Trauma in our
life, starting with the birthing process, takes a toll on our soul. There is
nothing we can do to stop suffering from happening, except not to take
unnecessary chances.
Yet, life still
manages to knock us down time and again. Over the years, I experienced my fair
share of distress. I learned to pull myself up by my bootstraps and carry on in
spite of them.
I fancied myself
as an invincible Molly Brown, who is one of the famous survivors of the Titanic
catastrophe. I fiercely fought any foreseeable force, which tried to upset my
equilibrium.
No matter how
high the tide rose around me, I never let my head sink below the surface of the
water.
A time or two, the thought
occurred to me that I should just let go and float with the current.
My soul was not
prepared to do that, however; because I still had enough emotional and physical
strength left to protect myself. Then, the love of my life decided, after 22
years of marriage, that there was no option for us, but divorce.
I had no
education, few job skills and no alimony. The straps on my boots were totally
worn off. I was too tired from the waves of life to tread water any longer. I
finally reached the point in my life where my only recourse was to let go and
let God.
I laid back and
floated with the current, watching as God moved mountains for me. He provided a
place to live, several jobs to pay my bills, a new church family with recovery
classes, and physical and emotional support from my children, parents, brothers
and their families.
God taught me
that there is never any need for anxiety and stress, because He is just a
prayer away. We can let our needs be known with a thankful heart for all God
already did in our life, and then look for the seed for a miracle within every
trial (Philippians 4:4-7).
Prayer:
Father God, I am so
sorrowful that I did not surrender to Your love and faithfulness when I was
much younger. I would have spared myself so much anxiety and suffering from
negative experiences and emotions. I am grateful that You never gave up on me,
but continued to allow trials to come my way, so that I would eventually learn
to let go and trust You.
Teach me to obey,
so I will experience fewer trials as a result of my reliance on Your strength,
rather than on my own. Remind me to walk in Your Spirit and make me effective
for work in Your Kingdom.
Thought for the
Day:
Surrender every
area of life to the Creator of life and to the Author and Finisher of our
faith.
- Genesis 1:1; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 12:2
