It’s probably no accident that this week’s “Stuck” study at church was “Sad”.  Now – this is something I feel like I know very well. Even as a child I was always very sensitive.  I felt things so deeply, hurt for people.  I was always worried about what people were thinking, feeling about me and desperately afraid of rejection.  My heart has been transparent for as long as I can remember, nerves super close to the surface – as if I’m missing that top layer of skin. This benefits me in a lot of ways, one being an empathy for others that I hope I never lose.  A depth of feeling that I hope makes me a trustworthy confidante.  But it also makes things difficult, as I get my feelings hurt very easily and am constantly working through dashed expectations.  Vann can tell you, it’s sometimes daily that he’s reminding me that yes, I am a good wife, a good mother, a good friend.  Yes, I am good enough, and doggone it, people like me. I’ve struggled with depression most of my adult life, seen therapists, abused alcohol and thought over the benefits of suicide.  I have lived in despair.  I recently weaned off of Wellbutrin, the anti-depressant I’d been taking since Ella was born.  “So that explains my recent very short fuse”, I think to myself.  It was time, but I gotta say, I’m a little nervous about losing my security blanket. In our study today, Jennie Allen directed us to Romans 8:22 – 22 For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children,[a] including the new bodies he has promised us. 24 We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to hope[b] for it. 25 But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.) I am well aware of the dull ache I feel in my heart – it’s been a companion of mine for as long as I can remember.  I know that I have a tendency towards depression, could be that it runs in my family.  Whatever it is, it’s been there – but I know it’s also a hole that only God can fill. Medication can help, therapy can give me someone safe and subjective to talk to, and community can give me the fold I need to belong to. But when I’m feeling sad because I don’t have that “go-to” friend in a “bestie” culture… When friends get together and post a picture on Facebook and I wasn’t invited… When I worry about what people really think of me… When I wish I could eat what I want and not suffer the consequence of a tighter pair of jeans… When I just feel sad for really no reason at all… John 16:33 says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” God doesn’t promise me that I’ll be happy, or healthy, or content.  In fact, He says we’ll be just the opposite.  Our hope lies in the fact that Jesus died for our sins and in eternity, we will have everlasting life and peace. Until then, we have to remember that this Earthly life is temporary.  Our greatest joys lie ahead. No more holes in our hearts. No more sadness. No more tragedy. No judgment or condemnation – complete peace and acceptance of YOUR body that HE made. And… Streets lined with glitter. All the pie you can eat. And no need for Spanx. Can I get an Amen?!!