My heart is heavy as I write this post. You know those times when your heart feels like it’s being ripped out and your whole world seems to turn dark and crumble to pieces? I have been through a lot lately and I am sad and weary. But I want to reach out to others who are going through difficult times as well. I want to remind you, whoever you are, that everything will be ok.
In Romans 8:28, the Lord says that all things will work together for good to those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. It doesn’t matter what it feels like in the moment.
What I have to keep bringing myself back to is that the LORD is sovereign. And HE is in control, and He is good. My life is in God’s hands and He knows what He is doing, even though I may not.
My dad has taught me to cling to characteristics of God when I’m in difficult times, so even when all I can do is say, “God, I know you’re good,” that can comfort my heart.
Also, I didn’t realize this, but at times when I can’t find the words to pray, it’s ok to just write out the Psalms or other Scripture and let that be my prayer.
When our hearts are heavy, we need to look to the One who created us. Because it is in those times, those wearying, difficult times that feel like they will never end, that God wants us, more than ever, to depend on Him. He can handle our burdens and struggles. He is right there, reaching out, wanting to give us rest. Our problems are not too big for God.
Don’t wish away this season of waiting and struggling, because it is often in these times that we grow the closest to God. And we may not know the reason for our trials and pain and waiting until we get to Heaven, but that’s ok.
One thing I have discovered is that I don’t have to have it all figured out to trust God- that wouldn’t be trust. Plus, I can’t have it all figured out. I’m not big enough, strong enough, or omniscient enough.
And that’s why I need God.
Last year, I went through one of the hardest times in my life that almost no one knows about. And God put this on my heart to write down for me to cling to and share to help others:
1. Remember the suffering won’t last forever (1 Peter 5:10).
2. Remember God’s faithfulness in the past.
3. Realize what God could do with your story as a result of your suffering.
4. Remember that small wins lead to big victories.
Now, this all is coming from someone who doesn’t trust God easily. I often want to take things into my own hands. But God is teaching me how to trust Him. And I am realizing more and more every day that I am so dependent on God and can’t do life without Him. I don’t know better than God. I often think I do, but at the end of the day, God knows best, and He will see us through.
Through the darkest times in our lives, we need to find joy in Christ. How? By depending on Him and looking for the blessings in our lives. I have found so much encouragement from the friends and family members surrounding me.
The bottom line is, we need to surrender our lives to Christ. He can do a lot more with them than we can. I don’t know why God is allowing the things to happen that have occurred recently. But I do know that if I am able to encourage even one person through it, it will be worth it.