Drew B. Young

When I was a teenager someone once said to me, “You’ll never be successful in life. You’re too sensitive, anxious, and stupid.”🗣

It hurt. It stung. It set me back.

I wanted to cry. I wanted to retaliate. I wanted revenge.😠

But, for some reason, I knew that if I waited... if I was patient and determined... eventually I would prove that person wrong.

12 years later, I’ve done exactly that.

I’ve become MY VERSION OF SUCCESS (and that may be different from yours, and that’s ok!).🔥

▶️I have a beautiful family.
▶️I have a career that allows me to be a provider.
▶️I am an author, speaker, coach, and advocate.

Today, I want anyone out there who has been bullied, belittled, or berated to know this — SUCCESS WILL BE YOURS.

Hurt people, hurt people. If they are intimidated by you, they’ll try to tear you down.👇🏼

Get revenge, by becoming the BEST YOU CAN BE!🤟🏼👏🏼

According to all known laws of aviation, there is no way a bee should be able to fly.

It's wings are too small to get its fat little body off the ground.

The bee, of course, flies anyway, because bees don't care what humans think is impossible.🐝

Today, DECIDE that you won’t let the word ‘impossible’ defeat you.

⏺You may have just relapsed.
⏺You may have just had another panic attack.
⏺You may have just broken a promise.

Keep moving forward. Be a bee. Take responsibility for your life, and start over fresh.

You got this, friends.🤟🏼

I don’t know who needs to hear this today, but let’s be honest...

YOU ARE FLAWSOME.🔥
Period. End of story.👏🏼

➡️How could we understand joy if we never knew pain?

➡️How could we appreciate the triumph without the tragedy?

➡️How could we see the beauty, without the flaws?

Being vulnerable isn’t a sign of weakness, it means you love yourself enough to accept where you are, while striving for something better.

Show it off, friends!🤟🏼

Research indicates that 80% of heart attacks happen on Monday morning’s between 8am and 10am...

Why is that?

Well, most people get up Monday mornings anticipating the family/work/financial worries, stresses, and hardships for the week.

They ruminate on everything that can go WRONG... not the positives.

So, today I’d like to offer you a new Monday acronym that I hope will help you take advantage of this week, regardless of what you face!🔥

M - Make gratitude a part of your day.
O - Own what happens to you. 100%.
N - Never give up.. even when you fall
D - Don’t doubt your ability to overcome.
A - Allow yourself to make mistakes.
Y - Yesterday is done. Learn from it and move forward.

This is your week, friends!🤟🏼

Kintsugi is the Japanese art of putting broken pottery pieces back together with gold.⚱️

It’s built on the idea that in embracing flaws and imperfections, you can create an even stronger, more beautiful piece of art.🎨

We are like the pottery.
We may feel broken, messy, or cracked.

But, through patience, determination, and perseverance we will discover that what we once saw as broken is actually BEAUTIFUL.

We’re being REFINED as pure gold!👑

Stay strong, friends.🤟🏼

Jesus picks people with problems.
Jesus picks people with addictions.
Jesus picks people who struggle.
Jesus picks people who are broken.
Jesus picks people who fall down.
Jesus picks people with a dark past.

Jesus does all this because He knows His power to redeem is greater than the devil’s power to restrict.

He picked me. He can pick you too.

Believe in yourself.❤️

Believe in Him.🙏🏼

There are so many of us in the world who don’t feel valued.😢

There have been so many times in my life when I never felt valued.

⏺Being severely bullied from ages 12-15.
⏺Experiencing horrible separation anxiety from ages 5-15.
⏺Going through soul-crushing depression from ages 19-22.
⏺Contemplating su***de during the dark moments of mental illness.
⏺Consuming po*******hy on an almost daily basis from ages 12-17 and feeling like I was worthless.

I want anyone who follows me to know that they are valued, cherished, and believed in.

I want anyone who follows me to know that challenges don’t define us, but they can REFINE us.

