Not Every Victory Looks Like a Celebration
When My Strength Ran Out
A message from Pastor Nicole Washington
"Sometimes victory looks like making it through another day."
"This photograph was taken during one of those moments."
Most people know me as Pastor Nicole.
They see the smile.
They hear the messages.
They see the faith.
What they do not always see are the days when my strength ran out.
The days when treatment was difficult.
The days when my body was exhausted.
The days when I needed someone to hold me until I could stand again.
This photograph was taken during one of those moments.
My mother held me.
Not because I lacked faith.
But because sometimes faith looks like allowing yourself to be carried.
Sometimes victory looks like making it through one more day.
And by the grace of God… I am still here.
There Are Two Kinds of Faith
Season One
Faith that looks like standing on the mountain and declaring victory.
Season Two
Faith that looks like resting your head on someone's shoulder and allowing them to carry you until you can stand again.
What This Moment Taught Me
Strength is not the absence of struggle.
Strength is trusting God in the middle of it.
Strength is accepting help when you need it.
Strength is getting back up one more time.
I am grateful for the people God places in our lives to hold us up when we can no longer hold ourselves up.
Because healing is not always a miracle that happens in a moment.
Sometimes healing looks like love.
Sometimes healing looks like support.
Sometimes healing looks like a mother holding her daughter through one more difficult day.
And sometimes healing begins when we stop pretending we're strong enough to do it all alone.
I Am Still Here.
Not because I was strong every day.
But because God's grace carried me on the days when I wasn't.
And because He sent people to help carry me when I needed them most.
— Pastor Nicole Washington
Scripture
"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak."
— Isaiah 40:29
You Are Still Here.
And that means God is not finished.
Life hit hard.
Grace hit harder.
And by the grace of God… you're still here.