It would take a book to share my life and the struggles. But more recent has been when I quit smoking 22 years ago, 30 days after I was diagnosed with diabetes. A lot of changes. 2 years ago I was diagnosed with COPD! I was left with a lot of frustration! It seemed the more I have tried to change and improve my life something comes along to make me ask WHY? Ive cared for people who drank, smoked, etc way up into thier 80s and do not have such issues. I ask myself WHY? But of course we all have something that is a struggle. I have always LOVED walking everyday. For 2 plus years I went to gym. It was MY time to think, pray, just get away from lifes noise. I feel blessed if I can walk to our mailbox at end of drive and back. I try to do some lite exercise. But I miss MY time so much. Ive allowed it to get in the way of eating healthy off and on. I seem to have been slowly going down since loss of our son. I pray...I read Gods word. And yes some days are better than others.
I guess all I can say is: God has pulled me back from the edge more than once in my life when I thought I could not take another step. Giving me HOPE. I try hard to think on the positive, but satan slips in sometimes and drags us down with all our faults. All our regrets. So I strive to cling to God...believe His word/promises. Id love to live in the mountains, but its impossible. It also helps to know others who are struggling and try to reach out to them. Not focus on ME! And remember how MUCH God has blessed us/me! So we get up and start again each new day. And always give Thanks!
I dont think anyone really escapes struggles. They are just in different ways. God always comes thru!
So true - none of us escape altogether ... but we do give God all the credit for surviving. I read that if you can read this, you have survived 100% of the worst days of your life. Good reminder!
Good reminders John. Made me think of Mark 2:3-4. Sometimes we don’t just need spotters, we need brothers and sisters who can lift the weights for us; and sometimes we ourselves are weights being lifted/lowered to Jesus!
[3] And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. [4] And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay.
Excellent post. Why is it we neglect the things we need the most when we are stressed? For me, its healthy food, prayer, exercise, sleep, music, and friendships. (I guess that's a pretty long list of "needs", but I usually just need a couple from the list of coping strategies). What you wrote resonated with me!
Thanks Bart! it must be human nature the way we fall into the same traps ... it's great to know what will help us refocus and to actually engage in those activities!
Richard, that is a heavy situation for sure. It sounds to me like you are doing all the right things by focusing on our Father. Thank you.
Solitude, meditating on his word, walks in nature, and setting my heart free to worship Him.
Good items to consider... puts our focus on God instead of ourselves. Thanks.
It would take a book to share my life and the struggles. But more recent has been when I quit smoking 22 years ago, 30 days after I was diagnosed with diabetes. A lot of changes. 2 years ago I was diagnosed with COPD! I was left with a lot of frustration! It seemed the more I have tried to change and improve my life something comes along to make me ask WHY? Ive cared for people who drank, smoked, etc way up into thier 80s and do not have such issues. I ask myself WHY? But of course we all have something that is a struggle. I have always LOVED walking everyday. For 2 plus years I went to gym. It was MY time to think, pray, just get away from lifes noise. I feel blessed if I can walk to our mailbox at end of drive and back. I try to do some lite exercise. But I miss MY time so much. Ive allowed it to get in the way of eating healthy off and on. I seem to have been slowly going down since loss of our son. I pray...I read Gods word. And yes some days are better than others.
I guess all I can say is: God has pulled me back from the edge more than once in my life when I thought I could not take another step. Giving me HOPE. I try hard to think on the positive, but satan slips in sometimes and drags us down with all our faults. All our regrets. So I strive to cling to God...believe His word/promises. Id love to live in the mountains, but its impossible. It also helps to know others who are struggling and try to reach out to them. Not focus on ME! And remember how MUCH God has blessed us/me! So we get up and start again each new day. And always give Thanks!
I dont think anyone really escapes struggles. They are just in different ways. God always comes thru!
So true - none of us escape altogether ... but we do give God all the credit for surviving. I read that if you can read this, you have survived 100% of the worst days of your life. Good reminder!
I am enjoying your posts John!
Thanks, Lee!
When life becomes too heavy, I like to go for a long drive and listen to hard rock and roll. Maybe not “ churchy” but it gives me space.
Laurie, thanks. Glad you know what works for you ... that's a gift! Watch the head banging around sharp curves though. :)
Good reminders John. Made me think of Mark 2:3-4. Sometimes we don’t just need spotters, we need brothers and sisters who can lift the weights for us; and sometimes we ourselves are weights being lifted/lowered to Jesus!
[3] And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. [4] And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay.
I love that... we need a good friend to carry us when we can't go on. Thanks Aaron!
Excellent post. Why is it we neglect the things we need the most when we are stressed? For me, its healthy food, prayer, exercise, sleep, music, and friendships. (I guess that's a pretty long list of "needs", but I usually just need a couple from the list of coping strategies). What you wrote resonated with me!
Thanks Bart! it must be human nature the way we fall into the same traps ... it's great to know what will help us refocus and to actually engage in those activities!