To say that I’ve struggled with what to write about this week is an understatement. I’m quite literally and figuratively “all over the place.” I can’t decide if it’s the overwhelmed feeling of being almost to spring break, the financial fears I’m trying to not worry about and trust God with, or the drama that others seem to keep trying to cause in the world around me that has me unsure of what to focus on. I have finally made a decision that I hope and pray has brought it altogether into something that might help with all of the above. I actually can’t take credit because when this came to me, it was directly after praying to ask God for help and guidance.
I’m going to start this one with scripture references that have been speaking to me while trying to figure out how God would want me to handle my feelings. It’s the best place to run because I can trust it completely. Matthew 5:44, Ephesians 4:32, and Psalms 61:2-4 have all helped me with one or another of those struggles I listed at the beginning of the piece. I’d like to explain each one just a little in the hope that it might help one of you with a struggle you’re having.
The verse from Matthew tells us to “…love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…” The chapter goes on from there to ask what accomplishment is it to love those who are easily loved. That stings! It’s simple to love those who love us, but it’s quite another feat to love those who make it hard to even like them or tolerate them. The Ephesians scripture speaks about being kind and compassionate, as well as forgiving one another as God has done for us in Christ. Again, ouch! Of course, I had to run to Psalms for some comfort next. “I call to you from the ends of the earth when my heart is without strength. Lead me to a rock that is high above me, for you have been a refuge for me, a strong tower in the face of the enemy. I will dwell in your tent forever and take refuge under the shelter of your wings.” Ah, there it is—the comfort I was seeking after the harsh truths that convicted me.
The truth of the matter is that being a person and living around other people is hard work if you’re being honest with yourself and others. Sometimes people betray you, spin the truth to cause conflicts, manipulate a situation to gain or maintain control, spread half-truths to get the masses talking amongst themselves while that person does something “in the dark,” and, well, you get the picture. Other times, affording to live in this world and take care of others is a difficult task that seems like mountain-climbing with flip-flops on in a body that’s more suited to channel surfing. Life can be rough, unfair, and overwhelming; however, that’s true for all of us at some point in our lives if not at multiple points in our lives.
So, what do we do about it? Well, we accept that life is a struggle. It’s a struggle for everyone, not just us. It’s also a struggle that we’re never alone through if we only remember to seek the Lord as our refuge, our rock, and our strength. We aren’t burrows; we were not designed to carry heavy loads for long periods of time. I know I’ve caught myself weighted down with loads of troubles that I can’t do anything with. Then, when I remember to call out to Him, the load immediately lightens. The problems, the struggle, the trouble doesn’t go away. I just don’t have to hold on to it. It’s not mine.
What’s mine is the lesson in the struggle, the strength gained from the storm, and the knowledge that God’s love is the only currency I truly need. He will never leave nor forsake us—all we need to do is remember that He’s got our backs; he’s right there next to us; and he’s already been just up ahead of us. That “remembrance” is faith, and that faith gives us the hope to keep taking the next step. Eventually, we’ll be through the struggle and entering the blessing that follows. Be blessed, friends. Glory to God!
