40,000 and Me!

Posted on by beautybeyondbones

Well, here we are. 40,000 followers. To say that my heart is overwhelmed would be an understatement.

When I began this blog, back on February 19, 2015, I had one goal: to tell my story so that one person who is suffering from an eating disorder, or one loved one who feels hopeless and scared, could find hope. Could know that they are not alone. Could find strength to fight another day.

Never in one million years would I have thought that this blog would have become a little community of 40,000 people who I count as blessings in my life, and friends.

And it’s a funny thing…the number forty.

You see, I had been wanting to celebrate this day on the blog. And I had been praying about how to go about doing that. Do I share a fun personal video? Do I plug my book, Bloom, or share blogging insights from my Blogging Tips ebook? Do I just breeze by it and not even mention it at all? And to be honest, nothing really seemed quite right.

So this morning…yes, as in like eight hours ago…I’m cuttin’ it close, here, people…I was given a little nudge by the Holy Spirit to look at what the number forty actually means.

And no, I’m not talking about the swanky 40/40 Club in NYC, or a cheap bottle of malt liquor that one buys in college.

Nope. Instead, I took a hard left, and turned to the Bible.

And it turns out that forty is not only a pretty biblically significant number, but also precisely emblematic of this very blog, and what it stands for.

Allow me to explain.

In the Bible, there are really the “Big Three” when it comes to the number 40.

First of all, you’ve got Noah’s Ark. During the Great Flood, it rained for 40 days and 40 nights as God wiped out the earth.

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Photo: Shutterstock

Secondly: The Ten Commandments. Moses waited on a mountain for the Lord for 40 days and 40 nights – fasting – until God gave him the stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments.

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Photo: Barkur Online

And finally, Number Three: Jesus being tempted in the desert by Satan for 40 days and 40 nights. AKA — Lent.

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Photo: ThingLink

And after reading these three instances, I thought to myself “Eureka!” This is literally a numerical representation of what my blog is all about:

Perseverance. And God’s Faithfulness. 

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So many times, I’ll get emails from girls struggling with recovery, or from worried parents, desperate for answers or strategies, and I always feel like I’m giving unsatisfactory advice, because the only thing I can say when it comes to that harrowing trial in their lives, is to fully lean on God. To just throw yourself at His feet, because that’s honestly about all you can muster when you’re going through adversity such as that.

Perhaps you can relate.

But to just completely hand yourself over to the mercy of God. Because the truth of the matter is that God will see you through.

Yes, it’s going to be hard. And take incredible strength and patience, but if there’s one thing these “Forty Stories” has taught us, it’s about perseverance. Through the fasting in on the mountain. Through the temptation in the desert. Through the torrential rains and storms and floods.

Persevere through those catastrophic seasons. Because God is faithful. And not once will He abandon you.

I think there’s a grave misconception about my recovery: that it’s been all sunshine and rainbows. And that I just *boom* one day saw the light during a chapel service at inpatient where my knees buckled, I cried, and then fully adopted a turmoil-free recovery, where the weight came on in all the “right places” and I never had another negative thought again.

Well, sorry to burst that idealistic bubble, but that couldn’t have been further from the truth.
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I relapsed. Hard. I went away to my first year of college just a couple weeks after returning from inpatient, and I dove head first back into my eating disorder. Only this time I was across the country from anyone I had to be accountable to. Long story short, I ended up not returning for that second semester. Instead I took the rest of that year to truly recover, and get to a place that I really could successfully go to college and be accountable to myself.

My recovery has been nothing short of a perseverance test, if I’m honest.

Add to it my 11-month Ulcerative Colitis flare that left me on bedrest, and my mom’s stroke, and you’d think it was a litmus test for how much hot water a person can withstand.

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And so today, reading about the rain, the desert, and Moses’ mountaintop fast, you’d better believe that those hit home, pretty darn close.

And here’s where being a Jesus follower really gets sticky…

If God is so good, why did He make those things happen in the first place? 

And this is where the rubber meets the road when it comes to our faith.

Because you’re right. Does it suck to have gone through such challenging trials? Yes. Absolutely.

But do I shake my fist at God and curse Him for supposedly pointing a finger and sending me lightning bolts?

Heavens, no.

Because that’s not how God operates.

He’s not some vindictive wizard behind a curtain that delights in pain and misfortune.

God knew that there were lessons that I needed to learn — that I couldn’t have learned any other way. 

