Dear Friend,
I know that sometimes life gets you down. You've been fighting so long that sometimes you forget what it's all for. I know that it hurts. I know it feels hopeless. I know that more than once, you've wanted to give up. I see how the past haunts you: what is, what was, and what could have been. I know that there have been nights lying in bed staring at the ceiling calling out, "God, why?" Don't worry, friend, I've been there too. You, my friend, have been lied to over and over. You've been told it doesn't matter. You've been told that's just the way it is. You've been told this is life. You've been told your pain doesn't matter. You were meant to be a light, but somehow in the midst of the battle, the light forgot how to smile, forgot how to laugh, forgot to dream.
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.
Psalm 43:5 (ESV)
My friend, this is not how it was meant to be. This is not the world you were made for. This world hurts, and it's hard. It's stressful, but you see, our Father created us a perfect world. Sometimes, though we have never seen our perfect world, we find ourselves longing for it. That is not so wrong.
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part;
but then shall I know even as also I am known.
1 Corinthians 13:12 (KJV)
Do not worry, friend, that perfect world is coming, but in the meantime, our Father has a plan for you. One that is beautiful. He has not forgotten us here, nor did He abandon us to this dark world. If you let Him, He can make something beautiful of your life.
And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28 (ESV)
Remember, friend, you were made to be a light in the dark. Do not give in to despair, but live in hope. Don't let your smile fade without a fight, don't let your laughter be drowned out by sorrow, and whatever you do, friend, don't ever forget to dream. We were born to be the light, so let's shine bright. Let us show this world what it was meant to be.
And hope does not put us to shame because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Romans 5:5 (ESV)