The question isn’t, “Why do bad things happen?”

But rather, “How do I want to respond when it does?”

Because since the beginning of creation, a plan was made.

Made from a loving Heavenly Father up above.

We were never promised that trials and tribulations wouldn’t come.

But we are promised to never be left alone or forsaken.

When you’re in the midst of chaos or filled with fear.

Do you respond by blaming God or get overwhelmingly shaken?

Life will throw you curveballs, it’s just inevitable.

Over the past several years, I’ve been through all sorts of ups and downs.

From unexpectant health scares, car problems, and costly home repairs.

It definitely hasn’t been easy, but I refuse to allow the storms of life to cause me to drown.

Life is uncertain, that’s for certain.

It’s going to do what it does best.

Take you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions.

While you try to pass its stress test.

That’s why we’re all in need of a Savior because we can’t save ourselves.

Jesus, the One who is the anchor in life’s most unpredictable and challenging seasons.

A solid Rock. A loving Shepherd to His flock.

While life be lifing, He is our hope when the circumstances we face aren’t so pleasing.

He is our strength when we feel like we can’t go on.

So today, what decision will you choose to make?

Trust in Jesus and allow Him to fight for you?

Or, tell yourself that you can carry the weight, but in reality that would be a mistake.

-Rose

Life be lifing. In my 41 years of life, I have been through so many difficult, frustrating, feeling of defeat, and overwhelming seasons. But guess what? I’m still here. I’m still standing. Each testing of my faith that the Lord helps me through, only makes me stronger. With my faith in Him I’m able to continue to pass through whatever comes at me next. It is definitely not by my strength alone, but rather holy resilience.

Before finally allowing Jesus fully into every area of my life, I was just going in the same tiring circle. I allowed myself to be led by my emotions. I tried to find comfort in the world. I didn’t know who I was. How could I raise up two young girls and speak life into them if I didn’t really have life in myself? How could a lost person lead someone? How can you pour into others if you are empty?

In 2018, I made the best decision ever. To finally leave my old self, my old ways, my old thought patterns, and my old habits in the grave. I chose Jesus because I knew I couldn’t save myself from everything I was experiencing. I couldn’t dig myself out of the ditch I placed myself in. I honestly believe that if I would have continued down that dead end road, I would be just that, dead.

In Christ, life is just so much better. Don’t get me wrong, I still face challenges. I still get frustrated and overwhelmed. Everyday I still have battles to fight, but the difference now, as oppose to then, is I’m not alone. I’m not depending on my own strength, I know who I am, and I know who really loves me. I can now pour all of that into my girls and others. God has placed incredible people in my life who I can also lean on for strength and support. I can still have joy in the chaos.

Life will be life while we still have breath in our lungs. Are you ready for the next wave that’s coming? Do you have a strong anchor to hold you steady? The calm is not just before the storm, but it’s also available in the midst of it as well. It’s never too late to surrender your life over to Jesus. To begin a meaningful and fulfilling relationship with Him. He is the only way, the truth and the life (John 14:6).

✝️“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
https://bible.com/bible/116/jhn.16.33.NLT