If I could get a penny for how many times I have felt discouraged in recent times, I probably would be a millionaire in dollars right now, discouragement and feelings of not being enough literally comes for my life every now and then, this happens to the best of us daily but the word of God has been my source of my strength, no wonder scriptures tells us that life for us doesn't come by food alone but by every Word of God (I paraphrase).

We don't say or talk about it so much, maybe because we try our best to give a "perfect and happy life" narrative or sell to the world a perfect picture or believe that we are strong all by ourselves but deep down, these are only masks, masking the pain and emptiness we really feel inside. That's why we find a lot of young and seemingly successful people grow frustrated and take their lives.

Let's be honest, a good number of us have nursed suicidal thoughts at one point or the other, I confess, I have in the past and I have come to realize that we come to this point because we carry a weight that is beyond our capacity to carry instead of pouring it upon Jesus, the weight of our guilt, shame, pain, failures, mistakes etc, we think we are strong enough to carry them but NO! WE AREN'T! That's why Jesus said and I paraphrase "Come to Me, all you who are heavily burdened and overwhelmed and I will give you REST. Take my own burden instead, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light", in other words, "Give me all the heaviness you feel inside, the ones that tell you you are not enough, not good enough, not faithful enough, not fit enough, too guilty, too wasted, give me all that and take Mine instead, Mine tells you that you are beautiful, lovely, righteous, worthy, qualified and everything I have designed you to be, no matter what you've been through".

The song by Elevation Worship says;

Christ is my firm foundation

The rock on which I stand

When everything around me is shaken

I've never been more glad

That I put my faith in Jesus

'Cause He's never let me down

He's faithful through generations

So why would He fail now?

He won't!

You probably have heard this before but God never promised us an easy life, He knows that Satan will come for us every time he has the opportunity to, I mean, he had to guts to tempt a whole Jesus, God Himself! So who we come be(lol), but then God gives us this promise, that He will always be with us, never leaving us nor forsaking us, fighting our battles and giving us the victory. Here's what the scripture says;

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]

John 16:33 AMPC

So, I leave you with this, I hope it gives you the confidence to know that you are not alone and after you've done all, STAND! No matter what life throws your way today, you remain UNSHAKABLE.

Cheers!

©Ehigocho Lucy Agih