Make it Out Alive

 "Trust the process." I am certain you have heard or read that phrase countless times by now. It's one of the things we tell ourselves when life isn't looking quite like we hoped it would at one point or the other- to remind us to stick to our guns just a little longer. The point is usually that whatever tough season we find ourselves in is part of the bigger picture, part of a million little pieces that fall into place at different times to bring out something beautiful in the long run.

Photo by Alex Shute on Unsplash

Trusting the process amounts to different things for different people. Or different things in different seasons. It can look like sticking it out at a job you don't necessarily like as you build the capacity to get to wherever you want to be. It could also be sticking to a work-out routine for months on end before noticing a change in your body. The bit most people resonate with is enduring seasons of financial difficulty before finally getting to a satisfactory place. Ever wondered what trusting the process might look like in relation to your mental or emotional well-being?

It's the moment that you realize
All this pain can't be undone
You look around at all the wreckage
And you wonder if it's worth it
All the work left to be done.
To run and hide would be so easy
You don't want to stay and fight
If you don't give yourself completely
You won't get to see the beauty
Waiting on the other side

Few things bug people more than negative emotions. You know- pain, fear, anger, and the likes. We go out of our way to ensure we do not feel those things. And when we do, we try our best not to acknowledge it. Because, let's face it- it's terrible! First, what if we fall apart and never get back into form again? Plus, acknowledging these feelings usually means letting other people see us in our brokenness at one point or another. And who knows what will happen then? Will they understand? Or will everything between us become awkward even after the pain has passed? So we do what we know best- act as though we're always on top of our game.

When dark times loom we bury ourselves in TV series, scroll through social media like we were born to do it, make jokes and post hilarious memes to cover what's going on inside, or eat and drink to keep the sadness at bay. There's a lot more that we do, all to ensure we face as little of the pain as possible until it all sinks back into oblivion. But does it, really?

It's gonna take some time

Healing always does

Embrace the road you're walking

Be patient with the process

You're gonna make it out alive

The thing is, it never really just disappears. It comes out over time. Sometimes in subtle ways, sometimes not so subtle. We snap at people for the tiniest reasons, we settle for less that what God has called us for because of fear we never dealt with, we grow bitter and can't even remember why, or we go numb altogether. Something always breaks in the long run because you can't fix something that you refuse to acknowledge. You can't heal from a pain that you refuse to feel, you can't let go of anger that you don't want to admit is there, you can't magically become bold- you have to face your fears. And facing the fear starts from acknowledging that it exists.

Photo by Jess Zoerb on Unsplash

What if we tried to actually feel our feelings for a change? What if, instead of employing every possible ploy to evade the pain, we admitted that we're hurting and consciously made effort to address the root of our pain? 

Step into the furnace

Let the fire serve its purpose

It's painful in the flame 

But it's what it takes to change

If you want a resurrection

Then a dying has to happen

This death is not the end

It's where your life begins

It's not a fancy process, this whole idea of facing things instead of fleeing. But I am learning that it is truly worth it. I am learning that I can fall apart in God's arms and He will always be there (Rom 8:31-39). I am learning to trust that no pain is so deep that if I allow myself to feel it I may sink forever. I am finding that the things I've so diligently run from are indeed heart-wrenching, and yet I still stand. There's healing here. Because the God who started a good work in me will be faithful to complete it (Phil 1:6). I trust Him more every day because He is God over the process. Nothing catches Him by surprise.

I pray that you too, will find the courage to face the things you try evade every passing day and ultimately find healing. Because, guess what? You're gonna make it out alive. God's got you😊.

***

This blogpost was inspired by 'Make it out alive' by Kristian Stanfill, off of his new album by the same name. Check it out on YouTube or your favorite music app and be uplifted.