In The Middle of Difficulty
Have you ever heard of the saying: “waiting for life to be lovely before you start to live is like waiting for the river to run out before you cross”?
I want life to be lovely all the time. I want things to go my way. I want my children, my family and my friends to be healthy and happy all the time.
But the sad reality is life is not that way. It is full of challenges, setbacks, trials and difficulty. Some difficulties are small and some, like divorce, are huge.
Embracing The Not-So-Lovely
I think the embracing of the not-so-lovely comes when we realize that our troubles are part of the whole big, perfect story that our lives are weaving.
The “deep waters” of life, though scary and sometimes cold, are just part of the fabric of life. When we quit expecting life to look a certain way, we are freed to live fully and joyfully amidst the obstacles that are thrown our way.
Crossing The River
During the crossing, it’s always helpful to have a friend to hold on to, or a rope you can grab from the other side.
We can also have the confidence that God will not let this destroy us, but can use the experience to make us stronger and more beautiful than ever. God has called us by name. He will not abandon us in the middle of the river, so step on out … the other side is amazing!
“But now the Lord who created you, O Israel, says, “Don’t be afraid, for I have ransomed you; I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up — the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, your Savior, the Holy One of Israel. Isaiah 43: 1-3 (The Living Bible)
