I recently had a really hard day. I needed to remind myself of who I am. I needed to speak some positive words over myself, and I needed to see a few pretty images. I thought it might encourage you since it did the same for me. If there’s something you tell yourself on a hard day, please share it in the comments below. There will be others, and I will be returning to this again and again.

1. This Is Not The End of The Story.

You have come so very far, and I pray that you look past the pain to see God’s presence at this moment.

Just in case you have any doubts, He is here. You know this to be true. You can look over too many painful memories to see how His hand guided you through that valley. This is no different. It’s a valley that you will get through. Remember Psalm 23? Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. For you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Do not stop here. Don’t lie down for more than thirty minutes (because a nap might help). Don’t begin to contemplate about all of the bad things that have been happening or what else could go wrong. You are not going to stop in this valley. You are going to keep going. You are going to make it to the other side.

2. You Are Inspiring Someone-Even on a Hard Day

You have been changing lives through your positivity, commitment to loving others well, and commitment to serving the Lord. You are a letter of recommendation that others can look to on a bad day, just as well as a good day.

Knowing that you also struggle with hard days helps others recognize that God’s work in your life helps strengthen you. It also allows you to take the weight off and stop feeling like you need to be on for everyone. There’s nothing harder than acting inauthentically. Moving from a genuine place doesn’t mean you’re going to snap, crackle, and pop on everyone. It just means you also need compassion, and it helps everyone to remember you’re not SUPERWOMAN.

3. Hard Days Still Hurt-And That’s Okay.

It’s time to give yourself permission to have a bad day. The truth is that you have changed. You are not the same woman you used to be. You no longer handle your hard days in those old destructive ways that you used to. You are mindful of how you show up in the world and how to improve your mood.

However, it’s okay to have a bad day without feeling guilty. You are human. You live in the flesh, and because of that, you will need the Lord. It’s the reality that hard days still hurt, and those days speak to our need for the Lord. If you’re not careful, you’ll get so caught up giving to others, that you’ll forget that you have a genuine need yourself. These hard days are helping you to remember to pray for yourself and ask for prayer from others, as well.

4. Hard Days Help Your Friendships

No one wants to be the one with all the problems all the time. But that person is not you. At least, not anymore. You don’t have to hide your problems from your closest friends. That’s what they’re there for. Because just like no one wants to be the one with the issues all the time, no one wants to have a friend who never has any needs at all, either.

Needs enrich friendship because they give your friends a purpose. You’re a boss. Every day. And you look good doing it, too. In fact, it’s a little intimidating, and sometimes your friends wonder if you really are secretly superwoman. It’s the invitation to some of your most profound moments that help them breathe a sigh of relief. That moment helps them find a new purpose and feel a little like superwoman when they get to be the one to encourage you.

5. Hard Days Remind You Your Emotions Matter

Those friendships remind you that you are worth taking time with, your emotions matter, and you need to be poured into. You are no less weak because you need prayer. That’s a lie and a trick of the enemy, the devil. You are only that much stronger. You’re walking through a hard day or even a hard season, and it is only proof that you’re a threat to the kingdom of darkness.

Think Job. He was so amazing, the Lord recommended him when the devil failed to think of anyone to test. Think Jael. She was the one to whom the Lord gave the victory to when Deborah and Barak went to fight the Philistines. Sisera messed with the wrong woman on the wrong day. Think John the Baptist. He was the one who paved the way for Jesus, calling out for repentance in the wilderness. Think Jesus. He was the one who sacrificed everything so we could make it through the hard days.

Think of yourself. You are a powerful force to be reckoned with. Jesus Christ has placed His name over You and given you His authority. You are making waves that will continue to wash away the plans of the enemy for generations to come, and it’s time to pray for yourself. Consistently. Right now. Tonight. Tomorrow. Forever. You are worth praying for.

Let’s Pray

Jesus, help me. To be honest, today is so hard. Those are the only words I really have. Help me. You know all about it. Holy Spirit, I bless You that You pray for me even when I don’t know how to pray for myself. I trust You. Help me find the words and to feel your presence more closely than my nearest breath. I need You, in Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

There’s nothing more intimidating than a hard day. It speaks to old insecurities we thought we were over a long time ago. If you want to access even more strategies to help you continue practicing intentional soul care and overpower insecurity this season, subscribe to my new devotional on YouVersion today.