As anxiety fills my body,
As the darkness hides the light,
As the joy is stomped out,
I remind myself,
Even in the darkness,
Even when the world is ugly,
Even when I feel worthless,
I am enough.
As negative words fill my mind,
As betrayal comes from all sides,
As loneliness sets in,
I remind myself,
Even with the negativity,
Even with the loss of friends,
Even when the world feels lonely,
I am enough.
As my body fills with worry,
As my anxiety tells me I’m not enough,
As the world crashes around me,
I remind myself,
I am enough,
I am more than the betrayers’ words,
I am more than the loneliness,
I am more than the fear,
I am enough.
Even when the lines are crooked,
Even when the words are imperfect,
Even when the edges are rough,
I am enough,
I am gifted and capable.
When the words feel too hard to write,
When the feelings feel too big to share,
When the creation too rough to give,
I am enough,
I am authentic,
I am vulnerable
It is worthy of sharing, it is enough.
I am enough.
Vulnerability in a judgemental world…
We live in a world that’s so hard to be vulnerable, it’s difficult to feel like enough, to believe we are enough in a space where life is made to look so glamourous and perfect on social media by celebrities and public figures across the globe.
As social media we are surrounded by can portray so much negativity and instil pain and loneliness, I constantly remind myself that:
I’m worthy,
I’m capable,
I’m gifted,
I’m loved,
I’m authentic,
I’m enough.
And so are you! You are enough, you are loved, you are worthy, you are capable, you are gifted, you are authentic!
Vulnerability and authenticity are so much harder than they seem, I find it hard to be completely authentic with those around me, to reveal the inner me, the me who’s full of imperfections and a little bit of crazy, to be wholeheartedly vulnerable and open to those around me. If you feel the same, I see you, I feel you and I can completely relate.
“Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.” (Galatians chapter 6, verse 2).
So often when life is a struggle, the thought of being a burden holts me in my tracks from opening up and being vulnerable to those closest to me. I know it’s not the truth, I know that just as Christ does, those who love us deeply, those who care beyond measure will stand with me and share those burdens.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah chapter 41, verse 10).
We should fear not, for God is with us, he has us, he holds us in his hands, he strengthens us and helps us in his hands when we need him. We are enough, even when the world around us overwhelms, when the judgements over power the safe of being vulnerable and authentic, he has us and holds us in his hands and gives us the strength we need to continue.
You are enough even when it doesn’t feel that way, you are worthy of the love and kindness of others, you are more than the anxiety, loneliness and darkness that prevails.
I am a Young Salvationist who lives in Upper Hutt, Wellington. I am passionate about enhancing the life experiences of others and do this in my paid employment as a Support worker for those with Intellectual Disabilities and as a volunteer leader for GirlGuiding New Zealand. I love to create, write and travel the world and have a passion for submerging myself in the cultures of each place I travel. I left my heart in Africa a month before Covid sent the world into lockdown and I cannot wait to be able to return and serve in a continent that stole so much of my heart.