Reality. It can hit you hard sometimes.

The cliche of Hollywood is that another actor or actress is going to have a stint in rehab, or they've started doing crack or something in the like. We always expect it to happen to them because they have so many problems bladdy bladdy blah.

But what I've been seeing as I grow up is that everyone has problems. There are so many things that we deal with on a regular basis and we choose to hold it inside. We look around at our friends and family and wonder what's so bad about their lives. Reality is, we all have our struggles. God didn't tell us life with him would be a walk in the park, no sirree, he told us that he would never leave us nor forsake us. We always have the strength to push past stuff, to run from temptation, to see the good in the seemingly horrible, because he is with us. I know, I know, you've heard it all before.

For me today, this was a reminder and a rejuvenation to my heart and soul. Do you know why? Because it means that my hardships are just as legitimate as yours. You and I have very different lives. We are different people. Regardless, your struggles were meant for you, and mine were meant for me.

The problem? Most of the time we judge people according to the problem they're going through. And more often than not, we think that it's "not as bad as it seems." Sad? Yeah, you should feel bad. How is that showing someone else compassion? It's not. Our job isn't to judge others issues, it's to show them love. To be an example of Christ to everyone we come in contact with. We're called to show grace like God gave his grace freely to us.

Each of us have struggles. We are given struggles, hardships, trials, whatever you call them...so that we cling to Jesus even more. A couple of days ago I was laying in bed thinking about this; the struggles I'm having and God brought Psalm 23 to mind.

The LORD is my shepherd;
         I shall not want.
 ² He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
         He leads me beside the still waters.
 ³ He restores my soul;
         He leads me in the paths of righteousness
         For His name’s sake.
        
 ⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
         I will fear no evil;
         For You are with me;
         Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
        
 ⁵ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
         You anoint my head with oil;
         My cup runs over.
 ⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
         All the days of my life;
         And I will dwell^[a] in the house of the LORD
         Forever.
 Psalm 23

This is in New King James Version cause that how I memorized it when I first learned it. And I absolutely love the phrasing. Remember that God has got you, he loves you very much and he WILL protect you.