Rewind back to September.
My body felt bad. Tired and weak. The more I pushed myself the worse I felt.
Fatigue left me feeling down and I could feel depression coming in again…slowly, but surely, and I began to panic at the thought of those feelings returning. I felt bitterness surging and anger swelling up.
I’d been through a round of depression before and was so mad this was happening again. It was getting in my way.
I had all these goals for school and for my blog and to have a Bible study again and to work out and cook and have a clean house. I felt like this illness was coming in and taking away all of my opportunities. It was taking my plans and dreams and leaving me feeling discouraged and defeated.
I felt like it was getting in the way of everything. I had an unfair disadvantage.
I was angry that God was allowing this to happen again. I cried out to Him in prayer and one day felt like I had the clearest response from Him. I said, “God, why are you letting this happen? This is just getting in my way for all these things I want to do and accomplish.”
And it was like He said:
“Mary Kate, you know I didn’t create you to be sick. That came from a fallen world. But I am still with you and I see you where you are. Your illness may keep you from all these hopes and dreams that YOU have, but it’s not going to keep you from what I have for you.”
Guys, that’s so true.
Ephesians 2:10 says this:
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God created beforehand that we should walk in them.”
God prepared good works for me beforehand. God also knew beforehand I would get sick. He did not place those good works and His plan for me out of my reach. Nothing that this world throws at me will take me out of His hand. As long as I keep my eyes on Him and on His kingdom, I am where I need to be.
Thats one of the many cool things about God. He can use anyone, anywhere to do His work. We’ve seen that in the Bible.
One of my favorite verses has always been Jeremiah 29:11
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘Plans to prosper you, not to harm you, plans for a future and a hope.”
I know this verse doesn’t mean a believer’s life is going to be comfortable and rainbowlands all the time, but it encourages my heart that God has a plan for me and can use me no matter what.
Romans 8:38-39
“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
So all of that to say, no matter what you may be facing today or may face in the future, God still has a plan for you and can still use you. Nothings too big of an obstacle for him. Just keep your eyes on Him and seek to glorify Him with your life.
Thank you❤️
Mary Kate, I wrote a blog post on Jeremiah 29:11 on my blog just yesterday. I feel like so many times we want out of the illness, hard friendship, or a certain situation, but God calls us in to teach us reliance, dependence and trust. Your words are so true and understanding that these seasons may suck, but the lessons they teach us are so so true!
Thank you for sharing that, Mary Kate. He is infinite & His glory has no end, and He shows us that through the ups and downs of life. I’m thankful for God who spoke those words through you because Lord knows I needed to hear this today. Thank you for your encouragement & vulnerability. I appreciate you!
i got to the first paragraph and my heart stopped. you said EXACTLY what i’ve been feeling for a while, it felt like i’d written it myself. thank you so much!
I needed this today. Thank you. Today I felt like everything was turning out awful. My husband left for a job for 2 weeks, me and my kids are sick, I’m behind on so many things in life and feel like I’m failing at everything. Trusting in his plan!!!! ????
Love it!!! Where did you get your Hat?
It feels so good to read . well I was thinking about this as last month I was so exhausted , everything was so messed up and I thought why God is doing this to me but I later on remained calm and saw many things which never meant sense , witnessed few good things and people but still I have a problem that I always get lost to what shall I do in my future .
Your blogs are always such an encouragement for me, especially for the season I am in right now. Thanks for being a great example of Christ.
Mary Kate you are a BLESSING! I get super excited for your blog posts because they have actual meaning and truth behind them.
Those two Bible verses are such gems! Definitely some of my favorite promises as well! Thanks for writing out this post! It was a very beautiful and encouraging reminder that God’s always in control! ❤️✨
THIS IS SO AMAZING! And so true! I absolutely love this Mary Kate❤️❤️
Also, you hair looks incredible!!!
I have been dealing with some similar struggles in my life right now too. This is so encouraging and so beautiful. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Wow this touched me so much! I got a concussion at the end of September and have had migraines, brain fog, memory loss, and anxiety because of it and am just now getting better. I found all the plans I had for my life falling apart and felt so helpless in the midst of all of it. It’s my senior year in high school and it’s been tough. This is such an encouragement as I’m trting to get myself back together catch up on everything i fell behind on. I don’t know why God chose to give me this hardship, but i do know that he’s teaching me something so great in all of it. Thank you Mary Kate!
Thank you for such strong, meaningful words of wisdom!?
Very nicely said!! Solid truths:) thanks for sharing!!
One of my favorite blogs you have posted!
You are such a light and an angel. Thank you.
Thank you! you are so encouraging and so beautiful <3
Mary Kate, Thank you so much for your thoughts. My family has dealt with Lymes in the past and literally last night my dad found a bulls eye rash. Seeing that brings up so many emotions~worry, anxiety, and anger to name a few.
But reading this post was such a God moment for me. It reminded me that He is faithful, He still has a plan, He is good, and He has not forgotten about us.
Thanks for being open and honest with your Lymes Disease. It is encouraging to hear of someone else’s struggle. I pray that you experience healing!
Ladies above who left a comment, and Mary Kate, I just said a prayer for all of you, sending hugs from one Christian to another❤️?
Thank you so much, you should make a YouTube channel!
I know this may sound crazy but you should consider switching to a plant based diet.. just give it a chance and do some research… I think you’d be amazed! The lies of the world say depression can’t be healed but I truly believe God led me to a plant based diet to heal my depression… I haven’t been depressed since June of this year and I suffered from chronic depression and anxiety! I also believe it will do amazing things for your lymes disease! Sending lots of love and hope your way!
Thanks so much for thinking of me! So, so happy to hear it’s worked well for you! I actually did plant-based since last January and just stopped about a month ago at my new dr.’s request. I did love it though, but we’ll see what this doctor says and go back if I think I need to! 🙂
I just so grateful for this post! Just a solid reminder to be still. Thanks for your authenticity ♥️ God used you in my life today.