Journey To The Other Side
Written By: Vasti Cruz
June 24, 2017 will forever be a day I will remember and it will be etched in my heart. That is the day that I packed my car and drove away from Illinois at 3:30am and started making my way to my fresh start in Dallas, Texas.
I never thought that I would get to experience the other side of going through a tough time. But here I was on my way to a new life. A new hope for tomorrow. I did not know what to expect on the other side but I just knew it was going to be better than the endless nights of crying, and mourning my marriage. I was a year fresh from divorce. After going through therapy and receiving counsel from my spiritual leaders it was time for me to shift my perspective on what I had been through. I had to work hard to get to the other side if I ever wanted what the other side has to offer.
You see we tend to not believe that better days are coming, when we are in the midst of a storm in our lives. We let doubt in so quickly, and we believe the lies that we tell ourselves. The narrative you tell yourself while going through a tough time will make or break you. I believe my fresh start allowed me to change that narrative. What was my narrative? That I would struggle forever. That love will not find me. That I will never mother. That finances would always be tight. That my weight would always be a struggle. Those were all of the things that I was telling myself.
So, what is the other side? Let me tell you friend the other side is completely up to you! If you want the other side to be full of hope and promise for your future that is on you. You have to do the HEART WORK to enjoy the other side. There are no shortcuts in healing from any type of trauma we go through in life. Trust me it is not worth it, so take the long road and do yourself a favor and get the help you need. You are responsible for the results that the other side will bring you. No one but you.
Today, I sit and tell you that my life is not perfect. No, love has not found me yet. No, I am not a mother. No ,I have not won the lotto. No, all of the weight is not off. BUT that has not stopped me from continuing to believe the BEST for me. Here is what I have found on the other side... Yes, to loving ME. Yes, to one day holding my promise. Yes, to getting my finances in order. Yes, too developing the discipline to workout and shedding 30lbs and more still to come. Yes, too dating and learning all about what I want and do not want in a life partner. Yes, to the life that I want and yes to my side of hope.
Romans 8:28 says- "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose"
When you read this first it may seem counterintuitive because you may be thinking how can God can take divorce, death, miscarriages and make it all work out for the good? No matter how you much you try at times somethings we just can't silver line situations, and it makes us feel like all the crappy things going on in the world today means God is just allowing it all to happen without hope. This verse is also tricky because it makes it seem like only those who love God will see "all things work for the good" and no it doesn't mean it's only for those that love God, but more than anything its for those that are obeying and living according to his word. You can't disobey and make your own rules and expect for the good to work out. Lastly, God is a redeeming God and what you once loss whether it be materialistic or a person he will redeem it all in his time.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 states "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end."
So, where does this leave us, I don't know about you but it leaves me feeling like he is taking all the bad that has happened and unfortunate circumstances in our lives and he is redeeming it and making new and will blow your mind with what's coming for you.
I am not sure what your story is, and what side you are standing on today. But I do not know that the choice is on you. If you want to stand on a better side it's going to require a sacrifice on your part. I believe that everything you have ever wanted is on the side of freedom, and true healing. I wish I had a magic formula to share with you to get you there. The only formula I have is knowing that as I trust God with my life and live according to his purpose for me he has my great reward.
Friend, you got this! You can get to the side you just have to hold on long enough to push through the barriers that try to keep you down. You can do hard things, and do them well.
What are you waiting for? Come over to this side! Waiting on you...
I never thought that I would get to experience the other side of going through a tough time. But here I was on my way to a new life. A new hope for tomorrow. I did not know what to expect on the other side but I just knew it was going to be better than the endless nights of crying, and mourning my marriage. I was a year fresh from divorce. After going through therapy and receiving counsel from my spiritual leaders it was time for me to shift my perspective on what I had been through. I had to work hard to get to the other side if I ever wanted what the other side has to offer.
You see we tend to not believe that better days are coming, when we are in the midst of a storm in our lives. We let doubt in so quickly, and we believe the lies that we tell ourselves. The narrative you tell yourself while going through a tough time will make or break you. I believe my fresh start allowed me to change that narrative. What was my narrative? That I would struggle forever. That love will not find me. That I will never mother. That finances would always be tight. That my weight would always be a struggle. Those were all of the things that I was telling myself.
