It’s okay to not be okay…

I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve hidden behind “working out” as my therapy… my safety blanket… my confidence booster.

When life takes a turn and doesn’t look how you thought it would, it’s easy to revert back to what’s comfortable. To hide behind what we know and “build confidence back” and seek outside validation.

Ladies and gents, I’m here to tell you from first-hand experience you can’t heal from the inside if you’re not willing to work on the inside.

If you can’t strip away your walls you’re hiding behind because you’ve been hurt and face them head on with Christ fueling your desire to heal, you’re literally and figuratively stuck.

Take a minute and reflect on what you hide behind when you feel uncomfortable? When you feel vulnerable? When the scars on your heart are visible for everyone to see?

Do you deflect those feelings by burying yourself in your work? Your kids’ lives? “Appearing okay” to everyone?

Putting on that disingenuous smile is only making you spiral harder. Trust me. It only last so long before your mental health takes a huge hit… then the valley is deeper to climb out of.

Recognize when you’re deflecting and stop. No like actually stop what you’re doing. Speak the name of Jesus and breathe in his everlasting love.

Know that you’re not meant to “have it altogether” all the time. Your house doesn’t need to be perfect, your to-do list doesn’t need to be checked off, and listening to what your body needs whether that’s sleep, devotions, or skipping that workout for the day is OKAY.

Give yourself grace.

Who are you to deny grace to yourself when He has given it to you freely?