For as long as I can remember, I have been the kind of person who likes to keep my hardships to myself. I always hide behind a smile, and I never want others to see my weakness. In short, transparency is not my thing!

Long ago, I became tired of superficial relationships and small talk, so I learned to isolate myself. However, I soon realized just how overwhelming it can be to be isolated with your problems. I have always known that God is my helper, my strength, and the lifter of my head, but I am now learning more and more how important it is for followers of Christ to come together and support one another.

We were never meant to go through life alone. Ecclesiastes 4: 9-10 says:

Two are better than one,
   because they have a good return for their labor: 
If either of them falls down,
   one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
   and has no one to help them up.

God works in us, to encourage and strengthen us, through His people!

I have been blessed recently to make some new friends and form some new relationships that are strengthening me and giving me comfort as I struggle through life. Both older mentors and peers with similar struggles have been such a such blessing to me, and have become the hands and feet of God in my life, helping me to grow and to push through the pain and struggles.

Recently, God has put in my life a new friend from across the ocean! We have bonded over common interests and common pain, and I have learned much about open-hearted transparency from her! Her blog is a beautiful account of her and her husband’s life, faith and struggles. I was honored when she asked me to do a guest post for her blog, and I want to share that post and her entire blog with you. I hope that you will find it encouraging, inspiring, and comforting, and I also hope that you will be prompted to develop more Godly relationships in your life and learn to open your heart to others with inspiring honesty and transparency!

Hephzibah: Guest Blogger: Living in the Broken Pieces