DAY 1676... Be Still, My Soul

I have never been shy about sharing my struggles and my challenges.

I realize that everyone has something that they struggle with,

and that there's no shame in hiding it.

I know that it's hard to share your weaknesses,

and I know that the fear of what others may think of you is absolutely terrifying and crippling.

The fear of what others may think of me has destroyed some of my biggest hopes and dreams.

The fear of what others may think of me has made me hate myself.

The fear of what others may think of me has kept me in hiding.

The fear of what others may think of me is a struggle for me and it has crippled me in too many ways.

But why does it matter what they think?

Why do we let the fear of what others may think ruin our chances to improve?

Why do we let the fear of what others may think ruin our chances to succeed?

Why do we let the fear of what others may think ruin our hope of getting better?

Why do we let the fear of what others may think ruin our dreams?

Why do we let the fear of what others may think over run our lives?

We are better than that.

We are weak.

We do struggle.

We will fail.

But we can always become better.

So often I forget that my Heavenly Father is there,

and will always be there for me in my time of need.

He is there to comfort.

He is there to calm.

He is there to lift up.

He is there to take our burdens.

He is there is make us strong.

He is there no matter what.

No matter gender.

No matter race.

No matter religion.

No matter our financial status.

No matter what we weigh.

No matter where we have come from.

No matter the mistakes that we have made in the past.

Our Heavenly Father is there for us no matter what.

I sometimes feel as though I am not worthy of his love.

I sometimes feel as though I am not worthy of his forgiveness.

I sometimes feel as though I am not worthy of his grace.

But I am.

You are.

We all are worthy of his love and of his comfort.

I pray for peace daily.

I need to.

I have to.

My struggles with anxiety and depression are only cured through prayer,

and through the love of my Heavenly Father.

I know that some people may think that that sounds crazy,

but for me,

prayer works.

It works miracles.

I know that my problems are nothing compared to the problems of others.

But I pray that they will find peace.

I pray that they will find hope.

I pray that they will find answers.

I pray that they will feel loved.

I pray that they will know that they are never alone.

The hymn, Be Still, My Soul,

is so powerful.

The lyrics read:
Be still, my soul: The Lord is on they side;
With patience bear thy cross of grief or pain.
Leave to they God to order and provide;
In ev'ry change he faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: They best, they heav'nly Friend
Thru thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: They God doth undertake
To guide the future as he has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: The waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while he dwelt below.

Be still, my soul: The hour is hast'ning on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointement, grief, and fera are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: When change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

This life is only temporary.

Our struggles and pains are only temporary.

It's so incredibly hard to remember that,

and sometimes it feels like the pain and the trials will never end.

But they will.

"Be still, my soul: The Lord is on they side."