Are you in the middle of a difficult life situation?
Last week, I saw one of my children’s former art teachers. We hadn’t seen each other in years, so took a few minutes to catch up on each other’s lives. This sweet man talked to me about some of his struggles caring for his 96-year-old mother. I could identify. He confided that after he retired his plan was to paint, but that hadn’t worked out because of other responsibilities. Then he said a grandparent once told him that, when you are going through a hard season of life you can’t see what God is doing, but after you are beyond that time, it becomes clear.
I, also, have found this to be true. When you are in the middle of something hard, you don’t understand why God is allowing it, until you are beyond. Only then can you identify and understand the life lessons this hardship taught.
Maintain Forward Motion
Our trip involved lots of walking, often over uneven cobblestones, or steps with unpredictable treads. At times, all I wanted to do was sit and be still, but the only way through was to keep moving forward.
Difficulty tends to throw us into slow motion, or halt progress altogether. But you can’t move through and beyond when you’re at a standstill. Although it takes great effort, maintain forward motion, knowing each step brings you closer to moving through and beyond your current situation.
Snapshots of Hope
Even if you feel you are imprisoned in your current circumstances, look for glimpses of hope. What you are dealing with will not last forever. God will make a way through and beyond.
While in Crete, we saw an ancient lighthouse in the harbor. I wondered how many ships over how many years this lighthouse had brought to safe harbor.
For us, God is that beacon in the midst of life’s storms. God is the sure and steady anchor in rough seas, the One who holds us fast and will never let go.
Through Has an End Point
Our trip to Pompeii was sobering. I thought of those who were going about their lives and normal routines, and suddenly, an event of horrific proportions turned their world upside down. There was no time for escape, and life abruptly ended. Yet, past the ruins in the foreground, were beautiful vistas beyond. As you move through hardship, keep those vistas in view, even if it is only a small glimpse through an open window.
In Rome, we passed the coliseum at night and saw light shining within. When life seems hopeless, look up for hope that lights your way, remembering difficult circumstances end and there is life beyond.
Painstaking Restoration
On our Mediterranean trip, we saw examples of painstaking restoration. Often, when a town was conquered, great destruction occurred to buildings, statues, and art. Years later, when ancient civilizations were uncovered, great effort was made to accurately restore and preserve.
In Rome, we saw a statue of a man whose missing arm was found years later in another part of the city and reattached. In other locations, we saw the restoration of buildings.
Personal restoration is just as tedious and time consuming as restoring ancient ruins, but well worth the effort. As you move through a hard life season, take time to nourish yourself spiritually, care for yourself physically, and refresh yourself mentally. Once you are beyond, give thanks for God’s sustaining grace that saw you through and beyond.
“You have made me see hard times; I’ve experienced many miserable days, but You will restore me again. You will raise me up from the deep pit. You will greatly increase my status and be my comfort once again” (Psalm 71:20-21 VOICE).
©CandyArrington
Candy Arrington is a writer, blogger, speaker, and freelance editor. She often writes on tough topics with a focus on moving through, and beyond, difficult life circumstances. Candy has written hundreds of articles, stories, and devotionals published by numerous outlets including: Inspiration.org, Arisedaily.com, CBN.com, Healthgrades.com, Care.com, Focus on the Family, NextAvenue.org, CountryLiving.com, and Writer’s Digest. Candy’s books include Life on Pause: Learning to Wait Well (Bold Vision Books), When Your Aging Parent Needs Care (Harvest House), and AFTERSHOCK: Help, Hope, and Healing in the Wake of Suicide (B&H Publishing Group).
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