And that main lesson — aside from having to let go of pride, or perfection, or self – idolatry — was learning to depend on Him. 

I learned — without a shadow of a doubt — that God. Is. Faithful.

And that’s what I try to communicate on the pages of this silly little blog.

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God shows up in the storm. In the desert. In the wilderness. He shows up. And gives you the strength and perseverance and ability to go on. But the thing is, we can’t recognize Him doing it, until afterwards, when we realize that it wasn’t actually us surviving at all, but Him carrying us.

That’s my story. That’s what I hope to share with all 40,000 of you.

We’re not alone. We are never, ever alone.

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beautybeyondbones

BBB: Because we're all recovering from something. // For speaking/business inquiries: beautybeyondbones@yahoo.com

290 thoughts on “40,000 and Me!”

  1. Hi BBB, congratulation for the 40,000. And… thank you for your liked on my blog. I’m really appreciate it. And i really hope that you are healthy and happy always, ya? Praise the Lord with your recovery, Hallelujah, Alhamdulillah / Praise be to God. Oh ya, speaking of Hallelujah, this version from Pentatonix is very good, you know. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRP8d7hhpoQ and i think you should listening to the Arabic version too, ya? Ya Ilahi / O my Lord https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7H7cUowibk Errr… nothing, it’s just my nature to share good things. Because, everything good we have is from God. Ya? Read Mark 10:18. Okay? Have a good day to you. Thank you. (Smiling at you).

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    1. Hi Nour! Thank you so much! God really is so so good! Ah, I love Pentatonix! Thanks for sharing! Hugs and love xox

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      1. Hi back to you BBB… aaaahh, you are so kind and supportive, you know. Thank you so much for your liked on my recent post. To be honest, i am so, so happy. Kinda waiting for your like, though (laughing). Anyway, how are you today? It’s morning there, i suppose? It’s night here in Kuala Lumpur. If falls season there, we have rains season here. It’s monsoon now for South East Asian. Come visit Malaysia if you have time to kill. We have very good selections of very good foods. Hahahaha. Trust me, the food’s good. (Smiling)

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      2. Oh my goodness I would loveeeee to visit Malaysia – oh my goodness that’s totally on my bucket list!! sounds beautiful — minus the monsoons! haha Hugs and love xox

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  2. Your blog was the first one I followed when I came on here, and I’ve never regretted it. Continue to shine the light of God’s love wherever you go…with everything you write. 💞

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    1. Oh my gosh Alethea — you have such a kind spirit. Thank you, dear friend. I am so grateful for your friendship!! Biggest hugs to you 💛 xox

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  4. Hi there, many many congratulations! well you are lucky indeed. I have just started blogging around hope that one day I could also have the same feeling that you are havng. ❤

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    1. Oh gosh thank you so so much! And yay for begging for your blogging journey! Excited for you, friend! Hugs and love xox

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  5. Congrats! The number 40 is very significant in the Bible and it was often associated with trial, punishment, testing or even affliction so I’m glad you brought that up. May God continue to bless you.

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    1. Hi Diana!! Thank you so much!! You’re right – it’s associated with trial and punishment. It’ll be interesting to see what this next season will bring! I hope not punishment!! Hahaha jk jk thanks for sharing in the excitement with me!! Hugs and love xox

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      1. You’re utmost welcome, and nah, I bet it’s going to be more blessings next season! 😄Take care. 💙

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  6. PTL! Congrats on your 40,000! My son once told me that Moses was called to lead when he was 40, that it was 40 years from then before he actually! He was trying to encourage me as his mom turning 40. 😉

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    1. Hello again friend!! Aww sounds like you’ve got a great son 🙂 thanks for sharing in the excitement with me! Hugs and love xox

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  8. Inspiring – I call my challenges my “fire hose stories” because I am drinking from God’s grace as the water sprays into my mouth at fire hose strength. It knocks me on my knees (a good place to be) and I look for something to hold on to through the water, desert or mountain. To learn these lessons so young will hold you in good stead throughout your life. Thank you.

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    1. Hi Deb!! Thank you so much for sharing in the excitement with me! Fire hose stories — I love that!! So true!! God is there for us 🙂 Hugs and love xox

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  16. Congratulations. All that you have been through has not only taught you your own lessons but in the end you also showed and helped 40,000 people in the process…God knows exactly what he is doing and your life plan is playing out beautifully. I always tell my kids to look for these signs and to always be grateful for everyday, because there is a lesson to be learned, just open your hearts to it.

