Uninvited Guests: Pain, Purpose, and the Journey to Peace

I wish we lived in a world where pain, stress, and disappointment were optional. Imagine walking up to a vending machine and choosing your “flavor” for the day—joy, peace, laughter. And tucked away in the corner, untouched, are those plain wafers that taste like cardboard, with a thin slab of white goo pretending to be frosting. That’s how I picture pain, disappointment, rejection, trauma—anything wrapped in hurt.

Unfortunately, in real life, we don’t get to choose. These things show up uninvited. And when they do, they can push us into isolation—into depression, loneliness, and hopelessness. Life can be brutal sometimes. Let’s just call it like it is.

Yes, there’s joy and happiness, but for some reason, the negative moments seem to linger the longest.

I’m here to tell you—there is hope. But wait… don’t go yet.

I know you’re tired of hearing the same self-help lines: “Get up and move.” “Start living your life.” “Get over it—there’s so much more to live for.” I’ve heard them all too.

I’m not here just to give you another pep talk. I’m here because I’ve been where you are—and I know I’ll face hard seasons again. I’ve suffered abuse from childhood into adulthood. I’ve lost everything and had to start over. I’ve loved people who never loved me back. I’ve had my world ripped away and wondered how I’d ever get it back.

But…

I also know what it’s like to walk in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Many of you will recognize these as the fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22–23. Don’t run—I’m not here to force faith on you… well, not yet.

What I do want is to share how I went from wanting to end my life on several occasions to living with peace. That doesn’t mean I don’t have bad days—it means I’ve learned how to get through them better.

I want to walk with you through your loneliness and help you see that God’s grace is enough. You are chosen for such a time as this. Your background doesn’t disqualify you. The fact that you’re alive today means you have purpose.

For years, I poured into others—reminding them they had value, cheering them on, wanting nothing more than to see them succeed. But when it was my turn to need encouragement, the people I had poured into were nowhere to be found. I felt used, discarded, and purposeless.

After a car accident (more on that in my next blog), I was venting my hurt to the young woman who braids my hair. I expected sympathy. Instead, she gave me wisdom:

“See these two cups? One is big, one is small. You’re the big cup. The people you pour into are the small cup. If the small cup tries to fill you, it will give you everything it has—but everything it has came from you. They can’t fill you because they never had it in the first place. You need bigger cups to pour into you. Then you can keep filling the smaller cups—that’s your purpose.”

That conversation changed me. Sometimes, we have to take alternate routes to get what we need to keep going.

That’s why I’m here. I want to fill your cup as mine is being filled. I want to help restore your hope and joy so you can live in peace and purpose. I want you to feel the kindness and goodness of someone who has been where you are.

My name is Beverly, and I want to take you on a journey of healing. God asked me to share my story, and here I am. If only one person continues with me, then you are the one who was meant to be restored.

God bless you. Continue with me in my next blog: “Why Nine Crowns of Grace?”