Worn Down

A little encouragement for those who feel “worn down” by circumstances….

“It’s always something,” I heard her exclaim.  “Sickness, trial, struggle…there is always something bringing me down!”  Have you ever uttered these words?  What about just thought them?  I know I have been guilty of expressing these sentiments…even if only silently.  And while I will not pretend to know the same pains and struggles that someone else is shouldering, I can say with complete honesty that our family is also not immune to trials. 

I look at today being April and I can’t honestly remember where January, February, and March went.  Since the beginning of 2013, our family has been experiencing one of those seasons; a steady trickle of “challenges” rolling our way.  Don’t mistake that we have also experienced daily tremendous and undeserved blessings, and to that I am so very grateful! All Praise to Him, who reminds us that He is still there and unchanging!  Since January, most recently, there have also been a steady rotation of circumstances that have in one way or another threatened our focus; attempting to derail us.  These things combined, if handled by our own strength alone, we’d be completely worn down!  There’s no way!

We all struggle at times.  We all have things thrown at us that we’d rather not deal with.  Sometimes they come in waves, one right after another, and we feel like we’re literally sinking (it makes me think of  Peter, who in his lack of faith, began sinking in the water right in front of Jesus).  Trials almost always come at unwelcomed times, right when you least expect it or when it’s least “convenient”.  In the majority of cases, we do not ask for trials, but do they have to be all bad when they happen? 

Trials are not fun, but God through His mercy has shown me that they can still have purpose.  Through trials, God is still working.  He is not absent or void in times of great stress.  In fact, He is all the more apparent during those times!  And blessings can and are still bountiful during trials….even if you don’t see them in the moment or find them right away.  God is good!  He is wise and faithful and stronger.  Trust Him!  It has been my experience that when our family is pressed, we see and feel Him all the more.  If only I would seek and cling to Him passionately every day, pressed or not!

No matter how much I feel pushed or pulled or twisted, I have never been put in prison or been held captive like Paul.  I have never been persecuted or tortured for my religious freedoms like the many missionaries or followers who have been.  I have never been unjustly tried, beaten, spit upon, and placed through unthinkable torture, my very life being taken, like our Savior was (who did so for ALL OF US, by the way, that we might be forgiven and granted eternal life).   I am beyond blessed, because of Christ, even when things are hard!

Taking the next right step, clinging to Christ, and calling out to Him for strength is absolutely worth every effort.  He will carry you and then through your struggles and by God’s grace alone, you can still somehow reflect His glory.  You will not regret asking for His help. 

Recently, we visited my parents to try to be of help and encouragement for my dad who has been experiencing a time of trial.  Through this, I found that my dad was actually just as much of a help and encouragement to me.  In excruciating physical pain (pain that, had it been me, would surely have had me belted over, screaming out loudly), his prayer rang loudly (though his actual voice was more softly spoken).  Barely able to even sit at the table (much less to eat or speak), he prayed aloud, “Thank you, God, for this day.  Thank you for all the blessings you have given us.  Help us to always be thankful for everything You give.  And please help us to come out on the other side stronger.”

Yes!  Lord, please help us to always be thankful, no matter what comes our way.  We live in a fallen world, one that You know cannot be our place of refuge.   But you gave us a place of cover, a place to run.  You gave us your SON.  You gave us a rock to cling to when we feel like we’re sinking.  You gave us Christ.  And through Him we can be stronger; because He is stronger!

Sometimes it’s one thing that takes your breath away and sometimes it’s a bunch of small things that add up to daily exhaustion or frustration.  No matter what you are going through, whether big, small, or anywhere in between, don’t run.  Don’t be afraid.  Don’t try to hide or escape.  He hears.  He knows.  He’s there!  (And I am reminded that if God knows the number of hairs on my head and the numbers of freckles on my skin…then He cares about even the smallest of details.  This gives me all the reason more to pray and seek Him in EVERYTHING; not only for just the big things). 

If you haven’t already, welcome God into your life and allow Christ to hold your hand.  We are not defeated when in Christ! (Need reassurance?  There are many passages in God’s Word, but a great one to start with is Romans 8…life through the spirit, present sufferings and future glory, and we are more than conquerors.) 

Cling to HIM.  Follow HIM.  Pray to HIM.  Call on HIM.  Cry to HIM.   Seek HIM.  Know HIM.   Trust HIM.  Have faith, knowing that He hears and He cares.  And just then, you may find that there are ways to be thankful, like my dad expressed recently, even in times of great pain (or aggravation or frustration or being worn down). 

God changes hearts.  All Praise to Him who changed my heart and allowed me to look at my daily battles differently! 

I may not like the fire, but God, through this heat you are molding me. 

Amen!

PS: I’ve been “chewing” on this blog entry for a few days and sure enough this week the strangest thing happened on the radio.  Third Day’s song “Mountain of God” came up two times in a row (with only a minor spoken break in between).  I am not in any way versed on the inner workings of radio broadcasting, but I would think that this was most likely a human error…something that was accidental.  As my kids and I sang along to this very song for the second time in a matter of minutes (which is a great song, by the way!), it occurred to me that I should tag the lyrics to my blog post. 

I don’t believe in coincidences and I don’t believe that the world is really that small.  I don’t know who will read this post or what battles are threatening to wear them down.  What I do believe is that God works within our lives and intertwines us however He sees best to bring Him the glory and honor He rightly deserves.  His will be done.  So with that being said, I figured that I (or perhaps someone who reads this) needed to hear these words ring through to be reminded of the very goodness that He is. 

Thank you Third Day for this song and thank you Father for allowing my family to hear it again (and again) this week!

Mountain of God (Performed by Third Day)

I thought that I was all alone,
broken and afraid,
but you were there with me,
you were there with me.
And I didn't even know
I had lost my way,
but you were there with me,
yes, you were there with me.
Until you opened up my eyes I never knew,
that I couldn't ever make it without you.

Chorus:
Even though the journey's long,
and I know the road is hard.
Well the one who's gone before me,
He will help me carry on.
And after all that I've been through,
now I realize the truth
that I must go through the valley
to stand upon the Mountain of God.

As I travel on the road,
you have led me down,
you are here with me,
yes, you are here with me.
And I have need for nothing more
Oh, now that I have found
that you are here with me,
yes, you are here with me.
I confess from time to time I lose my way,
but you are always there to bring me back again.

~chorus~

Bridge:
Sometimes I think of where it is I've come from,
And the things I've left behind.
Well, of all I've had,
what I possess,
nothing can quite compare,
with what's in front of me,
with what's in front of me.

Even though the journey's long,
and I know the road is hard,
well, the one who's gone before me,
He will help me carry on.
And after all that I've been through,
now I realize the truth
that I must go through the valley,
to stand upon the mountain. . .
well, I must go through the valley,
to stand upon the mountain. . .
yes, I must go through the valley,
to stand upon the mountain of God.