Tag: Perseverance

FIGHT

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FIGHT

In a recent conversation with someone whom I dearly love, she asked how my recovery was going. Here’s the exchange that followed:

I’m ok. Just need to remember how to be a patient again. You’d think with all the times I’ve been in the “patient” situation it would be easier.

Nah, I get it. Every time you fight your way back to feeling good again, it’s even harder to sit still and work back up to fully functional again. It makes sense. ❤️ But you come back better each time. 😉

This. I so needed to hear this today. Maybe you need it as well. You come back better. Again, and again. I’m not sure if she intentionally used that word twice in one sentence, but it stood out to me.

We all go through stuff, have trauma, and it’s ok to feel an obesity of emotions. Then afterwards, we gotta stand up again (and again). Choose to fight—not in a violent, rather overcomer way. FIGHT!

Find

Incredible

Goodness

tHrough

Trauma

“You can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore before you decide to be happy.”

Jane (Nightbirdie) Marczewski

It’s the in spite of, not the trauma, that should steal our focus. The wildflower growing out of the sidewalk. The rainbow in the storm. The unavoidable laughter through tears. THAT kind of joy, an impregnable goodness, is infectious in the best possible way.

The world needs more of this. See, share, spread this. FIGHT, my friends.

Change Considered

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Change Considered

2020 has been a lot of things, change being the most prevalent. Change in plans. Change in how we operate. Change in our world. And change is hard. Really hard. Our bodies often resist change…until it’s no longer change, rather a new normal.

I used to hate that phrase, “new normal.” If it’s new, then it probably doesn’t feel at all normal! It masks the truth: change is happening, and I haven’t decided whether or not I like it. Most of us are experiencing copious amounts of “new normals,” in various parts of our lives.

It certainly didn’t feel normal not spending Thanksgiving with our extended family.

Seeing shelves in stores emptied as a desperate attempt to control something in our lives isn’t normal.

Watching business close, walking past locked doors, and witnessing owners pleading for their livelihood is not normal.

Nope, I still HATE the phrase. I have spoken (for you Mandalorian fans). I don’t particularly like change. It makes me uncomfortable. Leaves me a bit anxious. Tests my faith, which is difficult for me to admit.

As my husband drove me to physical therapy this morning, we happened to pass by a familiar face I’d not seen in quite a while. I sent her a quick message and put my phone away. I didn’t see her response until 4+ hours later, because everything about PT was just plain hard!

My regular therapist wasn’t there. I usually go much later in the day. The room was set up differently. I was doing things that didn’t at all feel familiar. I could tell my body was not accepting all these changes well because it was new and NOT normal.

After coming home and crashing (literally poured myself into bed and slept for about three hours), I found my friend’s response. She shared a scripture. It was one I knew well, and upon reading it, I had to stifle a laugh.

It began: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds…”

I’m sorry, I have to stop right there. Joy and trials should not be in the same sentence. It’s an oxymoron. Literally. We do serve a funny God!

“… because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”

I know that I don’t like being tested. I know that I am often weak. I know I’m not always steadfast. None of which, I believe, sets us up for perseverance. Period.

“Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature”

Um, I think I just proved above I am not mature with the whole test thing. Did you not hear the virtual stopping of my foot like a two year old? Arms crossed. Face fixed. And stubbornness exuding from my core?!

“… and complete, not lacking anything.”

I want to be complete! I want to lack for nothing! But do I really have to be mature? Must I endure the testing of my faith? How can this possibly produce perseverance? Seems to me it’s bringing forth my inner most child-like temper tantrum.

Ok, enough is enough. Let’s put it all together.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4

While change (or trials) may not FEEL at all joyful, we still have a choice in how we consider it. What kind of mindset we’ll don while facing it. Whether we’ll be open enough to accept what’s coming could actually be good for us in the end.

Believe me, it’s a tough concept. We are most comfortable when things are stable. Unchanging. But that’s our immaturity showing. Our flimsy faith.

In order to be complete, we sometimes have to undergo a metamorphosis. That means change. A trail, maybe even refined by force or fire, before re-emerging, beautifully changed. From great tragedy comes great triumph.

