I have experienced great moments of joy and deep sadness of loss and so much in between. The one thing I know is that whatever I am experiencing it will change. Life is not stagnant and we are not created to be stagnant. We are created to be creative, to learn, to grow and be adaptive. We must persevere.
Life is like a roller coaster as I have blogged about previously. I have experienced great highs where the views and joys are amazing and I have felt at the top of the world. Only moments later I have been thrust downward into a dark tunnel or pit literally taking my breath away and fear over taking me. We don’t know what this ride of life will bring next. It’s like Space Mountain in Disney World. You can’t see where the path is going and if we will go up or down or sideways.
No matter what is going on now, whether we are at the top, or feeling like we are free falling, we have to hold on and stay in our seat and on the ride. We can trust that we are securely strapped in and are safe in the hands of God. We must persevere. God is with us and loves us more than we can imagine and he will never leave us.
Without challenges we can not use our creativity, strength, adaptability, or our perseverance. Stay the course and DO NOT give up when things get difficult. Keep putting one foot in front of the other. God has purpose in the midst of the difficulty. He has something for us to learn or experience. It may be preparation to minister to someone else or to change us and build character. When you face difficulty ask the Lord, “What am I to learn in this? What is Your purpose, Lord, for this? And how am I to respond to this?”
I have been in some very dark places literally and figuratively. I couldn’t see which way to go. I prayed and asked the Lord to show me the direction I should go. I stood still until I knew, Jesus who is the light of the world, came and showed me which way and gave just enough light to take the next step. That was all I needed. I didn’t need to see three steps ahead. I only need to see the next one.I inched my way forward for a while. It didn’t stay dark for long. When the sun came out I could see further but I only can take one step at a time anyway. The pace can pick up when you can see well but its alright to stand still or inch along while in the dark.
Whether you are struggling in the dark or walking in a bright place, trust Jesus Christ to get you through to the next step and the next, and the next. He is always with you. Even if you don’t feel the presence of the Lord, that doesn’t mean he is not there. The truth is that he is there with you. Our feelings can deceive us. The fact is that He will never leave us nor forsake us. Deut. 31:8
Luke 8:15 We have heard the Word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.
Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be known to God.
Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.