Have you ever noticed that our struggles tend to drive us closer to God? This has been playing out in my life over the past several days, and for this I am grateful.
I’ve been feeling quite depressed. I’ve been struggling with a medication issue, and it has affected me mentally and emotionally. Even though school has been helping me to get into a better routine, I’ve still been fighting to keep above water.
I felt so down this afternoon that all I wanted to do was sleep. I lay down and slept fitfully for several hours. Then the “beating myself up” began. Why had I wasted this time? Why had I upset my routine, and endangered my ability to fall asleep when it came time for bed?
But God pulled me up out of this rut. I went food shopping and had just enough money to buy the things that I needed. It was also encouraging that I received my first “paycheck” from Steeped Tea today. It made me feel like my hard work was beginning to pay off. And it’s also been wonderful to see signs of Spring outside, like blooming flowers and warmer weather.
I’m feeling better now. I don’t know how long this feeling will last – it’s definitely been an up and down battle. But what I DO know is that I need to keep coming back to God each time I face a trial. He is the One who can help me see the good things, when all I want to focus on is the bad.
And in this way God helps me to move from “feeling blue,” to relying on Himself.
Photo Credit: Milada Vigerova
Knees to the Earth 
I understand this. I am learning to give myself more grace and patience.
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It’s a difficult thing to do (I am a perfectionist). But God understands my struggles and gives me (and all of us) grace, so I need to be able to accept it!
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I have been going through something similar. It seems like everything is against me, and I’m struggling to stay positive. The story of Joseph in Genesis has been extremely helpful to me. He went through so much but God elevated him in each situation. Even after years in prison he was still filled with the Holy Spirit. That’s how I want to be. I encourage you to read it.
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Thank you for your insight, Tawni, I will read about Joseph. I agree that it would be a good reminder for me of how God works bad things out for good in our lives. I pray that you will continue to look to the Lord for strength to sustain you through your trial.
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Amen; Put your trust in the Lord in everything. Whatever He allows is for our good and His glory.
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So true! Thanks for your comment! 🙂
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