I'll be honest.

This was probably one of the most uninspiring weeks that I have ever had. I even asked for an extension on submitting my article.

There wasn't a day that I didn't cry. I felt haunted by all of the assignments that were due. I went a couple of days without a quiet time (time with the Lord). And financially, I felt stressed.

I was holding on and suffering through until I found myself parked on the side of the road just crying in my car, not knowing what to do.

I didn't want to go home and be alone, but I didn't exactly want to be around people. I felt so conflicted.

Now, I was always told that the church is here to help people and that we are supposed to be building each other up as the church body. I heard it and believed it with my mind, but in my heart, I couldn't bring myself to "bother" anybody.

Ever since I lost my friends last semester, I have been hesitant to ask anyone for help emotionally. But that changed on Tuesday when I finally got the courage to pull over in my car and, through tears, directly call the church I attend (Eagle Heights Baptist Church).

When I called, a kind lady that I know answered the phone, and I asked her if I could speak to her. She said I could, so I headed her way.

On my way, I had every possible fear run through my head.

"What if I seem too emotional to be a Christian?"

"Will she think I'm not following God since I'm struggling so bad?"

Just one thought after another.

I finally shut my thoughts down and just prayed. I prayed for confidence, for mercy and for a productive conversation.

A productive conversation is what I got. She didn't just have a quick chat with me and have me on my way. We spoke for an hour and a half!

She was filled with empathy, allowing me to open up as she opened up and shared her heart and thoughts with me as well.

I was in great distress, worrying about the future and what decisions I should make, so she shared with me Philippians 1.

Verses 9-11 really stuck out:

"And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, so that you can approve the things that are superior and can be pure and blameless in the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God." (Philippians 1: 9-11)

I prayed that prayer and thanked God for the church and the people in it. I am so encouraged to have a church that genuinely cares about the people and their spirit in Christ Jesus.

I hope people will use this as encouragement to reach out to their church and get close to its members.

And I thank you, Eagle Heights, for the ways you have encouraged me.

"And let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works, not staying away from our worship meetings, as some habitually do, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25)