I’ve Got Issues

I’ve got issues. There, I said it. It’s not easy to admit, but it’s true. Maybe you can relate. Maybe you carry things that weigh you down too. But I’m learning that God can use even our broken places to bring about something beautiful. My life verse, 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.” I hold on to this truth through every challenge that comes my way.

Anger Issues

Anger is an emotion I’ve wrestled with more times than I care to admit. It bubbles up inside me, unexpected and intense, often directed at people who don’t deserve it. But instead of letting it control me, I’m learning to work through it with mindfulness—recognizing my triggers as warning flags to pause and think before reacting. It’s not easy, but it’s possible. Taking a deep breath when that surge of anger rises, grounding myself in the moment, and praying for God’s peace helps me find my footing when I’m on the brink of losing control.

Ephesians 4:26-27 speaks directly to this struggle: “In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” These words remind me that anger itself isn’t the issue; it’s how I respond to it. Instead of letting it fester, I’m learning to bring it to God, asking for His strength to respond in love.

And I’ve discovered that anger doesn’t have to be all bad. It can be transformed into a fierce protectiveness for the people I love. When I feel that fire rising, I remind myself that God can use that passion to stand up for others, to be a voice for the voiceless, and to advocate for those who feel overlooked. It’s a process, but even my anger can serve a purpose when I surrender it to God.

“Daddy” Issues

Daddy issues are real! I’ve heard the jokes and even laughed at them, but growing up without a positive fatherly influence left a hole in my heart that I tried to fill with all the wrong things. I made choices that hurt me, all in a desperate search for approval and love. For a long time, I thought that wound defined me. But God has shown me that He is the perfect Father I’ve always longed for.

Psalm 68:5 describes God as “a father to the fatherless, a defender of widows.” This verse is a reminder that God steps into the gaps left by earthly fathers. He’s been healing those broken parts of me, teaching me that my worth isn’t in anyone’s approval, but in His unwavering love. And through this, He’s given me a heart for women’s ministry. Coming from an all-female family, I understand the struggles and wounds many women carry. I know the pain of feeling unworthy or unseen. It’s why I’m passionate about speaking life and truth into the hearts of women who feel overlooked or unloved. God is turning my father wounds into a hunger to see other women healed.

Depression

Depression is another struggle that has woven in and out of my life, like a thread that sometimes feels pulled too tight. Some days, it’s like a heavy blanket, suffocating and relentless. Other times, it’s a shadow that hovers just beyond the edges of my joy, unpredictable and exhausting.

But even here, God is working. My battle with depression has given me a heart of understanding. It’s allowed me to sit with others in their pain, to recognize the silent cries hidden behind brave smiles. It’s taught me the value of simply being present with someone in their darkest moments, and how sometimes, the best thing you can do is just listen.

In the midst of my struggle, I find comfort in Psalm 34:18: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” This promise reassures me that I am never alone in my darkest moments. God is right there with me, offering His comfort and presence when I need it most.

God doesn’t waste any part of our story—not even the chapters that feel dark and messy. He’s shown me that my depression isn’t the end of my story—it’s just a part of it. It’s where He meets me with grace and reminds me that His light shines brightest in the darkness.

His Purpose in My Pain

Looking back, I can see how God has taken each of these struggles—anger, father wounds, and depression—and is weaving them into a story of His grace. Romans 8:28 assures me that all things, even the ones that seem broken beyond repair, can be used for His glory. It doesn’t mean the pain disappears overnight, but it does mean He’s walking with me through every step of the journey.

I don’t have all the answers, and there are still days when the weight of my issues feels overwhelming. But I know that God is in the business of redemption. He’s turning my anger into a passion to protect. He’s using my father wounds to give me a heart for women who need to know they are valued and loved. He’s transforming my depression into a source of empathy and understanding for those who feel alone in their struggles.

So, if you’ve got issues too, know this: God isn’t done with you yet. He can take the messiest parts of your story and turn them into something beautiful. Isaiah 61:3 promises that He will give us “a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” He’s doing it in me, and I believe He can do it in you too. Let’s trust Him with our issues and watch how He uses them to bring glory to His name.