EVERYTHING IS NOT OKAY

We can’t keep lying to ourselves saying everything’s okay. Not everything’s okay. And that’s the truth, isn’t it? It’s okay to not be okay.

What’s not okay about not being okay is staying there. We can’t stay in the ‘not okay’ place inside ourselves forever. It’s a season. Seasons come and go, like age (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). We’re one age for a year, and then that number changes. It’s one season for a certain period of time, and then it’s over.

Not everything’s okay right now. But eventually, those things are going to be okay, and then something else won’t be. But we can’t lie to ourselves and say everything’s fine. Jesus said we’d have trouble in this world, so it’s not new news that not everything’s okay (John 16:33).

DENIAL AND PRETENDING

Living in denial doesn’t make us stronger people; denial doesn’t build perseverance like suffering does, and we don’t suffer authentically by living in denial—we suffer genuinely be being real with ourselves and others about actual struggles and adversity.

Avoiding processing issues properly doesn’t resolve the core problem, and letting a problem linger turns it into bitterness.

Pretending to be alright when we’re not doesn’t help us find a resolution. Lying to people we trust to avoid an uncomfortable conversation doesn’t bring clarity, healing, or peace.

ACCEPTING THE LOVE THAT GOD GIVES THROUGH OTHERS

Not taking action on problems we admit are real in our lives doesn’t show concern for the way our problems impact those around us we care about most.

Mature adults are aware of all these things and we live into them. We embrace them as a part of the way we process through stress and emotional wounds.

We don’t say we don’t need help from others, because we do. We don’t deny the help of those capable and willing to lovingly act and speak into our lives for the purpose of building us up and encouraging us forward. Instead, we accept the help, we thank the person and we show gratitude to God for sending that person (or those people) into our lives for that very reason.

NO EXCUSE NOT TO LIVE FULLY TODAY

Let’s not waste time in denial. Denial doesn’t build character like transparency does. Any single one of us could end up discovering today as our last day on earth, and by the time we knew it, it’s already over. There’s no excuse to live as though tomorrow were a promise when it’s most certainly not (James 4:13-15). There’s no practical reason to live as though every circumstance and every interaction doesn’t deserve our in-this-moment-ness, our commitment to integrity, and an unconditional agape love given to us from the God of Heaven to share with these very people we come into contact with.

BETTERMENT OF OTHERS

We just never know when our time is up. Friends come and ago. Even family doesn’t always remain reliable. People say one thing and do another. We must pay close attention to their fruit (the impact of their lifestyle choices on the betterment of other people) and treat people according to both the love of God, as well as the discernment of someone who understands the value of their very limited time.

DON’T HOLD BACK GOD’S LOVE OR TRUTH

Today is today, and today alone. There is no tomorrow. Let’s not let the devil get us to believe we should make our best life choices in the morning. Make them now. Don’t wait. You may not wake to see that decision come to fruition. And then there’s no going back. If there’s a choice you’re holding onto, give in to whatever God’s revealing to you about it.

Pray about it, but don’t hold onto the choice if you already know the answer. The right thing won’t be wrong tomorrow. God’s way won’t be the devil’s way. The devil’s way won’t be more right tomorrow.

Don’t hold back God’s love for people. But don’t hold back His Truth, either. People need both, not just one or the other. We all need both, and we need them more than ever today.

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This blog exists for the glory of God, for the sake of inspiring people towards faith in Jesus Christ, and the renewal of our souls so we can be uplifted towards the higher calling and purpose God has appointed for us all. My hope is that it serves that very purpose. Thanks for reading!

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