I turned 39 in July, and I am forever grateful to the Lord for all of those years and saving me from myself. Once people become healthier with their mental health and start purging away that darkness, they have to start enjoying life, have to start really living and being comfortable in their skin. 

It can feel like you are living a little bit outside yourself, going through a robotic routine. 

I went from asking God, “Why did You make me?” To, “Why can’t I just be with You now, in Your presence, Lord?” I found self worth in Him, but I still wanted things to be on my timetable. 

We live in a society where we want things immediately, but faith and life do not work like that.  God wants us to run and finish the race of life and not finish early. Life is not a sprint, it’s more of an Iron Man race. It’s long and has hills and valleys and oceans and streams we have to cross. 

Our spiritual journey is the same. It’s upon finishing that we get the prize.

In today’s passage, Paul asks himself that same question of whether to be with God in death and away from the earthly body, or continue his ministry for God in the body. For a believer to die is gain, but God wants us to live so we can serve Him.

(If you are also struggling with mental health, here are some resources you may find helpful: https://tinyurl.com/4v7ptr4t. If you find yourself in crisis, please call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a free, 24-hour hotline, at 988, or at 1.800.273.8255.)