We Weren't Promised Easy

I've searched the bible over and over again and looked for those sweet verses that would confirm once you become a child of God life is full of answered prayers, physical healing, dried up tears... rainbows and unicorns. I'm sure you can already guess...I failed to find them.

What I did find was this - scriptures that contain multiple promises for God's children. I found that nothing is impossible for God or those that believe in Him. But I also found that God is a great big God and that His ways are so much greater than ours - that what He does in the spiritual realm will almost make absolutely no sense to us here in the physical realm - at least until the work has been completed. It's during that time that we can look back in amazement at how it all worked together to bring us to that one ah-ha moment where we finally "get it".

So as I continue to walk through this uncertain season in my life I cling to the promises of God. I have embraced the fact that we weren't promised an easy life. (Took a while but I'm finally there.) However, we were promised a life filled with ups and downs and we were given a savior to walk through all of it with us. And... if we can get out of our own head for just a little bit and look for God in even the darkest of valley's - we will find Him. 

People that I thought would never leave me... left. People that I thought would never lie to me... lied. People that I thought would never hurt me...did. People that I thought were my friends...played me. People that I thought cared...just led me on. People I thought would be there for me in difficult times... just used me.

I'm sure you can relate. We are human. We've all been there. Maybe we've even been the one that lied, used or played with someone's emotions. The thing is...we are human. We are not perfect. Jesus is the only one who is. That's why God sent Him to take our place on the cross and make a way for us to be redeemed. Without Him...it's impossible. 

So as I accept people as imperfect beings with issues just like myself...and I accept that life is not all rainbows and unicorns... I also accept the promises of God. These make life doable. They give us comfort when we need it...they give us strength when we are weak, they give us wisdom, peace, joy, love and so much more. They have given me the power to stand during the storm. I absolutely refuse to allow anger or bitterness to grow in my heart - simply because someone didn't act the way I thought they should. Because of His Word... I can "let it go". Sometimes it's easier than others...but because Jesus is the one thing that has been constant in my life - He is the one thing I will cling to above all else. 

I encourage you during the most difficult times of your life to choose Jesus. Choose love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, kindness and self-control...choose the things that will lighten the burdens you bear over the weights that make them heavier. Sometimes that means letting go of people and things... and sometimes that means walking away from situations you can't control. 

I no longer feel weak because I choose not to confront. I feel empowered because I'm choosing to let God fight the battle for me. Knowing that life isn't going to be easy...but it can still be full and beautiful and wonderful because of the promises of God...blesses my soul and I hope it blesses yours too.