This blogimony is from our very own Gather Inspirit team member, Erin U. You can find her blogging at Closing Time.
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It’s easy for me to blog when things are going great. When life is bright, the words just flow.
There are other times…seasons of difficulty that seemingly push me to my limit. The past few months were just that, and I was forced to consider a question…
How do you blog when life gets tough?
See, my heart is to encourage others, to build them up, and to offer them a bright spot in their day. There were many days this spring when I had no uplifting words to share, when I was just trying to put one foot in front of the other and get through the day. Most of those days I didn’t write at all.
That didn’t seem right to me. As a blogger, one of my other goals is to be real. Being encouraging doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t hit bumps in the road yourself. It doesn’t mean you’ve “arrived” at a point in life where you have it all together and everything is perfect. Encouraging others can take place in any circumstance, even when you feel like you don’t have any strength left. It’s not about what you are going through…it’s about how you walk through it.
I don’t know if the posts I wrote succeeded in lifting others up, but I did my best! As I have reflected on this process, there are a few things I am learning:
Write from the perspective of who God is! No matter how dark things may seem, our God is still in control. He is good. He is faithful. Always. Period. Share the scriptures that are ministering to your heart. They are sure to touch others as well. After all, we’re talking about the Word of God here! As I wrote in this way, I found that my perspective on our situation changed, and it even encouraged me!
You never know what someone else is going through! At first I didn’t want to blog about having a hard time, but I forgot to consider others. Sometimes just knowing someone else is struggling yet clinging to the Lord through great difficulty, can be quite encouraging. When I did share, many others responded that they, too, were facing hardships.
There are many prayer warriors online! Obviously, we have to be careful what we do share online, since we don’t know who may be reading. Most of our online friends are people we have never met in real life. Still, as I shared what I felt comfortable sharing, I received many comments and emails I got from sweet bloggy friends who were praying for me!
We are never without hope as long as we have the Lord! Share that! What a tremendous testimony it is to the world when we face adversity knowing we are not without hope. Sure, there are days when I do feel hopeless, but that is not truth. As we cling to what God says about our circumstances and write from that perspective, we share the hope of Christ with others!
Perhaps the most important thing to remember is that we are all still learning! The Lord is faithful, and as we continue to work towards being the bloggers He desires for us to be, He will use us in ways we could never imagine!
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Erin Closing Time! I love this post as much as I love you sweet friend. I’ve been going through hard things for some time now and it’s taking every ounce of motivation I have to hang on to what I know is true. But I find that sometimes when I’m the lowest, the words come the most freely. Because they are straight God…nothing else.
Beautiful, helpful post friend.
I’m a lot like Brooke here!
When I went through a slump of wanting to believe what “I” thought was truth but really wasn’t, I was a little apprehensive about sharing on my blog. I was apprehensive because it was about a subject (marriage) that I’d always written positively and passionately about. Through blogging about it, it help to put me back into the truth and for others to speak truth and life back into me.
All of your above points are so true! I especially liked “You never know what someone else is going through”. Sharing really does encourage others to not give up and to know that there is a hope and a way…God’s grace, love, restoration and mercy.
Kela´s last blog ..Caffeinated Randomness- Back From Vacation
Thank you for sharing from your heart Erin. I definitely need to read this today.
Joy Ellis´s last blog ..Homeschool Viilage
None of us has a perfect life, and sharing your heart even during difficult times could be the exact thing someone else needs to identify with!! I’m so thankful for your encouraging words and constant sweet spirit! You are such a blessing!
Rachel Pereira´s last blog ..Coasting
Thanks for sharing this, Erin! I love the idea that God may be sending others to our blogs who are going through what we are going through… and what an encouragement for them to see that they’re not alone (and if they’re not believers, to see how God is comforting/guiding/counseling you). Thank you for blogging the dark stuff and not just the bright stuff. ♥ Michelle
SomeGirl´s last blog ..An Easy Going Day and one of my favorite songs
Erin – thank you for encouraging us to be real with our readers. It’s not all flowers and sunshine, is it? It only creates walls when we make it seem that way! Great post!
Erin M.´s last blog ..Sand and Surf
Thanks, Erin! I really appreciate you sharing this. The thing I struggle with is blogging during a tough situation. I feel more comfortable sharing once I’ve reflected and can tie a bow on it, you know?
There are some important things I have to say that I may not get that opportunity with. I’m hoping God leads me when the time comes.
love, m
michelle´s last blog ..Strong-willed Love
Erin,
Your post today hit me where I am living. Nothing in me wants to post right now because it is so difficult. I appreciate you have the courage and listening to the still small voice of God.
Thanks,
Matt
Matt Sullivan´s last blog ..Talking With Daddy – Episode 3
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