Good morning, By My Side friends.
Happy Canada Day and 4th of July week to you all. We have had powerful rainstorms and unexpected tornadoes the past couple of nights in our area. A lot of damage has occurred, with flooding and big trees falling on cottages on our lake.
As I stepped back and reflected upon this unpredictable weather, it started to remind me of how life can change in an instant. Dark clouds, fierce winds, and uncertainty have a way of shaking our sense of security.
For those walking the painful journey of separation and divorce, the storms of the heart can feel just as overwhelming. This month, let us turn our hearts to Jesus—the One who calms every storm, walks beside us in every trial, and whispers to our hearts, “Do not be afraid. I am with you.”
Jesus is filled with compassion. Jesus is actively aware that we humans are constantly engaged in dreadful conflicts that we are powerless to resolve on our own. There are times we suffer and feel powerless to improve the situation we are in. Watching a loved one deteriorate in health, constant stress and anxiety over our work and careers, being unable to lift a friend’s anxieties over their predicament, or finding ourselves as victims of mental and physical anguish can all be debilitating. Where are we to turn in the midst of this suffering?
Christ is the answer to our powerlessness. Jesus walks with us in our moments when we feel most vulnerable. When we feel alone and weak, we need only reach out in prayer. As well, Christ has given us the Church (descending from the Apostles whom He originally sent out). The Church provides us with many things, among which are companionship and support. We know that difficulties are part of life. But we don’t need to face them alone.
Suffering is not a waste of time; it is a moment in time. Suffering does not sever our relationship with God; our suffering more deeply unites us to Him.
Jesus loves us so much that He won’t intrude in our lives until we invite Him into our circumstances. That’s how much God respects our free will. We need to invite Him into our lives verbally in prayer for Him to move.
Stop overthinking. If you’ve invited God in, daily, to help you in your trials and tribulations, if it’s God’s will, it will happen, and nothing will stop it. If it’s not His will, then He has a better plan. It’s that simple. Have peace in that. Everything is going to be alright.
God is making a way for you right now. He is waiting for you to say, “God, I surrender this issue to You now. Come show me Your way.” You will then make it, no matter what it looks like right now. God is bigger than your worries and fears. God’s plans will always be greater and more beautiful than all your disappointments.
God is writing an incredible story with your life, even when the current chapter doesn’t make sense. What feels like a setback may be setting the stage for something greater. You don’t need to see the whole story to trust the Author.
When God is all you have, you have all you need. If you trust God, then turn every situation over to Him and watch Him move.
I hope you reflect on my “food for thought” over this next month, everyone. Enjoy the rest of your July, my dear By My Side friends. See you in August.
Love,
MJ xo
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