The Struggle

      We all struggle. It is just a part of life. Each of us struggle for different reasons, and with different things. It can also depend on the time of year, what is currently happening in our lives, or how we feel about ourselves.

     My struggle lately has just been with everything. I wrestle with myself about my weight, my home, and most of all, and most importantly, my faith. I know this isn't a new topic, but it's been new to me. New because my faith has always been so strong and seen me through so many good, and bad times. Our strength may falter at times, that is a given. 

     My faith has been tested in ways I never thought it would. My father passing, my aunt Mary passing, my children all moving away meaning my grandchildren taken farther away. Job changes, trauma being addressed, and family growing more and more distant. 

     I am not the first, nor will I be the last to experience this. It happens to people the world over, every single day. Some face it with bravery, strength, and faith. Others let it drag them into a deep, dark place from which there appears to be no hope. We look to the negative rather than focusing on God and His promises. 

     The struggle ca be lonely, like you are responsible for carrying the weight on your own. Even if you are married, have family, friends, or a church family, you are lonely. You choose you to try to figure it all out in your own. You are walking through cobwebs that grab and cling in a gossamer blanket. You feel like you can't move, there is no escape. 

     But there is escape. You can make a way and find hope again. You may have to travel through paths you never wanted to find yourself on. There are huge boulders, cliffs, quicksand, and dangers with every step, but if you put your eyes on Jesus, the path will become easier as He guides it. Lean into Him, and trust what He tells you.

     I am working on that. Keeping my focus on the Lord and trusting Him during this journey. It is not easy. So many times, the negative tries to capture my attention, to get me to leave my faith behind and delve headlong into the darkness. 

     God never promised that faith would be easy. That choosing to follow Him would mean our lives would be filled with joy and happiness all the time. What He did promise is that in those dark times, when we feel so lost and cold, we have only to turn to Him, and He will wrap us in His loving arms. He will help us navigate the hard path, and lead us to even ground again. We can trust in Him always.