Happy Sunday morning! I shared some real talk on Instagram yesterday and wanted to share the same here. We all have life hurts and struggles. Most of us are much more similar than we are different. I believe that many of us have the same hurts, fears, struggles and insecurities. But we are too afraid to share in fear of what others may think. So today I’m letting my guard down and I’m sharing some raw and real truths about me.
Today I’m going to share my 4 greatest hurts in life. These are in no particular order. I’m sharing this to let others know that we all have hurts and we all have struggles – and to encourage you to look for the good in the pain. “You cannot ignore your pain. You cannot ever leave it behind completely. The only thing you can do is find a way to embrace the good that came out of it – even if it takes you years to discover what that is.” – Rachel Hollis.
My 4 Greatest Life Hurts
1. Addiction
I come from a strong family history of addiction. Somehow I managed to escape the odds. I’ve felt ashamed, embarrassed, angry, bitter, hurt, betrayed and every other emotion possible. Truth be known, if I could choose one disease to cure in this world, without question it would be addiction.
The Good: It pushed me to become better. It made me stronger. It taught me that I can unconditionally love others despite their weaknesses. And it taught me to never give up hope.
2. Divorce
I’ve been through a divorce. It pains me to even type those words. As a Christian, I felt shame and like I let God down. Divorce is not easy. It affects more than just the 2 individuals, especially when you have children.
The Good: I rediscovered who I was after the divorce. I had lived to please someone else for so long that I lost myself. I have remarried a godly man who allows me to just be me and I had my 3rd miracle baby.
3. Infertility
I struggled through a season of infertility and loss. For those of you who have been or are going through this, you know the pain is indescribable. It’s the most raw pain I’ve ever experienced.
The Good: It was during this season that God grabbed a hold of my heart and I gave my life over to Him. That in itself is enough for me. But I’ve also been able to minister to countless women going through the same thing. I was able to work in a fertility clinic and 100% relate to and empathize with the patients. I cried with them, I celebrated with them, I sat in silence with them, and I prayed with them. If you’d like to read more about my story of infertility, you can do that HERE.
4. Disability
My husband is disabled. I’ve shared with you guys before that we are currently walking in this season (which is actually not just a season, but our new way of life). Y’all, I have grieved so much over this. It just doesn’t seem fair. I have wrestled with God about why this had to happen.
The Good: My husband has been able to stay home with our 5 year old son. He is now homeschooling him (you can read about that experience HERE). It has brought our family closer together and taught us that we can overcome anything.
All of these life experiences, although difficult, have shaped who I am today. I have been able to look back on each one and see God’s hand at work. You see, the enemy meant for all of this to harm and destroy me, but God turned it all to good!
“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.” Romans 8:28
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