I have been learning the same lesson over and over the past several months, actually more like the past two years. The lesson is this: I am weak. At times I’ve felt intensely frustrated, stuck, even hopeless, wondering if this season will ever end.

But what can I say? God is a thorough teacher.

Not Okay

The past several months, my mantra has been, I am not okay. Friends ask how I am, probably because I look tired or sad, and I tell them frankly: “Not great.” And I’ve been fine with that. I guess you could say I’m okay enough to openly acknowledge that I’m not okay.

Perhaps I’m getting more comfortable with my brokenness. Or perhaps I simply don’t have the energy to care what others think.

I had thought my long season of struggle was over. Last year, I got counseling, unearthed some of my deeper issues, and took a step back from some of my responsibilities. So at the beginning of this year I was ready to leave all the wrestling and introspection behind and get back to being productive, helpful, and upbeat. But then another huge wave of pain and confusion hit, and I realized that would not be possible.

To be honest, I was not at all happy about this. But God said to me, Will you let Me carry you this season?

“Aw, that’s so sweet,” a friend said in response to this story.

Yes, I suppose it was. But that was not my reaction when I heard God’s offer.

Used to Being Useful

I didn’t realize just how much of my worth and identity I had tied to my usefulness (especially as a Christian) until this year. Until God told me to give it all up.

Actually, how it really went down was that I came to a point where I felt like I was drowning. It was either stop serving or die. I had been internally wilting for some time, secretly, piece by piece, but I had managed to keep up a somewhat even-keeled facade for a pretty long time. Now I couldn’t.

I knew in my head that God loved me apart from what I accomplished. But my heart didn’t get it. It became clear: I needed to learn my worth was separate from my ability to serve.

Up until the last moment, I secretly waited for a burst of supernatural strength that would allow me to continue to serve as I had been. God was testing my obedience in laying this down, but surely He wouldn’t actually have me “give up.” People needed me more than ever. I would be increasing everyone else’s burden. How could I truly glorify Him without actively serving? Would stepping down not be lazy? Would it not be selfish?

Even though I was literally incapable of doing anything other than collapsing into His arms, I resisted. He had carried me all last year already. I wasn’t a baby, I wasn’t supposed to rest this long. People needed me. It was time for me to step up.

But God said no.

Will you be bold enough to follow what I am saying rather than fulfilling others’ expectations? Don’t you see how this, too, could be an act of faith?

I’m used to fighting, to persevering longer than is humanly possible. Time and again I’ve reached the end of my strength, but then called upon God for help, and He has enabled me to push through. I am the one who goes all the way for Jesus. I never give up! That is how I glorify Him with my life!

But I’m learning that sometimes that isn’t what God is requiring of me. Sometimes God is asking me to let go. He is God, and I am not. It’s not my job to take care of everyone. My job is to obey––even when He tells me to sit this one out. It’s humbling. It’s downright painful. But it is also freeing.

Feeling Useless

I have never felt simultaneously more loved and more useless in my life. God constantly encounters me with His immense love, but I am painfully aware that I have done nothing to earn it. I remain deeply confused, conflicted, and wounded inside. Yet God says it’s okay. God says He still loves me.

That love blows my mind every time. Which shows how tied my worth has been to other things. Hopeless as I sometimes feel, I know this season is changing something deep inside.

I’m used to defining myself by my skills, my personality, my plans, my potential, by the qualities others notice and like about me. But God says I’m defined by Him.

Slowly, day by day, God is reorienting my identity to be THIS ALONE: I am loved by God.

Wanting to Skip Ahead

Sometimes I want to skip this season. I want to skip ahead to the point where I am more together, less confused, and less emotional. To where things are easier. I am constantly looking for ways to fast-track the process.

At times I can see the shining destination ahead of me. It looks beautiful! But between here and there is a huge chasm, a dark valley I have no idea how to navigate. And I don’t have the strength to climb down into it. I don’t have the fortitude to face it.

Yet once again, God reminds me of His offer. Won’t you let me carry you?

And suddenly an invisible tightrope appears, stretching from here to the beautiful land ahead. I would never have seen it on my own. But God is taking me across it.

Part of me knows that these moments of being on the brink of collapse and finding God’s arms there to catch me are precious moments I will treasure my whole life. Looking back, I’m pretty sure the pain, tears, and confusion will be eclipsed by the wonder and warmth of God’s constant presence. My most distinct impression will be that of God’s strong arms lifting me, carrying me, and holding me close.