Hey friend? Come sit next to me here on my old thrifted couch. I have a warm, soothing cup with your name on it and I want to tell you a few things.
Are you looking at that overflowing to do list and feeling bad about yourself?
Are you thinking of the week ahead and wondering how you will handle all of it?
Are you watching the news with your heart breaking and wondering how to take it all in, when your own daily life is so overwhelming already?
Here’s the thing: It’s ok to not be ok.
Right now?
Where you are at is ok.
It might not feel like it, and it might not look like it to the rest of the world, but I can tell you confidently that you are ok. And not because you have anything pulled together.
Let me tell you why.
Because Jesus says you are worthy.
Even when you don’t accomplish a single thing (yet again) today, you are still worthy. Even when you just survived today. Even when you’ve forgotten how to thrive. You are still worthy.
He is not ashamed to be called your God. He wants your healing and your redemption and for your broken to be whole – and he will take you there. On your own journey. He is so faithful.
You know how I know?
You see, I get you, because you are me sometimes. And I can look back at the darkness behind me and realize it wasn’t as dark as I had once thought. It had bright spots shining in when I wasn’t looking. Maybe when I was looking down instead of up.
And those lights are what drew me to the next step. And the next. And the next. One foot at a time, just doing the next thing.
A month from now, you won’t be where you are today. Because all things are in either growth or decline, for the glory of the Lord, you won’t be where you are right now. Nothing is static. Because you are worthy, and ok, you can choose tomorrow what one thing you will accomplish. Then next week maybe you’ll find two things. Even if those two things are washing a load of laundry and then putting it away.
When the expectations of the world are beating at the door and all you can do is pretend you aren’t home, just know that even if you don’t feel ok, you are ok. And tomorrow you can walk towards that door. And the day after that you can unlock it. And the day after that maybe you’ll open it.
But right now, you don’t have to be productive. You don’t have to be on time. You don’t have to be organized or pulled together or stylish or smart or lovely at all. You can just be you and you can just love Jesus.
That is enough for today.
Leave a Comment
Brittnie (A Joy Renewed) says
So needed this today. Thank you.
Kathy Deckard says
Love this! I feel at peace that I don’t have to be perfect. Thank you Jesus for loving me right where I’m at!
Arianne says
I’m so happy you feel at peace. xo
Andrea says
Thank you! Reading this made me feel a lot more at peace about getting what needs to be done done. Thank you for reminding me that God will not be disappointed!!!
Amanda Jones says
Love this…thank you!
Nasreen Fynewever says
Wednesday. I am going to own the last paragraph. Enough. Thanks for these words.
Arianne says
Own it!
Lis says
This is just so beautiful, I want to cry at my desk at work. It IS one of “those” week, where I really wonder if I will keep my head above water or even survive. The never-ending-to-do-list and people counting on me is all the more compounded by grief and even joy as I celebrate a friend’s baby’s birth. So many emotions, so little time. Thanks for the reminder–going to breathe now!
Arianne says
I know this so well. I do. And you will survive, you will get through by just doing the next thing. Don’t take on others’ expectations of you. Only God’s expectations matter, and he meets us right here where we are. He simply holds out his hand and whispers “come” and we start on that path. No matter how slowly we step. He is there. xo
Melissa says
I feel as though I really just sat and had a cup of coffee with you and heard the encouragement my heart has been longing for!
As I sat on THIS thrifted sofa with you I noticed a strong scent of dog…so I think that may be the one thing I accomplish today. 😉
You have brought refreshment!
Thank you!
Arianne says
I love that – Melissa!
Lisa says
Just the words I needed to hear today….thank you so much for helping put life in perspective and lifting the burden from heart 🙂
Arianne says
I’m so glad a burden was lifted. xoxo
Adam Willard says
Thank you so much. I think I have such a hard time thinking as the leader of my family that I have to have it all together. My wife/blogger (ahearteninglife) loves me and constantly reassures me with similar words to your. I just struggle to let my past keep me from the grace of Christ. Thx again and God Bless
Arianne says
Adam, my husband could echo your words completely. I understand your struggle. I just know that Jesus longs to heal that past, to redeem all of it. Praying for you.
