Dear Younger Me:

I truly wish I could go back in time to my darkest, loneliest, scariest moments.

I wish I could go back to younger me and say, “This pain, anxiety, and hurt is not your fault. None of this is your fault, and it’s going to be okay. I know you’re so scared and afraid of what might happen next. I know how real and deep your fear is. I know how terrible and awful you’re feeling, and I'm sorry.

But I also know something you don’t. All of the pain and hurt you are experiencing right now will pass. You will not feel this way forever. I promise.

One day, you will become the person you needed in this very moment to wipe your tears and tell you that "You are going to be okay. You are loved, and most importantly, you are not alone in feeling this way. You are not 'over dramatic'. You are not 'crazy'. There is nothing 'wrong' with you."

All of this is part of the beautiful story that God wrote just for your life.

Hold on because you’re going to get through this, and you are going to be given the blessing of sharing your testimony with so many people. Your story is going to give others hope when they don’t know how much longer they can carry the pain in their story.

The strength and resilience you will gain will not stop with you- it is going to be passed to so many others who are going to need it. This will all be worth it.

I know what I am telling you right now feels impossible to believe. But please try to hear the words I am saying.

Stay strong, keep going, and keep showing up. You can do hard things.

You can and you will get through this because you can 'do all things through Christ who will give you the strength' (Phil. 4:13)

This is not the end of your story- it is just the beginning

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.” Genesis 50:20