Life is TOUGH. You may bend, but you won’t break. I know the past few months has been a challenge for me physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially. Not to go into great detail, but I faced some dark days. My online business gained momentum and my time was now. Suddenly, it came to a screeching halt.
No one is promised a Rose Garden, right? Remember even a rose garden as beautiful as it is still has thorns. In this world we have struggles and difficulties. Yet, we have a promises. The final product is still being written.
Struggles and Difficulties
Why do we have struggles and difficulties? I always thought good people lived good lives; therefore, received good things. . Not necessary true ALL the time. There are times when I struggle and feel far away from God and even everyone. Not understanding while all my efforts are failing miserably. Working hard and doing all the right things is not a guarantee for SUCCESS.
Even Jesus does not promise the circumstances of our lives will always be great. In fact, in the Gospel of John, Jesus says “in this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33). We can count on it. It’s impossible to get through life untouched. Yet, through the struggles and difficulties we have a Promise.
The Promises
The promise is that God will be with us in the midst of our struggles. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1), Not only is God with us during, but He comforts us in ALL our struggles. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us (2 Corinthians 1:4). In the Bible, there are 7,000+ promises. The seven I have here are ones that can take you through ANYTHING.
We must be like the palm tree. Did you know that a palm tree designed by God can bend, but will not break? A palm tree can bend even to the point of being horizontal to the ground. But they don’t break!!!! During the storm, you might look at the palm tree flattened against the ground and think it’s a goner. But when the storm dies down, the palm tree is able to stand upright again. Also, scientists have found when the storm is over and the palm tree stands upright again, the palm tree is actually stronger than it was before the storm. It comes back from the storm better and stronger than ever. The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon (Psalm 92:12).
Story Still Written
God isn’t done with you yet. Your story is still being written. What a magnificent metaphor for how God made us. Storms come and are impossible to avoid. Even the storms make not sense and are difficult to explain. But God made us like the palm tree, able with his help to withstand even the most difficult storms. If you are alive, it means that God is not done with you yet.
The storm eventually ends. We recover and stand upright again-even stronger than before. God is NOT finished with me or you yet (Philippians 1:6). Remember God is at work. I think back to the story of the Footprints in the Sand. See Below:
One night I dreamed a dream. I was walking along the beach with my Lord. Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, one belonging to me and one to my Lord.
When the last scene of my life shot before me I looked back at the footprints in the sand. There was only one set of footprints. I realized that this was at the lowest and saddest times of my life. This always bothered me and I questioned the Lord about my dilemma.
“Lord, You told me when I decided to follow You, You would walk and talk with me all the way. But I’m aware that during the most troublesome times of my life there is only one set of footprints. I just don’t understand why, when I need You most, You leave me.”
He whispered, “My precious child, I love you and will never leave you, never, ever, during your trials and testings. When you saw only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.”
Remind yourself that during the darkest time God will carry you and your story is still being written.
In Conclusion:
You may bend, but you won’t break. So, we must prepare ourselves for the struggles and difficulties that will come. Hold onto the promises. Our stories are still being written. Be like the palm tree-bend but do not break. I learned to be more consistent in my business and to always put God first in all I do. My website is called Great Online Deals, which is an acronym for GOD. With him I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).
Response Magic