Have you ever had a day when you were just convinced that you were the worst person in the world? I think it would be fair to say that I am not exactly an even-keeled person. I definitely have days that are great and I definitely have days that are on the opposite end of that spectrum. Yesterday I was sick; just sick and grumpy and miserable. You know those days, the ones when you can’t even remember what it feels like to be happy? To laugh?
But what about when your struggles are in your head? It can be so incredibly hard to reach out to anyone past the walls we build up around ourselves. In our darkest hours it can be hard to take the hand that others reach out for us. Sometimes, we find ourselves so far down in the pit, it can feel like there is no way out. But in those darkest of times, I want you to remember 2 Corinthians 12:9. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
“For my power is made perfect in weakness.” In times past I have wallowed in my misery and depression. I have told myself that I was a terrible person and not good enough. I have hated my weaknesses. But it is those exact weaknesses that Jesus uses to deepen our relationship, to crack us open so that all we see, all we need is him. The fantasy of the “perfect Christian” is exactly that, a fantasy. The amazing preacher Billy Graham would have been the first person to tell you how far he was from perfect. God wants all of our perfectly imperfect selves because the truth is that our life’s journey isn’t about becoming perfect, it’s about becoming perfectly close to God.
God never promised that we wouldn’t have tough times. He did promise to walk through those tough times with us. So when you are at the bottom of the pit and it feels like there is no way out you don’t need to come up with some deep meaningful, beautiful prayer, you only need three words. Help me, Lord. God is ALWAYS there, he will always be there waiting for YOU, wanting a relationship with YOU! Yes, I am a terrible person. I let my mouth run away with me more times than I would like and sometimes I’m too quick to anger, but God still loves me. He will always love me and he will never, ever leave me. His grace, has been and always will be sufficient.
May God shine his light and love on you in your darkest hours.
God bless,
Meredith
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