It’s Okay to Not Be Okay

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I’m overwhelmed.

And I’m not going to pretend that I’m not.

I won’t pretend I have everything figured out right now. I just want to be honest with y’all.

The events of the last few months have been extremely hard for me to handle emotionally. With covid-19, multiple senseless death tragedies, and riots hitting too close to home, I feel like I’m in a constant state of waiting for the next thing to go wrong.

Every time I open my phone, I am bombarded by the depressing narrative that is 2020. I can’t scroll social media for more than a few minutes without wanting to throw my phone out the window because of how upsetting the news is or how overwhelmed I am by the sheer amount of information. My heart is easily overcome with what is happening in the world today.

It’s heavy.

It’s real.

It’s personal.

Maybe you feel it too.

And I want you to know that it’s okay.

It’s 100% okay to not be okay right now.

This is your gentle reminder to take extra care of your mind and soul right now. That might mean taking some steps to protect your emotional wellness.

Please don’t be afraid to turn off your phone.
Sometimes, you just need a break. Your mind wasn’t made to handle constant negativity, so make sure you take time to unplug and restore your energy.

Please don’t isolate yourself.
We need each other more than ever right now. As churches start meeting again, make a priority of going. Text friends and meet up if you can. Do everything you can to stay connected to other humans you care about.

Please don’t neglect your faith.
Lean into God’s promises and trust His heart, even when it’s hard. It’s normal to feel doubts during times like these. It doesn’t make you a bad Christian. Take your doubts back to the throne of grace in prayer. God is waiting there for you, ready to strengthen your heart.

Please don’t be afraid to reach out for help.
Call a friend, your therapist, or a hotline even. If you need support, please, please reach out. It can be terrifying to reach out and it may feel pointless. But please, do it anyways. People love you and we need you here. The suicide hotline phone number in the US is 1-800-273-8255, or text 741741. These are difficult days we are living through. There is no shame in asking for extra help.

I am praying for all of you as we navigate these strange and difficult times.

-Alathia

Let’s Chat

• How are y’all doing, really?
• How can I pray for you during this time?