You’re Not Alone

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.

“You should come,” Abbi said as we talked about an upcoming event where she would be sharing about her battle with an eating disorder.

“I would love to,” I responded. “I know someone else who struggles with an eating disorder and has been trying to get into treatment. Would you mind if I brought her too?”

“Of course not!” Abbi responded.

Two weeks later, I found myself, along with my daughter and the young woman I’d invited, at the small venue where Abbi would be sharing her story publicly for the first time.

As we sat down to listen, I suddenly felt nervous. I wanted so much for my guest to connect with what Abbi had to say. I knew their struggles were similar, and my prayer was that her words would be an encouragement. My concern dissipated as soon as Abbi began to speak.

She was honest and kind, vulnerable and loving. She shared from her heart everything that she had gone through, and as I listened, my throat tightened with emotion. She commented that all of us could find bits of ourselves in her story, and she was right—we’ve all experienced some unhealthiness in the way that we view our bodies, food, or just caring for ourselves.

I smiled as she finished by offering encouragement to anyone in the room battling an eating disorder as she did, inviting them to connect with her.

“You don’t have to go through it alone,” she finished.

As we hugged her goodbye, thanking her for the wonderful evening, I couldn’t help but think about how often the enemy tries to separate us from the love and support of others. Alone in our thoughts, we can grapple with issues that no one else knows. But thankfully, when we bring them to light, the darkness will not overcome us. Sharing honestly about our struggles and allowing others to walk alongside us is one way that we find strength and bring light to any battle we are facing. It’s a lie to believe that you have to go through difficulty by yourself in the dark. You’re not meant to be alone.

Kendra

Today’s Act of Gratitude

Bring light to something you’ve been trying to manage on your own by sharing your struggle with a trusted family member or friend. Thank God for providing this person for you to talk to.