Hey, girl. How are you doing, truly? How is your heart? From one sister to another, there is a heaviness in my chest that I cannot seem to shake off today and I do not know why. I was sitting in the lobby of church this morning on the brink of tears for no apparent reason. Have you ever been there? One moment you are full of immense joy and then seconds later you feel this deep sense of grief slowly take grip of your soul, completely eradicating what you felt moments before? If so, you are not alone.

These past few months have been some of the most heartbreaking yet life-giving months of my life. People have hurt me, plans have fallen apart, and past wounds have resurfaced; however, people have also loved me, plans have fallen into place, and past wounds have been healed. 

Friend, what I have come to learn is that both joy and grief can coexist. While one certainly feels better than the other, there is purpose in both. Oftentimes, we want to run from the hard emotions and chase after the easier, more positive ones. But what if, by doing this, you are robbing yourself of the freedom and breakthrough God has for you? Let us be women who not only praise God on the mountaintops but in the valleys as well. 

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1:2-4 NLT