Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
James 1:2-3
If you are living right now (and I can only assume you are if you’re reading this), you will face trials. You probably already have since you are old enough to read. It starts early – the struggles.
These trials look different for you than for me or anyone else. You are unique, even in your trials. We have been told to expect them, to even be thankful for them. That’s not always easy.
It seems so hopeless when you think about it. There will be spiritual and emotional brokenness, physical pain, mental distresses and the list goes on. We can expect it. No one is exempt from it.
But God!
He is the hope. I cannot imagine taking one breath after the news that my son had died. I can barely take a breath as I type those words. Be assured that they don’t get typed without tears streaming down my cheeks, breath coming in starts. and. stops. And starts again.
Only God can bring a mother through the loss of her child.
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.
1 Thessalonians 4:13
I would be lying if I led you to believe that the struggle to go on is not a daily one. The pain is just too deep, and I’m too broken to do this on my own. That’s where the thankfulness comes in. I am thankful that through it all HE is with me.
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5
Something happened the other day (a scary little something). My hubby, and I were trying to make light of what could happen, and there was a mention of getting to heaven first – seeing Jesus and seeing Stuart first. I sobbed! We (playfully) argued about being upset with the other one if they got there first. I told him that I would not have anything good to say at his funeral if he beat me there.
These are not conversations you can ever imagine having unless you KNOW you’re going to heaven, and there is someone you physically ache to see (and you know they are there waiting).
I’ve lived long enough to have experienced plenty (many more than I would have wanted) of trials.
You too? No doubt, you understand hardship of some sort.
I’ve also lived long enough to know there will be more. I can’t possibly know the future, but I do know WHO does. I am thankful that HE has me in the palm of HIS hand.
…in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow; in his quiver he hid me away.
Isaiah 49:2
And one of my favorites:
…fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
I love this song by Colton Dixon
“Through All Of It”
There are days I’ve taken more than I can give
And there are choices that I made
That I wouldn’t make again
I’ve had my share of laughter
Of tears and troubled times
This is has been the story of my life
I have won and I have lost
I got it right sometimes
But sometimes I did not
Life’s been a journey
I’ve seen joy, I’ve seen regret
Oh and You have been my God
Through all of it
You were there when it all came down on me
And I was blinded by my fear
And I struggled to believe
But in those unclear moments
You were the one keeping me strong
This is how my story’s always gone
I have won and I have lost
I got it right sometimes
But sometimes I did not
Life’s been a journey
I’ve seen joy, I’ve seen regret
Oh and You have been my God
Through all of it
Through all of it
And this is who You are
More constant than the stars up in the sky
All these years of our lives
I, I look back and I see You
Right now I still do
And I’m always going to
I have won and I have lost
I got it right sometimes
But sometimes I did not
Life’s been a journey
I’ve seen joy
I’ve seen regret
Oh and You have been my God
Through all of it
Oh and You have been my God
Through all of it
Oh and You have been my God
Through all of it
I can identify with all of those words. I often cry when I’m going down the road, and that song plays on the radio. It’s the ugly cry, so if you ever see me driving, just kindly look the other way. 😉
This life is a journey. This grief is a journey. It’s my journey. Yours will look slightly different, or it may look similar in some ways. I honestly hope yours doesn’t involve the loss of a child. That’s a journey that we can never imagine, and I hope you, sweet reader don’t know this particular pain. I hope your journey veers in a different direction. Mostly, I hope that you know that Jesus died on a cross for you so that you could journey with Him. That’s the hope. That’s the only peace.
I have received many emails and private messages lately from hurting people. I’m thankful for the encouraging words from them and thankful they can find some connection here on my journey. Please know that you are welcome to connect with me and if you have reached out due to loss, I want you to be assured that I am praying for you. If you have reached out in encouragement – Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
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