Help, I need somebody!

Bitterness, anxiety, comparison, rejection, and hurt: these are all emotions that we experience, and more often than not, we are pros at internalizing what we're truly feeling. We store these emotions away down deep in our hearts, lying to ourselves that they are dealt with, but the truth is, they slowly nag at us until we explode.

Trust us when we tell you, we have ALL been there, but the truth is that your heart does not have to silently suffer. There is relief from the silent storm raging within you.

How do you get to a place of peace and freedom? You tell somebody. God loves to help his sons and daughters, and he will usually do it in the form of community. It’s easier said than done, but voicing your pain will bring freedom, and more than you can imagine.

Many times there are fears that stop us from reaching out to others for help. These might be:

I don’t want people to know I have problems. I want them to think everything in my life is perfect.

I feel like I am going to be judged.

I feel like I might be a burden.

People already have their own problems, why would I want them to listen to mine?

Will talking about my issues really help me?

What do they really have to say that I don’t already know?

I want someone to reach out to me.

Can you relate to any of these? The good news is that you're not alone, and you don't have to walk this journey on your own. There is so much hope, joy, and peace that the Lord has for you, but He asks us to meet Him halfway. We can't be passive, but we must do our parts to seek the freedom He has for us.

Ways to seek freedom from the moments of silent suffering:

1. Make your needs known.

Verbalize what you are going through. Tell God and then tell a friend. We create this lie in our head that people don’t really care, but how are they to know what you are truly feeling? There are people who truly care about you and want to see you thrive, but you have to take the first step. Verbalizing your problems brings freedom, and you have to be vulnerable in order to become whole.

2. Seek community.

We were not made to do life alone. Who is speaking life into you? Freedom, healing, and wholeness are waiting for you. Jesus has paid the price on the cross for us to be whole, but it isn’t just brought to us. It is waiting for us on a silver platter, but we need to first find the table and take a seat. It is our responsibility to seek out a healthy and thriving group of people, and to put ourselves around them. God has a plan for the relationships in your life. Don’t be afraid to seek out these friendships and to admit that you need someone. If you don’t already have this community, start with prayer. Ask God to place these people in your life, and begin to search. He who searches finds, and he who knocks, the door will be opened. A great place to look is within your church or a young adults group or even an Everyday Girl event. ;)

3. Be that friend to others.

People are seeking the exact same thing you are. Because you know what it feels like, be that friend you desire in your life to others. When is the last time you went out of your way for someone you care about? Be intentional with those you love. Buy them lunch, send them a sweet text, or take time to ask them how they are doing. Hope thrives when we know that someone is thinking us and is truly concerned for our wellbeing.

If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. Philippians 2:1-4

Finally, know that God is your champion and He deeply cares about the state of your heart and mind. The beauty of having Jesus as your bff is that He walked the same path as us. When he came to this earth, he became flesh. Jesus is the Son of God and Son of man. He felt all the feelings we do as humans. When you are searching to find someone to understand you, trust us when we say, Jesus understands you. He is your ever present help. Do not lose hope in the light of this truth.