Who am I going through this for?!

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4

Yesterday, I felt cute.

Ladies: you know what I'm talking about, right? Those moments when everything - appearance-wise at least - is just working. Hair: Cute. Nails: Did. Outfit: yasss!

I recently purchased a whole new summer wardrobe that I'm super proud of. I was at a place where I would put on my spring/summer clothes and I felt like nothing really "fit" the 32-year-old woman that I am today. With the help of SHEIN's very affordable price point and Klarna to break up the payments, I am back in business! (Fashion business that is!)

With so many vibrant, bold, colorful options that I'd chosen, the look that I was drawn to yesterday was rather simple: a new white tank top from SHEIN and new jeans from FashionNova.

The whole understated look isn't usually my jam. If you know me, you know that I'm more of a bright yellow pants, statement gold earrings, leopard print-type of girl...

...but today...this worked. It felt fresh and new. I was the statement....and I was feeling it! (See my "pointed toe pic" if you need proof!)

I wasn't the only one feeling my look: my husband was too! So much so, that he asked me out on an impromptu date to my favorite cantina-style restaurant: Salsarita's!! (He still somehow prefers Moe's, unfortunately...)

But, yeah. That's my brief highlight from yesterday, but let's talk for a second about what some of you may be going through today...

If you venture through life long enough, you'll find that it comes with trials of all kinds - physical, mental, spiritual, financial, and relational, to name a few. As you're reading this you may feel like you're barely hanging on, but let me encourage you for a second:

First, let me be the one to affirm to you:

You are going to make it through.

You are going to make it through.

You are going to make it through.

(Read that several times more times if you need to).

I don't know your situation, but what I do know as that we have a Heavenly Father who loves us, is present in our situation, and promises to be our everlasting help. God is going to come through - just you wait on Him.

Second, He will not let this trial that you're experiencing go in vain. He promised in Romans 8:28 that "all things will work together for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose". The reality is that we don't have the perspective on our lives that God does. We don't see (at least in the present) how the pieces of our lives add up for ourselves and others. It's hard for us to see how the challenges that we face today will equip us specifically for the purpose that God has planned for us.

What we can do is trust God. Has He not proven himself to be trustworthy? Has He not proven the extent of His love for us through the grace and mercy that He's given us in Jesus? Has He not gotten you through every other trial up to this point?

Place your hope in Him. He's got you and this experience will be worth it!

Maybe one of the ways that He will use this situation is so that you can be a light to others going through similar things..

If you've read my blog before, you know that I absolutely adore Tabitha Brown. She's known all over the world for her light that she carries - her vibrant personality, ever-positive attitude, and words of encouragement.

What many may not know is that she suffered with anxiety and depression for nearly 2 years. Yes. A lady with a 1000 kilowatt smile on her face. She is a beautiful testimony of how God can bring you through ten-fold and use what you've been through to help others. Think about it: she's so good at encouraging others who may be depressed because she knows for herself what that's like.

(Sidenote: I have a very similar testimony. If you feel any bit of encouragement from this post, know that I too may have been where you are now)

So today, in whatever you're going through, think to yourself: who am I going through this for?  Hold on for them - they'll need you!

In the meantime, count what you're going through joy and remember that God loves you and He'll never fail you. He promises.

Sidenote: Thank you to my husband for the encouraging Word in tonight's Family Devotion!