He Will Lift Us Out of the Mire

Sometimes life is hard. Struggles come in massive waves that threaten to consume us. We get overwhelmed. We wonder if we can even keep slogging along.

I think I’ve mentioned that my husband and I have been walking through a very dark valley for most of the last year. It’s been unrelenting.  We’ve been hit from all sides. Every time we’ve struggled back onto our feet, we got knocked down again.

We’ve certainly experienced rough periods before, but never like this. Everything we owned seemed to be breaking down. Our hearts were crushed as we helplessly watched several of our grown children face devastating struggles of their own, that we were powerless to do anything about. We witnessed the deaths of four family members and two close friends within a few short months. We had our own personal battles with physical illness and chronic pain. It has been insane . . . and exhausting! Too often we let ourselves get so beat down, that we all but forgot some very important truths:

WE’RE NEVER ALONE!
When we’re in that ugly place, it feels so very, very lonely, and yet, deep down, we know that God promised that he would always be with us. The disconnect between our feelings and what we know to be true creates even more chaos and confusion. But, in spite of our feelings, God is never too busy; never too distracted; never too grumpy nor does he come with grudges or punishment on his mind. No matter where we are or what state of mind we’re in, he wants to commune with us—to give us wisdom, glimpses of him, and abundant blessings to delight and encourage us.

GOD’S PLAN IS BETTER!
It’s us who makes the journey dark, frightening and heavy laden. We insist on going into the storms alone and discouraged, not realizing that, if we would just stop and invite God to be with us, we would be so much more able to laugh and revel and dance, in spite of the storm. All too often, we choose to be like stubborn toddlers who are unwilling to admit they can’t do it by themselves and need help.

IT ALL CHANGES WHEN WE DECIDE TO LET GO
Attitude is everything, and sitting in his presence will perfect our attitudes and outlook in a way that nothing else will.

God doesn’t want us to be bogged down and discouraged. He doesn’t want us to be overwhelmed by the challenges. He wants us to know him and love him and trust him enough to let go of the load and truly experience his peace and joy.

“When I said, ‘My foot is slipping,’ your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.” — Psalm 94:18-19 (NIV)

TODAY’S CHAT: What is most apt to keep you from experiencing God’s peace and joy in times of intense struggle?