I am someone who loves to have fun! I love to laugh. I love to enjoy what I am doing. But sometimes, I find myself in a situation that simply is not fun. In those seasons, I have found that I have a choice in how to react...
First of all, I had to realize that the situation that was stressful, sad, boring, or draining, was not permanent! Things change! No matter how bad the circumstances you find yourself in--they will change! So many stories involve the phrase "it came to pass"--I'm glad looking over my life, I can tell stories about things that came--and then passed!
Then, I determined I was going to make it through this season. I was very distraught at one point this summer and thought surely I was going to crack under all of the pressure and stress that I was under. But--I forced myself to embrace the mindset that these situations did not come to break me, but to make me stronger. It sounds so simple really, but in the midst of crises it was an anchor of hope.
John Chapter 15 verses 1-17 was a great source of strength to me in the midst of the battle. When I felt like I was being cut, and wounded so deep, I found hope in the promise that this cutting was to make me more fruitful. This season can make you stronger and a better you if you refuse to become bitter. Even grape vines that are doing well, fighting to provide life to every other branch around it, gets cut on, or "pruned". Likewise--even when you're doing everything right, there's always room for improvement. You can always be MORE fruitful! What an amazing invitation. With that mindset, the pruning is so much more endurable. YOU are going to be able to affect more peoples' lives after this intense season of your life. When this season and struggle passes, you will be able to provide hope to other people through your story. When others see you not only made it through the season; but you made it through well, they will know it's possible for them to make it too.
You must not underestimate this season! Choose to remember details about it. The season that I am thinking about as I write this blog was also a season of great joy! Now, as I have emerged victorious, I see the traces of joy throughout the season so clearly! Now that I'm not consumed with the pain, I can see promises that were fulfilled throughout the season. I have come through with a new level of strength, endurance, confidence and yes, joy!
Don't give up in the pruning! Don't let the pressure break you. Choose to strengthen yourself in this season. Rise to the challenge! You are not wandering through this trial alone--there is a Friend walking beside you, you can lean on Him and He will guide you through this season and lead you back to joy!
First of all, I had to realize that the situation that was stressful, sad, boring, or draining, was not permanent! Things change! No matter how bad the circumstances you find yourself in--they will change! So many stories involve the phrase "it came to pass"--I'm glad looking over my life, I can tell stories about things that came--and then passed!
Then, I determined I was going to make it through this season. I was very distraught at one point this summer and thought surely I was going to crack under all of the pressure and stress that I was under. But--I forced myself to embrace the mindset that these situations did not come to break me, but to make me stronger. It sounds so simple really, but in the midst of crises it was an anchor of hope.
John Chapter 15 verses 1-17 was a great source of strength to me in the midst of the battle. When I felt like I was being cut, and wounded so deep, I found hope in the promise that this cutting was to make me more fruitful. This season can make you stronger and a better you if you refuse to become bitter. Even grape vines that are doing well, fighting to provide life to every other branch around it, gets cut on, or "pruned". Likewise--even when you're doing everything right, there's always room for improvement. You can always be MORE fruitful! What an amazing invitation. With that mindset, the pruning is so much more endurable. YOU are going to be able to affect more peoples' lives after this intense season of your life. When this season and struggle passes, you will be able to provide hope to other people through your story. When others see you not only made it through the season; but you made it through well, they will know it's possible for them to make it too.
You must not underestimate this season! Choose to remember details about it. The season that I am thinking about as I write this blog was also a season of great joy! Now, as I have emerged victorious, I see the traces of joy throughout the season so clearly! Now that I'm not consumed with the pain, I can see promises that were fulfilled throughout the season. I have come through with a new level of strength, endurance, confidence and yes, joy!
Don't give up in the pruning! Don't let the pressure break you. Choose to strengthen yourself in this season. Rise to the challenge! You are not wandering through this trial alone--there is a Friend walking beside you, you can lean on Him and He will guide you through this season and lead you back to joy!
No comments:
Post a Comment