If I Were to Tell You the Truth

If I were to tell you the truth...

I would tell you I lost track. That I've had a lonely year. That I quit doing the things I loved. That I've battled it out with depression and anxiety.

If I were to tell you the truth...

I would tell you I've been angry. That I've questioned life. That some days I've spent hours staring blankly at the wall. That I've let brokenness, hurt, & fear distract me.

If I were to tell you the truth...

I would tell you that I've tried to rush through healing. That I thought God dealt me a bad hand. That I struggle with perfectionism. That this season I've been in had nearly left me hopeless.

BUT. If I'm going to keep telling you the truth, I have to tell you the whole story...

Because I would also tell you that even though there are hard days, Jesus is bigger. That grace & healing are all right there. That struggling with something doesn't mean weak or hopeless. That choosing healing is brave.

If I were to really, really tell you the truth...

I would tell you that God still sits on the throne, and doesn't leave you in broken places. That no matter how deep the valley, victory is really on the other side. That your battles & fears & losses are all important parts of the story too. 

I would tell you that even on the days you feel like you're losing, tell the truth anyway. 

So often we go about life keeping the vulnerable seasons hidden. Forgetting that it's okay to admit we're not always okay... But I wonder what would happen if we told the whole story? If we lived our lives transparent and free.

WHAT IF OUR STORIES OF STRUGGLE & TRIUMPH & REDEMPTION WERE SOMEONE ELSE'S ANSWER? WHAT IF AS WE WALKED THROUGH THE VALLEY, WE LEFT MILE MARKERS OF HOPE FOR THOSE THAT MAY ONE DAY FIND THEMSELVES IN THOSE VERY SAME PLACES?

BE BRAVE. LIVE FREE. THERE IS HOPE. 

"Vulnerability sounds like truth & feels like courage. Truth & courage aren't always comfortable, but they're never weakness." - Brene Brown