Have you ever had the realization that certain challenges in your life prepared you for a bigger challenge?
This has been a difficult week for my family, but in the midst of all the pain and confusion I had the realization that some of my struggles over the years have prepared me for this ultimate struggle.
One of those moments came right after college. I became obsessed with a book called “The Barbarian Way” by Erwin McManus (a pastor in Los Angeles). His book opened my eyes to some deeper questions in my faith. The book discussed that some of Christ’s closest followers experienced extreme challenges. At this point in my life I had not experienced any major tragedy, but for some reason I had so much empathy for John the Baptist who followed Christ and got his head cut off. I wondered what it was like to be so close to Christ and then when you needed Him the most He didn’t come through for you. I was struggling with the question of can I trust God. I was sincerely searching my heart to find the answers and before long I concluded I wasn’t sure if I could.
I started living more out of fear then trust and it showed in every area of my life. For the first time since I trusted Christ, I felt like I was out of rhythm and off beat in everything I did. It’s like I was always forcing something and never in the flow. I know that life isn’t always free flowing, but this was an intense effort from me to force the way I wanted things to be and it just wasn’t working.
It’s been a continual struggle for me to let go of control, but what finally set me free was watching Andrew battle his cancer. I think I realized I didn’t have as much control over my life as I thought I did and for the first time in a while I truly believed that God had a plan for my life. What’s funny is once I experienced the very things I was afraid of, I realized that the experience wasn’t nearly as bad as the story I created about it in my mind.
God’s given me grace, strength and courage to face this challenge and I see why I questioned my faith when I did, so that I can sincerely trust God when I really needed to. If you are wondering why you are going through a difficult challenge trust the process, walk through it in faith knowing that you are loved and God does have a beautiful plan for your life. Blessings.
Once what seemed like the worst happened and I found out I could trust God to get me through it, I saw that I need not fear anything. God is my refuge. That doesn’t mean He keeps me out of it, but that He keeps me through it. Jesus said, “In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.” That means troubles come, but Jesus has already overcome them. Through Him we are more than conquerors! What else, this side of heaven, do we need?
Proud of you Bay! Love you with all my heart!
Andrew,
Your words of challenges in life, and how that life,has set for you and how all this prepares one for those struggles have given me in my path of life strength to continue in the path set before me…Dr. Ivy
THANK YOU !
Praising God for giving you grace to trust Him! I am deeply encouraged by you! I love you so much, precious bay! Ben and I are praying!
Dear Bailey,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and Andrew.
Love to you both,
Kathy
Bailey. my heart just breaks for you & Andrew I just talked with your mom at the park she told me it s not going real well & that they were taking Miss Ellie home with them . I could see the hurt in her eyes when we were talking also I see were your sweet spirit comes from. We are all praying for Gods peace & comfort while ya’ll are in Houston Just know God is with you always just keep leaning on him. WE love Yall so much & wish that we could be doing more for you, & if is something we can be doing please please let us know. Sweet Jesus i ask you to be with Bailey & Andrew give them strength & healing protect them in ways only you can do, Give Andrew strength so he can get on that new treatment. In Jesus name I pray. love yall pat
Sweet Baily and Strong Andrew, May you feel God’s arms around you and His love in your heart. Praying and more praying for 2 of the strongest Christians I know personally.
Sweet Bailey and Strong Andrew, I am praying that you can feel God’s arms around you both and His love in your hearts. You both are the strongest, most courageous Christians I know personally. I pray and pray and pray that Andrew will get strong enough to be taken into the trial and be healed.