No Better You - You are Enough

“There's a hope that's waiting for you in the dark
You should know you're beautiful just the way you are
And you don't have to change a thing, the world could change its heart
No scars to your beautiful, we're stars and we're beautiful

Oh-oh, oh-oh
And you don't have to change a thing, the world could change its heart
No scars to your beautiful, we're stars and we're beautiful”  Scars To Your Beautiful ~Alessia Cara

You are beautiful just the way you are. . .

I love that line from this song.  I love the song in its entirety; but, that line says it all.  Our Creator knit together a beautiful person.  Every.  Single.  Time.  Perfection?  NO.  Beautiful?  Wonderful?  YES.

We get caught up in this world.  The hardships and emotions bury us in a dark hole.  We grasp on to anything just to numb out of the pain, escape from the darkness and feel part of the ‘norm.’  We hide who we are for fear of rejection.  My dear friends, you are beautiful just the way you are. 

There is always room to mature in character; but the past mistakes do not define you.  The flaws society loves to point out do not define you.  You were beautifully and wonderfully made!  That does not change over the years lived.  The push for perfection in society screams the message, “NOT GOOD ENOUGH!”  The images plastered all over this world screams, “YOU DON’T MEASURE UP!”  The next generation battle with airbrushed images, filtered social media posts and their peers hiding behind masks.  Comparing the inside of ourselves to the outward appearance of others leads to destruction.

Slowly, we pick apart the very character that God intended to use in a mighty way here to build His Kingdom.  We slip further from the path paved by our Creator Himself.  The enemy grabs hold, suffocates and then drops us in the darkest of pits; leaving us to become our own worst enemy. 

“She has dreams to be an envy, so she's starving
You know, Covergirls eat nothing
She says beauty is pain and there's beauty in everything
What's a little bit of hunger?
I could go a little while longer, she fades away
She don't see her perfect, she don't understand she's worth it
Or that beauty goes deeper than the surface
Oh, oh
So to all the girls that's hurting
Let me be your mirror, help you see a little bit clearer
The light that shines within”  Scars To Your Beautiful ~Alessia Cara

My dear friends, eating disorders are real, self-abuse is increasing, suicide on the rise and depression/anxiety overtaking our society.  We must fight the enemy.  We are a powerful part of the team to defeating the enemy.  God will win the spiritual battle as we pray, speak out, shine His light onto all we meet and simply love others.  I am slowly working on a novel – based on my true story (names are changed) – depicting the spiritual battle that came darn near close to ending my life way too early.  Below is a small excerpt. . .

The nurse continued to gather vital signs; all revealing a sick, malnourished body.  She was kind, gentle and free of judgement.  Once completed, she softly said, “The doctor will be in shortly.  It was wonderful to meet you all.”  The door closed behind her and Izzy wanted to run the other direction.  ED wouldn’t give up the fight easily.  Izzy was too weak to move; but, her thoughts screamed at her to leave.  Escape!  ED pulled tightly the chains surrounding Izzy, holding on to every part of her.  Izzy felt like a tug-o-war battle taking place in her mind.  She was so tired.  Tired of life’s battle.

A few minutes later, which seemed like hours, the doctor entered the room.  His face revealed concern; but, he greeted all with a kind smile.  Looking over the numbers, talking a bit with everybody and reading notes from the counselor, he then provided a treatment plan.  He spoke many words; but, only one sentence soaked in for Izzy.  “You need to be admitted to the hospital.”  He provided reasoning for the decision.  If Izzy continued living as such, she would soon die.  The only way to survive was stay at the hospital, receive nutrition, counseling and rest.  With that, he left to allow time to decide. . .stay and begin healing, or leave and die slowly?

Her parents thought the question was a no brainer.  Izzy begin the tug-o-war game again in her mind.  Her parents held Izzy’s hands tightly and began reaching out in prayer.  They knew Izzy was too weak to decide.  The family needed a Greater Power than they possessed.  As the prayers continued, Izzy could not make out the words; but, she felt the power in those prayers.  Izzy felt an unexplained release; as if a demon left her frail body.  She felt 100 pounds of pressure lift off her body.  Tears flowed uncontrollably.   (side-note:  ED is the abbreviation given for eating disorder)

  

Will you be the one to speak out to a hurting soul?  Are you that hurting soul, the one unable to see the light in the darkness surrounding you?  Take any energy you have left and reach up.  Speak out to anyone that can hear you.  Asking for help will bring light to the darkest of moments.  You are not alone. 

Live life. . .One Day at a time! 

Sheree Craig