This season has been very, very tough. At every turn, something has turned upside down. I don't perceive myself as a pessimist, but because we have been experiencing blow after blow, I have become more cynical as I wait for the other shoe to fall. I've had countless conversations with the Lord, praying for relief, breakthrough, hope, or something. Sometimes you want to stay down when you feel like you have been punched one too many times. You don't feel like you can get back up or even have the energy to. The disappointments start growing longer than your grocery list. The complaining takes you into a deeper hole that is harder to climb out of. And the questions of why, how come, why again reappear like you're doing an interview.
As I stumble through and schlep out of this painful season, I realize I'm not alone. When I share my struggles and adversities, I hear similar sentiments in return. These are challenging times for many. Some may be coasting through without any bumps or bruises, but most of us are not. I'm going to throw this out there, too...don't be fooled by everyone's highlight reel and assume life is perfect on the other side of the screen.
During this crushing, I have to make the continual concerted effort to cling to Jesus. When I'm at my lowest point and can only see the feet of Jesus, I crawl towards Him. I may not be able to stand, but I can rest on Him. It doesn't say anywhere in the Bible that life will be easy or pain-free, but it does declare God is the source of ALL comfort. "All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort." ~ 2 Corinthians 1:3 (NLV)
It also states to cast our cares and burdens to Abba Father, for He will take care of you. "Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall." ~ 2 Corinthians 1:3 (NLT) For me, the key is to give the burdens to Him and not to hold them and try to deal with them on my own. Who am I kidding when I try to tackle them by myself. The pain and sorrow just feel a thousand pounds heavier.
As much as I can find reasons to complain, I can stack up millions of more reasons to be grateful. We don't need a holiday like Thanksgiving to express our gratitude; if so, each day should be Thanksgiving, and every moment we should be shouting our appreciation.
**As of the date of this post, not much has changed with the circumstances nor the health of those I love; however, I will continue to trust in Him either when I'm down at the feet of Jesus or when I'm standing face to face with Him. It's not "When it rains, it pours." It's actually "When it rains, He reigns!"
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