When we say “I’m fine”

Truth Be Told 

Truth Be Told is a song by Matthew West. 

I heard this song again earlier today and it keeps running through my head. I just think how many times do we say these words, “I'm fine, yeah I'm fine, oh I'm fine, hey I'm fine.”

But we are not fine... “fine“ is just the response, but not our true feelings. 

We say “fine“ because it is easier to say that then to say how we are really feeling. 

We say “fine” because we don’t want to open up. 

We say “fine” because we think others don’t want to hear our hurts, or maybe they just won’t care. So it is easier to just be fine. 

“Fine” is the cultural expectation. Here in the Midwest, we say, “I’m good.” Except, how many times is that really true? (My parents like to say no one is truly good (except God!). We are all sinners.)

We all have hurts. But we hide them because we feel like it is easier to keep things inside. It is easier to be independent. I can just handle it on my own. I’ll be fine, right?!?! 

If I have learned anything through Covid-19, it is that we need community. 

I used to think of myself as an extrovert or at least an ambivert. Or an extroverted introvert. (Sometimes, I’m not sure why we label ourselves!) But now, I realize I lean introverted (I loved being home for weeks on end!), but I also love my people and have missed having community with them. When I say “my people,” I mean the people God has placed in my life, my brothers and sisters in Christ, the people I do life with, the people who show Christ’s love to me. The people I feel I can respond to “how are you?” honestly. 

So am I fine? Are you fine? Maybe, maybe not. The only thing I really know is I have God. He is my strength. He is my everything. Yes, I fall apart. Yes, I struggle. Yes, I get angry, I cry, I laugh, I smile. And everything in between! Yes, I even say “I’m fine” or “I’m good” when really, I’m not...

But... I know I have a God who loves me...with all of my faults. I know He loves me in the midst of struggle. And ultimately, I know God wins. 

No matter what battle we are facing (Covid-19, relationships, work, etc...), God is here, right with us. He won’t leave us. We can cling to Him. He knows the outcome. 

So in the midst of so many changes and hard things, God is the one who does not change and will not leave us. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) And He will never leave us or forsake us. (Deuteronomy 31:8) We may feel weak, but in our weakness, we are made strong through Christ! (‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭12:9-10‬)

Friend, if I ever ask you how you are doing, and you want to share, know I will listen and I will pray. I would never begin to say I have all the answers, or even any answers, but I am willing to hear you and pray for you. 

I’ll leave you with this verse:

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭12:9-10‬ ‭ESV