We live in one of the most beautiful places. Within a short distance we can be in the mountains or on the coast. Forest hikes and beach strolls are daily possibilities. We love all the natural wonder surrounding us. Yet, another constant in our area can interrupt these activities. When it rains in the Pacific Northwest, we can't fully enjoy our surroundings in the same way. Sometimes rain can set in for longer periods, and when it does, gray days can have an effect on the people. We stay inside more and as a result avoid seeing and experiencing all that our region has to offer. This serves to me as a picture of life. Each of us has a lot of wonderful things around us. We also have rain, metaphorically speaking, that prevents us from experiencing abundant life.
Unexpected Problems
There was young girl whose parents took her in for a regular doctor's check up to be told that something was wrong with her feet. This would require a fairly extensive surgery that would leave her incapacitated for a lengthy period of time. The parents, as would any parents, were willing to do whatever for their child, but the procedure seemed like a difficult endeavor for someone so small to endure. As they looked for other options, a less invasive option would require her to wear a type of orthotic during her growth years. The doctor suggested that even by doing this, she would likely not be able to run as she grew. This option seemed the best course.
The little girl resisted the devices at first, saying that they hurt. They were uncomfortable and limited what type of shoes she could wear. But in time, she got use to them so that resistance lessened into mere annoyance and she even forgot that she was wearing them. Eventually, she outgrew the need to wear them. Her feet had grown into their permanent form. Future orthotics could provide comfort, but not form her feet any more; the shape of her feet had set.
We all face difficulties. The parents above had a difficult choice where either outcome would significantly affect their daughter. The girl had been given a bad physiological break. Her misshaped feet were the beginning of constant annoyance in her young life. Yet, the parents made their choice and moved on. The girl learned to live with her condition and the changes required.
Moving Forward in Difficult Circumstances
Many people have much more difficult choices to make than these parents. Many people have much greater difficulties to endure than the girl. But the principles in their circumstances can apply to us all. We make choices and endure difficulties while we continue to move forward.
In much of the same way that the orthotics redefined the shape of the girl's feet, our difficulties shape us and can define us. The question remains with us of how they shape or define us. We may choose to let adversity form us into defeated and broken shadows of who we are meant to be, or we can allow them to form a strong character within us.
Discouragement Abounds
It seems that as of late many people who have crossed my path have been brought low by something in their lives. It is as if there is a spirit of discouragement just floating in the air. People have challenges faced at work, in their family relationships, health concerns and financial burdens. The effects range from mild worry to deep anxiety, even debilitating anxiety that affects health and happiness.
Joy in Difficult Circumstances
One person who has recently gone through one of life's difficulties recently shared with me something that spoke to her in the middle of the tough times. She reminded me of just what sort of joy can be found in the midst of life's difficulty. She quoted a scripture that she had memorized as a little girl:
Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, (1 Pet. 1:8 ESV)
Her joy in the midst of difficult circumstances came as a result of her faith, not her circumstances. She placed her faith in Christ, the focus of the love in this verse. He served as her hope when facing unwanted problems.
Each of us has our own set of problems. For some, they bring acute and seemingly unbearable sorrow. For others, it is prolonged and seemingly never-ending sorrow. Whatever the case, how can we find joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory in the middle of these circumstances? How will we let our struggles shape us?
Romans 5:3-5 reminds us,
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. (NLT)
Let us trust that God love us dearly and allow His love to convert our trials into strong character and confident hope of salvation.
