What do you do when the only option is to go through the storm? Have you ever been driving along and a storm pops up? You are stuck either on the side of the road or you choose to go through the storm. The dark black clouds loom low to the ground and the rain starts to fall obstructing your vision in front of you. You keep moving because you don't want a car from behind you to run into you, but you are cautious as you move forward not knowing what lies ahead. As you pass through the storm everything around you fades into shades of gray, a big blur, and loud pounding on the windshield and roof of your vehicle. Will it end soon? Thunderstorms typically don't last that long and are moving rapidly. Just like the storms of life that last mere moments or seasons. I'm learning that some storms in life you don't get to choose to go through, they choose you.
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| Photo By: Stacey Beam |
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| Photo By: Stacey Beam |
Have you ever been on a bear hunt? Maybe a deer or turkey hunt? Hunting is one of those tricky outdoor hobbies that require a bit of skill and luck to bring home the trophy prize. My experiences with hunting are somewhat limited. I’m a beginner and have only lived here in Missouri for almost five years. I’m learning about how to hunt the wildlife in the Ozarks. I enjoy being out in the woods, breathing the forest air, and observing the flora, fauna, and wildlife around me. It is a peaceful time of sitting in silence from human noise, absorbing the surroundings, and tuning into the sounds of nature. It can be physically demanding to find the perfect location due to terrain and weather conditions. The time of year typically is in the fall and sometimes it is warm or downright freezing cold. The wind can be your friend or foe. There is great anticipation built up to the hunt itself. So much preparation goes into sacking the big one.
I’m reminded of a pre-school song “I’m Going on a Bear Hunt, Gonna Catch a Big One.” You may be familiar with the catchy tune. If not check out my link to the song.
I’m going on a bear hunt of my own. Well not for a real bear. The bear of cancer. Defeating the big, scary bear. I keep repeating the line from the song, "I’m not afraid!” Mentally repeating the phrase and replacing it with scripture.
Philippians 4:4-8 "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable --if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy -- dwell on these things."
Romans 8:18 " For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us."
John 16:33 " I have told you these things so that in me you have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world."
2 Timothy 1:7 "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound mind."
Exodus 14:14 "The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace."
Isaiah 43:2 " I will be with you when you pass through the waters, and when you pass through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. You will not be scorched when you walk through the fire, and the flame will not burn."
Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through him who strengthens me."
In the song, "Going on a Bear Hunt" there are several obstacles encountered before arriving at the cave of the bear. For me, I feel like there have been many obstacles along this journey with breast cancer. Most of which are completely out of my control. The thing I keep repeating to myself is to keep perspective, keep calm, keep hoping, and keep fighting. I don't have understanding or answers, but I know the One who does.
Obstacle one – the grass
Do you ever find yourself looking at what other people have that you don't have? Maybe it seems like the grass might be greener on the other side of the fence? I'm talking about playing that comparison game. You know the one where you scroll through social media, stopping at the pictures of friends on these vacations, or the perfectly posed family photos like Joanna & Chip Gaines? Yeah, I want to be like that, but deep down I'm not. This constant comparison is exhausting. It robs you of joy and replaces your feelings of security with doubts and what-if questions. It is dangerous. When you walk through tall grass or brush in the woods it is very important to watch your step. Hidden in the path may be snakes. Sounds a bit like how the devil wants to trip us up in our thinking--yep the grass sure is green over there. Don't fall for this lie. The devil is keen and cutting. He is crouched like a lion ready to pounce on the prey moving in the tall grass. If the devil can get to us by using mind games to get us thinking we don't compare and measure up against others he wins. We have to win the game in our minds and take control of the negative and degrading self-talk we often partake in. It tends to be in the realm of social media where it runs rampant. Check yourself -- make sure the grass is kept short around you. Remove those distractions, know your boundaries, and call out for help if you get lost in the tall grass. We may look at those pictures and think, wow they have it together. The real reality is those pictures don't say it all. True they may be on vacation once again this summer but you don't know the full story. You are assuming the information you don't have. It may look like life is going along just fine. But under the air-brushed photos and piles of unpaid bills and sleepless nights of loneliness are other Moms wishing their life was like yours. Really we don't want to trade places with anyone. But sometimes we want to because life just seems unfair. My summer certainly isn't going the way I had planned. I'm making the most of it, regardless of a cancer diagnosis and needing chemotherapy. I'm not hiding out in the tall grass wishing I was someone else. This is my path and the enemy better move along. SWISH. SWISH. SWISH.
Obstacle two – the river
Water can be very deceiving. The river may look calm and slow-moving on the surface, but underneath it is swiftly moving with currents. Sometimes in life, it seems like we are drowning in a river of regrets. We made bad choices or worse someone we love made a bad choice and now life is messed up. I see it over and over again. The brokenness of families ruins confidence and confuses young children as to what true love is. We end up drowning in a sea of broken promises, confusion, anger, depression, and bitterness. The river for me seems to be this constant battle with my health. Maybe for you, it is finances or relationship woes. It really doesn't matter what the issue is we can all relate to this feeling of water rising to the point of sucking us down. We are trapped and figuratively drowning. Feeling like you are in over your head? Join the club! Rest assured the Father knows what we need even before we ask. Call to the one who can speak a Word to calm the seas in an instant. You might get wet in the process of getting out of the boat. Be okay with that. Life is hard. The struggle is real. SPLASH. SPLASH. SPLASH.
Obstacle three – the mud
Mud is messy. Life can be a real mess. It's not always easy and it certainly doesn't go the way I want it to go every time. Maybe you have never thought of mud as a medium for transformation. Certain types of soil produce clay. Wet clay is very sticky and rolls like plasticine. It is easy to mold and shape into the desired object. When it dries it is able to keep the shape of the object. Usually, the clay is put in a kiln and heated to very hot temperatures around 1,800 to 2,400 degrees Fahrenheit. Does anyone else feel like it is hot in the trial? Like you are going to burn up or out? This is part of the process. Clay has to be molded. Whose job is that? The Bible gives the analogy of the Father being the Potter and we are the clay. In Isiah 64:8 "But now O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and You our potter; and we are the work of your hand." So all this mud and clay is the work of the Father. He is making us like Him as we go through the hardships in life. He is molding, shaping, breaking, creating, over and over again in each of us a perfectly unique you and me. Just like Peter wrote, "Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try to you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy." 1 Peter 4:12-13 The mud may be messy but God is making something beautiful out of it. SQUISH. SQUISH. SQUISH.
