Challenges, we encounter them one way or another, it just depends on how we encounter them. Some of us run away from our problems and some learn and fight out problems. As what Rafiki from The Lion King says “The way I see is it is you either run from it or…learn from it.” And then there are those who are in the middle, don’t want to fight and too scared to run, just stuck.

Growing up, challenges are always something to be feared. As someone with a different ability than others, my whole life is a challenge. But most challenges either grow on me or I outgrow those challenges. When I found out what I had, and got bullied for it, the biggest challenge for me is to be normal. Not to be weak, not to be crazy or weird or show any signs that I have this thing. I gotta say, I did well hiding. The only challenge is maintaining it. Whenever some symptom or sign that reminds me I have it, I see it as a weakness, myself as a failure. Because again, challenges are something to not be messed with, as what I was taught and observed growing up, and if you fail a challenge, you’re failure in general.

As an adult, more challenges pop up because well the world ain’t friendly. One of which I am currently facing right now which is with my own mind. I’ve dealt with depression and anxiety since junior year in high school and have come up more in 2021. Some days, I’m doing ok and things are fine and other days I just want to be buried in my room, buried in my bed and just disappear, and more so these days due to the battle with insecurity in different parts of my life.How do I get through such a tough battle? The support of others. When I feel financially down, it was my parents that reassure me they can help me out, even when I feel like I am drying them out. When it comes to finding a job, Brennan and my parents support me and give me recommendations when I am lost. Faith insecurity and the devil is winning? Having my church family remind me that God is with us and is willing to fight any and every battle you have going on that feels impossible to man, as well as the reassurance that they care and love me no matter how imperfect I am. Having the company is probably the key factor in overcoming any obstacle in life.

Now the big question is have there been any challenges you’ve faced and overcome? Honestly it’s same challenge in different shapes so no, I haven’t overcome or completely fought off any challenge. It’s like a blob monster, you can beat in one way but it’ll come back and face you again and you’ll never completely fight it off. Depression? Still there. Anxiety? That’s there too. Suicidal thoughts and self harm? Not as much but there’s a possibly that it’ll go from the back burner to the front stove.

So what’s the lesson? Never fight alone unless you have to. If are struggling to fight this challenge alone, call for back up, call for support. It’s easy to walk alone, it’s easy to take on things yourself. But when things get too much and you’re losing, imagine Captain America in Endgame, battered and bruised, one versus a million and then all your closest confidants coming in last minute to fight this battle with you.

“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.”

John 16:33 NIV