Jodi says
THANK YOU. This was a much needed “bright spot” shining into my day!
Jess L says
Thank you for putting this out there and letting us know “we are enough”!
Lynn Burgess says
Thank you for this today. Feeling like I’m not enough at work and this reminds me that it doesn’t matter what the world thinks He thinks I’m enough.
maria says
so good! how did you know how I was feeling watching the news while feeling overwhelmed myself!! thank you for good words!
Kathy @ In Quiet Places says
Having that warm cup of coffee right now, in fact, a second cup, the first one was at 6:15, don’t usually have a second. But today, I wanted its warmth, with each swallow I am sighing relief. My heart is heavy watching the news, and then yesterday lived under the threat of tornadoes here in the Dallas area. I had the TV on all day watching the news coverage and our own ominous weather updates. All of Dallas was a very nervous city yesterday. On the heels of what happened in Oklahoma, it was very sobering to see our weather forecast held a similar threat and to such a big city. But, it didn’t happen here. We are ok.
And we are praying for our neighbors 200 miles north of us. We will keep praying.
Arianne says
So glad you are ok. xoxo
Danyalle says
Wow, I wish I would have had these words last year, but now I do and I am thankful for them. You are so right. We are worthy because of Whose we are not what we do. you put into words what most of the last year was like for me, and now I can see the bright spots along the way. I love it when Jesus does this for me. Blessings today!
Arianne says
I’m so glad you can see the bright spots now! Those are the places we take with us, the rest we can leave behind. xo
tami says
Thank you for this. My mom is dying half the globe away from me, and I still have 25 days til I can get there. Each day has been different, many surreal, and most very difficult.
Andrea says
Praying mightily for you in this difficult time.
Deb says
also praying for your heart, oh, God hold this daughter’s heart near Yours.
Gwen says
I prayed for you tami. I have time. So I will bow and pray for you and your dear Mom
Arianne says
Oh Tami, (((hug))). I’m so sorry to hear this. Praying for each of those 25 days, that you would feel God’s presence in a big way in your life each moment. That he would comfort and hold you. That he would lift the burdens off your shoulders and give you a peaceful countenance to sweep you through the days quickly. Jesus be near.
Beth Williams says
Tami,
Praying for peace during these difficult times! I can’t imagine not being near your mother at this time! May God give you the strength & courage to deal with each day–1 day at a time!
Prayers for your family also! 🙂
tami says
Thank you to each of you ladies who replied and prayed for me!
Hope says
Thank you. Just what I needed to hear this morning!
Carmen says
I needed to be reminded of this!! Your timing is perfect! Thank you Arianne!
Meg Bailey says
I was overwhelmed with how this speaks to me right in this moment, to how I feel and the struggle to put up a front that I’m ok and everything is ok. But I need to learn to take the veil off my heart before God and rest in the arms of love.
Thank you so much!
Arianne says
Yes, rest sister! You are loved. xo
Linda says
Women today need to hear this more than ever, we do not have to be threatened or intimidated by what the media and even the cover of magazines try to push on us….Jesus is more than enough for our not so good days and our wonderful days! We CAN cultivate a grateful heart in all things…………
Teresa Dumadag says
This came at the most perfect time. 🙂 Thanks!
Donna says
Thank you so much, Arianne. Overwhelmed has been my life’s theme as of late. But no more. In Jesus, I am ok! A-ok!
Greta says
Your words, from God’s heart to my ears. I prayed this morning for God to help me see myself the way he sees me, and you’ve helped to answer that prayer…thank you!
I’m praying for all the other lovely women who have responded, and needed the same.
Arianne says
I love this Greta, thank you for sharing and praying. xo
Kristin Potler says
Thank goodness it’s not static! Good encouragement today, thank you.
Arianne says
Here’s to growth and newness! Love you. xo
Sandy Renaud says
Wow, that was ‘awesome’…….so simple, yet so succinct and so very true!!!! I to cried as I read it. I think it’s something we all need to hear and have reinforced once in awhile! We get off track thinking we have to ‘produce’ to have God love us and that’s so wrong. He loves us just as we are and he will make the changes in us as we ‘rest’ in him and call on His Name. Thank you so much for that reminder. It was powerful!