So, today — to anyone who needs to feel this:

🔥Trauma does not make you unworthy of love.
🔥Mental illness is not a personal failure.
🔥Meekness is not weakness.
🔥Kindness is not a sign of frailty.
🔥You can fall down 100 times, but as long as you get up 101 times and keep learning, you’re doing great!

Keep going, keep fighting, keep loving.🤍

Recovery doesn’t mean perfection. It’s means progression.

If a baby is learning to walk and falls down 100 times, do we punish them, lock them in their room and tell them how worthless they are?

OF COURSE NOT.

But how often do we do that with ourselves when we make a mistake, relapse, or stumble on our path?

OFTEN!

Whatever you’re trying to overcome, whatever you’re trying to recover from, whatever you’re trying to stay sober from — it’s possible!

If you stumble, rise up, go on!
Keep progressing!

Failure doesn’t happen in falling down, but in staying down and not trying again.🤍

You. Yes you.

No, not the person sitting next to you.
No, not your friend.
No, not your mom or dad.

YOU.

I need you to remember this.

You can handle this challenge you’re experiencing!

You can overcome this temptation. You can recover from your addiction. You can receive help for your mental illness. You can push through your suicidal thoughts. You can find the answers you’re looking for.

How do I know? Because I’ve experienced all those same things, and though I’m not perfect, I’ve had people believe in me and help me make it through.

Now I’m passing that belief on.

I believe in you. I hope you believe in yourself.💙

One of my favorite miracles of life is this:

God says, "You plant the seed, I'll make the tree."

How amazing is it that we don't have to worry about making the tree?

How wonderful is it that we don't have to stress about creating the sunshine, the rain, the wind, the nutrients, the soil, the roots, the leaves, etc?

All life asks of us is to do our part to plant the seed -- to begin -- to start -- to believe -- to make the effort -- and God will help us with the rest.

Start the process.
Start the journey.
Start the task.
Start the book.
Start the workout.
Start the conversation.
Start the leap of faith.
Start the budget.

God will help us take care of the rest as we START, BELIEVE, and MAKE the EFFORT to become something better.

You got this.👏🏼

Sometimes the biggest leap of faith we can make everyday is getting out of bed.... and I know how hard it can be.

From the ages of 19-22 I went through months and months of not wanting to get out of bed.... like, at all.

My mind felt discouraged.
My soul felt crushed.
My body felt weak.

I was so unsure of myself, who I was, and what my future would look like.

Then one day my brother wrote me a letter. It wasn’t very long, but it changed my perspective and helped me push through.

It said, “Remember this, Drew. Sometimes the biggest leap of faith you can make everyday is getting out of bed. Just keep going.”

So, to anyone who feels broken, depressed, or downtrodden — just try to make it out of bed.

To anyone who feels like they need to conquer the world and do EVERYTHING for EVERYONE, but you’re struggling — just try to make it out of bed.

Count that as a win.

You’re making progress, no matter how small it may be.💙

Don’t give up. Reach up.

At times we can all feel like we’re drowning.

Drowning in responsibilities.
Drowning in addiction.
Drowning in pain.
Drowning in anger.
Drowning in anxiety.
Drowning in depression.
Drowning in uncertainty.

There is a way to gain peace.
There is a way to safety.
There is a way to gain perspective.
There is a way to overcome.

Jesus is The Way (John 14:6).
Jesus is The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).
Jesus is our Safety (Psalms 91: 1-2).
Jesus is The Overcomer (John 14:6).

Don’t give up. Reach up.

I for Him.

Thank you, Jesus, for saving me when I’m drowning.🤍

Artist = Unknown

I used to think people who took medication were weak.

I used to think people who took medication couldn’t handle life’s challenges.

I used to think people who took medication were just taking the “easy route” in life.

I used to think these things.... until I went through an emotional breakdown that left me depressed, anxious, and suicidal.

It took 5 years and 6 different medications to find the right fit, but we made it.

Now, I am the BIGGEST advocate for medication.

If you need it, TAKE IT. If you don’t need it, DON’T JUDGE THOSE WHO DO.

It takes strength to take medication.
It takes humility to take medication.
It takes courage to take medication.
It takes patience to take medication.

