Why You Need To Keep Fighting

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. – Romans 12:2

The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands. – Psalm 138:8

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations. – Jeremiah 1:5

You have a purpose. If you woke up this morning, you have a purpose. Life can get really tough, though. It can feel like a never-ending fight that just doesn't get better. Here is the thing though – it will eventually get better. You have probably heard this a million times, but stars can’t shine without darkness. So why should you keep fighting? Well, let’s make a list! You have a purpose to keep living to...

• Spend time with your family; to go on ice cream runs with your little brother and make Tik Toks till you fall over laughing
• Celebrate your birthday and eat cake
• Graduate high school/college and go live your life how you want to
• Travel and go on random road trips with your windows down and music blasting
• Watch the stars at night
• Dance in the rain
• Make new friends
• Hug those you love
• Go on nature walks
• Wear fuzzy socks while watching Christmas movies
• Make someone laugh and feel their joy
• ​Have deep conversations with someone

Have you ever heard the saying ¨fake it till you make it?" I have been told that a million times. I never really understood it until now. My brother’s girlfriend and I were talking about it. She was having a bad week, and I was trying to hype her up, and I told her to "fake it till she made it." I caught myself in awe. Why would I say that? What did I mean? I meant "fake it till you make it!" If you are not happy, fake it until you learn how to be happy. If you are stressed, pretend to not be until you get taught how to handle it. I am in no way saying to do this on your own… because you will burst eventually, but let others help you. I have days when I feel like I am on top of the world, happy and smiling… and then two minutes later I could be about to cry. At that moment, I have to tell myself I am okay, and that I am happy. That way, I can make it through the day, and then afterward, I can ask my mom or my brother’s girlfriend for advice. Something to help me. But you have to try. You HAVE to try.

Yes, it sounds selfish, yes it sounds like you are being forced to get better, but if you do not try… you will never get where you want to be. That is the hard truth: you HAVE to try. When I was at my lowest, someone told me that I have to live for her. I thought she was crazy. She told me if I didn’t want to eat, eat for her. If I didn’t want to sleep, sleep for her. She cared for me so much, she told me to do everything I would want her to do. I want her to be happy, so why couldn’t I be happy? So, if you are struggling today, do it for me. I care. I might not know you, but I care about you. You have a purpose in this life. You did not wake up this morning by chance, God gave you a breath because he is NOT finished with you yet.

So get up, go fight. If you can’t do it for yourself, do it for me, do it for your family, do it for your friends, do it for God. Just don’t give up. Get up. I know this is a hard pill to swallow, but hey, you can do it. So get up. Make your bed, go eat food, go take a walk outside, call a friend. Go do something for yourself. Get up and show everyone that you can. When life gets down and the thoughts start racing, you start thinking everything is pointless, but everything does have meaning. Go fight back.

No eating disorder can keep you down. No depression can keep you down. No anxiety can keep you down. No ex-relationship can get you down. You are SO much stronger than you think. Go freaking fight back and win! If you need help along the way, call a buddy to help teach you a new move to fight the demons down. No one has ever written a book without having help. I have teachers read each sentence to make sure it looks okay. I had to ask for help, and because of it, I am succeeding. And so can you. So get up. Go fight until you are freed from those demons. You've got this. I can repeat myself hundreds of times, telling you that you are worth it. But it won’t mean anything if you don’t believe it yourself. I have learned some techniques to do when I feel down, and I want to share them with you.

• First, turn off ALL social media. Get away from it because it is hurting you. It is full of lies.
• Take a shower or bath to relax your muscles.
• Clean your room (it makes you feel accomplished).
• Go for a drive with the windows down and your favorite music blasting.
• Call a friend, or go hang out.

All of these things are some very simple ways to get your mind off of whatever is bothering you and feel good about yourself. You deserve to feel good, I hope you know that. I challenge you to take time today to find something you love. Start a list of everything that makes you feel good. So on the days you forget, you have something to look off of. I tell myself over and over that life has so many chances left for me.

I can not promise you that life is going to be easy, because it’s not, but I can promise you that there are reasons to stay. I can promise you that you are not alone in this. At all. Keep trying, and when it gets too hard, find someone who can help you up the hill. When I feel down, I call up my friend Meredith (basically my sister). She has always been there for me, and so I go to her. When she is down in the dumps, she comes to me. That’s how it works. Find someone to carry you when you can’t walk, and if you do not have anyone… Go to God. His promises are sure. He is our Savior, and His words are concrete.

Go fight.

¨Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always¨ - Ian Maclaren

Hi there! My name is Kourtney Gage. I am 17 years young. I am a child of God, who knows that her worth is found in him. I have experienced many challenging falls, from a life threatening eating disorder, to the mind racing anxiety. I have also seen many highs though, like worshiping God and getting goose bumps, and finding my true worth while reading the Bible! I have seen the devil attack those I love, including myself, but I have also seen God work miracles and bring people home. I am a long distance runner who has recovered from her eating disorder and is living life to the fullest. I am a child of God, and I believe it!

Purchase Kourtney's book here!