Dear beloved young person

 Dear beloved young person:

// 𝗛𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝘆 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗿𝘀 //

There is a hope that reaches into your dark.

I know that feeling: misfit; a little mental. To feel like no one cares. To not even know how to express my own ridiculousness and shame for fear of rejection. To live in disappointment of oneself; and life. Yes, this is a dangerous world. Knowing that behind the mask of accolades and achievements and position and privilege, lies only scars. Hopeless. And to try hide my heart in layers of superficiality and positive thinking. But our hearts deceive us.

For there is a Hope that shines into our dark. A Hope that never changes, always reaches...

This Hope is a person: Jesus

And -// newsflash! //- you are already fully known - flaws and all - by Him and fully loved by Him!

No matter what.

He loves YOU.

Your life matters.

He gave His life for yours. He entered the world in one of its darkest and hardest times. His body was scarred and bruised beyond recognition. He died the most tragic pathetic disgraceful death.

So we don’t have to. 

He died, so we can live. 

The world  wants to define you by your scars, but Jesus wants to define you by His. 

Run to Jesus with your sorrow and sin and suffering and shame. 

Turn to Him. He is the Hope that illuminates -// eliminates //- the darkness. 

—————•

Happy Youth Day! 🙌🏾 

We’re cheering for you 💖 May you be fighters of faith! 

///  tips to turn our thoughts ///

1. Reading scripture is a great healing balm for the downcast soul, especially the Psalms.
2. Stop listening to rubbish songs ALL of the time. STOP. I know this is hard, music is soul, but the words of most hits aren’t doing you any favours if you’re honest with yourself. Why not put together a playlist with a mix of secular and christian songs? There’s super amazing rock and rap christian artists. Totally lit.
3. Talk to Jesus. He loves our company, and we can be completely honest with Him.
4. Journal. Express your heart and feelings. Then end in praise: ‘though I feel like this, yet I shall (praise God/ forgive/ declare Jesus is King...)’ 🙌🏾
5. Talk to someone who knows Jesus. You might think your issue or problem is so dark or so ridiculous... and shame will keep you from sharing. If it wreaks havoc in your mind, you gotta talk about it. Don’t let it keep its hold on you. Dare to be vulnerable! As a pastor’s wife I can assure you, there is very little that shock or surprise us and our desire is to see young people flourish and live life to the full! 

——————•

The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know Your name trust in You, for You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You. Psalm 9:9 

There is nothing in our present or future circumstances that can weaken His love. There is no power above us or beneath us—no power that could ever be found in the whole universe that can separate us from God’s love, which is lavished upon us through our Lord Jesus. Romans 8:38-39