Monday, July 26, 2010

Singin' the Blues

Well, feeling them is a more accurate description. It was just one of those weeks last week, ya know? The kind that just made you want to cry at the drop of a hat. I have friends going through some hard times and it just breaks my heart. It is so refreshing, though, to know that they are all trusting in the Lord through their trials. How encouraging! But the storms of life are still quite difficult to navigate. And it can get awfully depressing out there in those "bogs". My family went through a violent storm almost two years ago and we still struggle here and there when things come up and remind us about it. I always thought that depression was for "those" people, not me. But it happens. I remember not wanting to get out of bed, or do laundry, or dishes (of course, who does? ;) ). If it weren't for my two small children and my wonderful husband, I probably would NOT have gotten out of bed for a while. Thankfully, after a while, my sweetie took our lovely girls out for a whole morning so that I could have some time by myself. I was SO depressed. I remember sitting in my large walk-in closet just balling and pouring my broken heart out to my merciful and gracious Savior. And do you know what? He heard me! Yes, and He gave me sweet assurances from His Word. Oh, what a precious time that was! Very bittersweet, but so meaningful. A friend of mine who is going through a storm just wrote the other day that sometimes God brings us through trials because we couldn't learn the lesson any other way. I thought that was an interesting thought. We learned so very much these past couple of years and continue to learn. I'm so glad we don't have to stay depressed, though. Instead, we look to our precious Savior in Whom true joy is found! And, even if we don't feel "happy", we can be at peace. Almost two years ago, I did not feel "happy". Our lives were turned upside down, most of our "friends" who we thought loved and cared for us so much turned their backs on us, and we were left trying to make some sense of what had happened. My husband and I spent many tears, much time praying, and many long nights just talking. And we always found encouragement in God's Word. Always. Job's life was very encouraging to us. "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in Him," Job said. What a testimony! The Psalms were very rich for me, as well. On Sunday, a verse that I had really clung to for a while was mentioned and it brought tears to my eyes just remembering everything. Psalm 16:11 says "Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." When I read this verse almost two years ago, we had no idea what we were going to do or where we were going to go. We were on our way to Papua New Guinea as missionaries...had all of our missionary support, visas, and we were getting ready to pack up and head out. But it all came to an abrupt and hurtful end. So we were at a loss as far as what to do next. This verse was so encouraging to me, though. He would show me the path of life. I didn't need to worry. And, hallelujah, in HIS presence there is fulness of joy! What a thought. Oh, the promises in God's Word that we need to ponder. HE is SO very good to us, isn't He? Well, I think I've rambled on enough. Until next time.

1 comment:

  1. wow, powerful post Joy! God is SO gracious; thanks for the reminder! Hugs!

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