Random Thoughts For Those Who Hurt

It's ok to go through things.

It's best to lean on close friends when things get hard. Trust in the people who have proven that they love you.

You don't have to have all the right words to say to someone who is sad. Sometimes a hug is enough.

Sometimes a hug is more than enough.

Even if the broken heart is our own fault, it still feels empty inside.

Sometimes it's not our fault. Still feels empty inside. I checked.

There is nothing too big to overcome if you trust in the right things.

Out of suffering, beautiful things can be formed.

Beautiful things can be formed out of happy times too.

Memories will linger. Sometimes they make you smile, sometimes they feel like they are hollowing out your soul. Be careful what you are putting in your head, cause it ain't going anywhere for quite a while.

When you are hurting, choose your words more carefully than ever. You can never erase it once it's out of your mouth.

This, too, will pass. It really will.

Don't be afraid to cry. Even if you are a big macho guy.

It's ok not to be strong or have it all together when you are being challenged. Your soul is being tempered into strength you've never had before, but first it has to be softened and reformed.

The things that challenge us the most always seem to be the things that end up molding us into the most beautiful shapes.

It's important to go through the steps of the grieving process when something bad happens. Just try not to linger on anger too long. It tends to turn to bitterness, which has no effect on anyone other than yourself.

Inspiring truths may or may not ease the pain. It doesn't diminish the truthfulness of their nature.

There are things that even shoe shopping can't fix. (gasp!)

Most importantly... don't do things that you know are going to damage you more, just because you are hurting. It's easy to shut yourself off from the world and the pain, and in doing so, make yourself numb to your own actions. Suffering can cause us to hide away, or self-medicate, or self-inflict. Don't let yourself believe that you are worth less just because someone may have treated you like you are. Sometimes people are blind. Don't let yourself become numb to the consequences of your actions just cause you are trying to dull the pain. The consequences will be waiting for you once you heal.

These things are on my mind cause I'm hurting. That's probably obvious. A few things have happened over the course of the last 2 months or so that have rocked me to my core. One situation was not my fault. One was. I take responsibility for it. I deserve to be hurting over it, and it's probably gonna affect me for a long time. The truth is, I was hurting so badly over the thing that was not my fault, I numbed myself to the pain by shutting myself off from everything. I don't think I felt any strong emotions for almost 2 weeks. I didn't care about doing right, and I didn't care about doing wrong.

This is a very dangerous place to be. Learn from my mistakes and don't fall for the lie that temporary distraction, as real as it may feel, will do any good for you in the long run.

I don't know how to end this one on a positive note. I'm still working through it all, though I've taken significant steps forward in the last few days.

Just don't give up, and don't give in. You're worth too much.

Relevant?

I want to be relevant.

Yes, I have faith. Some call it religion, though personally I shrink from the word. I don't follow rules and regulations just to follow them.

I believe in something bigger than myself.

I believe in love.

That's all that Jesus taught - love God above all else, and love others more than you love yourself. Can you imagine what the world would look like if we all acted like that?

Even just for one day?

It's not about following a set of rules to earn our holiness or earn our way into heaven. We can't earn it even if we try. It makes me sick that (some) Christians turn their backs on those who don't live up to their guidelines and are displaying "the bad sins" (say it in a deep scary voice for the best impact) - homosexuals, addicts, and so on - and wallow daily in the "little sins" - lying to each other, manipulating each other, and such.

Who are we trying to fool?

I am ashamed of myself when I recognize the signs of this kind of behavior creeping into my own life, and I am appalled at the state of Christianity in general some days for letting this kind of attitude prevail. Don't get me wrong - there are plenty of Christians living it out like they should - pouring themselves out for others, loving and respecting God above everything else. I see myself as this kind of Christian (but believe me, I fail at it sometimes).

That's the church I love, and long to continue to be a part of - and it is out there. The church is the people - a movement of people who are casting aside everything that's held us back in the past, and running forward with the goal of just loving God and loving people.

Relevant. I want to love others so that they can see and understand the love God has for them. That's all.

I can enjoy my life while I'm doing that, too. I don't have to be a nerdy, uptight recluse to be a Christian. In fact, I might go out dancing tonight just to prove it.

And I'll probably wear my new platform shoes. :)