Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Ps. 30-5 (MEV)
Have you ever had a rough day, or gone through a challenging season, where you did not know what to do? I know I have. When facing a storm, we have a choice.
We can turn from it, pretend it does not challenge us; that the floods of water that are nearly knee-deep are not chilling us to the point of pain. We can wear that smile, ignore that challenge, and be “strong.”
Another option; we can get lost in the storm, nearly drowning in the pain and confusion. We can allow the storm to be greater than us, greater than God, greater than our hope.
Or, we can choose to admit there is pain and struggle, that the storm IS big. We can choose to face the challenge, the adversary, the struggle headlong in our own strength. We can try and go it alone. Maybe we could admit we need a little help by enlisting the help of a friend. Quite often if we are trying to go it alone we will use that friend for little more than someone to agree with the misery we are facing.
We can also choose to admit there is pain and struggle, that the storm IS big, and that it is bigger than us. We can cry out to the God of creation who loves us and has a better answer to our current situation that we could dream of; a plan that does more than restore the old but brings our situation to an even better future reality.
I choose to cry out to God when I see a struggle. To admit that I am having a hard time, to admit my confusion, weakness, and even fears. I choose to rely on Him, and to share with my loved ones the challenges of the day. When I share my pain with trusted confidants I do so not to burden them, nor to enlist a chorus of pitiers of my situation. I do not tell the tale of the day to have my problem solved. I choose to be vulnerable and share what I am going through to have support; a hug, prayer, the question of “is there any way I can help you?”
I hope and pray if you are in the middle of a storm of your own that you know that you are cradled safely in God’s hand, that He is not surprised by your current situation (though you may be), and that He can and will work all things to the good of those who serve Him. No matter how upsetting the storm may appear to be, He knows the end-game. He knows the beautiful flower that will bloom as a direct result of that torrent of rain.
I also hope you are surrounded, as I am, by people who are able to objectively see the challenge you are facing. People who do not undermine your experience, but who instead say “that’s rough, can I do anything to help?”
People like that, they are worth more than gold.
As I write this, I must admit that despite my faith and the wonderful people in my life, it is not always easy to make that choice. Although I do choose faith, some of those stormy days are sure dark. Some days the waves of overwhelm threaten to drown my resolve. Some days it feels like I say Jesus I need you, this is too big for me about 500 times before I have even had a coffee. Those are the days I need, more than anything, a loved one to say take a minute, I got this. Sometimes I even take that advice.
Thank God for that.
Kyla
PS on feeling overwhelmed, and consequently not always focussed, this picture gives a good summary on how I felt today…
It was about that good… On the plus side I did bake with some of those bananas, and managed to freeze the rest!