Hang in there.
Don’t judge.
You got this.

To anyone out there who needs to read this today:

Mental illness is NOT a personal failure.

I know there are people who see us as “weak,” “ineffective,” “overly-sensitive,” “not able to focus,” “too tired,” or “overly-emotional.”

LET THE HATERS HATE.

Those of us who struggle with mental illness fight battles everyday that most people wouldn’t even be able to comprehend if they stepped in our shoes.

I’m here to end the stigma of mental illness.
I’m here to tell you that you are enough.
I’m here to tell you that things do get better.

Take your medication.
See your therapist.
Practice meditation or do some yoga.
Talk to a friend.
Write in your journal.
Get to know yourself a little better.
Exercise.

WE GOT THIS!💙

Control, Alt, Delete

3 🗝’s to a mindset reboot.

👊🏼Control Yourself - You might not be able to control all of your circumstances, but you can control how you respond to them.

🧠Alter Your Thinking - As Albert Einstein said, “The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.”

🙅🏼Delete Negativity - Be positive. Stand up for what’s right. Love yourself and love others. Be kind. Show the world there is a better way. Actions always speak louder than words.

He chose to die for us, knowing we may never love Him back.

He forgave us, knowing we may never forgive others.

He was beaten for us, knowing we may never help the individual being bullied.

He comforted us, knowing we may never help others feel better about themselves.

That is true love.

Today, tomorrow, and this week:

Let’s love Him back.
Let’s forgive the individual who has hurt us (and that may be ourselves).
Let’s defend the bullied.
Let’s help those around us feel happier and better.

Let’s be His hands, knowing “we’re more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”(Romans 8:37)

Artist: Alexandra-a-art

To anyone who has experienced debilitating mental or physical illness, emotional trauma, abuse, or suicidal thoughts this year, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for sticking around.

We know things have been hard, and that they may continue to be hard, but WE ARE PROUD OF YOU.

Please continue to stick around, seek help, and heal up.

You are an OVERCOMER.👏🏼👊🏼❤️

It’s not the movement of the clock that produces a newness of life, it’s the movement of your mind.

You may wonder why life is so hard right now.

You may wonder why you’re struggling.

You may wonder why the tears are flowing freely.

Here’s the answer: growth.

When life seems to be the most difficult, it usually means we’re growing the most.

Growth is good! But growth is HARD!

So, when you ask yourself the question, “Why is this SO hard?”, remember this:

With new levels come new devils! You got this.👊🏼👏🏼

One of the most impactful things that I ever heard was from my therapist when I was 19 years old.

At this time in my life I felt discouraged, depressed, and despondent.

I was explaining to my therapist that I thought I would never be good enough for my parents, siblings, and my leaders because I couldn’t live up to their expectations placed upon me.

He let me finish, turned to me, and said,

“Drew, your parents are not God. Your leaders are not God. They love you, and they respect you, but they are not God. God is God. Talk to God, follow God, and you’ll always be in the right place.”

It changed my life, not because he told me not to listen to others, but because he emphasized the importance of listening to God the MOST.

So, to anyone who may feel like the expectations placed upon them are too heavy.

To anyone who may feel like they’re not good enough for others.

To anyone who may feel like they’re letting everyone down — “Talk to God, follow God, and you’ll always be in the right place.”

You’re doing better than you think you are!💙

I think we can all agree, regardless of location, religious preference, sexual orientation, race, political party, socioeconomic level, or gender — this is how we want the future to look.

Kindness isn’t weakness, kindness is strength.

Kindness isn’t something we do, kindness is something we are — and it blesses everything it touches.

Just wanted to give a shout out to anyone who has done the following today:

Got out of bed.
Stayed in bed, but stayed alive.
Taken their medication.
Attended a therapy session.
Listened to someone in pain.
Shed a few tears for whatever reason.
Said “I’m sorry.”
Been kind to someone.
Allowed themselves to experience any emotion they’ve wanted to feel but were scared to.
Taken a walk around the block.
Stood up for yourself or someone else.
Said “I love you.”
Gone a day without drugs, alcohol, po*******hy, lying, stealing, or cheating.
Read a good book.
Said a prayer.
Asked for help.

