Surviving, Thriving, Conquering
I just had a realization. I will never, in this lifetime, not be hurting. Never not be in pain. What’s worse is this is because two of my sons will live with pain and confusion from Sanfilippo Syndrome, childhood Alzheimer’s, until their little time here on Earth is done.
Gulp.
But in the same breath… I can confidently say, we will never in this lifetime and after, not have Jesus, the King and Savior of this Universe, right by our side. Gladly giving us His strength, His hope, and His endless love, until we go home to our pain-free eternity with Him.
It’s been a while since I’ve written. Because, for one, do people read blogs anymore??And two, Liam’s had a rough-ish year, I’ve had a heavy heart, and not a whole lot of time/energy to sit and write. But I miss writing and the therapeutic effect it has. So for you that might want to read what I write for some crazy reason, this is for you.
I think the goal for all our lives is to thrive and not just survive, right? I feel like we’ve done a lot of “surviving” as a family. I’m sick of it, frankly. We are hurting at times, but I want to thrive, I want my family to thrive, even through the hurt! But alas, I think we will have a back and forth between the two for years to come. And that’s ok, as long as the surviving is only for a time.
But what is the key to thriving?? I heard the other day that the key to thriving is to take your eyes off your hurt, and start helping others with theirs. I love that!
God will always take the bad and turn it for good, if we are humble and willing. He can use our pain, for us then to help and encourage others who are struggling.
When we know what it feels like, our heart breaks with theirs, and we can empathize and help others better than if we had never experienced it. Helping others actually helps us feel better, we feel useful, and our hearts become full.
So here’s some vulnerability and where I’ve been at:
For the past little while now, I had been struggling with some feelings of loneliness, of not being good enough, throw in a little low self esteem and a lot of stress, of course, and then SO frustrated with myself feeling these things! Because I know what God says about me!
I am fearfully and wonderfully made: “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well”. (Psalm 139:14)
I have purpose: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare, and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).
“Perhaps this is the moment for which you’ve been created” (Esther 4:14). (YES!!)
I have power, love and a sound mind!: “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).
I know these thoughts are just lies that Satan would love for me to believe, but my mind will slip and emotions can get in the way from time to time.
I don’t have a fancy career or make loads of money. I don’t have a high position, and I don’t receive any accolades. 🤣 My hair is thinning, probably from stress, and I don’t have big friend group. And that’s all ok!!!
But… comparison, right?! Oh comparison, you sneaky little butt!
When I compare myself, instantly I feel that I’m not good enough, not smart enough, etc etc. The thing is, I shouldn’t wish for those things anyway (besides the hair, I do wish for my hair), but make the most of this place in life where I am at right now. To see the good and the beauty God put in this life that I am living!
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights” (James 1:17) And there are so many of those good and perfect gifts!
And honestly, that’s not where my passion lies anyhow. Thankfully, God gave us all different abilities and different passions.
AND, God also calls us to HUMBLE ourselves so that His glory will be shown through us!
I’ll tell you what being humble is NOT: Being humble is NOT becoming sad or distraught because you don’t make as much money as someone else, or feeling less than because you don’t have a big successful career. It is NOT feeling depressed comparing your hard life to someone else’s “easy” life. (News flash- no ones life is all easy)
1 Peter 5:6-7
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”
Mmhmm. Yep. I actually don’t deserve anything, really. But God has so graciously given me SO MUCH! Because I am His child and He loves me and cares for me. I will never deserve to be exalted, but it says He will at the proper time, if we humble ourselves.
God, the God of the Universe, will exalt me???!!! Woah.
So, I’m here to tell you, you’re not alone in struggling with sad or anxious thoughts. You’re not alone in struggling with comparison. You’re not alone in your depression. I get it, and I can now relate. When life gets real hard, it’s easy for these feelings and thoughts to come.
The other day, as I was upset about something, I said out loud to God in my room, “Ugh, God, I need a word from you today!” And I’m sure He said “You silly goose, why don’t you pick up your Bible then”.
If we want to start thriving, let’s go back to God’s word together. Like, go back Every. Single. Day. (Or in some cases, every couple hours, or every few minutes.) 😉 Because His word is living and active, and it will tell us exactly what it is that we need to hear.
And let’s also go back to what is meaningful in this life: People. Souls. Love. And that God’s glory be lifted so that people may truly see Him and know His unending love. Using our pain to help others!
That is my purpose, that is how I can thrive. When I’m having a hard time, I remember this purpose and try to focus on just that.
This is how you can thrive! This purpose is for you too, my friend! To be a light to this dark world! Starting, first, with our own families.
“No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.” (Roman’s 8:37)
Another version says, “We are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”
You and me, we are CONQUERORS, and we have overwhelming VICTORY through Christ!
And Arizona is beautiful