This post was previously published in May 2013, but the message is one many of us need to hear on a regular basis. We hope this speaks to you today.
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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 okay to not be okay.
Right now?
Where you are is okay.
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 okay. 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 okay, 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 okay, you ARE okay. And tomorrow you can walk toward 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
Jas says
Yes
Susan Hall Cannon says
Hi! Thanks so much for this message today about my not being okay is “okay”. Somehow I don’t believe it could have come at a more fitting or at least more desperately needed time in my life right now today this minute actually. Its seems that for several months now that due to some attributing issues like my having an awful fall here at home alone. Which resulted into being a severe head injury to the back of my head my life has spiraled out of control on so many levels. Especially where my ability to pray has become almost nonexistent. Although I try to pray and justly so when I do I can’t or don’t feel the presence of the Lord here with me like he once was and had been most of my life. I haven’t been able to drive in several months now due to the injury along with my finally having surgery in my left inner ear where there was a fracture large enough to cause fluid to leak into my inner ear. That of course caused horrible vertigo along with bouts of awful nausea and vomiting for several hours unfortunately. There two areas in my inner ear that were damaged that had to be surgically repaired but neither are guarteed to be a cure for this nightmare that has invaded my life. Its been five weeks since my last surgery I haven’t had any vertigo since the only real issues I have now is my balance is quite a bit off compared to a normal level of ones balance on normal day it seems. I don’t know what that will result in but for today I so grateful unto my Lord he has once again brought some semblance back into my life and hopefully the worse is behind me now. This is what is so confusing to me! I am so much improved and much better but I still can’t seem to connect with the Lord like I did prior to this accident happening in my life. Today’s In Courage message has helped me immensely in reminding me who I am and from whence I have come also. Thank you so much for your wonderful publications each day of the week quite frankly had I felt up to reading them more throughout this entire time I wouldn’t have been as concerned as I have up until now. Please keep on doing what you do best! Us girls out here in this world today need all the help and inspiration to help us to keep moving forward too! Simply, Susan a “simple woman” after God’s own heart!
Beth Williams says
Susan,
Prayers for complete healing from the Great Physician!! Prayers for peace and comfort as you endure these trials! May you feel and sense God daily as you go about your days.
Prayers for family and friends to come alongside you and assist you during this time!
Blessings 🙂
Bev Duncan @ Walking Well With God says
Arianne,
This is a timeless message…one that we need to be reminded of constantly. Thank you for the reminder when I turn on myself and criticize the me that didn’t get more accomplished in a day, that God says, “Just be.” He loves me just for being His and being in relationship with Him…period.
Blessings,
Bev
Anonymous says
Needed this today. I feel hopeless but I know Jesus is hope so I am trying my best to cling to that.
Paulette says
Thanks for sharing what I have to constantly remind myself each day. With Jesus I am OK in all my imperfections and that is ALL that really matters.
Michele says
Needed this promise today. Day 8 of vertigo. Bit by bit it is subsiding. In all things give me Jesus 🙂
Lisa E says
Thank you soooo much for his today. You spoke right to my heart. Going through some very difficult times right now as my husband has kidney failure. We are learning dialysis at home, training six hours a day, five days a week then babysitting grandkids after the training each day. My home looks like a train wreck because we are gone all day. Get home and go to bed by 6:30! I’ve lost 20 pounds due to stress and I’m sobbing right now. I have fibromyalgia and the pain is intense because of the stress. Can’t wait to look back on this and smile knowing God was by my side all the time!
Jeanne Bowser says
Wow! and I thought just of me, selfishly right now.
through my tears, I ask the Lord to bless you sister Lisa and encourage you this day, as you press toward the prize, leaning on the everlasting arms of Jesus.
Me too..
Beth Williams says
Lisa,
Prayers for complete healing for your husband! Prayers for comfort and peace that only God can provide!! May He give you the energy you need to survive your days. Prayers that you will feel and sense God everywhere!!
You are loved and prayed over!!
Blessings 🙂
Jacque says
This just lifted me up thank you for your words of understanding.
Linda McClellan says
Thank you, love that post. You just made my week. I think I will make a copy and read it every day. God bless you all.
Susan Shipe says
And, “that” will always be enough.
sheri says
This is so beautiful and wonderful and something I constantly need to be reminded of. Going through a very difficult time lately and some days I don’t feel like I am enough or that I’m doing enough. I feel like I need to see progress each day- I need to move on. Yet, He calls me to this broken place and asks me to just be still. I keep running from place to place trying to help speed up the repair of my broken heart- but it’s when I’m still that He reminds me I don’t have to do anything. That I am enough just how I am. And that’s so beautiful!
Rebecca says
Thank you so much for reposting this message. I laid in bed this morning hurting from many things-both physical and mental. Dreading the day and week ahead. I know Jesus is working in me and it will all smooth out-but today I’m not OK and you showed me that’s OK too. Jesus still loves me and that’s enough for today and tomorrow !!!!!
