You know, just because God has brought me through a lot when it comes to “social anxiety,” it doesn’t mean I don’t battle it from time to time…

Sometimes it comes at the most inconvenient times. Sometimes it feels as though it’s at it’s worst.

Oh how easy it would be if I could just “snap out of it” –and sometimes the Lord does help me to just “snap out of it” when I seek Him, when I ask Him to help me renew my mind, when I remember what the Word says…

….But there are times that I must simply endure. I must keep pushing forward and through, even when it’s painful, even when the struggle is still just right there.

Sometimes I just have to choose to “go and do,” as usual, whether the obstacle seems like it will be easy to overcome, or if it seems nearly impossible to get through.

I know in situations like these, there is something the Lord is doing within me. Something He’s allowing in order to build character and endurance in me.

I believe often times God allows the “struggle” and the “hardship” to mix with His goodness and redemptive ways so that He can bring something so beautiful out of the painful situation.

He does that so beautifully, doesn’t He?

He can build and create something within our character in a way that just cannot be done without all the right “ingredients.”

An egg must be “beaten” into the mix in order for the cake to come out just right. And it’s worth it.

So when the situation doesn’t seem to get “less painful,” when it doesn’t feel like God is making it any “easier” in that moment…. the Lord is teaching me to just ask Him,

“God, what are You doing with this situation? What is the purpose? I am tempted to run and hide from this painful situation. Help me to just keep taking steps forward until I get through it.”

Because my temptation is to hide myself away when it gets too hard, when it’s too overwhelming.

And what good would come out of that? What good would it do to shut down something God has plans to redeem, something He has made good plans for?

If you find yourself struggling with this sort of thing from time to time as I do, and maybe you feel like you’ve already dealt with these things, that you’re already “past this”…

“Why am I struggling with this again right now? What’s going on with me?”

I want to encourage you to just keep going.

Just keep seeking Him to help you through, and don’t allow the enemy to cause you to run and hide yourself away, no matter how painful, no matter how overwhelming.

As you struggle to find the words, as your face muscles grow tired and weary, as you feel the “overwhelm” in a crowded room, as you feel the growing temptation to hide when everything is closing in…

…just know that God is doing a strengthening work in you. ✨

Just remember that He is in the process of building something within you.

Just know that He is creating and polishing your beautiful character.

It doesn’t matter what others may think. God is doing a beautiful work in you, no matter how “ugly” or “messy” or “clumsy” it may appear on the surface.

“…so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;” – 1 Peter 1:7

“Many will be purged, purified and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand.” – Daniel 12:10

“It will come about in all the land,” Declares the LORD, “That two parts in it will be cut off and perish; But the third will be left in it. “And I will bring the third part through the fire, Refine them as silver is refined, And test them as gold is tested They will call on My name, And I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are My people,’ And they will say, ‘The LORD is my God.'” – Zechariah 13:8

Note to self, and any anyone else who deals with this kind of struggle:

Just know that you are fighting through this thing with Him right by your side, preparing the way before you, and guarding you from behind.

He’s taking you through this because He loves you, and because He has great things in store for you that the enemy would love to shut down.

You’re not alone, He’s by your side. Just keep going, and you will marvel at what He will bring you through. ❤️

-Heather ?