"You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."Also Galatians 6:2 says:
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."Thats so powerful to me. I have read that verse so many times and tonight I took an all new meaning to what it was saying. We talked about how important it is for us to be transparent. We belong to the same spiritual house. I love that. Through our lives people should see Jesus. Through everything we do, Christ should be seen in us. That is so hard for me to grasp sometimes. It is hard for me to do. I know that Christ should fill every aspect of my life, but sometimes he doesn't. As one body in Christ we are to help each other. Bear each others burdens. I know that is a hard task. There are some things in my life that I just want to forget about and never think about ever again.
I talked with a lady whom I love very dearly about this issue. We talked about different things we go through in our lives. How when we tell some people about those they feel like they are not alone because they are struggling with the same things. I thought about that. I thought about it very hard. It is so hard for me to admit some of the things I struggle with. I don't want everyone to know that I actually don't have it all together. I used to struggle with the girl I saw in the mirror and my self image. It is still a struggle for me to see a pretty girl that belongs to God in the mirror, but I'm getting there. I used that story in a devotional during church camp for a group of girls who were in middle school. I just didn't realize how much response I would get from that. So many of those sweet girls in my group also felt the same way that I did. They knew that because I was working through those things that they were not alone and that it was possible for them to feel beautiful. That is a huge deal to not feel alone. If you are struggling it is a wonderful feeling to know that you are NOT alone. And we know that we are never alone because we have Jesus but it is a whole different feeling when you know that a fellow Christian is also struggling and battling just like you are.
I know that this was one of the hardest things I have ever done in my whole life. I know that sharing something like that can be very painful. You are scared. You are scared of how people will react if they know things about you. You do not want to see them you differently. You do not want them to judge you. I completely understand that. I am the exact same way. But what if something we say touches someone. They decide if she can overcome, then so can I. You are an encourager to that person. You make them better. I think that is why God commands us to help bear one anothers burdens. He knows that we need that human help. Not that he isn't enough, but so we don't feel alone in all that we do.
Be transparent. Let everyone know and see how Christ has changed you. If you don't let them know, someone may never know his awesome our God is. Our God is that big. If sharing your story can help some one, why would you not share? If your story can be an encouragement, why would you not share?
I got back to my room after bible class and I got on Facebook and I was scrolling through my newsfeed and I saw a video that came from the Meredith Vieira show. She is helping with the campaign #WhyIStayed this campaign is so powerful. I have always loved watching Meredith. I would sit in the living room with my grandparents and watch her on the news. She started hosting who wants to be a millionaire and I liked that show quite a bit. In all of my years, I had no idea that she was in an abusive relationship. Who knew? But watching her talk about something that was obviously very painful for her talk about, struck me. It made me think. How many women who are the same position as her saw her show? How many women read about her telling her story? How many of those women were INSPIRED to do something about their situation if they were still in it? How many women heard her and now they no longer feel like it was their fault that they stayed. I am in awe of women are willing to share such a painful story. I admire them. They do something that is so often so hard for me to do. I know that sharing a story of abuse is different than sharing my struggles as a Christian, but seeing that last night with all the thoughts running through my head shook me to my core.
We need women in our churches that are like Meredith to tell us that just because we are in a rough patch right now, it doesn't mean we can't conquer it and make it better. When we are struggling and headed down a dark tunnel we need someone who has been down the same tunnel to remind us that there is light at the end of that tunnel. I am so blessed in my life to have so many women that are such an encouragement to me. That show me and tell me that no matter what I am dealing with, I can over come. They do this by setting the example with their lives. They show by the life they live everyday that just because certain things happen I will be okay. God still loves me and I still have him. Its comforting to know that I am not alone. God is with me. But I have my sisters in Christ to help me too. I have someone who has been there done that to help me out of whatever I am dealing with.
Thank you Lord for all the women in my life. Thank you Lord for loving me.
If you would like to watch the video that I referred to on the Meredith Vieira show click on the link below.
Meredith Vieira Show Video
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