Typically, it is rather hard for me to know that I am loved and cared for. I remember asking myself one day why I felt this way, an epiphany came to me that I fear rejection. We all desire to be accepted by people, which is why it’s so easy to sink into despair when we truly feel alone. There have been many days in my life where I have been on my knees, asking the skies above why I am even here. I have spent many sleepless nights and many days of starvation as I truly lost hope in myself. Viktor Hugo touches on this perfectly. In 1942, Hugo was trapped in a Nazi concentration camp based off of who he was. He recounted a particular moment where he noted two groups of Jewish prisoners. One side being full of hope for the future, and the others who felt bleak and destitute. The ones who had no hope were the ones that died quickly.
This simple story is exactly what we experience in day to day trials. These challenges will always attack us, there’s escaping it. Jeffrey R. Holland states, “Expecting to have a trouble free life because you are a good person is like expecting a bull not to charge because you are a vegetarian.” The winds of the world hesitate for nobody, and when life knocks you in the knees, you have the choice to rise back up and press forward. The most courageous people to me are not the ones that are fearless, but the ones that have fears, but go back out and fight those demons every day.
Being someone that has truly felt alone, I know how essential friends are in this life. God gave us many people to interact with because without friends, life would become very difficult quickly. I know there have been many days when my calls to aid fell on deaf ears and I felt unwanted and disregarded, a puppy out in the rain if you will. Some people may bring the puppy inside, but as soon as the mutt becomes comfortable in its new environment, the leather boot swoops in and punts the dog back out into the puddles of loneliness.
I do not wish that feeling of loneliness upon anyone, as it has got to be one of the most miserable emotions I have ever felt, being completely alone. Being where I am now, I know that I can be a companion to those around me, but I know that it’s impossible to be friends with everyone. I extend a challenge to the readers of my sermon to be that friend that comes to aid the ones that blow the horn for assistance, and be a friend to everyone. The world is hard enough on its own anyway, why make it harder?
For those that feel alone, I put in my final words for you. Success doesn’t come easily, but the highest mountains hold the prettiest views. Challenges are meant to teach, so long as you have an open mind and a heart that’s willing to change and wanting to become better. No man has ever become successful and great with having their path paved for them. Experience is earned, not given. Whenever, the feeling of overwhelming despair overcomes you, think about the lives you can impact when you rise above your challenges. You are not the first one to go through these challenges, and you won’t be the last. But, you can be a positive impact on a someone in the future, put you have to conquer them first yourself. Take care my friends, and I bless you all with the strength to beat your challenges. Your life is a storybook, and their is always a good ending to a children’s storybook.
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