Maybe it’s a relationship problem, maybe it’s a substance abuse problem, maybe it’s a physical health problem, or maybe it’s a job or financial problem. Whatever it is you’re going through, you matter. And you’re going to get through.

I want to tell you why. I want to tell you why you truly do matter, why you truly do deserve life.

First, you have a purpose.

Ephesians 1:4 “Long before He laid down earth's foundations, He had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of His love, to be made whole and holy by His love.” Even before the universe was created, God had you in mind. He already had a purpose for you then. He knew what He was doing. He knew who He was creating. He knew the miracle He was going to make. You are that miracle. You are an absolute miracle.

You are part of the body.

1 Corinthians 12:14 “For the body does not consist of one member but of many.” You play a part in this holy dance. You are part of the body. You may be a broken arm or a broken leg, but you play a part. Don’t disconnect yourself from the body just because you’re broken. You will heal. You will be transformed. Maybe you are the eyes to others, helping them see. Maybe you are the ears to others, always listening. Maybe you are the hands, always reaching out. You play a role. You are part of this body. You are needed.

And hey, you are not forgotten.

Matthew 10:29-31 “But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not…” Every single hair on your head is counted. God knows you inside and out. He understands your struggles. He hears your cries. He’s there. You may not see it, you may not believe it. But He’s there. He’s waiting for you to surrender yourself to Him. He’s waiting for you to let go of the burden you’re putting on yourself. He’s ready to carry you, because He knows you can’t walk much longer on your own. Give yourself to Him. Let go of this control.

Please know: you are not alone.

Psalm 23:4 “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and staff, they comfort me.” Maybe you’re thinking that no one loves you. Maybe you’re feeling like no one cares for you. This is not true! Even in Psalm 27 when the writer was abandoned by his mother and father, he was still able to look to God and say, My mother and my father have abandoned me, but you Father, you lift me up. You take me in. You care for me. People may have abandoned you. People may have exited from your life. But you, you are not alone. God is never gone.

It may not seem like it, but you are not stuck in this problem forever.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 “…for my strength is made perfect in weakness…” Things are going to get better. It may not look like there is any sunshine ahead. It may look like rain consumes the forecast forever. It may look like your tears will never dry. But that’s not true. The sun’s going to come out. It might not be tomorrow, it might not be the next day, but it will come out. And you know what happens after it rains and the sun comes out? There’s a rainbow. There’s a rainbow that radiates beauty. There’s a rainbow that captures happiness. Sunshine is ahead. Your rainbow will appear. Sunshine and happiness will overcome any rain or tear.

Please believe it: you are fearfully and wonderfully made.

Psalm 139:14 “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Do you think the stars are beautiful? Do you think the ocean is deep and wonderous? Do you think the big mountains and valleys are striking? Well, the same exact creator, the same exact maker of those things created you. All those things were fearfully and wonderfully made. And so were you. Jeremiah 1:5 “He knitted you in your mother’s womb.” He breathed life into you. You belong to Him. As Isaiah 49:16 says, “I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands.”

You are a light.

Matthew 5:14 “You are the light of the world.” You shine so bright. You may not see your light. You may not know how to turn your light on. But you are a light. God wants you to shine. And you are capable of getting that light to shine. God can restore you. Ephesians 5:8 tell us, “For at one time you were darkness, but now you are a light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” He can fix and restore your light.

You are a conqueror.

Romans 8:37-39 “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” No matter what it is you have going on, no matter what it is you have done, no matter what it is that has been done to you, you are loved. You are absolutely, without a doubt, 100% completely loved. And nothing can separate you from that love that comes from God. You are a conqueror. You are a conqueror through Christ. Your demons, your past, your trials, your tribulations - they cannot keep you from the love that God has for you. You are a conqueror.

You matter. You have a purpose. You are part of the body. You are not forgotten. You are not alone. You are not stuck in the problem forever. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. You are a light. And you are a conqueror.

You will win this battle.

Please believe it.