Psalms 103:2,5 (NLT)
Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagles!
The past few weeks, my heart has been carrying a physiological response from some recent stress, and it has felt ‘crushed’. The best way I could describe it, is that I have tiny shards of glass scattered around where my heart should be. It doesn’t feel good and at times, I struggle to catch my breath.
2020 has been rough for so many people, including my family. We’ve battled through bouts of bad news, depression, isolation, and have at times, questioned our own faith. I would expound, but for the sake of protecting privacy, I’ll leave it at that.
It’s okay to grieve.
You know what it’s like when you’re walking through something hard- You feel like you’re trapped in a dark tunnel and you can’t see the light on the other side. You know the light is there, you’ve been promised you’ll get through to it, but you’re struggling to find the way out.
So there you are, surrounded by nothing but dark. The world should stop, and yet somehow, keeps going. Keeps bustling. Keeps passing you by, reminding you, you are not at its’ center.
In these times, where nothing feels hopeful or promising, I glue myself to the promises of Jesus and also remember the good things he has given me.
I hold on to the wonder my toddler carries while she explores the world around her.
I remember my preschoolers laugh when I tickle underneath his chin. His gapped front teeth while he smiles from ear to ear.
I fixate on my older two’s delighted faces, intently watching them run-up to the car after school-ready to relax and find comfort at home.
I hold on to all of the things and people the Lord has blessed me with while remembering he’s with me in the valley. I tell myself RO, Remember the good while going through the bad. Forget not all his benefits.
Psalm 23:2-4 (NLT)
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
We all have valleys to walk through, but we never have to do them alone. I know we’d rather avoid the mud, but sometimes to find true healing, you need to walk through it.
The troubles are temporary, and suffering will only last through the night. Joy always comes in the morning.
