Life Just won’t let up
Life sometimes has a way of relentlessly pressing into us, pressing us down, pressing its agenda of pain into our souls to the point where our souls grow thin, bitter, and we shrivel into a place of hiding.
I know this first-hand
I have hidden in the shadows of pain; I have moved backwards into past regrets and shame rather than move ahead into newness of life. What about you? We all have those human tendencies and characteristics of moving backwards and staying in the past harms and traumas rather than seeking the hope of a future filled with blessings. I am guilty of this, and sometimes I allow that guilt to hold me in the past and crush me continually in the pain - but not only me, my family who has to live through the broken patterns with me constantly and continually.
Why? I am redeemed, and set free from the past, so why live in it? What chains am I holding onto and what chains are holding me down? What are you holding on to in this life that needs to be released to the capable hands of the living God? Do I truly believe that He is capable, willing and able to move me out of the past? I truly do believe this. Do you?
I know that life has a way of continuously pushing against all of us, and we are not exempt from the pressures, the strife, the broken messes - yet we are also recipients of grace and beauty that God gives to us - that beauty from ashes, the ability to be wounded but also bring healing to others through our wounds because of the healing and hope we receive from God.
We can consider these things as we grow weary in this life:
God is still a healer and redeemer of lost and broken things. He brings us hope in our hurt, and He is with you even when you don’t feel Him or see Him. Trust that He is moving in you even in your pain and weariness.
We don’t have to live in the past pains and ongoing weariness of the days. We have hope in the One who gives living and lasting hope and peace, and this is even in (perhaps especially in the midst of) the struggles, we can turn to God and fix our hope in Him. Jesus never fails.
There will be days that we are worn out, we feel weak, hopeless, and need to lift our head up, but we are unable - we can lean into Jesus - we need to lean on Him even more in those moments and He will give us a renewed strength and purpose.
I don’t just write this, I am walking in difficulties these days, yet I know my Lord, I trust Him - even when things are uncertain, and I feel unable to move. He is always there. A constant help in time of need, in fact He is an ever-present help in times of need (Psalm 46:1). He invites us, (He invites me) in these words -
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30, NKJV).
I want to get it right all the time, yet this does not happen, and when I fall, when I allow disruptive thoughts, intrusive images, hypervigilance, night-terrors and other things into my life, I need to cry out to Jesus for hope, and help, and healing in my life. I invite you to consider the possibilities of hope being restored in the mighty name of Jesus. He is still our only hope. He can provide hope, healing, restoration, everlasting life. I know this is true from first-hand experiences.
What about you? Will you seek His peace and hope in this life that just won’t let up? He is waiting for you to turn to Him.
Be at peace my friends.