Month: June 2020

…and it’s hard

A couple weeks ago I wrote about how it’s easy to let the stuff going on in our lives get to us, and the choices we get to make. What’s been on my mind since then is what to do when it’s hard.

Life can be hard, painful, confusing and exhausting. At times we must deal with and do hard things. We don’t have all the answers, so we must do hard things the best way we know how. And as imperfect humans we make mistakes

It’s hard. My husband of 46 years suddenly became very ill last November with a rare disease and I found myself in the completely unfamiliar role of a caregiver. It felt like I went from a happy marriage with a loving life partner to caring for someone with special needs. Responsibility for his care 24/7, all medical and financial decisions, doctor and hospital trips, bills, housework, laundry…and working full time. I didn’t/ don’t know how to do it all, it was/is hard.

So it’s hard Now what? This is where “the rubber has hit the road” in relation to my faith in Him as “the God of ALL GRACE.” Did I believe the things I had spent years learning about him, or not? The answer is a resounding YES! By God (literally) I refuse to let go of my faith in Him and I am praying and fully expect Ed to be restored to health. Psalm 23, 91 and 103 are where my faith is anchored. Until that happens I am asking for and expecting God to provide all that is needed as we walk through this jouney.

Yes I have cried, questioned, been angry at times but… He is faithful! When I have been too tired or overwhelmed to even know what I need, He is Jehovah Jireh, my provider — He ministers to our needs through family and dear friends in very practical ways — I seriously don’t know we could walk thru this without them! He is Jehovah Shammah, the God who is there – he lets me know he is with me, by written or spoken words and the prayers of others. He is our shepherd and he is leading us through this valley.

What I am learning. I make mistakes – He forgives. In Him I have strength available to do whatever I need to do. In everything to ask for His wisdom, help, leading, answers, favor, and expect it. Not because I am good, but because HE IS GOOD. I must consistently choose to cast ALL of my cares on Him. He wants me to rest — and it’s not possible to rest and worry at the same time. To be gracious to receive help from others — always with a grateful heart.

Whatever hard thing you may be experiencing, I pray that you will know that God is for you, He is with you, He will never leave you, He loves you and nothing is impossible with God.

But after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called us to his eternal glory through Christ Jesus, will restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. 1 Peter 5:10

It’s Easy

Photo by Nathan Cowley on Pexels.com

Our situations aren’t the same, but I imagine that like me many of you are feeling that there is a lot of “stuff” going on in your lives. And it can be easy to let it get to us.

It’s easy to get distracted, stressed out, lose focus, point the finger at others, look for someone to blame, to allow pressures to impact our attitudes. To be unkind and unloving, and to say or do things we would not normally say or do.

But, we have a choice. We get to decide (sometimes moment by moment) whether we will react based on pressure, or respond out of love and faith.

Need help? I do! But thank God (literally), for those of us who have received Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord help is available 24//7. Here are some of the things the Lord has been teaching me:

  • Be careful what you see, hear, say. Guard your heart, what you let fill your thoughts. For example: if you see social media or news that you find concerning or disagree with – pray and ask the Holy Spirit what to do. The answer may be praying over it, changes to what/how much you view that type of info, or in some cases responding (always in love) publicly or privately.
  • In every situation, consider what the Word says. Believe it and act on it, it is the will of God. If you don’t know what the Word/the Bible says, fix it by spending time reading it, and asking the Holy Spirit to reveal its truths to you.
  • Put yourself in timeout. If you are overwhelmed, take a short break (even if its in the bathroom). Close your eyes, speak to the Father, pray in the Holy Spirit, ask him for grace and to fill you with His peace.
  • Love people. Give them the grace you desire to receive, forgive. Practice a greater awareness of those around you. Look for simple ways to show love and kindness. Pray in the Spirit for them.

Here is some good news to encourage yourself in the Lord.

Come unto Me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me. For I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. My yoke is easy and My burden is light. Matt. 11:28-30 (MEV)

I leave the gift of peace with you – my peace. Not the kind of fragile peace given by the world, but my perfect peace. Don’t yield to fear or be troubled in your hearts-instead, be courageous! John 14:27 (TPT)

So now we come freely and boldly to where love is enthroned, to receive mercy’s kiss and discover the grace we urgently need to strengthen us in or time of weakness. Hebrews 4:16 (TPT)