Last year, when I was sick and bedridden, a cloud of depression hovered over me like rain clouds that darken the sky before a heavy downpour. Sadness and despair wrapped themselves about me like a cloak and wouldn’t let me go. Uncertainty obscured my view like a thick fog blanketing a city.
I was in pain physically and also hurting spiritually—the worst combination I have ever known.
How would God heal my body, restore my faith and lift me up out of my horrible pit? It looked impossible when doctors didn’t know why I was so ill, too feeble to function.
Restoration was out of reach, in my mind, when God’s promises appeared to contradict my tumultuous state of being. The constant presence and comfort His word promises sounded too good to be true when I felt alone and inconsolable.
But today, here I stand, whole, strong, restored and confident in the power of the God of our salvation. That’s why I can tell you with full assurance that it’s not the end. Where you are now is not where you will always be.
But only God knows the exact date of our release, which is why it can be terribly hard to deal with the harsh realities of our present condition and remain full of optimism.
Brokenness, tribulations, hurt, confusion and frustration can seem like unwelcome house guests that will never leave.
But eventually, they will.
At the lowest points in my life, the valley I fell into was so deep, I thought I would never rise again. I have found myself at the bottom of mountains that appeared unscalable. I have sunk into the depths of despair that proved inescapable on my own.
A usually happy-go-lucky person, there was once a time when I dismissed the notion that I would ever personally struggle to locate my joy and peace of mind.
How naïve, young and untried I was back then!
But as the years passed and transition found its way to my house, and forced its discomforts upon me, I grew to realize that I, too, could be knocked down by life’s unexpected blows.
Oh, but there is joy on the other side of sorrow.
And God is taking you to the other side. Just continue to follow Him. Don’t give up. Don’t doubt.
It’s not over.
He will lift you up, bring you out, and take you through. To remind you of this, I’m stirring a testimony into your cup of inspiration. It’s found in Psalm 40:2 and says, “He pulled me out of a horrible pit, out of the mud and clay. He set my feet on a rock and made my steps secure.”
When you drink down the contents of your cup of inspiration, you will rejoice in knowing that God has a plan for your escape and your rise. He will not leave you hopeless, comfortless, or aimless. As you hold onto your faith, the Lord will strengthen and keep you.
And one day, you will have a testimony to share with someone else going through a storm.
You will be able to tell them, from a deep place of knowing: don't despair... it’s not over.
Now let’s pray.
God, thank You for reminding me that no valley is so low that You cannot lift me up out of it. No trial is too hard or complex that You cannot bring me out of it victoriously. In times of difficulty, please help me to hold fast to Your word and believe with all my heart that You will turn my test into a testimony. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!
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