The struggle is real folks and many of us come aboard without even realizing. I am currently on the train this week. It is so easy to get caught up in worldly things and that is something that I continue to struggle with.
Background:
I am telling you this not to toot my own horn but to help you understand where I’m coming from. In high school I was a cheerleader,voted homecoming queen, Ms. CHS, class favorite, class flirt, etc. I was so wrapped up in being popular and people pleasing so that I would be accepted. The weird thing was…not once did I feel popular or did I feel that I had any real friends. Now keep in mind the whole school votes for one person to win those awards, so you would think I would be as happy as I could since I was popular. WRONG. In honesty I was nothing but insecure. I never thought I was pretty enough or worthy enough. These traits followed me and never left until I gave these feelings up to the Lord.
As time went on and I went to college I realized that material things did nothing but keep me in constant turmoil. I was tired of what others thought of me dictating how I lived my life. I’ve done really well since then coming into my own and growing with the Lord to fill that void of feeling inadequate. The truth is everyone is beautiful and what’s on the inside matters so much more than the outside.
Lately, since I’ve been spending more time in my hometown, I find myself falling back into old securities. Gym, tan, make people love you. I’ve been doing body cleanses to make myself skinny, tanning to make myself feel pretty, and been so tempted by others to go out and drink. I have not succumbed to partying yet because I realized finally what was going on. I didn’t realize that I was obsessing over material things. All aboard the struggle train choo choo. Since I’ve grown stronger in my walk with the Lord, it has helped me to take a step back, talk things out with him, and realize why I’ve been doing the things I’ve been doing. The devil is trying to replace those old feelings so that I will grow distant with the Lord and more obsessed with worldly possessions.
Well devil, this is one battle I refuse to let you win. I’m officially jumping off this train and loving me for me. God does and that’s a good enough reason for me. So the reason I shared this with everyone is because I feel this is a common problem that not only I face. So next time you feel inadequate or get caught up in the world. just take a moment and realize there is so much more to get out of life then material things. The Lord loves you and would love for you to talk to him and heal you of those feelings.
