Author: Vanessa Moonkie

I’m late 🙈 I AM SORRY but since we all love each other here, we forgive each other, don’t we? 😅 LOL! (Here on my knees l ask for forgiveness) Now, have you guys heard about WPW Johannesburg? Ehhhh! It’s happening this Saturday and you do not want to miss it. Click the link below for all the details, I really hope to see you there!

Click here

Alright, now let’s get into today’s blog.

We often say things like “hold on,” “keep pushing,” or “keep going” as if those things are easy to do. But in reality, they can be incredibly hard especially in seasons where it feels like God is silent or when everything around us seems to be falling apart. Some people genuinely don’t know what to do during those times. And while encouragement is helpful, it’s fair to ask: what are the practical ways we can actually hold on? Are there steps that truly work? Or is it just trial and error? The truth is, not everything works for everyone it’s rarely a one-size-fits-all kind of journey.

The last thing anyone wants is to spend time and energy on things that don’t lead to real peace, healing, or hope. Things that don’t work. Girls would definitely understand this betterlike when you try a new face or hair product that promised visible results in two weeks. You wait, you hope, and after two weeks… nothing. So you add a “grace period” week, thinking maybe … But still, nothing has changed! Like, how dare you waste my time and my money? I still have pimples. My hairline is still receding. Or maybe it’s like a talking stage with someone you’re investing your energy, and suddenly it hits you: why are you wasting my time? Once there’s a clear yes or no, save yourself time. Actually, go and buy A Thing Called Time .

What does holding on really look like when your grip is weak and your faith feels fragile? Is sleeping it through okay? Can you pour yourself some Johnie Walker and just drink up? Or do you climb a mountain and wait on God from there? What exactly can be done when life feels heavy and confusing? Maybe you’re thinking, should I see a counsellor? (By the way, if you need counselling, book with me today 😉). There are so many lists, different things people claim can help us stay afloat, whether they’re proven or not. Social media is overflowing with advice and “coping hacks.” Some even say, just scroll through your phone and watch reels, it’ll make you feel better. But does it really help? Is it actually effective?

The first proven method of holding on is prayer. Scripture says, “Man ought always to pray and not to faint” (Luke 18:1). Prayer isn’t just a last resort , it’s a lifeline. Look at David in the Psalms whether he was rejoicing or completely undone, he kept praying. He encouraged himself in the Lord, he worshipped, he cried out, he poured out his heart but he never disconnected from God. Even when death felt near and enemies were closing in, he stayed plugged into the One who sustains.

But today, many people disconnect from God in hard times and instead, they connect to weed, distractions, or a few friends who honestly don’t know how to help either. David is a good example because his prayers are raw, emotional, relatable, he never stopped seeking God. And then there’s Jesus. Just before facing the most brutal death imaginable, He prayed. He was in deep anguish, but He still prayed. Prayer is a proven strategy. It’s not outdated, it’s not religious performance , it’s honestly another way of survival. You stay afloat by praying. People of God, this is not optional. It’s important.

David sang. Maybe to make this a bit more relatable how many of us have had our hearts broken at some point in life? Don’t even act like you’ve never. I know you! Say it with me, all of us. Now in those moments, how many of us turned to music? I definitely did. Some were deep in those sad songs. Some of you listened to gospel, bless your soul. Even after God clearly told you, “This is not your spouse,” you kept pushing… and when it finally fell apart, your way out was music. Some of you went the Westlife route, that’s me. Others? You turned to Maskandi or Amapiano. And if you chose those heavy instruments for comfort… your heartbreak was on levels. A serious one!

So David had a strategy, he sang. The man knew how to pour out his soul in worship. Scripture tells us to “sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, making melody in your hearts to the Lord (Ephesians 5:19). There’s power in singing. There’s healing in worship. So yes burst out in song. Find a Dunsin Oyekan track, connect your AirPods, and worship. You’ll feel lighter. You’ll feel better. And yes, you can do it daily. Don’t wait for Sunday, sing your way through the valley.

Shall I share the last one for today before we continue tomorrow? Dancing. We’re in the middle of the Hallelujah Challenge, and I can’t even imagine how many people this has lifted. People who were drowning in depression got up and danced. You’re not depressed you just haven’t danced for Jesus yet! I know it sounds like a paradox, because how can you tell someone to dance when they’re going through a difficult time? We usually think dancing is for parties or happy moments, right? Wrong. We dance always. We praise always.

