I’ve occasionally been accused of having a “Pollyanna attitude.” I’m never quite sure whether that is intended as criticism or compliment. I simply believe we become what we dwell on. While evil certainly exists—Satan is hard at work—I still choose to look for the good because I believe God is good, and in the end, good triumphs over evil.
The way we see life, also helps shape our lives. When we are disagreeable and pessimistic about our circumstances and life in general, we’ve invited a gray cloud to color everything we think, say, and do. That ‘perception’ is definitely transferred into our life, and others can absolutely see it!
Every one of us will be tested in this temporary life. No one escapes hardship. The question isn’t whether trials will come, but how we respond when they do. How we handle the struggles, is what defines our character, integrity, love, and faith, along with other attributes which not only our peers can witness, but God can see.
Personal battles have long been barometers of a person’s principles, ethics or morals; not to mention fortitude, honesty and devotion. There are many outstanding examples in God’s Word! Consider Abraham and Sarah who waited many years for a child, but couldn’t have one. Finally Isaac is in the picture and God commands Abraham to use Isaac as a sacrifice. This would require the life of their only son who was promised to be the seed for many descendants—-more than number the stars!
Joseph is another perfect example. He has literal dreams of being in a high place where others would bow before him, yet he ends up thrown in a cistern by his brothers, sold into slavery and ends up in prison when the Pharaoh’s wife falsely accused him. But for Joseph that wasn’t the end of the story! Others include Daniel who was thrown in the Lion’s Den…and was freed unharmed!
While these are all amazing examples of those who were tested and came through with ‘flying colors’, there are those like me, who when I became a widow, faltered. I didn’t feel like I could stand strong. I cried and wrestled with my loss. The test was difficult and I became exhausted. I felt like I would be misunderstood by others because all I could do was cry. My emotional ‘grit’ was stretched, and I wondered when I’d finally feel like I’d made it through.
The loneliness, fear and anxiety, on some days left me feeling overwhelmed, unable to even more forward. I was stuck, in my profound grief, even though I knew God was with me.
But God did heal my heart and forward movement was visible. Still when I compare myself to these amazing Biblical examples on some levels, I still wonder if I failed. I admit to falling far short! Trials and tests are hard and there are days even now…over a year later… when I seem too tired to fight the ‘good fight’! I feel like ‘bailing’ or ‘throwing in the towel’ and saying ‘how am I going to do it?!
Then I remember what Jesus faced, He understands suffering far better than I ever will. Rather than minimizing my pain, it reminds me that I have a Savior who truly understands it.
Perhaps faith isn’t always standing like Daniel before hungry lions. Sometimes faith looks like getting out of bed when your heart is broken. Sometimes it looks like whispering one more prayer through tears. Sometimes it simply means refusing to let go of God’s hand when you don’t understand His plan.
I may never compare myself favorably to Abraham or Joseph. But I’m learning that God wasn’t asking me to be Abraham. He was asking me to trust Him one day at a time as a grieving widow. And perhaps that’s what faithfulness looks like in this season.
God has a purpose and plan for each of us as we travel through this temporary life. Trials, even big ones, like the loss of a loved one can be hard! We have choices to make. Those choices define us, not only with our peers but with the blessings we can receive or forfeit from God, for this life, and for eternity. But he gives us what we need to get through it; and our tests draw us closer to God as we depend on him.
Surviving Together In Loss And Love 
Leave a comment