By Different: not the same as another or each other; unlike in nature, form, or quality; distinct; separate
For the majority of my life, I have felt like there was something wrong with me.
You see, I’ve always been “different”. Not really someone who was bullied or left out all the time, but I never quite “fit in”.
I can remember this feeling starting as an eleven year old, and blossoming into an insecurity in my late teenage years. I always felt like I wasn’t on the same frequency as other people; like I was tuning into a different station and marching to an off beat drum. I couldn’t understand.
But then I came to a realization. I am supposed to be different.
If you’ve ever felt this way, first know that you were created on purpose for a purpose. You are not a mistake or a waste of space. God made you exactly as you are for a reason, and He loves you so.
But He also created you to stand out.
1 Peter 2:9 says, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;”
Did you read that?
We are a peculiar people, called out of darkness. And what is darkness? Sin and worldly things. So if we are saved and called out of darkness, are we not called out of this world, so-to-speak?
We are set apart, not for us to be lonely or to be excluded, but because we have come out of the darkness. We are not yoked together with sin and darkness any more. Rather, we are separated from it.
If you are facing these feelings of loneliness or disconnect, remember this:
We are not of this world, and we will one day leave it. John 15:19 says, “If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”
So if you find yourself feeling low because of your differences, remember that different simply means we’re distinct and separate. It’s not a bad thing. Today, let’s celebrate this!
Maddisen Sauls is the smile and voice behind the Everyday Joy blog as well as the author of the Word of the Week posts and the editor of by leaps and bounds. Throughout her life, Maddisen has worked as a reporter for small town newspapers, a School Age and Preschool teacher, and has acquired her ministerial license.
An avid book reader and lover of the written word, Maddisen is passionate about using her favorite medium to reach the lost and the hurting, and to offer encouragement and hope to those struggling through life.
Following her battle with depression, Maddisen has made it her mission to help other people through this journey and to bring joy to the lives of the people around her.
You can find Maddisen on Instagram @maddisen.paige
by leaps and bounds 