’t only accept my brokenness, he welcomes it. He takes me in knowing that the only way I could ever be whole is when I let His most perfect love into my heart.

When I told a friend of the worries I had in my life lately, she responded with this:

"The Lord is the hope that you lean on in times like this, He is the one who has promised to provide all things for you and He knows our needs, not our wants, and will yield them to you in His great timing. Trust in Him, lean on Him, He wants you, and He is working for the good of those who love Him (that's you)!!!!!"

Clearly, I've been blessed with an amazing friend, and if you find yourself one like this, hold on tight. But what you should take from her words and mine, is that you are enough. Broken, shaky, little you are enough for the most worthy King of Kings, and only because of His amazing grace and love. Don't you dare let those destructive thoughts into your head. Fill your cup up so high with the love of Jesus that you simply have no room for anything else.