Do you ever look around at loved ones and notice how they carry something, literally wearing a mask, shame from messing up, discouragement caused by life, fear, or pain caused by someone or an event? Comments made or body language speak volumes about the burden weighing on someone. You may not think it’s obvious to others, but some people can see past the masks. We can’t fix something that is broken inside with outside rules. Did you get that? You cannot fix the ugliness, the deepest sins, and brokenness in your soul by conforming to the world. We have too much noise in our heads, too many distractions, to focus on the real matters at hand. We avoid acknowledging just how messed up we are in our own minds. We hide behind masks we wear. Perseverance means pushing forward despite the voice in your head, or the voices around you, telling you to stop, give up, or walk away. There will always be battles: the ones we fight within our minds, the ones we face with others, and the ones we wrestle with before God. Conflict and trials are an inevitable part of life. Our walk with God is much the same. We can rise above our trials and experience victory, or we can surrender to the voices of doubt that tell us we can’t. But when we give in, who are we really trusting: God or ourselves? We press on because we know our God is faithful and keeps His promises. We endure because what He has planned for us is far greater than anything we can imagine. Even on days when it feels like we’ll never make it, we must remember who our God is, what He has done, and what He will do. In the end, this too shall pass. My prayer for you is that you find a level of peace and joy as you journey to become the strongest version of yourself while seeking God and learning to modify your behavior. I had no intention or inclination to write this book; however, the Holy Spirit began to demonstrate, reveal, teach, and impart knowledge, one lesson after another. The essence of this book is short teachings meant to help you grow spiritually through prayer and emotionally through personal choices, as I did. Healing is a choice. His grace and mercy are always within our reach. It is our responsibility to take it.