The Pain Won't Last: Encouragement for Hard Times

From time to time, I find myself thinking about the goodness of the Lord and all He’s done in my heart and mind over the past few years.  I often reflect on the times when I was nothing more than a hopeless woman wandering aimlessly through life, broken, battered, and bruised. 

I never thought I’d break free from the cage of despair, but I am grateful for the powerful name of Jesus that destroys every chain in our lives. Whenever I recall the miraculous work the Lord has done in me, I can’t help but lift my hands and utter Thank You Jesus from a heart overwhelmed with gratitude.

I know very well what it’s like to feel broken beyond repair.

Life made me believe that I was cursed with a curse.  It seemed like I couldn’t win for losing, and every time I thought things couldn’t get worse, I was proven wrong.  Whenever I’d slightly convince myself that I could make it through to better days, something would happen to crush my hope.  Every small glimpse of sunshine I’d find was quickly clouded by gloom.  It was exhausting, and I often felt like I was losing my mind. 

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Time to Cut It: Get Rid of Every Hindrance

To cut or not to cut, that is the question.  I’ve been going back and forth about it in my head for a couple of months.  I’ve had a love/hate relationship with my hair for quite some time now.  Some days, I love it; others, not so much.  Lately, though, it seems that my love for my locks has waxed cold.  A few months ago it was healthy, growing, and full of body, but after allowing myself to stress while in the middle of a tough season, I’ve caused a lot of damage to it.  Now, there’s a lot of dead, broken ends, and its growth is at a standstill. 

I’m also noticing that the damaged areas are beginning to affect the healthier areas, causing breakage.  If I don’t do something about it soon, I’ll probably cause more problems than necessary.  As someone who wore short cuts for years and loved it, you’d think I’d have no qualms about chopping my locks again.  But for some reason, I’m having a hard time letting go.  Even though I know that the longer I ignore the damaged areas, the more I’m putting my entire head of hair at risk of dying, I’m holding on simply because I’m attached to it.  I’ve been growing it out for years, with a trim here and there, and I’m afraid that once I cut it off I’ll miss it too much and want it back.

I really need to let this dead hair go and give my locks a new chance at life. 

Can’t it be like that sometimes in life?  You know there’s something that you need to let go because it’s causing more harm than good, but because you’re so attached to it and comfortable with it, or it’s been around for so long, you’re too afraid to let it go.  So you’d rather take the risk of holding on to it than face the fear or possible regret of cutting it out of your life.

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A Fresh Perspective for a New Day

Some months ago I received an encouraging text message from a dear friend that said, “God is turning it around.  No worries.  Just praises.”  It came to my remembrance the other day while praising God for giving me a new perspective about how He’s working in my life. 

I’ve spent so much time over the past few months worrying and stressing over things I couldn’t figure out, control, or understand, when I should have simply been praising God for how He’ll surely show Himself strong and faithful once the smoke clears.

After finding myself stuck in a bit of a rut, I had a real come-to-Jesus meeting.  I had a stern talk with myself and cast down the glass-half-empty vantage point I’d subconsciously taken on.  I commanded my mind to pull its focus away from everything that was missing in my life and redirect it to what still remains.  Yes, I’ve lost a lot in this season, but I haven’t lost it all.  Though life seemed to take a turn for the worse, I believe with all of my heart that God is turning it all around.

Not only for me, but for you, too.

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