I am PROUD of you, and I LOVE you.

You are here, you are trying, and that is enough.

One breath at a time.
One step at a time.
One day at a time.

Keep going friends. 💙

P.S. What is something you did today that you’re proud of? Drop a comment and tell me 🙂

Someone asked me this week, “Why do you confess all your sins on social media?”

It really hurt.

Not because I knew that what they were saying was completely untrue, but because this particular person was someone I thought would support and encourage me.

Yes, I do post about things that are really raw, real, and vulnerable.

Yes, I’m not afraid to share my mistakes in the hopes of shedding light, love, and encouragement to those in need.

Yes, I talk about po*******hy, addiction, mental illness, su***de, bullying, and other topics that may be considered “hush-hush” or taboo.

But, believe me — my soul intention is to HELP THOSE WHO STRUGGLE.

The more we keep these crucial topics quiet, the more damage they can do in people’s lives.

It’s time to end the stigmas, break the silence, and start talking about these things.

In a healthy and mature way, yes, but talk about them nonetheless.

So, I’ll keep talking. I’ll keep sharing. I’ll keep posting. Not to “confess,” but to PROFESS that growth is possible, grace is real and you are enough!

When we feel we don’t deserve to be loved, He loves us.

When we feel we don’t deserve to be forgiven, He forgives us.

When we feel we don’t deserve to be healed, He heals us.

When we try and push Him away, He is still there for us.

Not because of who we are, but because of who He is.

Jesus is love.
Jesus is forgiveness.
Jesus is Healing.
Jesus is our Redeemer.

Artist: Corby Eisbacher

Over 6,000 centuries worth of po*******hy was consumed last year. Listen in to understand how we can overcome it.

Drew's story! Overcoming P**n Addiction. - Open Up and Speak! Drew opens up and tells us what it is like to be inside the mind of an addict. He gives some great insight and leads us on a path to better understanding and compassion. Note: Drew Young, Author. Book Title: The Meaning of Your Mission: Lessons &a...

Daddy-daughter date while mama gets her nails done!☺️🍁🍂

P.S. Don’t be fooled! Emersyn is actually really happy right now cause we’re outside.😆

I am currently in recovery for years of po*******hy consumption.

It hasn’t been easy, and there are moments when I still have to fight to keep my thoughts and actions 100% clean, but what I’ve learned along the way has been a testament to God’s grace and mercy.

One of those things has been the importance of not expecting perfection from myself in the midst of my recovery.

Of course, my goal is to be 100% free of all consumption, but I know throughout my life I will still need to be vigilant.

So to anyone struggling right now to overcome consumption or addiction to any substance, object, material, or person — remember that RECOVERY IS A PROCESS, and as long as you keep trying and learning and growing, soon enough you’ll be free!

When I contemplated su***de at the age of 19, I didn’t want to speak to anyone about it because I thought I would be judged and thought of as “insane.”

5 minutes before I grabbed the knife I made a last effort to reach out — not knowing what would happen.

My friend answered the phone.

He didn’t judge me. He listened calmly and helped me make it through.

We need more of that in the world. We need more people who will choose love and listening over judgement and accusing.

People who are suicidal are not “insane,” but rather ill and struggling — and the more we put false labels on them the more harm we do.

It’s time to end the stigmas, and continue to be healing hands for all who are fighting to make it through.

No one would tell someone who tore their ACL, or dislocated their ankle, “Just walk it off — it’s not that bad.”

Similarly, we shouldn’t tell someone with a mental, emotional, or social challenge, “It’s not that bad. Just think happier, work harder, and suck it up.”

You may not understand those challenges yourself, but that doesn’t give you the right to bully someone into your own expectation of how things are supposed to be.

More kindness. More understanding. More awareness. Less judging.

It’s time to use the right solutions to solve these problems.

He drank the cup.

