​There’s a silent weight that comes with overcoming a hard life. I’ve weathered storms that would have broken many, and my spirit—thank God—remains intact. I’ve learned perseverance and determination in ways you can’t get from a book. But that strength came at a cost no one else can see.

​The hits to my body, my mind, and my soul have left marks. It’s a weariness that’s more than just being tired; it’s an impact on my flesh in ways I can’t quite explain. You see the strong person standing here, but you don’t see the silent, lasting toll of the journey. In a way, I’ve been through a refining fire. My pain hasn’t been random; it has been a crucible that tested my faith and stripped away everything but what truly matters. As the scriptures say, “the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”

​And because of that, I feel a disconnect. I’ve spent so much of my life learning to give and to heal, to not let the things done to me dictate how I treat others. I’ve found a deep empathy for those who struggle, because I’ve been there. I’m willing to do things for people they wouldn’t, or couldn’t, do for me. The truth is, there may be nothing they could do for me, because what I truly need is a kind of understanding and recognition they can’t offer. My giving is an act of redeeming my own suffering, turning my pain into purpose, and serving others from a place of radical empathy.

​So, I write. I feel like the world needs a dose of the wisdom that comes from true struggle and survival. It’s a hard-earned wisdom, paid for with years of pain. In the Bible, God asks us to share our stories so that others can see the light of His kingdom and witness His healing power. By sharing my story, I hope to offer a tangible example of His grace at work. My journey is not just for me; it is a testimony to what God can do.

​As you read this, I ask you to not think of me, for I am nothing. Instead, please, just take a moment to sit in His presence and think of Jesus Christ. Think of the weight He bore for you and for me. And know that even after all He did on the cross, He still continues to do the same for all who ask, seek, and believe. He is our Savior, the Son of God, the key to the Trinity, and the ultimate source of our healing.

Heavenly Father,

I pray for every person who reads this. May they feel Your presence and be filled with a peace that surpasses all understanding. For those carrying heavy burdens, I ask that You lighten their load and bring comfort to their hearts. For those feeling lost or alone, may they be found in Your love and grace. Help them to see that their struggles are not in vain, and that in You, all things can be redeemed. May my words be a testament to Your unfailing love and a reminder of the power You have to heal and restore.

Amen.

How can the “impact on your flesh”—the unseen cost of your journey—be transformed from a private burden into a public testament of God’s grace?