Hey everyone. I want to take this Friday to thank all of you. Thank you for all the support and all the love. Being able to have this form of an outlet has been a blessing in my life. I don’t normally have the chance to talk to others about my story. So, being able to be open is a really big deal for me.

            I have always been a very reserved person. I would keep to myself and if I had anything going on in my life, I would hide it behind a mask of contentment. I am a very good pretender. On the outside, you may see this happy go lucky attitude, but on the inside is all the sadness and turmoil. I don’t like to bother people with my problems because I know that they have their own problems. I am sure there are a lot of you who are like that as well.

            This blog has allowed me to be what I always feared to be…vulnerable. I’ve always wanted to be seen as a strong person, even if I didn’t believe that myself. To be vulnerable meant that I was weak and that I couldn’t handle things on my own. Well, being vulnerable doesn’t mean you are weak. I know that by definition vulnerable means to be susceptible to harm. However, to be vulnerable just simply means to be open and unafraid of the harm or rejection.

            We feel like vulnerability is a bad thing. However, we are seeing the effects of people closing themselves off not only to people but to God Himself. I recently heard about a pastor, who would teach about how to deal with things like depression, who took his own life due to his depression. It saddens me to see the lack of hope we seem to have in today’s society. How more and more seem to fall away from God’s grace because they can’t seem to hold on any longer. We can’t give up hope.

“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” – 2 Chronicles 15:7

            I, myself, have dealt with depression in my life. I’ve wondered what all this was for and what was the purpose of it all. I tried to handle it all on my own. However, each time, nothing seemed to get me out of my depression. God pulled me out. I know that I didn’t have a close relationship with Him before, but He loved me enough to pull me out of the hole. He would remind me that there was so much to live for, even if I didn’t see it. He reminded me that there were people who loved me and most of all that He loved me.

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” – Romans 5:1-5

            It is ok to be vulnerable. God is there to protect us and to strengthen us in our vulnerability. We don’t need to handle life on our own. In fact, when we give God control of all of our fears and all of our worries, they disappear because we are confident that He will take care of it all. It is also ok to be vulnerable around others too. God intended for us to help each other and encourage each other. When we keep things to ourselves, we let things build up inside of us until they explode. Why would you choose to live in constant turmoil when you could give it all to God and live in peace?

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

            Over these past five months, I’ve wondered why God wanted me to start this blog. I figured that it was mainly to tell my story and that others may be encouraged by it. I am not perfect and I don’t consider myself anywhere near perfection. So, for me, it was a little strange to be encouraging others while I myself have a lot in my life that needs work. However, I’ve come to realize that this blog has not only helped others but has helped me as well. I’ve learned how to be vulnerable and with that vulnerability has come strength. Being able to talk to all of you about my faith and all that I’ve gone through has been a huge blessing. I pray that God continues to bless me and to bless you all as well as this journey continues.

“The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” – Numbers 6:24-26