By Tarsha R. Gunn
In a world where emotions rise and fall like the weather, it can be hard to feel grounded. Many of us wake up each day trying to keep our balance while facing pressures that affect our minds, our emotions, and even our spirits. And while life keeps shifting, one truth remains steady: the love of God does not rise and fall with our feelings.
Lately, I’ve been thinking about how easily we slip into emotional living, reacting instead of reflecting, rushing instead of listening, and fighting internal battles with the wrong tools. Whether we recognize it or not, every one of us faces psychological, emotional, and spiritual challenges. And too often, we try to address these battles with sheer willpower, not realizing that some struggles require a strength beyond our own.
What many people don’t realize is that discouragement, confusion, and hopelessness are often connected to something deeper. When hope is attacked, identity becomes shaky. When identity feels shaken, our confidence, clarity, and sense of direction begin to crumble. We start believing we are not enough, not worthy, or too far gone to find our way back.
But there is another side to this story.
In the book of Colossians, there is a reminder that every failure, every past mistake, and every burden that once stood against us has already been addressed. The barriers that once separated us from hope were “nailed to the cross,” meaning shame and condemnation no longer have the final say. Many people carry guilt they were never meant to keep. The truth is simple: nothing you have gone through cancels the possibility of transformation.
So why do so many people still feel stuck?
Because we live in a world filled with distractions.
Social media, gossip, television, negativity, unforgiveness, these things feed our worries but starve our peace. When we absorb everything around us, we begin to shape our identity around fear instead of faith, around exhaustion instead of strength.
But I want to speak directly to the person reading this who feels worn down, confused, or unworthy:
There is nothing about your past or present that disqualifies you from love, hope, or renewal.
With loving kindness, God draws us not through fear or shame, but with compassion, patience, and truth. Wherever you are right now, you are not too far gone to heal, to grow, or to start again.
This month, I want to encourage you to pause and ask:
What am I feeding my heart with?
Are my emotions leading my life, or am I allowing truth and wisdom to guide me?
Do I believe I am loved, valued, and seen exactly as I am?
You may feel broken, but broken pieces can become building blocks.
You may feel weary, but weariness doesn’t cancel purpose.
You may feel you’ve lost yourself, but identity can be restored.
You may feel overwhelmed, but victory is still possible.
You are not what happened to you.
You are not defined by your mistakes.
And you are not disqualified from hope.
This month and every month, remember this:
Love hasn’t given up on you.
Hope is still within reach.
And transformation is not just possible, it’s waiting.