First Post for Youth Group during the Shutdown
A constant theme in my life is worry. I was told recently that I had "classic childhood anxiety," which I had never heard in my 24 years of life thus far. I tend to overthink and expect the worst. Combating worry can be challenging. I try to believe God and listen to what He has to say, but how can I know what will happen?
An antidote to worry is trust. Trust is also difficult to hold onto. Maybe you are feeling confused, lonely, saddened, or frustrated right now. Maybe you are feeling something else. Perhaps you are feeling positive, elated, and joyous, but questioning how and if it will last.
Yesterday, I was told some disappointing news. I thought I heard God's plan for me in this stage of my life, but what I wanted and thought was going to happen, aren't going to pan out. I felt down and sorry for myself. I grieved the loss of what could have happened. At first, I told myself that I was fine and the loss wasn't too terrible. I know in my head that clearly this wasn't God's plan for me right now, which I used to try to minimize my feelings of sadness. However, when I thought about it, I realized that I was, in fact, sad, disappointed, frustrated, confused, and maybe even a little upset. Once I acknowledged these things and talked through my disappointment, I was able to feel and trust that God does have something different planned for me.
As sad as it was to think of what won't happen now, I was able to realize that God is still good. His goodness doesn't stop when things don't go my way, in fact, He knows what is best for me and I should trust Him. His goodness doesn't stop when I feel hurt, He is Healer. His goodness doesn't stop when I feel alone, He is with me. Through all of the things that come our way and any feelings we may have, He has been there.
God is deserving of our trust. He has been faithful before and will be faithful again. As I lie in bed last night attempting to make sense of what was happening and how my plans came crumbling down, I was reminded that it does not matter what happens to me, what I do, or don't do. What does matter is that God is the source of any and all good in my life. He is aware of the outcomes. Without God, it doesn't matter how wonderful my life seems, if my plans go the way I want, if I am liked by everyone, or any other good things happen. If I don't have God, I don't have a reason to live. If I don't have God, I don't have a hope. Without Him, I can do nothing.
Though the news I received was disappointing, I can move on and know that God still has plans for me and He still wants to use me for His work wherever I am at. It doesn't matter what I do, don't do, say, or don't say. What matters is Him. Knowing and being known by Him are the source of all compassion and trust that I have to reassure myself that He is good, always has been, and always will be.
An antidote to worry is trust. Trust is also difficult to hold onto. Maybe you are feeling confused, lonely, saddened, or frustrated right now. Maybe you are feeling something else. Perhaps you are feeling positive, elated, and joyous, but questioning how and if it will last.
Yesterday, I was told some disappointing news. I thought I heard God's plan for me in this stage of my life, but what I wanted and thought was going to happen, aren't going to pan out. I felt down and sorry for myself. I grieved the loss of what could have happened. At first, I told myself that I was fine and the loss wasn't too terrible. I know in my head that clearly this wasn't God's plan for me right now, which I used to try to minimize my feelings of sadness. However, when I thought about it, I realized that I was, in fact, sad, disappointed, frustrated, confused, and maybe even a little upset. Once I acknowledged these things and talked through my disappointment, I was able to feel and trust that God does have something different planned for me.
As sad as it was to think of what won't happen now, I was able to realize that God is still good. His goodness doesn't stop when things don't go my way, in fact, He knows what is best for me and I should trust Him. His goodness doesn't stop when I feel hurt, He is Healer. His goodness doesn't stop when I feel alone, He is with me. Through all of the things that come our way and any feelings we may have, He has been there.God is deserving of our trust. He has been faithful before and will be faithful again. As I lie in bed last night attempting to make sense of what was happening and how my plans came crumbling down, I was reminded that it does not matter what happens to me, what I do, or don't do. What does matter is that God is the source of any and all good in my life. He is aware of the outcomes. Without God, it doesn't matter how wonderful my life seems, if my plans go the way I want, if I am liked by everyone, or any other good things happen. If I don't have God, I don't have a reason to live. If I don't have God, I don't have a hope. Without Him, I can do nothing.
Though the news I received was disappointing, I can move on and know that God still has plans for me and He still wants to use me for His work wherever I am at. It doesn't matter what I do, don't do, say, or don't say. What matters is Him. Knowing and being known by Him are the source of all compassion and trust that I have to reassure myself that He is good, always has been, and always will be.
I started this blog as a memoir to share some of my life stories with you. My goal is that these encourage and educate you on how to live a more joyful, healthier, full life; one of hope.
I write about my fascination with whole foods, my love of Jesus, my struggles, my childhood stories, my passion for education, and my devotion to creating a healthy life (body, mind, and spirit) for every person in the world.
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