Sandy
Arianne says
He will transform us – yes! Amen!
RoseMary says
Thank You so much for this. Much needed today.
Jacqui R says
Very timely message for me today. Thanks for sharing.
Judy Heffer says
i love that. We are all there at some point in our lives – sometimes it feels like our whole life. But you are right. Everyday is a new day with new things we can do – and yes even if we do nothing we are OK.
Lisa says
Lovely encouragement…I’m just sure your words are a blessing to someone today. Thank you.
Debbie says
Thank you so much for this! I have been feeling anxious the past few days; over what, who knows. This spoke to me where I was and I appreciate that!
Have a blessed day!
susan says
god sent 🙂 Thks
Andrea says
Thank you, thank you, thank you! Tears pooling and it’s ok not to be ok!
Jeanette says
Thank you. Sitting here with my 17 year old daughter dealing with depression and thinking I am not doing all that I should around the house because I want to be next to her. It’s ok. If all we do today is get out and go for a drive, it’s ok for today. One day at a time. And I will wait expectantly for the Lord’s light to shine at different times throughout the day. It is ok not to be ok all the time.
Arianne says
Praying for you and your daughter, Jeanette. Praying for light to fill your home. xoxo
Reese says
I can’t even begin to tell you how much I needed to read this today. Thank you.
Deb says
brought tears to my eyes right away. I push myself thru every day, engage in life, encourage others….love on my hubby ( recovering from serious back surgery ) and our family….as a mom who misses one of her children who suddenly was gone to glory from a college job accident, I forget it’s ok to not be ok. I lead a Christ follower grief group for moms, lead local bible study, and right now, I’m worn out. Mother’s Day is painful, in deep places. Not that I didn’t feel joy, or blessed! But the day afterward, I went to present our son’s memorial scholarship….kept relying on His strength. And got a virus right after, crud!! not ok!
It feels wrong to me, in my mindset of “go forward, keep moving in faith” to let myself be not ok.
OH did I need this today <3 sighhhhhhhh
Arianne says
Hugs to you, Deb. We weep with those who weep, and we weep with you. We pray for you, our sister, that you would have the strength you need for today. That you would feel his peace around you, that you would know it’s ok to not have it all together. That you would rest in him, and know the truth that you – just you – are enough. xo
Kelly says
<3 this was a WELL NEEDED post today!
Thank you
It’s Okay. | The Midwest Mom says
[…] And then because Jesus knows me so well, he sends this little nugget of a devotional to my email today, “It’s okay to be okay” from (in)courage. […]
Sherry says
Thank you. This was just what I needed today!
Liz says
“When the expectations of the world are beating at the door and all you can do is pretend you aren’t home, just know that even if you don’t feel ok, you are ok.”
We might lose our home and the world is LITERALLY beating at the door – thank you for reminding me that God is behind the door with me, and everything will be okay.
Arianne says
Oh Liz, I’ve had them literally beating at my door, too. I know this reality. Praying for you and your family as you navigate this hard time. xo
Colleen says
Beautiful. Thank you.
the Blah Blah Blahger says
I love your heart, Ari. This post blessed me today…
Arianne says
I’m so glad! xo
Tina says
I sooo appreciate the “real” aspect you incourage women bring to light.
The “ideal-perfect-christian-woman” does not exist. It’s the stuff of stories without substance.
And we need to quit measuring ourselves against it. And then wondering why we fall so short of it.
Thank you for writing!
Arianne says
Thank you Tina!
Tricia says
I just love you. Your words always bring me comfort, and your friendship means the world to me.
Arianne says
I’m so grateful they comforted you. Love you. xo
Anonymous says
I can’t believe the miracle of this. Can you see me? No, of course not, but Abba can. In this moment I’m not even sure how I stumbled across your words, but they’re from Him. Oh this is breath to me today. Thank you.
Arianne says
Chills. Glory!
Ann van says
I’ve been getting this revelation into my heart and not just my head for some time now. It’s good to hear it again, and again , and again! Thank you so much!
