“It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.”
~Charles Dickens
If that doesn’t describe the paradox of life- I don’t know what does.
The rhythm of this life is bi-polar. The beat is booming and the tempo erratic.
[Tweet “Don’t panic. I AM with you. I will #help you and hold you steady. -God #promise“]
God loves you and He is for you. He’s the only One with answers and solutions to the mess of living in a fallen world.
[Tweet “God’s love is infinitely MORE than this #crazy life of #extremes. #HeIsWithUs”]
There’s no formula or 10 step program for success in life.
But here are a few things I try – I hope these thoughts help you as much as they help me. 🙂
- I RUN TO THE ROCK
Psalm 62:7 “With God rests my salvation and my glory; He is my Rock of unyielding strength and impenetrable hardness, and my refuge is in God- He is my safe place.”
When I feel a major life “extreme” coming on, I cry out- Help, Lord! I’ve learned I really can’t handle life on my own- call it a crutch but I call it awesome to be able to run into the arms of Love Himself.
When things are tough- I have some bad habits of escaping reality. I love to get lost in a good book(s), I love to stuff down my stress and fears by eating- 🙁 , I like to watch movies or shows to escape life’s stark realities.
Now a good book, food, or movies aren’t “bad”- but they become destructive when I use them to solve my stress. The thing is they solve nothing- it just ends up adding more stress to me- because I didn’t go to God to get relief!.
I’m still learning to run to God.
Sometimes, I put on my walking shoes and get outside to clear my head and ask God for perspective, sometimes I put on my favorite Christian music or I choose one scripture I mediate all day about. Honest prayer helps (He knows what I’m thinking anyway 😉 ) and sometimes I even take a nap and say, “God- I’m so weary- I’m going to take a nap and trust that You’re in charge and not me.
The thing is, I’m constantly learning God is my “safe place”. He’s my only help! He alone, has kept my mind from breaking. He holds me together when I feel like I could shatter into a million pieces. But I know if I should fall apart- He will build me back stronger than before!
[Tweet “If you’re running from life- run to God- #safe #refuge”]
2. HOLD ON!
Hebrews 10:23 “So let us seize and hold fast and retain without wavering the hope we cherish and confess and our acknowledgement of it, for He Who promised is reliable (sure) and faithful to His word.”
I tend to be stubborn and it’s served me well- lol- most of the time. Every time I think about quitting- something fiercely stubborn and determined rises up in me and says- NO. I will hold fast- I will keep putting my trust in Jesus- I know that He is good- He is love- and He says I am His.
[Tweet “Stubbornly cling to #God. #overcome #trust “]
5. REMEMBER THIS TOO SHALL PASS!
Life is just a dot- on the line of eternity. God has planned a future life that will blow you away. Our pain is temporary.
This is my absolute favorite.
If you knew for absolutely certain, someday- you were going to be given an unbelievable inheritance- wouldn’t that just make life’s tough days a bit more bearable?
That’s what’s absolutely happening to God’s children. We don’t know when but we know it will happen.
And No one can imagine what God is preparing for His redeemed children!
[Tweet “With #God- our best #life is still ahead. #hope #promise #eternity”]
The promise of wholeness-
the promise of no more fear, confusion, anxiety, or depression-
the blessed assurance of consuming love by my Creator-
the reunion and restoration of interrupted relationships-
the promise of a new body; one that doesn’t hurt, get sick, or stress eat-
the promise of a renewed mind filled with His glory- not the cares and anxieties of this world.
Is God’s love powerful enough to rescue His children from death, defeat, and destruction of this present life?
I know NOTHING can separate us from the Love of God and He is greater than anyone or thing. I’m blown away by His mercy and love!
Surprising Treasures: Revelation 21 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them.[a] 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”
5 And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” 6 And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. 7 All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.
Amen to this. There’s no place safer than in God’s loving arms.
Yes- yes! He is such a good Father!
BE CONVINCED OF THIS ONE THING… AMIDST ALL THE PUSH AND PULL OF THIS INSANE, BROKEN, SOMETIME ENTERTAINING, YET DEGENERATING BI-POLAR WORLD GOD WANTS TO US TO LET HIM HOLD ON TO US.
Great post sweetheart!
We need Him! He is faithful and will never let go of us! Hallelujah!