Unveiled Skies

By Joseph Rojas

"Unveiled Skies: Conquering Emotional Battles" is more than a book; it's a lifeline for anyone navigating the turbulent waters of emotional turmoil. Author Joseph Rojas's journey from a life overshadowed by addiction, crime, depression, and thoughts of suicide to becoming a powerful example of hope as a loving husband, father, and lead singer of the Dove award-winning Christian rock band Seventh Day Slumber is nothing short of miraculous. This book is not just Rojas's testimony; it's a roadmap for all who feel weighed down by loneliness, depression, and pain. It speaks directly to the heart with raw honesty and the transformative power of faith, offering not only understanding but also practical steps to break free from the chains that are weighing you down.

In "Unveiled Skies," Rojas doesn't shy away from the darkness that often clouds our lives; instead, he offers a hand to guide readers through it. Each chapter serves as a stepping stone, from confronting the depths of loneliness to the liberating act of forgiveness, to the ultimate discovery of one's worth as intricately crafted by God. The pages of this book are infused with the message that we are all masterpieces, original works of art, meticulously created with a purpose. It's a message that empowers, uplifts, and ignites a flame of hope that no shadow can extinguish. For anyone seeking to overcome their emotional battles and soar into a life of purpose, "Unveiled Skies" is the guide that assures you are not alone, and with faith, you'll not only understand your worth and who you are in Christ, but also be ready to live it out loud.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nashville Media Collective
• Release date: Dec 29, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223117179

Book preview

Unveiled Skies

UNVEILED SKIES

CONQUERING EMOTIONAL BATTLES

JOSEPH GROUP, LLC

CONTENTS

Foreword

Chapter 1

Introduction

Section 1:

Section 2:

Section 3:

Section 4:

Section 5:

Chapter 2

Introduction

Section 1:

Section 2:

Section 3:

Section 4:

Section 5:

Chapter 3:

Introduction

Section 1:

Section 2:

Section 3:

Section 4:

Section 5:

Chapter 4:

Introduction

Section 1:

Section 2:

Section 3:

Section 4:

Section 5:

Chapter 5:

Introduction

Section 1:

Section 2:

Section 3:

Section 4:

Section 5:

Final Thoughts

© Copyright 2023 by Nashville Media Collective - All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

FOREWORD

Hey there, my name is Joseph Rojas. I want to welcome you to the start of a pretty epic journey. This isn't your standard walk-through of life’s emotional battles; think of this book as your personal guide through the valleys of real-life struggles. Think of it as a mentor who’s got some solid advice for you, the kind that hits home because it's real, honest, and straight from the heart.

I want to start by telling you a little bit about my story. I’ve been through some pretty messed-up stuff in my life. I was a drug addict, a criminal; I’ve been in and out of jails, rehabs, and institutions. I came from a broken home, raised by a single mother who had to provide for two boys with no child support. I didn’t know my father growing up. I met him when I was about 13 or 14, but we never really had a relationship. I understand what it’s like to feel alone, to know what it means to not even want to live anymore. I understand the pain of depression and the weight of anxiety. I never felt like I had value growing up. I felt so worthless, like a failure most of the time. I spent a lot of my childhood and young adult years trying to numb my pain. My mother became a Christian after I got locked up for the first time. She would pray for me constantly and believed that God was going to heal my broken heart. She understood the power of the cross more than anyone I knew. I felt like I was always going to let her down, so I made the decision to take my life. My mother was the one who found me. She called the paramedics, and in the back of an ambulance, I had an encounter with Jesus. He transformed my life. Today, I am a loving husband and the father to my children that I never had growing up. I am an author, a mentor, and the lead singer of Seventh Day Slumber, a Dove Award-winning Christian rock band that reaches people worldwide. If God would do that for me, He’ll do it for you!

Sometimes, life feels like it's moving at hyperspeed. You've got hopes higher than the stars and fears that feel deeper than the ocean. And that’s okay. This book is all about tackling those highs and lows head-on, armed with a little wisdom and a whole lot of faith in God.

Here we’ll dive into five big chapters. Think of each one as a step, a level up in the game of life. We'll start by addressing loneliness—it can seem like a shadow that follows you around, but there's a light that casts away those shadows—and it's right inside you. We’ll cut through that fog and help you connect with others in a way that's genuine and full. Because, just as it says in Ecclesiastes 4:12, Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. That's about strength in numbers, strength in friends, and strength in God.

We will also deal with the knots in your stomach that anxiety ties—but you'll learn they’re more like those tricky shoelaces that you just need to figure out how to untie.

Battling depression—it's tough, but so are you, trust me! Together, we will explore the hope that God has for you. The Bible says, Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5). The night doesn’t last forever, and the dawn? It's on its way.

Forgiveness—it's like taking off a backpack filled with weights you didn't even know you were carrying. This book will show you how dropping that weight can make you unstoppable. You’ll discover that forgiveness isn’t just about other people; it’s about setting yourself free. Just as it says in Colossians 3:13, Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

And those chains that hold you back, like addictions or bad habits? Yeah, we're smashing those. Step by step, you’ll see how life can be bright and clear on the other side. Because, as Galatians 5:1 tells us, It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. That’s not just a verse; it's your new anthem.

Finding out who you really are might be the coolest part of this whole trip. It's about digging up the gold that’s been in you from the start, and then sharing it with the world. 'Cause here's a secret—you're a masterpiece, an original work of art meticulously crafted by the God of the universe. As Ephesians 2:10 puts it, For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

So, what do you say? Are you ready to turn the page and start this life-changing journey? By the end of this book, you will be leading the way to a life filled with purpose, power, and a story that will impact the world. Let's go! You’ve got this!

CHAPTER 1

FINDING LIGHT IN THE SHADES OF LONELINESS

INTRODUCTION

Have you ever felt like you're on a deserted island, even when you're sitting in a room full of people? Like there's a silent movie playing around you and you just can't seem to find the sound button? It's like a thick fog of loneliness that settles around you and you can't see your way out. Trust me, you're not alone in feeling lonely. This chapter is a flashlight in that fog, a guide to help you navigate through those shadowy moments and find your way to connection, community, and a sense of belonging. Together, we'll explore five key steps to combat loneliness and discover how to light up your world from the inside out.

SECTION 1:

UNDERSTANDING LONELINESS

Sometimes it's like you’re walking through life wearing an invisible mask, hiding the true you that's aching for real connections, real friends... real everything. We all wear that mask from time to time, pretending that we're okay being left to our own devices when, deep down, we're actually waving a white flag, begging to be understood and accepted. Loneliness isn't just a word; it's a world, a silent realm where the echoes of our own thoughts are too loud to bear.

Understanding loneliness starts with realizing it's not just about being alone. Being alone can be cool sometimes, right? It's those quiet moments when you're chilling with your music, your thoughts, or that new video game that just dropped. But loneliness... that's the beast that creeps in when you start feeling disconnected, left out, even in the middle of a crowd or when you're laughing at someone's joke but not really feeling the humor in your heart.

Did you know that in the Bible, even King David felt the cold touch of loneliness? He cries out in Psalm 25:16, Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. Crazy, huh? Even a king, anointed by God, had moments where he felt totally alone in his battle. It shows that loneliness doesn't