You have been challenged…
…to life…
and… go!
Life is certainly a challenge for me, for you, and for all of mankind. Even the flora and fauna get a piece of the challenge along the way. Sometimes we even have the mindset of being born to die, so just go with the challenges and try to win out in the end with the fullest of legacy as possible.
If life was all about legacy, I am in trouble. Stubborn, fitful, sad, and shy childhood started me out. All of that was followed by teen-aged angst full of depression, seeking approval, and living in the shadows of what could be. Young adulthood found me making stupid mistakes despite my faith, further depression, excuses, and running away from all that I had known. Early married life came with all the mistakes that most young married couples make as well as deeper hurts that took faith and healing to remedy brokenness. Motherhood found darkness despite the joy of babes in arms.
And now, wow, I am just feeling so much of the above mixed with complete trust in the Lord… what a mess of a challenging stew that mixes in so much thankfulness, confusion, and complete reliance on the sovereign hand of God. He made me into quite a story. Hopefully this story leads to a legacy of faith through fire.
Faith through fire.
Paul had a thorn in his side to keep him humble. I sometimes ponder upon my own thorns. I use to accuse the Lord of not liking me and giving me a white elephant gift of depression and anxiety that was no gift at all. Not that mental illness or the like keeps one humble, but maybe the comforted will become the comforter at some point and hold a hand along the path of another’s faith walk. Maybe my experiences will provide insight to a challenge for a loved one.
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 ESV
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed
We are not destroyed when we place our faith in the one who sees us through every trial. Our afflictions are nothing compared to His glory and plan for us. We are never forgotten, never forsaken.
James 1:2-4 ESV
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
We can have joy through all of these things. Feeling tested isn’t a sin, it’s what we do with the results that can lead us away from Our Father. Be steadfast in your response no matter what darkness you may find yourself in. The Lord is there with you. He will see you through.
Be steadfast in all that you do no matter what darkness you may find yourself in. The Lord is there with you. He will see you through. Click To Tweet
Amen! God seeks to restore us (and it’s a marathon, not a sprint), and satan seeks to destroy us.
This post has such beautiful encouraging words in it. Reminders we need for each day. Thanks so much for sharing the light!
Very well written. I have some of those very same feelings. A lot of women have those same feelings and men do too. I struggle with bipolar depression myself. Would you please read my two blogs? Keep writing, you describe your struggle so well.
https://willowbentleysmama.wordpress.com/2019/09/20/depression/
https://willowbentleysmama.wordpress.com/2019/09/20/challenge/
I can tell you for sure that I wouldn’t make it through my darkest times without the light of God showing me the way! I do truly believe that He allows us opportunities to use our experiences good and bad as testimonies to others experience similar situations. Your writing always teaches me and touches me Mary Ann! God bless you, Cindy
As always, thank you for your encouragement.