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    1. Hey hey! oh gosh thank you for your kind words 🙂 I do trust that God has a plan and knows what He’s doing! Hugs and love xox

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  17. Hey Caralyn: Another superb piece of writing. I am never surprised or amazed the way each of your entries are such a blessing, and are focused on Christ, telling others, even 40,000 plus others, that Jesus Christ is Who they need, but as He is our Strength and Guide, we are also led by Holy Spirit to do our share in changing. We need the desire, and the want to, then the willingness to walk through the desert, knowing Christ is with us,

    The number “40” in Scripture has always intrigued me, there are so many forties mentioned. Along with the great examples you gave, and the tie ins with life today, I think of the 40 years Moses led the Israelites in the wilderness, going in a circle really. Yet, during all that time in the wilderness because of their own actions, God supplied food and water for them, and they still complained. How much different is society today?

    The next “40” I like, is after the resurrection of Jesus. He stayed on this earth another forty days, walking around the towns, proving to all who were interested, or all who were in these towns that He was alive. I think I would have wanted to get off this planet, and get up to Father in Glories of Heaven immediately, thinking that is enough of being here. Just one more aspect or glimpse of how special, unique, worthy of all Honour, Glory, Praise, Exaltation our Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ is.

    One last thing Caralyn. This is not a “silly little blog” you write. I believe it is sent by the Spirit of Jesus, through you, His willing, obedient, Christ Honouring servant, to over 40,000 souls. Every article you write is a benefit and blessing to many. And each is Glorifying to our Lord, directing readers to Him as the Source of Life and Victory during times of difficulties.

    God Bless you Caralyn,
    Luv,😀 ❤️🌹😘

    p.s. Congratulations on the 40,000 followers. Earned and deserved by superb writing, and being in God’s Favour by Honouring Him.

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    1. Hey George! Oh gosh thank you so much. Your words are so kind and generous. You’re right – the 40s in the Bible are so telling. Thanks for sharing those!! Thanks for the encouragement. So grateful for your friendship!! Hugs and love xox

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  19. Amazing, truly God is Forever Faithful! Congratulations, Well done on 40,000, that is truly amazing and encouraging. I enjoy and Love the study Biblical Numerology. It tells a story within it self and you acquire spiritual revelation.
    Your post is very well written, and Tranparent

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  20. I LOVE this!! I still feel like I’m just cutting my teeth on this whole blogging thing since I just started in June of this year. Praying that God will use both of our pages to encourage others!! ❤️❤️🎈

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  22. What a momentous milestone! This post brought tears to my eyes because it is so filled with TRUTH. Thank you for so vulnerably sharing your journey ❤️

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  23. I remember when I first started following, and I saw the number at around 29,000 followers. God continues to expand your audience. I can see all of us celebrating when you reach 50,000. You have such a powerful story of victory, and your genuine concern for people shines through in how you connect with your audience. Thanks for allowing us all to be a part of your journey!

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    1. Hey Matthew! Oh gosh thank you so much 🙂 you’re so kind to say that. You have been a great friend along the way, and I am very grateful for that!! Hugs and love xox

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  26. Oh, Yes! He is imminently FAITHFUL! And you are such a bright and faithful shining light to share your story and how He helps you through it! Such a blessing! Congratulations on your 40!!!

    Love,
    Peach

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  30. Congratulations! What a triumphant moment because you didn’t cast away your confidence which had great reward. You endured to the end to see the promise of victory over an eating disorder, toxic mindsets & attitudes. As an overcomer, you are a tremendous blessing to 40,000 and more! Keep being faithful, mighty woman of God!

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    1. Thank you so much!! I am so touched by your kind words. Thanks for sharing in the excitement with me. God is good! Hugs and love xox

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      1. I was happy to get 300. You must be ecstatic! Who’d a thought, right? I am so happy for you. I love to see people succeed, and do it so well.

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  35. This was a fantastic post lovely. People who are not Christians need to know that just because you ask Jesus into your heart, there will not be trials. There is no perfect world. We all have to stay faithful & lean on him & in God’s grace we can be overcomers. 💟 So proud of all you have accomplished with this blog. Many blessings dear!!

    Debra
    stylewisebydebra.net

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    1. Hi Debra! Oh gosh thank you so much for such kind words 🙂 you’re so right – we can lean on Him! Hugs and love xox

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