Arianne says
It so is, and I’m so glad it’s been sinking in for you! xo
Rochelle says
Absolutely needed these words today. Thank you.
Claire @ Lemon Jelly Cake says
I would like to print this out and frame it on my wall in every single room. Thank you for such a beautiful encouragement!
Terre says
reading this after getting a dx of not so good outcome….I may not be okay in the medical realm of things, but to God I am! Thank You, needed this today more than ever!
Arianne says
Hugs to you Terre, you are so right. Blessings and healing to you!
Alexis says
This is so good. There is so much pressure to be okay and even when you know you aren’t, even when you know the dark is just too dark, the guilt seeps in because not only are you NOT okay, you don’t know how to become okay.
Thank you so much for this. Thank you for ” permission ” to just be. <3
Arianne says
It’s amazing how we forget that we have permission, isn’t it? That Jesus is just waiting for us to let go and just be. And not carry the shame of not having it all together.
Alicia says
So EXACTLY what I needed! Today I should be celebrating my 14th anniversary. But my husband left me… with no biblical grounds. And my heart is hurting today.
Arianne says
Oh Alicia. Hugs and love to you, sweetheart. Praying comfort and peace to you today.
Kelly @ Love Well says
I love your words *almost* as much as I love your heart.
Beth Williams says
God must have sent you to heal my heart! I have been “down in the dumps”/Not OK about my job lately and this just brought me hope! God knows my heart and will take care of things. Must remember 1 day at a time!
Thanks for the encouragement!!
Arianne says
So grateful it was healing to you, Beth. He loves you so. xo
Jennifer says
Thank you so much for your words that spoke to me so much today. I know they were written form the point of view of those that feel overwhelmed but at 70 I am feeling the oopposite. As if I have nothing of any signifigance to fill my days. I stay very busy with church, Bible study and people but none of it seems to be fulfilling my need. kAll seems of no importance in God’s scheme of things. I am going to learn to be ok because God tells me I am. jThere is nothing that He needs me to do. He is GOD! Thank you so much.
Arianne says
Beautiful, Jennifer. Thank you so much for this perspective!
Sarah Penner says
Thank you for this. I’ve looked at the amount of work before me and felt the pain of a headache that is on day 6 and I needed this. It’s okay that my home isn’t perfect. It’s okay that my family is sitting on the couch watching a movie instead of playing together. I’m okay. This day is okay.
Arianne says
I’ve been in that place, more than a few times (ok, a lot). So glad this spoke to you. xo
MRS GOOEY says
WOW… How our GOD knows our uprising and our sitting.. that was so for me today.. I was feeling very “low” and feel that was totally meant for me today.. it’s like I should say “how did you know I needed that” and then I remember GOD knew I would need that today. Your timing was EXXCELENT thank you Jer 29:11
Stefanie Ingram says
I am in tears reading this. I felt as though you were sitting beside me telling me I would be ok. I struggle day to day with 2 chronic illnesses and I have a family of 6. My 4 children are ages 14, 9 and twins that are 5. There are some days my pain is so bad I cannot get out of bed while they are at school so I can be everything for them when they get home. I want to be ok, just be ok, most days I feel like I never will be. I trust that whatever God has in his plan for me will be perfect in His time, I just needed that extra reassurance that I don’t have to do it all every. single. day.
Julie Anne says
so thankful for the lights that draw me to the next steps… feeling a little dark these days! Thank you for these words of encouragement!
Emily says
Wow! Words are a gift from God and I so needed to hear this today. Thank you so much. 🙂 The world can be overwhelming with all of it’s expectations it has for us. The great thing is that God will love us no matter what and we dont have to have it all together.
Amanda says
Very moving and I have been there to many times within the past to years
Cinda says
That is encouraging! and refreshing. All the crazy things going on in this world, and piles of expectations from others and yourself really weigh you down sometimes. It’s not often that you hear…”You can just be you and you can just love Jesus…You are ok”.
Nice:) Thank you
Bev Duncan @ Walking Well With God says
Well said see how many women this resonates with. Beautiful post!!
