Emotions are a funny thing

Some people are so open about them and some are not.

I am personally someone who is not open about them and get defensive when anyone tries to break my shell.

I tell myself…..

No one cares what I think

The world isn’t about me

And

That emotions are bad

I’ve been told my whole life that emotions were wrong to feel and to suck it up when I felt bad.

Lately I’ve had friends in my life who have shown me that having emotions isn’t a bad thing.

They encourage me to share my feelings and comfort me in times of need.

This was weird.

I’ve never felt this comfort feeling before

BUT!

Then I realized that God designed us to share our feelings and to be surrounded by community

Even though I feel like theses walls won’t break down sometimes, God is taking a chisel and breaking them down piece by piece.

Life would be different with you here

I would probably be going to the same school or have the same daily activities

But I would have one more person to call when I got that job

I would have one more person show up at my door after a break up

I would have one more person realize that sometimes I’m not okay

They would realize that the love and presence they can give is more important than anything

Even though you’re gone, I’m still learning

I’m learning how you handle stress

I’m learning how to grow deeper in my faith

I’m learning how to love like you loved

I miss you more than life, continue to teach me through good and bad 💛

Fear is an interesting concept.

Fear is considered to be an unpleasant emotion usually caused by someone or something that is dangerous.

I see fear as the pit drop in my stomach or the chills that go up my spine when someone brings up heights. More the fear of falling.

Hiking to the top of this Volcano changed my life in a number of ways, besides the amazing story of faith in God and the perseverance to the top.

I was AFRAID

My heart was beating out of my chest just like the waves crashing onto the shoreline.

My worst fear: The fear of falling

This fear changed my life because I am still afraid of falling but every day piece by piece I challenge myself with new opportunities to grow and overcome this fear.

Hiking this Volcano was one piece of the wall that is being built around my fears.

Goal: Make a new challenge everyday to overcome a fear

This past week I was presented with an opportunity to clear out a graveyard with my student ministry.

Crazy Right?

We pulled up and I had no idea we were at a cemetery.

As we chipped away at the wall of trees before us it made me realize that the process we were doing is like my relationship with God.

In the moment you never realize how much God is working in your life and how much he is pouring into you until you take a step back and reflect.

See, we did not realize how much progress we were making in the moment because we did not take a step back and look at how many trees were gone. We were too focused on the problems in front of us.

When we look back at our lives, one year, two years, or even five years ago we realize how much God is working in our lives.

Focusing on the wall of hardships that was right in front of us keeps us from looking at the immeasurable work God is doing in our lives.

Remember to take a step back, reflect, and thank God for ALL he is doing in our lives.