So, what is the other side? Let me tell you friend the other side is completely up to you! If you want the other side to be full of hope and promise for your future that is on you. You have to do the HEART WORK to enjoy the other side. There are no shortcuts in healing from any type of trauma we go through in life. Trust me it is not worth it, so take the long road and do yourself a favor and get the help you need. You are responsible for the results that the other side will bring you. No one but you.
Today, I sit and tell you that my life is not perfect. No, love has not found me yet. No, I am not a mother. No ,I have not won the lotto. No, all of the weight is not off. BUT that has not stopped me from continuing to believe the BEST for me. Here is what I have found on the other side... Yes, to loving ME. Yes, to one day holding my promise. Yes, to getting my finances in order. Yes, too developing the discipline to workout and shedding 30lbs and more still to come. Yes, too dating and learning all about what I want and do not want in a life partner. Yes, to the life that I want and yes to my side of hope.
Romans 8:28 says- "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose"
When you read this first it may seem counterintuitive because you may be thinking how can God can take divorce, death, miscarriages and make it all work out for the good? No matter how you much you try at times somethings we just can't silver line situations, and it makes us feel like all the crappy things going on in the world today means God is just allowing it all to happen without hope. This verse is also tricky because it makes it seem like only those who love God will see "all things work for the good" and no it doesn't mean it's only for those that love God, but more than anything its for those that are obeying and living according to his word. You can't disobey and make your own rules and expect for the good to work out. Lastly, God is a redeeming God and what you once loss whether it be materialistic or a person he will redeem it all in his time.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 states "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end."
So, where does this leave us, I don't know about you but it leaves me feeling like he is taking all the bad that has happened and unfortunate circumstances in our lives and he is redeeming it and making new and will blow your mind with what's coming for you.
I am not sure what your story is, and what side you are standing on today. But I do not know that the choice is on you. If you want to stand on a better side it's going to require a sacrifice on your part. I believe that everything you have ever wanted is on the side of freedom, and true healing. I wish I had a magic formula to share with you to get you there. The only formula I have is knowing that as I trust God with my life and live according to his purpose for me he has my great reward.
Friend, you got this! You can get to the side you just have to hold on long enough to push through the barriers that try to keep you down. You can do hard things, and do them well.
What are you waiting for? Come over to this side! Waiting on you...
If you are trying to start your journey to the other side of anything that you are struggling with, check out all of the resources that Vasti has on her website, Instagram and Podcast to help you do the HEART WORK.
www.healthofyourheart.com
Follow on IG: @healthyhearttalks
Listen to podcast Healthy Heart Talks
www.healthofyourheart.com
Follow on IG: @healthyhearttalks
Listen to podcast Healthy Heart Talks
How I Met The Author
Vasti Cruz... where do I begin. Anyone that has ever been to a vacation bible school (VBS), Sunday school or children's church has heard the song that says... "I've got the joy, joy, joy joy, down in my heart....". Yeah, you know what song I'm talking about. Well that is Vasti's theme song. Until about 3 weeks ago, I had no clue that she was going through anything in 2015 or 16. We met through church over a year ago and every Sunday I would look forward to my time with Vasti. She has a smile that is contagious and a Joy that you can feel down in your soul.It's a genuine Joy that makes you feel comfortable to be who you are and know that there is no judgement but only sisterly love and acceptance. I'm so thankful that she never looked like what she was going through because some Sundays it was her smile that carried me through the whole week. That Joy she brings is only one that God can give you... it's a gift that you can only experience when you've "got the love of Jesus in Your heart".
She is Genuine Beauty and True Joy!
Vasti Cruz... where do I begin. Anyone that has ever been to a vacation bible school (VBS), Sunday school or children's church has heard the song that says... "I've got the joy, joy, joy joy, down in my heart....". Yeah, you know what song I'm talking about. Well that is Vasti's theme song. Until about 3 weeks ago, I had no clue that she was going through anything in 2015 or 16. We met through church over a year ago and every Sunday I would look forward to my time with Vasti. She has a smile that is contagious and a Joy that you can feel down in your soul.It's a genuine Joy that makes you feel comfortable to be who you are and know that there is no judgement but only sisterly love and acceptance. I'm so thankful that she never looked like what she was going through because some Sundays it was her smile that carried me through the whole week. That Joy she brings is only one that God can give you... it's a gift that you can only experience when you've "got the love of Jesus in Your heart".
She is Genuine Beauty and True Joy!