A tiny seed, split, turned into a mighty oak.

A wiggly worm, cocooned, brought forth into a butterfly.

A grain of sand, irritant calcified, produced a pearl.

We love the finished product, rejoicing in its miraculous transformation. We don’t lament what it used to be. And yet, we often miss out on our own potential “rebirth” due to our reticent change resistance.

Now the words “consider it pure joy” makes a bit more sense, because we all want to be “complete, not lacking anything.” While our faith may be tested, God’s goodness is unwavering. He remains solidly sovereign. And that, my friends brings us hope to traverse any trial, joyfully.

Take that, 2020. While you have changed us in countless ways, we will continue clinging to Him in anticipation of something more that completes us. Because He is a good, good father. And the best is yet to come!

Delicate Diligence

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Delicate Diligence

After my first physical therapy appointment, I’m trying to convince my body and brain that PT is my new favorite. Unfortunately, it’s not working. My quads are crying from the sheer exertion required to attempt standing. My biceps/triceps are exhausted from taking the brunt of the work. My head is pounding from the sensory overload of it all, as well as the determined focus required to coerce connections that once came freely. While PT is not my current favorite, it is the vehicle I must diligently utilize in order to transport myself back to normal.

Normal. That word has certainly taken on a new meaning, hasn’t it? We are living in a time where so many things do not look or feel at all normal. Try envisioning giving birth, grieving a loved one, getting married, graduating, or any other significant life event in this unprecedented time. None of it seems normal, not everyday life nor any special occasion, at least, not what we used to call normal.

However, life either continues on or it doesn’t. I’d like to say the choice is entirely ours but that would be a supremely arrogant statement. Truth is, now more than ever, we are reminded how little we have total control over. Frustrating, isn’t it? You’ve probably heard this at least once before: all you can control is your attitude, effort, and communication. I know this is something often taught to athletes. But I’d like to add one more: your faith.

You see, when things feel anything but normal, our faith (or lack there of) is what will guide our attitude, effort, and communication. Will we seek solace in our faith or lash out with our lack of it? Will we allow His Holy Spirit to fill us with peace or unfruitfully fester from fear? These are choices absolutely within our control and will unequivocally influence our attitude, effort, and communication.

All of these, including our faith, require diligence. It is especially easy to lose focus when there are so many things vying for our attention, the worst of which are rattling around inside our heads. Or maybe that’s just me? Maybe I’m the only one with a mind battle at war, the two sides being the easy way or hard way.

The devil instigates his evil schemes inside our minds. He bends and blurs truth until it is almost unrecognizable. He wants us to take the easy, sometimes sinful, way to lure us into his web of deception. However, Jesus overcame the devil’s temptations, and so can we.

“My dear children, you belong to God. So you have defeated them because God’s Spirit, who is in you, is greater than the devil, who is in the world.”

1 John 4:4 ICB

What settles the score in the easy way versus hard way mind battle is inevitably our faith. What we believe in our core. Whether we will listen to what the world says or heed scripture, which tells us this:

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33 NLT

Jesus tells us point blank we will face “the hard way” on Earth through MANY trials and sorrows. It won’t be one trivial trial or simple single sorrow. Scripture, unfortunately, says “many,” of both (hence the word “and”). The good news, however, is if you’ve read the back of the book, then you know who wins: we do, through the gift of Jesus and all the sacrifices He made on our behalf!

So my friend, while whatever you may be facing might not be your favorite, it may even be painful, it does not hold the power of having the final say. We do, through our faith in Jesus Christ, when we allow Him authority over our lives. It is in this delicate dance of handing ourselves over to Him, following His lead, and allowing His spirit to move us in the right direction that brings us through with the least missteps. Let’s open ourselves to His sweet melody while we sing along in praise, even if sometimes, it requires a little more diligence on our part!

