Dear Girl With the Broken Body

Dear Girl with the Broken Body,

Our journeys may not look the same, and the pain we experience individually I cannot relate.

But I know what it’s like to have dreams, ambitions, hopes, desires, and plans that all “fail” because my body won’t follow.

I understand what it feels like to live with a body that fails daily.

I know the pain of watching others who have seemingly well-running bodies live their lives the way I wish mine would.

I sympathize with you when others judge, misunderstand, and criticize what you’re going through.

I know the heartache of hopelessness. I know what it feels like to never see the light.

I too have asked God, “Why me?” I too have questioned His sovereignty. I too have been angry, fearful, jealous.

I too have cried out, “When will this be over?”

I too have looked in the mirror loathing and hating my body. I have also completely avoided that same mirror.

I know what it’s like to stare at the ceiling in the middle of the night, anxious and scared of what my future with a broken body may look like. “Will it get better? Will it get worse? Will this be forever?”

I’ve felt the pain of isolation, loneliness, and feeling forgotten.

I’ve hoped others would be more gracious to me amongst my suffering.

But, Dear Girl with the Broken Body,

Even on our best days here, our bodies are only tents — easily destroyable and collapsible — not indestructible strong towers.

Remember that your worth or your spirit is not eternally confined to the limits of your earthly body.

Rejoice in the truth that your Creator values you, loves you, cherishes you, desires you — simply as you are.

Never forget that your Savior humbled himself to experience life in a human body like ours, to be our great sympathizer and comfort.

He’s felt physical pain, exhaustion, and has experienced the debilitating weight of a broken world.

He understands. He knows.

Cling tightly to the truth that one day your body will be restored, renewed, glorified, and perfect, dear girl with the broken body.

He will make all things new.

For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life … Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.  (2 Corinthians 5:6-9)