I am part of a small group that writes for the Dakota County Journal, a local Siouxland paper. They have a “Faith in Life” column. Through a series of conversations, I was recommended to join the rotation. Every few weeks I write a small article. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This particular article was for September. I’m sharing it today as both a reminder for me and you. No matter what you are going through, take time to care for you. Care for yourself is different from everybody else’s. Don’t let anyone tell you how fast you should “heal”. Just take the time you need to be a better you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is Joy in Hardship<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m sure you did exactly what I did when this title came to me. Say what?
You go through life skipping along and then out of nowhere \u201cthe sky is falling!\u201d Am I right? Well here is the amazing thing about that. The sky isn\u2019t really falling. WHAT??!! That\u2019s right chicken little we are all safe, really. I know it doesn\u2019t feel like it when it\u2019s happening. Maybe it\u2019s happening right now, and you feel lost. Who will save you? God tells us in James 1:2-4 (Voice translation)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I am part of a small group that writes for the Dakota County Journal, a local Siouxland paper. They have a “Faith in Life” column. Through a series of conversations, I was recommended to join the rotation. Every few weeks … Continue reading
2-4 Don\u2019t run from tests and hardships, brothers and sisters. As difficult as they are, you will ultimately find joy in them; if you embrace them, your faith will blossom under pressure and teach you true patience as you endure. And true patience brought on by endurance will equip you to complete the long journey and cross the finish line\u2014mature, complete, and wanting nothing. 5 If you don\u2019t have all the wisdom needed for this journey, then all you have to do is ask God for it; and God will grant all that you need. He gives lavishly and never scolds you for asking.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
So where is the joy in hardship? Hardship allows us to rely on God. There are lessons to be learned. I know it\u2019s hard to see in the midst of it all. Maybe you are about to lose your home, lost a job, can\u2019t make ends meet. God will provide if you ask. God sends us help in unexpected ways when you ask for help. Trust that God will answer you cries, and God will.
A good friend gave me sound advice. You see my sky is falling, I didn\u2019t want to get out of bed. She texted me and asked me if I was meeting her. My response was \u201cnope\u201d, \u201cI can\u2019t even get out of bed.\u201d She as sternly as a text can be said \u201cget up, get out of bed. I\u2019m serious!\u201d I\u2019m glad I did. I started my day, and by night fall, I was more at peace. My sky is still falling, but I don\u2019t have to hold it up, God will. God will send what I need, when I need it. I have to trust and so do you. You may not see the joy right away, but when you look back, and you will look back, you will see God\u2019s love and assistance. The joy can come from friends, new locations, new jobs and so on. Will it be easy? No. Will you see change overnight? No. So, get out of bed and stop trying to fix it alone. Turn to God, ask and you will receive what you need for that moment. Keep asking, and you will find the joy. Thank you God for putting people in my life, who you sent to work on my behalf.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"