Blessings,
Bev
Angie says
As I sit in my kitchen looking at the pile of dishes that need to be cleaned or the floor that needs to get mopped or the counters still sticky from breakfast I thank you for this post. Life can be so overwhelming at times and this is a good reminder that it’s okay, everything will work out and be better. Thanks
Marie says
Wow, this is really beautiful. I want to tuck this in my pocket and carry it everywhere for those days when I feel like I’m not doing enough, or like I’m not enough. Thank you.
Gaby says
Dear Arriane,
thanks for your writing. as a someone who feels not okay even she does something okay. I feel thankful for get the opportunity to read your messages. God bless you dearly
Nancy Ruegg says
You say: “I can look back at the darkness behind me and realize it wasn’t as dark as I had once thought. It had bright spots shining in when I wasn’t looking. Maybe when I was looking down instead of up.”
I say: AMEN! A couple of years ago I went through a period of great challenge. Even so, I kept up my blessings journal, started in 1983. Imagine my surprise and delight on December 31 when I counted up the entries. There were more for that year than any year previously. Thing is, I would have missed those bright spots of blessing if I hadn’t been writing them down. But, at that moment, I felt MORE than OK to realize God had given me little love-gifts all during that troublestome time!
this | we happy haleys says
[…] https://aws.incourage.me/2013/05/its-ok-to-not-be-ok.html Like this:Like Loading… This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink. […]
Single Sisters in University says
How i need to be reminded of this everyday!!! thanks so much for this post!
Barb Greason says
Due to poor ealth. I sometimes feel unworthy. And wonder, if God feels that way about me. Silly i know. But our society, is so goal oriented. Multitasking use to be my middle name. So just having a restful day seems stressful. Thanks for the words. They help.
Adrienne Gibson says
Wow! Really thankful your sister posted this link on her FB. I just finished having a cry in the kitchen because I am so overwhelmed by the ugliness of this world that I see in my line of business…this ugliness effects the least of these and I grieve so heavily for the children whose stories I hear and whose lives are so damaged. Thank you! I have just what I need for today….and it is ok for me to not be ok. I cannot expect myself to just always be ok. Its like I just needed permission for that today.
Shannon says
Thank you! 🙂
Rmarie says
Yesterday evening I cried as I went to bed and I told myself that it is ok if I didnt have it all together right now, that God still sits on the throne regrdless of how I felt. As long as He is with me Ill get through this. Thank you for sharing this it really gives me peace to know others go through similar circumstances.
:. )
Rose says
Thank you I truly needed this! 🙁
Marinalva Sickler says
Great! I did recycling today and spent time with my Alzheimer’s friend while her husband was caring for businesses away from home. I’m worthy even when I don’t feel so blue and life seems very gray.
Carol Heine says
AS I WAS READING MY EMAILS TODAY I CAME ACROSS YOURS AND IT WAS A GREAT ENCOURAGEMENT TO ME THANK YOU
Michelle Fambrough says
I am truly thankful I read these encouraging words they were just what I needed. And they express how I feel right now feeling like I am not progressing in my life like I think I should be or I am not moving forward in my life like everyone else but reading these words asssured me that its alright because the one who knows me and loves me is all I need. Sometimes we think we need to be superhuman, or extraordinary everyday or meet every single task at hand. But all God requires of us is our devotion to love and serve Him and often all that means is trusting Him and being still. Thanks. Michelle
Encouraging Links to Start Your Week | In Truth and Grace says
[…] It’s Ok to Not be Ok by Arienne at the (in)courage blog. […]
Brandi Luiz says
So definitely needed. Thank you so much.
Katie B says
What a blessing… God so used you to write those words and let us know that. Something I should save to favorites and read weekly.
Mel says
Comforting. A wonderful reminder. It takes practice for me to remember, but, Jesus loves us no matter what. We judge ourselves so harshly.
Dc says
I am going to print this out and put it in my purse to read again and again and again. I just got home from 10 days on a psych. ward. My marriage is struggling, my family is hurting, so much is not right. My faith is drowning. So I will cling to these words. Because I need to be ok. To know He thinks I am ok even in my greatest time of weakness.