Sometimes Life is Just Hard

Let's talk about it ...

Do you agree that life can be just plain hard at times? Let's talk about it.

As believers, we're blessed to know that the Lord Jesus Christ is always at the helm. He's the commander in charge of our voyage on this earth. He knows the details of our journey and can steer our ship through the most turbulent waters. I take comfort in knowing that He is NOT wringing His hands over my life, wondering what to do next.

God does all things well. This is undeniable. But sometimes it feels like He's abandoned our boat at some random dock and left on vacation. This might offend some people, but if we're honest, life can become difficult enough to make us wonder where God is. Have you ever felt that way?

Now, here's the challenge: Our job is to thank and praise Him in all circumstances, right? Even if our feelings are not on board with the idea. We don't get to choose when and where we give thanks. Scripture makes it plain--it's all the time, no matter what's going on. Keep in mind we don't thank Him for the circumstances; we thank Him despite them. We thank Him for who He is, not for what we're going through.

This cancer journey has given me plenty of opportunities to praise Him, even when I didn't feel like it. Sadly, I've sometimes become so wrapped up in the details of this disease that days pass before I realize my gratitude has sprung a leak. Like Peter, I can focus on the waves and automatically sink. But if you remember the story, the moment Peter began to sink, Jesus reached out and helped him get back on track.

Jesus wants us to get this!

We know it's wise to keep our eyes on the Lord, not on our circumstances, but that isn't easy. It's a battle of the wills. It's a choice we have to make. It's something we have to grow into. It's not a formula we conquer. It's a relationship we trust. The struggle is understandable when pain intensifies, or when you have no idea how to pay your rent, or it seems you are losing the good life a little bit every day. These are the times when the Lord can feel so far away. But our feelings don't always tell us the truth.

By nature, I'm an emotional, creative temperament, with b-i-g feelings that want to rule. They want to direct my path and determine my reality. But what I 'feel' is so often deceiving. For instance, we may feel the Lord is far away, but that's not true. He lives inside every believer, and He promises to never leave us or forsake us! We may feel like we can't endure another day of pain and limitation, but He says we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

At the end of Psalm 40, David says, "I am poor and needy, YET the Lord thinketh upon me." "Yet" means "nevertheless." It also means "be still" and "all life long." I call this the little place of turning. It's the place of transition from being consumed with self to focusing on God. I might be "poor and needy," but nevertheless, He is thinking about me. Scripture says His thoughts toward us are so many they can't be numbered.

I have found that when I take my eyes off my circumstances and put them on God's faithfulness, all the "poor and needy" stuff shrinks. Difficult circumstances may remain, but they no longer control me. Some have said, "Marji, you may have cancer, but cancer doesn't have you." I like that.

We have a long driveway that I call my "Yet Strip." When pain or stressful medical reports begin to strangle my joy, I put on my coat and walk up and down the driveway. First of all, just being outside can ease anxiety, but the words I declare while I'm walking bring the breakthrough. I declare that God does all things well. He has not left me to battle cancer on my own. He's leading me every step of the way.

What are you facing? Loss? Health issues? Financial struggles? Relationship problems? God knows every detail. He is with you.

God bless you richly.

Love Marji