Kathy @ In Quiet Places says
Sometimes being okay is taking very small steps, but even small steps are moving forward…
Kim J says
What a much needed reminder today. I haven’t felt okay for so long, I almost have forgotten how. Living with several chronic illnesses makes each day a challenge and living alone makes things even more difficult. I try to push and push but today I am going to be okay with just resting. Resting in Jesus and giving him the burdens that are just to hard to carry today. Some how and some way, I will be Okay.
Gina Reyes says
I really loved your post .I’m new to your website.happened upon you through OBS.your post caught my heart.thank you.
Missy says
Arianne, thank you. I am already “good enough” because Jesus declared it. Arms spread wide on that cross. My “clean” dishwasher and “done” dryer alarm and “pending” transaction can all wait. Sometimes, that’s the hardest thing for me to do – just be… not okay for a bit. This message really is just as needed today as it was when it first came out.
Sharon says
oh.my. {deep breath} sweet Jesus, help me rest in You.
Cynthia says
Ahh…
Nanette says
With chronic illness, this is how I feel most of the time…it’s so good to know I’m not alone in this situation. AND a great reminder that God does love me NO.MATTER.WHAT I do or don’t get done today!!
Alexis says
This is one of my favorite posts ever. Thank you.
Kelly says
Thank you. I soo feel like I am not enough sometimes. Jesus made us all soo uniquely and I can appreciate that sometimes but when you feel like a square peg trying to fit in a circle mold it doesn’t work. I wasn’t made to fit in but the idea of fitting in rears its ugly head and challenges who I am as a person. I am deeply creative and a bit dyslexic and it makes my world a little more challenging. Sometimes I rock on and the world is a ok, then sometimes like yesterday I am reminded of this crazy inability to do certain things. I came home from work and was soo uncomfortable in my own skin I just wanted to run. I cried that uncomfortable frustrated type of cry that just doesn’t soothe a thing. This morning I read this article that you kindly reposted from May just for me I might add( the rest of you can feel that way too, I just need to feel special right now) and right now crying those type of tears that cleanse because it is a truth that is coming out. I don’t feel adequate, ever. I need to work on that. So in Jesus name I come before you King of Kings and Lord of Lords I pray for all of us who feel like we don’t fit in like we are never enough Lord shine your light in those ares and bathe them with your unfailing love, amen
daomaranion says
Breath of fresh air! My soul needed to hear that. Thank you!
Emily says
Thank you! I do feel overwhelmed as if I must meet the requirements often. Some relatives are in town, today a wedding, and get-togethers are scheduled for the following day, I also have teaching duties, etc. I am reminded to just be. Enough.
san says
Thank you for this beautiful post when I truly needed it most yesterday,today,tomorrow and forever.
Doris says
Thanks!!
Myra says
Thank you so much, words I needed to hear!
Sharon C. says
Thank you so much for your message today. I always want to do so much and start my to do list and then my OCD kicks in and I’ve made a list that no one could finish. I get burned out and give up. I’m so thankful that you said we could one thing one day and maybe two the next day. I’m so hard on myself because of being sick and not getting things done. I hate myself because of the weight I gained and it keeps going up. I’m crying out for HELP. You are so special to not condemn. I think my weight is my biggest pain. I started and stopped about every program available, even gastric bypass that has ruined my health. Love you, Sharon
Dena says
I know everyone is saying they needed this. ..but I SO needed this message right now in my life. Thank you for ‘getting it ” and for sharing your insightfulness with those of us who are struggling in our journey right now.
Donna says
This message is TRUTH. Sometimes success is just getting through a day. A traumatic brain injury two years ago changed my life in a moment. Through this struggle I have learned acceptance……, any step forward is not a step back-one day at a time. Sometimes God calls us away, and we don’t understand. It is in this dark place, where I have grown in understanding what is truly important. I have learned much about myself, my relationships, and the faithfulness of my God who values me not for what i do, but for who I am.
Thank you for your validating words in this post, Arianne! They spoke to my heart.
Lorrie says
Thank You ♡
Beth Williams says
Just what we all needed to be reminded of today! It is ok to not be ok. Everyone has bad days and sometimes life gets to be to much!!
Prayers for everyone here! May you all feel and sense God everywhere and know that you are loved no matter the situation!
Larissa says
Thank you for this. Everyday we are all bombarded from without and within that we aren’t good enough. The media is constantly telling us we need “insert product name here” to be better. And if you have been on this planet for any amount of time you will have failed at something and most probably beaten yourself up about it. So again, very timely for me as I’m entering into a transitional time of my life as kids grow older. Gods richest blessings to all the writers, readers and commenters.
monica says
Thank you. An R.N. for 30+ yrs. I thought I knew my 1 gift to share from God. When I was injured & no longer able to work I spun into a deep guilty depression. I could see how I had selfishly overspent all savings & acquired huge debt, neglected mothering at my best, sinned in a life of divorce & remarriage, neglected God in study & praise. As I lie in bed & study the bible my guilt builds at my slothliness & lack of willingness to push through pain, depression & regret. Looking for word that I can change the outcome for my loved ones & will again find away to contribute to God’s works. Pls. pray for my sinful nature to grow strong in Jesus Christ.
Eliz says
Wow! Beautiful
Dora says
Just what I needed to read today! Thank you!