Recently, I took a brief vacation from social media. As soon as I logged back on, I saw so many posts about graduations, weddings, pregnancies & babies, promotions, new cars & houses and smiling faces everywhere. Everyone has it going on these days! While it gives me great joy to see my friends and associates so happy and blessed, it can also be a bit depressing. Now I know we are not supposed to compare ourselves or our situations to other people’s, but social media gives us a huge platform to do just that. It’s so hard not to compare when the only things people post about are good things. We will post about our big promotion, but won’t tell you about how we struggled to find a job. We are quick to post our new bundle of joy when they’re not even an hour old yet, but we won’t tell you about the miscarriages that came before. We are quick to post pictures of that luxury car we just bought, but would park all the way on the other side of the parking lot so you wouldn’t see us getting out of that 1995 Toyota Corolla with only 3 hubcaps (That’s me…ha ha). It’s not that you are required to share your disappointments or even anything at all, but maybe there’s someone on your timeline that needs to hear about it. After all, those things are a part of our testimony too. With all of that being said, here’s mine:
In the past year, I got a new car, my own apartment, brand new furniture and a good paying job with a promotion. Woo hoo! It may not seem like much to you, but I’m so very grateful because it could be and has been worse. Before I got my new car, I had a car that only worked sometimes, and asking strangers to jump my car got old really fast. Before I got my own place, I was living with my mom. Yes, at 23 years old, I was sleeping in my stepbrother’s room with my stuff in boxes everywhere. Before I got my furniture, I was sleeping on an air mattress. Yeah, I know what they say about the girls who sleep on air mattresses, but have the Michael Kors bags and all that…lol, but I really had no other option and let me point out that I got my purse on sale at Payless. I literally cried when I got a real bed. Before I got my job in Dallas, I had no idea how I was going to make money to pay my bills. I had to borrow money to pay my rent and got behind on my car note and insurance payments. Thank God, I survived the storm and He had a greater plan. It all worked out for my good, just like He promised.
Even after all of the good things that have happened to me this past year, I’m still not in a perfect position. Despite what seems like a permanent smile on my face, I still struggle with things daily. I don’t have my dream job and still haven’t started grad school. Not to mention, I’m now 25 years old with no husband, no kids, and no concrete plans for the future, but I’m still blessed. If you’re reading this, I just want you to know that if you feel overwhelmed and you’re facing some difficult times, you’re not alone. When you look on Facebook and everyone is happy and everyone is getting blessed, but you, remember that it’s mostly a façade.
We all have tests before our testimonies, and sometimes, we have a pop quiz right after. It’s ok. It’s not just you. If you’re wondering where your blessing is, just stay faithful and keep pressing on. God has one for you too.
JamieRachelle.com 
Just came across your blog and can relate to everything you’re saying. I constantly have to remind myself that the grass isn’t always greener. Love your perspective!
This was a pleasant read. Thank you for saying what so many need to hear!
thank you for sharing, don’t forget where you come from.GOD has BETTER PLANS FOR YOU MAY GOD BLESS YOU
Reblogged this on Marcia Davis Taylor.
You don’t know how much I needed to hear this. Thank you for sharing.
Omg I swear you just read my life story I don’t have my car nor dream job yet but I feel like world is on my shoulders and everything you saying I feel the same way thank you for share your story
Laaaawwwwwwdddd!!!! I definitely needed to read that 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Awesome read!! Thank you for sharing and much blessings for you!
This blessed me real good. I know I get caught up in the whole comparison thing and you’re right, it can be depressing. I’m 21 and currently in my senior year of undergrad with intentions of moving to a new state after graduation for a fresh start. I constantly feel like each day is a struggle but your story gives me motivation and courage to know the struggle won’t last, always.
God bless you for your willingness, openness, and transparency.
I’m glad to see someone so full of life even when going through everyday struggles! I am so proud of the woman you have became. Continue pressing and praying love you J.Robb
Thank you for sharing. I am 36 years old with roommates and struggling to obtain my own apartment. No kids,discovered fertility issues, no love prospects, and I don’t know if the career I’m in will be long term for me.
This is me right!! Literally fell back into depression…. But reading this, gave me some hope….
I’m turning 23 next week, still jobless, no future plans, single and the lot…however, with the strength I’m thriving to be grateful as my situation could be worse than this…
Thanks Destiny!
I came across this and I’m going through it now and I dread that my birthday coming up. I’m 22 and haven’t been working for 3 years and have yet graduated. Feels like I’m being tortured on earth and it’s depressing. I’m trying so hard to hang on
Hi Laura! I’m so glad you read my blog. Please know that you are not alone in your struggle, and that God definitely has a plan for you. All of our journeys are different, but it’s for a reason and most of all, for our own good. Don’t lose your faith. Your blessing is on the way!
-Jamie
Thank you so much. Been in bed all day and this just gave me the courage to step out and make something of another day i had deemed depressing and unsuccessful. Thank you. Thank you.
You’re welcome, Storm! I’m so glad you were blessed by this post. God bless you, and thank you for following my blog! 🙂
Thank you so much!!! Im goin thru a storm right now and needed to read this!!! Thank you so much!!! Thank you!!!
Hi Debbie,
You’re very welcome! I’m happy you enjoyed my blog. God bless you!
– Jamie Rachelle
Lmao if this is what you call rough times, I hope life smacks you in the face real hard with something completely out of your control. Then, come back and tell me how blessed you are.
Hello Rian,
These were just a few of my rough times I decided to share. I sure hope life doesn’t smack me too much harder because I have been through worse, but in the case that it does, I’ll be just fine and I’ll still be blessed. I pray that you’ll be blessed as well.
– Jamie Rachelle
When dreams are big enough odds don’t matter
Reblogged this on Jasmine Jaynai and commented:
I’ve read this blog a year ago and today it seems to still give me faith. Soo many days I want to give up but I do believe my blessings is coming.
Thank you young lady for sharing your testimony the before and after; God is not through with you yet there is so much more that He is going to do for you and through you because of your faithfulness and realness. Thanking God for U.
I definitely feel like this post was for me! I am a college graduate and I still haven’t found the dream job I want nor the lifestyle that is ideal for me. I can agree that social media can warp our perception of where we think we should be in life but this post reminded me to trust God’s timing for my life. Thank you.
You are absolutely right. I actually look at others and say things like I wish I could take my daughter to Disney world. My husband makes good money and I left a good paying jib a year ago that I was at for 17 years. But the stress and being in hospital was not the road I wanted to take because of a jib. I do what I live to do now even though it’s much less pay but the peace God has given me I can’t even explain. Thank you for you story. Yes there’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes that we will never see from Facebook.
Reblogged this on and commented:
I can relate so much to this post.
Thank you so much for sharing your story and allowing us insight into a meaninful and defining chapter of your adulthood. Much love, sis.
I read your beautiful blog almost exactly one year ago and yesterday I got my blessing 🙂 thank-you for your encouraging words to stay faithful and press on because God has your blessing!
What a great post! I will continue to follow you on your journey! Thank you for sharing your testimony with us all!
Just ran across this and I must say that I relate to every single thing that you have said. I am 25 years old and am still going through it! This just gave me that friendly reminder that God is not through with me yet. Thank You for posting this. Be blessed!
To this day, this STILL my favorite article that you’ve written. I always come back to this during my “stinking thinking”. 😊
Reblogged this on Afro Puffs, Onesies & Island Kisses.