Getting Through A Difficult Chapter

This post is written to link with Five Minute Friday: write for five minutes on a one-word prompt. The prompt today is “chapter.”

Yesterday, I was talking to a friend who seems to be going through a difficult chapter in life. In reality, it seems like it has been several difficult chapters. Just as one situation is resolved, something else comes up, and for over two years it has been relentless.

The thing that has struck me throughout this whole journey has been my friend’s faith. It is said that when we are squeezed, it is what is inside us that comes out, and I have been so impressed, and challenged at times, to see that what has come out in my friend’s life is not despair or self-pity, but a deep trust in God that is carrying her through.

This is not to say it has been easy. It has been horribly difficult and painful, but her strength has come from keeping sight of the big picture.

When we’re in the middle of a difficult chapter, it is easy to focus on our circumstances, to allow ourselves to be dragged down, but I’ve seen for myself the difference it makes when we look beyond our circumstances and look to the God who is in charge of the story.

As I spoke with my friend, she expressed sorrow for people who seem to have everything in worldly terms – success, money, good health… – but who really have nothing because they don’t know God. Despite the challenges she has faced, and continues to face, she knows that she has what really matters.

And, no matter how difficult the chapter we’re in, if we are in Christ, we know how the story ends.

We can be strengthened by the hope of the ultimate happy ending.

“I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” (Revelation 21:3-5 NLT)