On our toughest days.
In the words of de Chardin, “...to those who can see, nothing is profane.”
This includes our hardest days. The ones where we feel defeated, alone, broken, and beat up. When we’re drowning in the regret of the past or suffocating under the weight of an uncertain future.
Paralyzed. Empty. Angry. Afraid. Fed up with everything and everyone.
The days when even the people we love most feel distant or indifferent. When everything we say or do seems to bounce off deaf, angry, or apathetic ears. Days when we wonder if God cares—or even exists. Days when life pulls the rug out from under us, and we spiral into every fear we’ve tried to bury.
It’s in those moments, in our darkest and most painful days, that we need to remember a few truths:
We still have fight left in us.
We still get to choose our next step.
We still have a voice.
We still have the gift of imagination.
We still have eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts that can understand and know.
We still have time.
Yes, it’s easy to sink into self-pity. To blame the world. To cling to our old excuses or deflect responsibility. To act like a resentful, ungrateful child—kicking, screaming, and punching at the unfairness of it all.
But if we can muster the courage to pause and reflect—even at rock bottom—we might catch a glimpse of the unexpected gifts hidden in our heartbreak, rejection, and pain.
Pain shows we’re alive.
Heartbreak proves we’re capable of compassion.
And compassion is evidence of love within us.
Where there’s love, there’s strength. Strength to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again.
Pain and suffering reveal us.
Failure doesn’t define us—it refines us.
And our worst days? They teach us.
They remind us just how resilient, creative, and beautiful we are.
On those days, don’t forget to take.
Take a nap.
Take a walk.
Take a step back.
Take a break.
Take a deep breath.
Take a moment—for yourself.
Because in taking, you’re actually giving.
Giving yourself grace.
Giving yourself space to process and heal.
Giving yourself permission to simply be.
Taking and giving are about one thing: acceptance.
Acceptance that you’re not perfect, but you’re being perfected.
Acceptance that life doesn’t always go the way you want, but it’s working for your good—if you let it.
Acceptance that bad things happen, but the goodness inside you can’t be beaten out.
Acceptance that even in the darkest valleys, blessings are waiting to be found.
Acceptance that you’re fully and deeply accepted.
I don’t know what you’re facing right now, but I do know this: you’ve survived your worst days before. And life will throw a few more your way in the future.
When those moments come, slow down.
Take what you need.
Give yourself grace.
Be patient with yourself.
And if you need a reminder, search your inbox for these words.
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Steve Knox | Georgetown, TX
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Much love, my friend. Thanks for reading. I hope these words spoke to you as much as they’ve spoken to me. If you’re like me, you’re your own toughest critic. Harder on yourself than anyone else ever could be. So steal away for 20 minutes today. Go for a walk. Get outside, both literally and figuratively. And when you’re ready, share this with someone you love who’s fighting their own unseen battle. Because if I’ve learned anything this year, it’s this: lifting someone else’s burden lightens our own.