Today was a long day. It drug on and on and on and on and... well you get the idea. It was filled with mishap after mishap and the occasional tear that slipped down when it felt like I had just had enough. Today's been one of those days. The one where it feels like the world is out to get you and you've got your back in the corner fending for yourself. Mama always said there would be days like today, and she was right [like usual]. But you see, today while I was having my little pity party about how I think my life is in shambles, I was reminded of something... that it really isn't spiraling out of control [despite my breakdowns], because if not, He is still Good.
Maybe you're at a monumental time in your life, where a whole bunch of pivotal events are happening. Or maybe those pivotal events are supposed to be happening in your life, and they're not. Maybe you feel left behind. In the competition of standards that society sets for us today, it's increasingly easy to feel that way, I know. It says you should be engaged to the love of your life before you graduate college, married a year out, get into graduate school on the first try, land your first big girl job right out of college. I mean, for those of you that have had any one of any combo of those things happen for you, congratulations, that is extremely impressive and I wish you the best of luck as you transition into the next stage of your life. But for the rest of us that haven't been as lucky- you're not alone; and even though we don't feel like it, He is still good.
I was reminded by a close friend today that sometimes our plans don't align with God's plan for us, and that's okay. So when we're backed into that corner feeling like it's us against the world, remember who is actually fighting for you. Remember who has had your back from the beginning [before the beginning even]. Remember that even if it feels like you're at the end of the road, there is still so much more to travel. Because even if your plan isn't going how you wanted it to go, He is still good. He is so, so good. Sometimes it takes you hitting what feels like rock bottom to be able to finally see what's waiting above us. So learn to trust Him and stop having that pity party. Trust that His plan is bigger than yours and that He is still good.
Surround yourself with positive people and thoughts. Yeah, I know, it's so cliche. But it's so true. Think about it. If you constantly are around people that do nothing but talk pessimistically, how are you supposed to be positive? Negative thoughts eventually lead to a negative mind, and then you'll find that you're a 5-foot tall person stuck in a 10-foot hole that you can't get out of.
Another thing, your life isn't actually in shambles. Remember that someone else will always have it worse. I was humbly reminded of this in the midst of my pity party today by another dear friend of mine. Look at the bigger picture and realize that sometimes you not getting accepted somewhere, getting your heart broken by the one you thought you would marry, or not getting the job you've dreamed of for four years is really just God's way of saying 'I have better planned for you'. Because that's just it- he knows what we deserve and He won't let us settle until we've reached that gold standard of a bar He has set for us. It's hard to be patient waiting for it all to fall together, but take that patience and run with it knowing that when it does fall together, it will be a beautiful masterpiece created just for you. Because if not, He is still good.
So on those days where nothing seems to be going your way, keep in mind that it's for a reason. Sometimes some lessons are best learned through pain and heartache, and we must be hurt in order to grow. We must lose in order to gain. You have to go through the bad days in order to appreciate the good ones. So put your big girl panties on, take a deep breath, and remember who is always on your side [whether it feels like it or not]- because if our God is for us, then what/who could stand against us? Let me answer that for you- no[one]thing. Because through every trial/change in plans we may face, He is still good.
After your season of suffering, God in all His grace will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. -1 Peter 5:10