The Struggle is Real, Part 3

Slowly, I returned.  With clarity and gratitude, the healing process began. I was able to talk on the phone without falling apart.  I could call and ask how others were doing. I could go places and genuinely feel good.  The healing really took root when we attended the private showing of the movie “Harriet;” those hugs were heart connections. Then, I began to talk on the phone, get lost in the conversation and feel good. Then, today I woke up with a smile.  I feel good. There is no sadness, no worry, no anxiety.  You know why?  I woke up with hope.  Hope rooted in God’s promises. Hope is defined in the New Century Version Dictionary as “looking forward to something you really expect to happen.”  Well, as a believer in God, my hope is rooted in God’s promises.  I also believe you can have hope regardless of your beliefs.  The laws of the universe are the same for all.  I believe that because of the goodness of God, His blessings shine down upon everyone. If you believe, you can see His blessings in all things.  If you do not, His blessings are still there, you just may not see them.

The scripture that came to my mind this morning in a new, more profound way was Jeremiah 29:11 – 14: “I say this because I know what I am planning for you, says the Lord. I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you.  I will give you hope and a good future. Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me and I will listen to you. You will search for me.  And when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me! says the Lord and I will bring you back from your captivity.” “Captivity” for me was the dark place I was in, a place of uncertainty about the future, not really knowing what to do.

Now, I am no longer in that dark place of uncertainty about the future.  I’m still not completely clear on everything I should do; everything we should do.  But, that’s alright.  Now that I have hope, now that I know God is carrying us through this, I don’t have to know everything.  That’s because I trust in God’s promises.  I can now look back with clear eyes and see that God has never failed me; He’s never failed us in the past. In fact, we have been so blessed that we have not only survived challenges, we have thrived despite the challenges.  Things are no different now.  God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.  I must continue to hope and to believe so that we will receive.  So, that’s my plan.  Please join me in looking up and believing.

This is relentless faith. If you are struggling right now and feel as if you are in a valley.  Look up and grab a hold of hope.  Allow a higher power to become your lifeline and pull you up.  You are not alone.  Not only do you have God to pull you up.  Look to friends and family to grab a hold and push you up with their words and prayers.  While they are pushing you up with their kind words, encouragement, support and prayers, allow God to pull you up with His powerful arms.  Before you know it, you will be standing on the mountain top, taking in all the beauty surrounding you.  Remember life is indeed a gift.  I am reminded of that every moment of my life.

“So, don’t worry, because I am with you.  Don’t be afraid, because I am your God. I will make you strong and will help you.  I will support you with my right hand that saves you.” (Isaiah 41:10 NCV)

God, thank You for being our  lifeline.  Thank you for friends, family who support us with their love and support; spoken and unspoken.  With You and with them, I know that everything will be alright.

P.S.  The beauty of this is that the texts and calls I received are from caring family and friends who are checking in on us.  We have shared few details of our struggle.

I list names of family and friends because I believe it is important to acknowledge those who love, support and encourage us. But there are many other friends and family members who show love, support and encouragement that I have not mentioned. However, I want to let all my friends and family know that I so appreciate your words, prayers, texts, comments, support. They are a link in the precious chain that connect our hearts.  Thank you so much.