Application and Renewal

The things that I learned about myself and my ability to lean in and push through some of the hardest battles of my life are astounding and commendable. However, I do not want praise for surviving dark days if it means I am still unprepared for the next storm when it comes.

My troubles matured me spiritually.

Like I have said before, none of my old strategies worked anymore. I had to develop new strength, new habits, and a deeper relationship with God. And baby, while I was dealing with issues surrounding my career, mental health, and everything else, my kids were absolutely showing their behinds too. I do not know if it was because I was mentally distracted from their usual shenanigans or if life had decided to throw every possible challenge at me all at once.

Either way, I learned.

What I have started applying to my life is this:

1. Tough times do not last forever.
   Even when they feel endless. I remember sitting in the middle of one of my darkest seasons thinking that I would never make it through. But somehow, little by little, I did.
2. Lean harder on your faith, especially when you feel like you have nothing left.
   I learned so much about my relationship with God during this storm, and those lessons continue to carry me through the situations that still pop up today.
3. Stop viewing every hardship as punishment.
   One of the biggest shifts in my mindset was realizing that every problem was not God punishing me. Some situations were developing me, stretching me, and preparing me for the version of myself I had been praying to become.

Not because life is easy. Not because I have all the answers. But because I survived things I once thought would destroy me. And maybe that is what renewal really is.

Not becoming a completely different person overnight, but becoming softer, wiser, stronger, and more grounded through everything life tried to break.

There have still been difficult battles lately. Life did not suddenly become perfect because I learned a few lessons. But now, I move through challenges differently. I no longer panic the way I used to. Somewhere along this rebuilding journey, I developed a quiet confidence that everything will work out the way it is supposed to.

I hope this series has inspired someone who may be rebuilding in silence. And if you are, I hope you know that difficult seasons do not last forever, even when they feel never-ending while you are in them.

Thank you for walking through this journey with me.