You may not feel like dancing, but play some music, start moving, and watch how your joy begins to rise again. It’s not about whether you can breakdance or two-step it’s about reconnecting with joy through praise. Dancing is not just movement; it’s a declaration that God is still good, even here, even now. When l dance at HC? Eh!!! You will think maybe l will break my bones. Kai! I can dance shame l don’t care what you think 😂

I have more strategies to share with you, but for today, let’s focus on these ones. You know I love and celebrate you greatly! 💛 See you tomorrow!!

My people, I want to say a big thank you for all the beautiful birthday messages you sent. I received such lovely words some of you even called and I’m truly grateful. Thank you for seeing me, for loving me, and for showing me such kindness.

I’m much aware that finding a godly and genuine community isn’t easy. I’ve met people who have no real friends not because they don’t want to, but because they’ve struggled to find authentic connections. So I don’t take this community for granted. I’m thankful for every one of you. May my God bless you richly. Thank you again, from the bottom of my heart.

This morning, I woke up to a message from one of my dads (yep I’m a daddy’s girl! And yes, God has blessed me with incredible father figures who wouldn’t hesitate to handle anyone trying to hurt me 😅).He asked, “What about the topic of holding on through difficult times and not losing yourself, can you write something on that?” It’s a powerful question because it’s something we can all relate to. We’ve all faced difficult seasons. In some of them, we held on. We stayed grounded. We didn’t let the pain break us. But in others, we gave into fear, to anxiety, to pressure. And that’s real life.

I’ve always been bubbly I laugh a lot and love joking around but what many didn’t see was that sometimes, right in the middle of those laughs, I was breaking down. There were moments I was holding back tears while ministering because my assignment, in that moment, mattered more than my pain.

I remember crying, then picking up a call from someone needing advice, and changing my voice to sound cheerful just so their day could be lighter, even while mine felt heavy. So many times, I dressed well, showed up, and smiled, all while whispering, “God, please just help me get through this day. Don’t let me fall apart l can feel the sting in my heart.” And I know I’m not the only one; you’ve likely been there too. We’ve all had silent battles hidden behind strong faces but somehow, grace carried us.

The truth is, holding on doesn’t always look heroic. Sometimes it looks like getting out of bed when everything in you wants to disappear. Sometimes it’s whispering a prayer when you don’t even have the strength to believe it’ll be answered. But that, too, is strength. That, too, is faith. Sometimes it’s opening up to someone, “Hey, I’m not feeling too good today. Please pray for me.” Or being in your own space, catching a breath or two, or five or twenty.

How do you hold on and not lose yourself? Why should I keep praying when I’ve asked for something for a whole year and seen no results? Honestly, I laughed while typing that because that’s so me. The days when the pressure to make money gets heavier, it’s easy to see why so many start to compromise their faith. “God is taking too long, let me get five boyfriends,” or “I’m tired of waiting, let me go get some muti.” Some say, “Though You slay me, Lord, even with tears in my eyes, I still love You.” That takes another level of strength , the kind that keeps you rooted in God, keeps your integrity intact, and helps you remain you in a world that constantly invites you to trade your identity for relief.

The world says, “You’re going through a lot, it’s okay to drink, smoke, take something, sleep with someone just escape the pain.” But that kind of escape often costs more than it gives. In those moments, be careful because the price of compromise is usually your peace, your purpose, and parts of yourself you may never get back. Holding on might be hard, but losing yourself is harder to recover from.

Why should we hold on? What exactly are we holding on for? These may sound like simple or even petty questions, but failing to answer them has led many into drug abuse, anxiety, and even suicide. As a man, when you feel the pressure to provide for yourself and your family but nothing is working out it’s hard. So again, why hold on? Because in holding on, you give God room to perform. As a young woman waiting on God for a godly kingdom spouse why hold on? Because in the waiting, you create space for God to move. Pain or not, we remain Christians. Whether you marry today or next year, whether the job comes now or later, your faith must remain unshaken.

This journey is not conditional. We were not saved to be situational believers. “I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back!” you sang and danced to that. But there’s a reality in those lyrics. A time comes when that declaration is tested when you must prove that it wasn’t just a catchy song, but a life you’re committed to living. Don’t you know? Jesus held on too. He could have walked away, but for the joy set before Him, He endured the cross. So hold on. We’ll continue tomorrow with some practical ways to hold on without losing yourself. But before I go, I leave you with this scripture: 

To gift me, click here .. see you tomorrow. Keep holding on ❤️👊🏾