The cup symbolizing God’s anger, judgement, and punishment.
The cup meant for those who break laws, dishonor commandments, and violate standards.
The cup meant for the sinner.

The cup that had yours and my name on it.

“My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” (Matt. 26:36–39 NLT)

If Christ drinks the cup, God will do to Him what should be done to you and me.

If Christ drinks the cup, He becomes our substitute.

Well, He drank the cup.
He suffered.
He grieved.
He bled.
He died.

Jesus:

Thank you for being my substitute.
Thank you for drinking the cup meant for me.
Thank you for your mercy and love.

“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” (John 15:13 NKJV)

Liz Lemon Swindle

When I was 19, I experienced a traumatic situation that left my emotional skeleton fractured.

For the first time in my life, I felt broken, unlovable, misunderstood, and like a failure.

For the first time in my life, I experienced emotional breakdowns and panic attacks.

For the first time in my life, I would lay on my bedroom floor for hours weeping.

For the first time in my life, I contemplated self-harm and believed su***de was the answer.

For the first time in my life, I went to therapy and started taking medication.

For the first time in my life, I understood the IMPORTANCE and REALITY of mental health.

Today is WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY.

It’s a day where I find myself 5 years into going to therapy, 5 years into taking medication, and 5 years into trying to end the stigma associated with mental illness and emotional trauma.

To all who deal with these invisible demons:

I SEE YOU.
I HEAR YOU.
YOU ARE BRAVE.
YOU ARE STRONG.
YOUR ILLNESS IS LEGITIMATE.
WE WILL END THE STIGMA TOGETHER.

Take that medication with pride!
Go to therapy with gratitude!
Fight your battles with courage!
And never, ever give up!

None of us should define others, or be defined by the worst thing we’ve ever done.

That being said, a lot of us do, and a lot of us are.

At least for me, I tend to judge others by something they said 5 years ago, or did 10 years ago, or tried to do 3 days ago.

In my own hypocrisy, I tend to forget to judge others the way I would want to be judged.

It’s not good, and I’m working everyday to be better.

I know a lot of us feel the same way.

So today, my friend Richard Ostler and I’d like to extend an invitation to everyone — regardless of race, gender, religious preference or sexual orientation.

As we would not want to be judged for a mistake we made 10 years ago, let alone 10 days ago — let’s offer the same grace to those around us.

We all desire mercy for our mistakes, grace for our shortcomings, and forgiveness for our offenses.

More mercy. More love. More understanding. More peace. More empathy. More forgiveness. More grace. More kindness.

The world needs it.

WE need it.

Women Wednesday is all about these two.

My two favorite girls.

My two favorite blessings.

My two favorite people to come home to.

My two favorite hugs and kisses.

My two favorite adventure buddies.

My two favorite hearts.

My two favorite reasons to say, “I love you.”

Mercy isn’t something Jesus has.

Mercy is something Jesus is.

I can’t begin to tell you how grateful I am for the thousands of “second chances” I’ve received from Him.

For all the moments when I said, “I’ll never do that again,” and then I did it again...

For all the moments that I falsely judged someone, or succumbed to road rage.

For all those moments, His mercy HELD me.

So, if you need some extra love, care, or forgiveness today — ask Jesus for it, and it will be there!

HE. IS. MERCY.🤍

Shame and silence.

Those are two of the biggest results from addiction.

When I was consuming po*******hy on almost a daily basis from 8-11th grade, my biggest fear was being found out — yet I DESPERATELY wanted someone to help me.

I became a master of deception, hiding, and deleting. I appeared like a normal kid, but deep down I was ashamed, afraid, and full of regret.

It wasn’t until just before I turned 18 that I couldn’t take it anymore, and finally revealed my dark secrets to a trusted leader and friend. This individual helped me overcome my consumption and embraced me with love and understanding.

To anyone of there who is suffering in shame and silence, who is afraid of having their sins or shortcomings revealed — I want to kindly remind you that peace and happiness is not found in secrets, it’s found in honesty. I know from personal experience.

Rid yourself of the pain and regret that is filling your soul.

