This Too Shall Pass
As I sit to write this post, I must admit that the last week has been extremely difficult for me in my grief. It has felt lonely and as if no one understands my perspective. People have been hurtful and they have no idea. Maybe I am the problem. Maybe there is not a problem. Maybe this is just life for now. But then I am reminded of the truths of the Bible. I am never alone. Jesus offers to carry my burdens. There are new mercies every morning for every person. There is trouble in the world, but Jesus has overcome the world. If I started this post with anything other than the truth, it would be a missed opportunity to remind us all that God is never changing, He can always handle our problems, and His Word never returns void.
I sat through a sermon recently that taught that we will experience troubles and we need to endure them because we do not know what God is doing in the midst of our storm. As I sat there and thought to myself, “Tell me something I don’t know,” I felt overwhelmed by the emotions I have been trying to juggle on my own this week. People failed me this week. I failed myself this week. Stress was high this week. The list goes on. But then, as I sat and pondered more of what the sermon truly said, I began to think of all the possibilities that God could be doing in my life and I simply (and uncontrollably) get to be along for the ride. It actually reminds me of when I got sea sick in Italy. The group I was with was on a boat to the little town that pesto originated in and a terrible storm came over the waters. The ocean was closing to boats because of the harsh conditions, but we were too far in to turn around. The only option was to endure the storm and make it to land. I would have given almost anything to get off that boat, but there was no choice. So, as it goes, I got sick (twice). As terrible as it was, the experience I had once we reached land was unimaginable. The most beautiful beach with the bluest water I have ever seen, tall and old structures with rich histories, unique people with unique backgrounds at every turn. It was an incredible experience that I would have been deprived of if I had my way and were able to turn the boat around or magically get back to land as soon as the storm started.
I can not help but think that is much of what we endure here in life. The storm of grief is hard, harsh, dark, isolating, scary, sickening, terrifying, crippling at times, yet it can also bring us so much good if we let God be God and remain in control. The storm of grief is unavoidable for all people, so it unifies us. The storm of grief tears us down so that we can come back stronger and use our strength to lift others up. The storm of grief reveals the rawness of our hearts and emotions so that we can better appreciate emotions as they arise in other ways than what is typical. It does so much to us and for us, but it can be good for us, contingent on us allowing God to do what He does best - restore us and let us worship Him as we were created to. So, as we choose joy this week, let us find true joy in knowing that even right now, in the midst of our storm, God has plans for us. He is working and He remains in control.
“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the Lord says, whom He has redeemed from trouble.” -Psalm 107:1-2
