Many have seen the shirts and seen the movie but it is so much more than that. I am one of those many. This organization gathers together people from all walks of life to encourage those going through afflictions that feel never ending. Struggles dealing with depression, anxiety, bipolar, self-harm, and eating disorders. This all started with one writer’s passion of telling one heroic girls story in a blog post titled, “To Write Love On Her Arms.” Jamie Tworkowski describes love as a thing that we as humans are meant to express. What Christ put us on this earth to do. To encourage, to befriend, and to love those who are afflicted. To show the love of Jesus to the world through the love we not just show, but we give to people. To Write Love On Her Arms.

Jamie Tworkowski befriended Renee Yohe who was on a five day cleanse from drugs, alcohol, and self-harm. This post speaks about how Renee got through the five days of sobriety. He stated that on the night before she was allowed to go to rehab, Renee gave Jamie her last razor blade because she knew that that night would be the hardest. Jamie described this experience as, “It hits me to wonder if this great feeling is what Christ knows when we surrender our broken hearts, when we trade death for life.” Renee gave Jamie what she felt was her life-line, her release from the inner pain, and her only constant companion for two years. She gave him this in order to find out who Renee really is without the cutting, the alcohol, the drugs, and the pain.

I am not one to say that my story is as encouraging as Renee’s but like Jamie said, every story has its significance. Every story has meaning and has placed in the place that you are in because the Lord has a plan for this. For you. Never be ashamed to talk about your struggles or your story. I used to be.And I’ll be honest, it isn’t the easiest topic in the world for me to talk about. So, here is my story in four sentences:

Hi, my name is Olivia. I have Type 1 Diabetes, Epilepsy, have had struggles with self-harm, clinical depression and anxiety. And I do not let these things define me. What does define me is how I show the love of the Lord through me every day.

It took me two years to tell my parents the truth about how I was feeling and that is one of my biggest regrets. I was always afraid they would judge me or look at me differently. But when I told them, they showed me love. And compassion. They told me that it was okay and that it was going to be okay. And you know what? It is. Most days are great and I feel like I can conquer the world. Then there are days where getting out of bed is just about all of the excitement I can take for one day.But either way, I know that each day is worth fighting for. Yes, I am aware of how cheesy that sounds but it doesn’t take away how true it is. Since telling my family about what was going on with me, I feel like I can be honest with them about what is really going on in my life. Good and bad.

The moral of this scattered story is no matter where you are in your life, it matters. You matter. Tell someone you trust what is going on in your life. Don’t give up or give in to the pain because it’s too hard to fight.

Who knows. You might just inspire somebody to write about you.

So, I leave you with four things:

Whatever you are going through, you can get through this. It is hard and I can’t tell you that it is easy. But, I definitely can tell you it is worth every day fighting the temptation. You were put on this earth for a specific reason by a God that loves you beyond understanding.

2. YOU ARE NOT ALONE

This is one big world filled with people who feel just like you do.If you feel like you can’t take the pain anymore, reach out. Tell someone you trust. Talk to someone within your church or friend-group. They love you. They want you. Do not be afraid anymore.

3. REACH OUT TO SOMEONE

For me, not only my family and friends helped, but reaching out to people who have been through similar circumstances. There are many outlets like TWLOHA.com who are there to talk to you, to help you, and to listen.

4. FIGHT FOR YOURSELF

The only way for recovery to begin, is if you believe in your worth. My sister told me that the only way for me to begin to live again is to believe that I am worth it. Your worth is not in material things. Not in how much money is in your account or how much you weigh, but in how you show and give love to people.

Jamie Tworkowski’s story on Renee Yohe:

http://twloha.com/learn/story/

To Write Love On Her Arms resources for help:

http://twloha.com/find-help/local-resources/