Over the past couple of weeks some of my closest family members, friends, and I have endured a lot. The statement that bad things usually happen in groups has always proven itself to be true. Why is that? Why must we go through so much at once or even endure some of the suffering we do? It is hard to wrap your mind around it when you feel you did nothing to deserve those things. I try to always remember the verses that tell us to rejoice in our suffering and how the hard times will give us strength.
I believe most of us would agree that during those times it is very difficult to even think we are actually "strong" or have the abilty to see the light at the end of the tunnel. If most of us are honest, it usually isn't until after the rain that we look back and feel a sense of relief, growth, strength, and hope.
I can be honest and say my heart aches. Not just over one particular thing, but over several things. I wish I could fix those things and understand why they have happened or keep happening. Of course, God always puts "my heartache" into perspective and shows me just how blessed we are, how it could be worse, and that I am not alone. However, this does not take away from the hurt. We are human and we don't have to all pretend that life is perfect, full of daisies, and sunshine.
(This is a side note- But it makes me truly happy to see that there are still honest people (even on facebook ) who are not afraid to be real and say hey, life just sucks sometimes.)
With all that being said, I feel that it is in our weakest and darkest moments that God speaks to our hearts. He uses those painful moments to really speak so loudly that we can't help but listen like eager children to gain help and guidance. As I was driving home tonight, I heard on the Christian radio station an artist speak about a difficult time in his life. He spoke about how blessed we are that we don't have to worry about tomorrow or the next day or the day after that. God only asks us to have faith for today. That is all. So when the future seems overwhelming, dark, or out of reach...He says just for us to have faith in all that HE IS today. one second, one minute, or even one moment at a time.
So today, I have faith in all You are, God. That You will restore what is broken, provide healing for a hurting family, take away pain, prevent someone's cancer from returning, and give us strength when we need it. I celebrate so much today that it provides me with hope. I celebrate someone's life that changed dramatically all because you came and took over their heart. Not because of anything we did or didn't do to help. Now that person is changing lives and leading them to You! I celebrate the family I have and our little angel who has no idea the amount of joy she gives us.
Matthew 17:20- " He replied, "Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there', and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you"
Even if this helps no one else, but me...I feel better already focusing on the fact that I don't have to worry about tomorrow, a week from now, or even a month from now. I feel better knowing that we serve a "suddenly" God. He is much bigger than our circumstances and can change anything in the blink of an eye. Tomorrow may be hard too, but I will renew my faith and allow God to do His work. When we worry...we are basically telling God we don't believe he can handle what we are going through. Easier said than done...but hopefully this will help and encourage some who needed it just like I did.