Promises

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Promises

“No, I don’t know where I’m goin’

But I sure know where I’ve been

Hanging on the promises in songs of yesterday…”

“Here I Go Again,” by Whitesnake

I crack up when these lyrics come to mind as I open the door to our sauna. The sauna I said I wanted. The sauna that has helped me in the past. The sauna I am now reluctantly using because I don’t want to need to use it.

After a chuckle over the bizarre mind soundtrack that played upon entering, I become especially aware of the cedar smell. It fills my nostrils as the hot air fills my lungs. This is good for me, I keep telling myself, but the five year old in me cries “but I don’t wanna…” It’s like the broccoli (or death trees my kiddos called them) on the plate that is repeatedly ignored in attempts to move into non-existence. Why a sauna, which is candidly an in-home luxury, can evoke such a visceral response, is beyond me. But there it is. Me, being real with you.

A recent post, detailing an acronym for ALONE, might have been misconstrued as loneliness. Like the all too prevalent #AloneTogether slogan ventures to soothe those actually quarantining. I am not lonely, rather feel alone in the middle of this. Another episode in “an unusual” condition that baffles most. It’s simply not an experience that can be easily explained or adequately conveyed.

A mystery to most, a reality for me.

“In school, you’re taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, your given a test that teaches you a lesson.”

Tom Bodett, author

Wow. You’d think after all I’ve been though, I’d have learned my “lesson” by now. Maybe you feel the same way. In your own life. In your own trials. “God, what are you trying to teach me? Why does this have to be so hard?”

“Sin has made us stupid, so that we can only learn the hard way.”

Peter Kreeft, Christian philosopher

Sin is what makes us suffer. Not God. Our God offers hope in the face of suffering. Often, it is only in adversity that we cry out to Him. We worry and then pray, thinking this is worship. Seems backward and selfish. But Jesus tells us,

“Don’t worry about what you will suffer. The devil will throw some of you into jail, and you will be tested and made to suffer… But if you are faithful until you die, I will reward you with a glorious life.”

Revelations 2:10 CEV

So here I go again, although not alone. Going down the only road I’ve ever known, which is unfortunately the hard way instead of easy street. But in the midst of it, I will sing songs of praise, even through the tears, carrying me through my days of pain, because that, my friends, is faith. Faith is believing without seeing the entire course mapped out. Faith is trusting with obedience, even when sin tempts us otherwise. Faith is receiving the grace He offers without grumbling about the process. Following, in faith, all the days of our lives, until that day when we are called home and given the ultimate prize. This is His promise. While it may not be easy, it certainly beats alternative, don’t you agree?

Don’t Stop

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Don’t Stop

We have so many influences in our lives.

A multitude of voices that vie for attention.

Naysayers to knock you down.

Cheerleaders to pump you up.

All clamoring, screaming, crying for you to listen.

Do THIS.

Don’t do THAT.

Go HERE.

Stay away from THERE.

STOP!

The gift in all this? Choice!

Recently, we’ve been watching episodes of AGT (America’s Got Talent). It’s amazing! All the stories of hope, perseverance, and dreams that evoke incredible raw emotion…

A 73 year old woman who started body building at age 59. A former Olympic runner turned singer after a tragic accident. An 15 year old who auditioned, in part, to honor her sister’s wish to see her on a big stage before she goes blind. Inspirational. Unbelievable. Magical.

Why?

Because they didn’t stop. Didn’t matter what life threw at them. Didn’t derail them from moving forward. Didn’t allow the agenda of others to dictate how they should act, feel, or whether they should continue.

THEY CHOSE NOT TO STOP.

That’s when we fail…when we stop.

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him.”

James 1:12

Trails are trials. And like Depeche Mode sings, “People are People.” Failure, however, is not final. It is not the end. It does not define you. It refines you, if you address it in its positive form, acquiesce to its potential…for more.

Another opportunity.

Different avenue.

Alternate course.

“And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

Philippians 1:6

Pursue your passion. Dive into your dream. Work. Hone. Practice. Allow our Perfector the privilege to hold His rightful duty as judiciary over your life. Until that final moment, my friends, DON’T STOP! You only fail when you stop. Be faithful in the daily, and the Lord will reward you with eternity.