The Crosses We Bear

I used to be angry that we struggled with mental health in my family.

It's a hard reality for a lot of people to understand (especially for those who don't happen to "believe" in it), not to mention those who wrestle with the concept that even though big pharma isn't necessarily a great thing (by any means), there are still some of us who benefit from the minds God created to make medicine that has helped to heal some of His people.

Sometimes, two things can be true at once. (And I get how hard this can be to grasp. I'm a very binary person myself, and God has had to do many things in my life to broaden my very narrow perspective).

Now? I actually see what a blessing it is to be sober-minded. I see that even though my brain doesn't act or react necessarily how I want it to, it doesn't matter. My Shepherd still watches over me.

And most importantly? It's a great reminder that there's nothing I can do to "win" His love, because if He can love me in this state, then he can love me in any state.

His love is beyond any striving for it on my part. It's a gift that's given because I am His and He is mine.

So, if you struggle, too, don't find the shame in it, friend, because that's a lie. Sometimes, the crosses we bear hurt more than we even knew possible, but how much more peace we will know in Jesus because of them.