Talk to someone — ANYONE. God, religious leader, a friend, a spouse, a parent.

I know the fear and pain you’re experiencing is great, and I know you’re terrified of bringing it to light — but it will free your soul.

“The truth shall set you free.”(John 8:32)

I understand you.
I don’t judge you.
I am here for you.

Let it go, and GROW!

I recently saw a friend post about their struggle with su***de, and a quote from their story hit me.

“I came to realize that I didn’t want to die. I just wanted my life as I knew it to end.”

That is so important for everyone to understand, whether you’re feeling suicidal yourself, or know someone who is going through it.

Your life can always take a different path and direction.

You may not be in a good place right now. You may feel like life won’t get better from here.

But I promise, as you keep trying — IT WILL GET BETTER.

I thought my life would never get better when I was 19. I experienced two years of mental and emotional hell, when I thought the sun would never come up again...

But the sun did come up. There were better days ahead of me. One of those better days was when I met Sabrina Young.

Please, stay here. Please, keep going. Please, reach out.

We need you here, and your life will get better.

See that door behind me?

That’s my safe place. That’s where I go to feel heard, understood, and uplifted.

That’s my therapists office.

When I was growing up I thought people went to therapy because they were somehow weaker, less effective at handling life’s challenges, and “just needed to suck it up.”

How naive of me.

It wasn’t until I experienced severe anxiety and depression myself that I went to see a therapist for the first time in my life. I was 19.

They (combined with medication), saved my life.

Now, 5 years later, there isn’t a month that goes by where I don’t see or talk to a therapist.

Therapy is a healing thing. It is an empowering thing. It is a GOOD thing.

To anyone who is contemplating seeing a therapist but doesn’t want to appear “weak,” here is some loving counsel:

1. YOU ARE NOT WEAK FOR BEING VULNERABLE.
2. GOING TO THERAPY SHOWS YOUR STRENGTH.
3. IT MAY TAKE MORE THAN ONE TRY AT THERAPY TO FIND THE RIGHT FIT.

I’m behind you 100% on your journey.

Now we just need to make it affordable and accessible for anyone and everyone to enjoy it.🙏🏼

I wanted to make this known to anyone out there who suffers in silence.

I SEE YOU — I HEAR YOU — YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

Having mental illness is like being scared and tired at the same time.

It’s the fear of failure but the urge to not be productive (aka wanting to stay in bed all day).

It’s wanting to build relationships but not wanting to socialize.

It’s wanting to be alone but not wanting to be lonely.

It’s caring about EVERYTHING, then all of a sudden caring about nothing.

It’s enjoying the sunset one evening, and then waking up the next morning and having everything lose its pleasure.

To those who have never felt it, hopefully this helps you understand what we experience.

It’s not fake.
It’s not weakness.
It’s not attention seeking.

We need your help, your understanding, and your support.

To those feeling that today: keep going. I GET YOUR PAIN, but there are better days ahead.

Make it to bedtime, take your medication, don’t forget your therapy, meditate, exercise, get enough sunshine, talk to a friend, and just do your best.🤍

This guy right here.

This is one of my favorite unsung heroes in scripture.

This is Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus.

Though there are many things I admire about him, one of the most incredible traits I love is his humility.

He was just an ordinary man. Probably no different than a lot of people in his day... but one thing would set him apart.

Imagine being in his shoes when, his then girlfriend (Mary), came to him and said, “Joseph, I don’t know how to tell you this, but I’m pregnant... and it’s not your child.”

I can’t comprehend the thoughts that went through his mind. Did he feel betrayed? Was he angry? What was the first thing he said/did?

Though he could’ve had Mary stoned or beaten (women who got pregnant outside of marriage in those days were punished severely), he chose humility and love.

He let Mary tell him what really happened. He told Mary he would stay with her and would make her his wife. He prayed for guidance and was enlightened with understanding.

He’s an amazing man, and I hope we (myself included) can be more like him: putting God’s will ahead of our own, choosing love over assumptions, and doing the best we can to fulfill our missions in life, even when they’re difficult.

Happy Sunday💙