He Will Carry Us Through Hard Times
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Some recent events have touched the tender spot in my heart of missing Floyd. I heard someone say that the heart may heal, but the scar never goes away. I think that tender spot is my scar. Life doesn't come with a guidebook, but the heart does heal......it just takes time and leaves a little scar. Every once in a while the scar gets ripped off and I miss Floyd intensely. I know it's all part of the healing process. It was the Queen herself who said "grief is the price we pay for love." I'm glad to have loved well even if the grief comes every now and then.
Because I'm still needing to be isolated, I'm on my own a lot. One of the questions I often get asked is if I feel alone - if I'm lonely. The answer is yes, I definitely have times when I feel that way. But - the key the Lord has taught me is to take those feelings to Him immediately!! I can't let them take root in my heart, or they'll become destructive.
It's the same when I have anxiety about something - or fear for the future. I can't allow those feelings to stay. God has clearly spoken to me to take my aloneness, my anxiety, my fear to Him right away. When I do - He comes rushing in with His strength and grace to help me. He is my companion. He never leaves me alone. He holds my future in the palm of His hands. He has comfort to give for every anxious moment I have.
When I get into trouble is if I let those things linger in my heart and mind! If that happens, they grow and multiply and take over my emotions. I have to take them to the Lord right away. When I do that, He faithfully, graciously, lovingly meets me with all I need. He understands and He helps me.
Recently something was bothering me. I was giving it to the Lord, but having a hard time receiving His help. The verse from the Song of Solomon 2:4 came to me - "His banner over me is love." I could see in my mind's eye a beautiful rainbow over me filled with hearts of love. It covered everything around me, and the hearts were dropping onto me. His love and help for me was abundant!! That verse and image helped me receive His love and the help that I needed.
"I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38,39
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9
"But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me." Micah 7:7
"Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:16
I am so very, very grateful that God is with me 24/7. I miss Floyd, but I'm not alone. My precious Lord is with me continually. Sometimes I just need to quieten my heart to be aware of that. I am so grateful for His loving presence.
I was speaking with a friend who has gone through a long season of trials. My friend shared that it's been impossible to understand everything that has happened - but in surrendering it all to the Lord, some clarity is coming. There is the beginning of seeing some of the Lord's purposes in it.
I could so relate to what my friend shared. We may never understand "everything" that has happened in our trials, but we can rest assured that God is working to bring good from them. I've seen that over and over again these past few years.
I frequently hear from family and friends who are still puzzled by what happened to Floyd. I don't have the answers. But I do have a deep assurance that God's hand was upon the process. I saw many good things that came from those years - hard though they were! I think only eternity will reveal all that was happening during those years.
One thing that is very hard about trials is wondering how long they will last!! We can't predict the end of them - and we can't control the hard things that are happening. I find myself in that situation in the ongoing battle with cancer. I have no idea what is ahead! Some days are hard. My comfort is knowing I can continually call upon the Lord for help! God helps me persevere. I couldn't keep going without His help.
Someone sent me a song called "The Night Song." It's lovely to play before going to bed at night......but I play it through the day too. "All this day your hand has held me - God of heaven by my side - Thank you Father for your goodness - You will hold me through the night." He is with us in whatever our "night" may be. He is continually WITH us, by our side. I love the soothing comfort of truth of this song.
I am so grateful that God is with us in stressful times. He is right by our side in whatever we face! He helps us get through each and every hard situation. I am keenly aware that we will never be without hard times on this earth - but we will always be carried through the hard times by our loving Father. That brings such peace to my heart to know He'll help me with whatever comes my way.
"Consider it all joy...when you encounter various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." James 1:2,3
"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert." 1 Peter 5:7,8
" 'Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,' says the Lord, who has compassion on you." Isaiah 54:10
"Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16
"The eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him." 2 Chronicles 16:9
He is aware of everything that is happening in our lives. He is mindful of what help we need. He is continually by our side - extending grace, strength, help, comfort, and anything else we need. He is an awesome, wonderful, faithful God!