Last week I wrote about returning to what we know to be true. For me, it was recalling the words of the Apostles’ Creed and some songs which remind me of those truths.
Soon after, a conversation was had in which the person revealed how several aspects of life were hard. As the conversation lingered in my thoughts, I realized life is hard for many.
Sure the hard may look differently for each of us, but the feeling of hard is there:
We’re overworked, overwhelmed, over-stressed, overloaded, overtaxed, overburdened, and over it all.
Opening my Bible, I turned to the psalms and there found someone else who felt the same way and expressed it openly.
“Give ear to my words, O Lord, Consider my groaning. Heed the sound of my cry for help, my King and my God, For to You I pray.” (Psalm 5:1-2. NASB)
David felt the same way. He groaned, he sighed, he cried, and let his emotions out before God.
“In the morning, O Lord, You will hear my voice; In the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch.” (verse 3, NASB)
He prayed and watched for God to respond. He waited for God to speak to his heart some encouragement, some guidance, some word to hold onto.
And we are to do the same.
The lyrics began to go through my head …
“Scattered words and empty thoughtsSeem to pour from my heartI’ve never felt so torn beforeSeems I don’t know where to startBut it’s now that I feel Your grace fall like rainFrom every fingertip, washing away my pain
‘Cause I still believe in Your faithfulness‘Cause I still believe in Your truth‘Cause I still believe in Your holy wordEven when I don’t see, I still believe.”
(from I Still Believe by Jeremy Camp)
We need to return to what we believe, to what we know to be true:
- The character of God is eternal and unchanging.
- He is faithful.
- His word is true, and
- His Word stands eternal.
After the resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples and spoke to them, bringing peace to their anxious minds. One disciple, however, was not with them, and Thomas was not believing any of their story.
Eight days later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples only this time, Thomas was present. Jesus encouraged him to touch His hands and side, wanting Thomas to believe. Thomas was assured and responded, “My Lord and my God!â€
It is the words which Jesus speaks next that always stir my heart:
“Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.†(John 20:29, NASB)
Each time I read those words, I think, “That is me!” And that is each of us who have believed without seeing.
Yes, life is hard. Life is challenging. And at times, all we can do is cry out to God in prayer for His help.
It is then we must remind ourselves:
“I still believe in Your faithfulnessI still believe in Your truthI still believe in Your holy wordEven when I don’t see, I still believe.”
In her post, The Grace of June {Here}, Maryleigh Bucher shares the story of meeting her husband’s grandmother for the first time and the lessons she learned. “Sometimes, the only way to build a relationship is to show up, be determined, and keep on showing up.â€
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
Photo by Katlyn Boone on Unsplash
Joanne, I like to say that if our story doesn’t make sense it’s because we’re in the middle of a bigger story—His story. May of the people in the Bible had messy middles. We can draw hope from the cloud of witnesses that has gone before us.
Thank you, Joanne for this beautiful encouragement today. Life IS hard for many, and that “hard” looks different too. May we have compassion to share the grace of God with those who are suffering.
May we turn to the God of Hope, who fills us with all joy and peace in believing that we may abound in Hope by the power of the Holy Spirit today! (Rom 15:13)
That always helps me in any trial and perplexity–to go back to what I know to be true about God.
You write this: “Sure the hard may look differently for each of us, but the feeling of hard is there” – understanding that opens our hearts to better ministering to those around us who are hurting – just not in ways we hurt. I am so glad Jesus understood our suffering and doesn’t compare what breaks us to what He endured. Believing along with you Joanne. {{{HUGS}}} I am so glad the message of June impacted you the way it impacted me. Sometimes we have to be bold to experience the blessings in relationships. Shalom, my friend ~ Maryleigh
Amen. Our “hard” will look different for everyone. For some, we’ll listen to another’s “hard” and realize that what they’re facing is something we’ve faced, survived, and often have overcome in the past. Our sharing how we’ve faced that down does not, and should not, diminish the trauma and stress they are experiencing, but it should help them to see that it is survivable. I’ve long believed that God places us into situations where our experience can help others. Thank you Ms. Joanne. You do this often my friend. God’s blessings.
This is beautiful
Oh, Yes— No matter the hardship, I still believe. I still believe God is good through it all, even when I don’t understand why things are happening the way they are. I know that God’s goodness is not dependent on my circumstances. He is good even when I’m not. I know that it’s not always easy to believe that God is good when things are tough. But I choose to believe it because I know He is who He says He is and does what He says He will do. I found much encouragement within your message today.