Training Ground

Life seems to hit us at the most inopportune moments. It has a way of sneaking up on us when we thought we just got things in order. You know the many shades of gray it presents itself as: sickness, breakup, disappointments, financial crisis... No matter what shade you’re in, it’s hard to see the color in it all. What good can come out of this? I know I've asked myself that numerous times. God has a way of showing us just exactly what good can bloom from what seems to be scorched ground.

What do we do when our backs are pressed against the proverbial wall? How do we get out of rough times? The sad truth is, we won’t get out of every bad situation. Sometimes we have to ride through our troubles. Have you ever got lost and ended up on a narrow dirt road? I have. The problem with that road was that it was scattered with potholes and my poor old car was bumping and bobbing along, raising my blood pressure. I couldn't turn around. There were trees on both sides of me. I had to ride that road to the end. Thankfully, it wasn't a long ride. That is how life is at times, you get stuck and there isn't an easy way to get unstuck. The good news is that road won’t last forever! Soon enough you will be back on solid ground, where blessed pavement goes on for miles.

Getting through Trials

Getting through trials or crisis’ in our lives is a difficult thing to do. Getting through it alone is even harder. When you’re depressed and going through hard times your pride wants to isolate you, only to protect you from looking helpless. Your pride tells you, “You don’t need anybody, they wouldn't understand anyway.” Don’t be afraid of looking foolish. Telling a friend or family member you’re going through a rough time can help tremendously. If you don’t have anyone close to you to talk to, never forget that God is always there to get you through every tough situation.

Ensuring that you’re not alone in your trial is the first step. The next step is to pray about it. Crying out to God is like releasing the valve of emotions inside us. The more we try to hide the pain and fear, the more the pressure builds. Don’t become a ticking bomb, ready to explode without notice. God says, “Cast your burdens upon me and I will give you rest.” Take what is freely given. Another amazing resource you can use is WGTS Prayer Works. I cannot tell you how many times this has helped me.  Prayer Works is a website where fellow believers come together to pray for

each other. It is totally free and anonymous. Having someone praying alongside of you will give you great courage and peace. I know it did for me.

My last step for you is to never give up. Never throw in the towel thinking things won’t get better. As I like to say, we often cry over puzzle pieces. We don’t see the whole picture like God does. He has a divine plan for our lives and sometimes that plan includes rough times. If you never fall down, how can you learn how to get back up again? Every trial we go through is meant to make us stronger and wiser. Life is nothing but a training course. We are constantly learning and building intellectually, emotionally and spiritually. If you press forward you will reach your prize. You might get there sweating and out of breath, but best believe you will get there. Stay strong and be encouraged!