Sometimes things in life get tough. Our family unfortunately recognizes this all to well. Lately our family has been facing some difficult times and things have been really tough. As parents Kyle and I have had times where we were sure we had it all figured out. Then, all of a sudden, out of nowhere (at least that's how it seems), something happens and any self assurance we had as parents is completely gone. Now, I won't speak for Kyle here, but for me it feels like all of a sudden I have been thrown in the middle of the ocean and I'm barely able to tread the water. I feel that if I could only catch my breath, even for a second, I might be able to gain some form of clarity on what is happening. Yet, that second never seems to come. I'm stuck in this feeling of doom, just certain that I'm eventually going to get too tired to keep treading and just sink to the bottom. I get so physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted that I can no longer even picture when times aren't difficult. I feel lost, weak, desperate for help, desperate for saving. And then God! God always shows up and reminds me that He has me. He reminds me that He is my strength, He is my physical, mental, and emotional guide and I am called to lean into Him even harder when things are completely out of my control and I feel so terribly lost. In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 Paul writes about his weaknesses and pleading with the Lord to remove those things which make him weak, to which the Lord replies, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Paul's reply here is (v. 9b) "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (v.10) For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." Wow! Such a powerful message! So often I forget that I not made to fight alone. God made me as His child. He is in charge of my life and I just need to surrender it all to Him.
Dear Lord I pray that those who are struggling will find their strength in you. I pray that those who feel that they are barely treading deep waters will look to you to save them and you have already done in your son, Jesus Christ. Lord thank you for your grace, your love, your strength.
In Jesus Name,
Amen