to the person who wants to give up…

Before I even start this blog I just want to say, I get you.

Maybe you are in a new season of life and don’t know how you are going to accomplish the huge mountain that is in front of you. Maybe things around you have just crashed down and you feel isolated and disappointed. Maybe a relationship you thought would work out actually turned out to be toxic and you are left feeling empty.

Whether you are facing heartbreak, isolation, change, grief, disappointment or any other emotion- I just want to say, i’m here for you- more importantly, God is too.

Emotion is always something i’ve struggled to come to terms with. You see, I used to struggle with sharing how I felt. I somehow thought that every “negative” emotion was to be suppressed and wasn’t positive enough to be shared. I thought that I wouldn’t be the same smiley Melisa everybody knows if I shed a tear or was going through a hard time.

I set the highest expectations for myself, and sometimes didn’t allow myself to feel the emotions that were building inside of me day after day. And what happened?

I crashed.

You see, emotions were not meant to be kept inside. Emotions are made to be felt.

Because I spent so many months carrying emotion, the time of crash for me meant that instead of just feeling my emotions, they actually ended up controlling me, and this was not healthy.

How are your emotions? Where do you go when you feel them? Do you let them out??

First things out, please let your emotions out. If somebody in your family has passed away, it is okay to cry about it! If you just broke up with your boyfriend/girlfriend or vice versa, it is okay to have a day in bed and cry out to God!! If you are being bullied at school, it is okay to feel upset and disappointed about it.

Feeling emotion and letting it out is not a bad thing. The bad thing is when you let your emotions control you.

The enemy sees emotions and he wants to take advantage of it. He wants to tell you that you will be sitting in that emotion forever. He wants to tell you that the way you are feeling is going to be forever, when in reality, these are all lies he tries to fill your mind with.

God on the other hand reminds us that “for everything there is a season.” (Ecclesiastes 3) In fact, the whole book of Ecclesiastes reminds us that seasons pass! The way you are feeling now is definitely not going to be forever. Let God refresh your mind. Let Him be your joy in the midst of pain. In the middle of your crying, cry out to Him. Talk to Jesus. He wants to help you through it- He doesn’t want you to stay that way.

God wants you to feel things- but not to stay in your feelings.

Why? Because He has SO much better for you!!!!

Last year was one of the darkest moments I have faced. It was my first heartbreak and for me, this was very difficult to navigate. Hearing promises of forever and then entering a new season of unknown was strange. I had no other option than to trust God and to lean on Him in this time- and girl let me tell you, that moment was one of the best choices I have ever made. I decided that I was upset, but I decided that I trusted God and that there was obviously a reason for that relationship break down, and I wanted the joy that Jesus offered in the midst of that pain. Jesus, help from my church and family was what helped me get through that season.

Since then, the joy I have felt is unlike any other. And that started with a choice.

I don’t know how you feel right now girl, but you have a choice.

A choice to let the feelings take over or a choice to let God help you and bring you His joy in the midst of them. A choice to suppress how you feel, or to reach out for help.

Which will you choose?

some verses that have gotten me through pain:

ecclesiastes 3:1- There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens

isaiah 41:10- So Do Not Fear, For I Am With You; Do Not Be Dismayed, For I Am Your God. I Will Strengthen You And Help You; I Will Uphold You With My Righteous Right Hand.

Romans 8:28-And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

If you need help or support with anything, please don’t be afraid to reach out to me, your local church, a local helpline such as the samaritans-0845 790 9090 etc.

Please never feel ashamed to reach out for help- you are important.

-m.a.b