Day 15 - Go Wash Your Hair

Letters to my teenage self 

A Devotional for Trauma Survivors 

Day 15 - Go Wash Your Hair

Dear teenage self, 

Go wash your hair, spend a few minutes in the shower, and manage your personal hygiene. You always feel so much better after you've showered, put on deodorant, put on makeup, and dressed in clean clothes. 

Depression can steal so much from you. It can convince you that the best thing you can do for yourself is to stay in bed, wallowing in your sadness and watching endless hours of TV. That's the exact opposite of what you should be doing. 

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. 

+Isaiah 40:31 (ESV)

When you're waiting on the Lord, you must actively serve Him rather than simply wait in a closed-up room for something amazing to happen to you. Stepping out in faith will activate your blessings beyond measure. "Faith without works is like a screen door on a submarine," says Rich Mullins ("Screen Door" by Rich Mullins on YouTube). So get out of bed and go wash your hair. That's step one. 

Let's Pray

Dear Lord, sometimes I just don't feel like serving You. I want to stay in bed and nurse my wounds, avoiding the responsibilities of life. Thank You for meeting me where I am and calling me out of my depression into something better. I love You, Jesus. It's in Your name I pray. Amen. 

Get up out of bed and get to work on healing.

Stay tuned for another episode. See you next time! And remember, if you or a loved one is in danger, get help immediately, and don't stop talking until someone acts on your words.

National Domestic Abuse Hotline: 800-799-7233 Hours: 24/7. Languages: English, Spanish, and 200+ through interpretation service. SMS: Text START to 88788

National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 Hours: Available 24 hours. https://www.rainn.org/

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Hours: Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish. https://988lifeline.org/

In Christ alone our hope is found

Run, don't walk for help! You're worth it.

 

 

 

Day 14 - Stop Allowing Others to Steal Your Peace

Letters to my teenage self 

A Devotional for Trauma Survivors 

Day 14 - Stop Allowing Others to Steal Your Peace

Dear teenage self, 

Stop allowing others to steal your peace. Your peace comes from the Lord. There will be so many distractions in this life - things that call your name and claim to be urgent or even emergent, but they need to be prioritized behind your peace and relationship with Jesus.

When first responders arrive on a call, they don't run into burning buildings or active shooter situations. They check their gear, check in with everyone on their team, ensure everyone knows the expectations, and then calmly walk into the situation and begin helping others. The reason for this is so that they maintain a calm, cool head in case the situation becomes more dangerous.

“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give peace to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid."

+John 14:27 (NLV)

When you remain in the Word of God daily and remain in prayer, you are inviting the peace of God to envelop your entire being. You're setting yourself up for success so that when the time comes to address some of the pain rattling around in your broken heart, you can maintain a clear mind and access healing so much easier. You're not muddying the waters, so to speak. 

People will come to you with all kinds of nonsense in this life. Sometimes, they just want to help but don't know how. Sometimes, they want to hurt you, and their jabs are intentional. Focus on Jesus and don't even acknowledge them. Focus on the peace that comes from Jesus. 

Let's Pray

Heavenly Father, thank You for the peace that surpasses all understanding. Thank You for fighting my battles when I am weak. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and bless me with Your neverending presence. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen. 

Happy 18-year wedding anniversary today!

Stay tuned for another episode. See you next time! And remember, if you or a loved one is in danger, get help immediately, and don't stop talking until someone acts on your words.

National Domestic Abuse Hotline: 800-799-7233 Hours: 24/7. Languages: English, Spanish, and 200+ through interpretation service. SMS: Text START to 88788

National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 Hours: Available 24 hours. https://www.rainn.org/

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Hours: Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish. https://988lifeline.org/

In Christ alone our hope is found

Run, don't walk for help! You're worth it.