I awoke this morning with a sudden, severe pain in the low back. I realized it was there the moment I tried to turn over and worse when I tried to stand. I tried to remember if I had done anything different to trigger this; but, could not remember anything. It comes from time to time; fortunately, not too often. Perhaps a reminder of an old injury in which I had been violently kicked in the low back. To add to my dilemma, I awoke with a mind that is blank. Perhaps it would be a writer’s suicide to confess, that I write my post the morning of my posting it. Oh, many times the scriptures on which I will be writing have been playing day and night in my head as I spend the hours in prayer—waiting for a word, a thought, and a whisper from God’s Spirit within me. When the post is ready to upload; often, I have failed the final edit (lack of time) as I scurry off to my day job. Yet, that is the reality of my life. Perhaps the reality of most lives. We could wish that we were more polished, the perfect post which has been reviewed and refined. We wish we never had the blank mind when our friends ask for advice. We wish we weren’t bogged down at times by the pain of an old scar, an injury that tears at our heart.
As we move now into the final chapter of John in this series which we began back in August, we find Peter fishing. Jesus had appeared to the apostles twice before. Yet, neither time had Jesus brought up the one thing pressing on the mind of Peter—the denial. Had he been forgiven? What were they to be doing next? So, in the meantime—Peter had gone to do what he knew best. He went fishing. He did not sit idle while awaiting his assignment. He went about the business of fishing. This way he could provide for himself, his family and even to help feed the apostles. Life continued. Now they knew that Jesus had risen from the dead and they had yet to be commissioned to spread the gospel. Still life on this earth goes on. So what do we do when pain makes every movement difficult? Or when doubt tries to fill our spirits? Or when, our mind is blank awaiting that next inspiration?
Let me share with you some answers I have found over the years. These are 10 steps to overcoming any tragedy you face and any obstacles that come before you. These were essential to my surviving the years of illness and particularly to get through chemotherapy. I return to these often when facing obstacles.
1. Live—life keeps going. So, keep putting one foot in front of the other. You may be moving slowly, but keep moving. Remember Jesus promise, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).
2. Laugh—set aside thirty minutes each day to laugh. Watch your favorite comedian, remember something funny you have done; whatever, it takes find time to laugh. A merry heart doeth good like a medicine (Proverbs 17:22)
3. Love Gently—be kind to that person you are staring at in the mirror. Remember that in God’s eyes you are His child. You would never speak so harshly or with such criticism to a child as you do to yourself. “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4: 31-32). Don’t forget this means yourself as well as others.
4. Guiltlessly—Christ covered your sin at the cross. When He died, He carried your guilt to the grave to be buried there. Confess and move on, resolved to leave your sin with all its guilt at the foot of the cross. “let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2)
5. Fearlessly—Remember that God is your provider, your protector and your strong shield. Even if you don’t know the plan—He does. “Fear not; for I am with thee; be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness” Isaiah 41:10
6. Restfully—give yourself permission to rest at times. Pace yourself so as not to become overly fatigued. There is a reason God set aside a day to rest in the Old Testament law. This is a time to rest in Him—to be restored to face the day or days ahead. “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him”(Psalm 37:7).
7. Knowing that you are loved. “as the elect of God, holy and beloved” (Colossians 3:12)
8. Forgetting your past failures. . “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14)
9. Trusting that God has a perfect plan for you. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jeremiah 29:11).
10. Remembering He is the one who cradles you in His arms of love while singing his song of joy over you. You are not alone. “The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17).
So, always remember to live, laugh, love—gently, guiltlessly, fearlessly, knowing that you are God’s Beloved Child. Forgetting your past failures, trusting in God’s plan, and remembering that He is singing His joyous lullaby over you. If you do this, you will face any tragedy that comes your way with strength and hope.
Would I be able to do more for God were I more polished? I know this God is the final authority–without His Grace to guide each word–no amount of polishing would clearly point you toward Him. With His Grace, He can use my words to touch a soul for Him. My heart’s desire is to show you the love and beauty of Christ so you might desire Him. I would love to hear from you. If you wish you can go to the contact page to email me or you can comment below. Your email will be protected and I promise not to use it for any solicitations
The Song I chose for you today is “Til the Storm Passes By”
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2016
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.