I write a lot on my blog about the power that we have withing ourselves to make the right choice. I write often of faith, strength, perspective and enduring.
Those are all easy things to write about when the sea is calm. But what about when the storm comes? Is it as easy to say, "Thy will be done?" or "The Lord qualifies those He calls" when the the sea is no longer still?
One day, not too long ago, a storm came into my life. A big one. All the things that I knew were put to the test: God's will is the best for me; He will give me the strength to do hard things; I can be happy in the middle of struggles; I willingly carry my cross because that is how I become like my Savior.
In the first moments I faltered. The realization of the terrible storm brought tears of frustration, anger and even resentment. I didn't not want this trial. I did not sign up for it. I did not think I could endure it. It was too much to ask. Can He make it go away?
The moments turned to hours. The tears came and went, then came again. The doubts, frustrations and anger went sent through prayer to heaven with no answer in return.
Then, soon after I had the chance to hear the answer given to me through my good husband: This is our burden to bear, our load to carry. And we are asked to carry it because we can, and we will. Heavenly Father will give us the knowledge, the patience and the understanding we need to get through it. There is wisdom in all things- even the painful ones.
I hated that he was right, so I cried a little more. I wanted to fight, I wasn't willing to accept just yet.
Then he bought me chocolate cookies and I stopped crying.
He reminded me of something I would often say, "Just because life is easy doesn't mean it's good, and just because life is hard doesn't mean it's bad." He smiled and said, "We can do hard things, Michelle. And we can do this."
Then came the moment of truth: the moment where I had to make a choice: The moment I decided how I will respond to the storm. Will I continue to scream at the wind and the waves as they thrash me about? Or will I put on the protective gear and do my best to steer the boat through the storm? Do I let anger, resentment and frustration take control? Or do I make the choice to believe and do?
In that moment I chose to stop yelling at the waves, and to steer the boat. Almost immediately I began to feel a little better, a little lighter and a little hopeful.
He bought me a chocolate shake and I began to smile.
I am still in the middle of the storm. The waves are so tall that I cannot seem to see past them. My boat has been rocked and I feel seasick. I have done an inventory of my abilities and found that I am seemingly unqualified to steer the boat. But, I know who can see the entire sea, and He is telling me things will be alright. I choose to believe Him (and my husband.)
And, for the first time, even in the middle of the storm, I feel peace.
Those are all easy things to write about when the sea is calm. But what about when the storm comes? Is it as easy to say, "Thy will be done?" or "The Lord qualifies those He calls" when the the sea is no longer still?
One day, not too long ago, a storm came into my life. A big one. All the things that I knew were put to the test: God's will is the best for me; He will give me the strength to do hard things; I can be happy in the middle of struggles; I willingly carry my cross because that is how I become like my Savior.
In the first moments I faltered. The realization of the terrible storm brought tears of frustration, anger and even resentment. I didn't not want this trial. I did not sign up for it. I did not think I could endure it. It was too much to ask. Can He make it go away?
The moments turned to hours. The tears came and went, then came again. The doubts, frustrations and anger went sent through prayer to heaven with no answer in return.
Then, soon after I had the chance to hear the answer given to me through my good husband: This is our burden to bear, our load to carry. And we are asked to carry it because we can, and we will. Heavenly Father will give us the knowledge, the patience and the understanding we need to get through it. There is wisdom in all things- even the painful ones.
I hated that he was right, so I cried a little more. I wanted to fight, I wasn't willing to accept just yet.
Then he bought me chocolate cookies and I stopped crying.
He reminded me of something I would often say, "Just because life is easy doesn't mean it's good, and just because life is hard doesn't mean it's bad." He smiled and said, "We can do hard things, Michelle. And we can do this."
Then came the moment of truth: the moment where I had to make a choice: The moment I decided how I will respond to the storm. Will I continue to scream at the wind and the waves as they thrash me about? Or will I put on the protective gear and do my best to steer the boat through the storm? Do I let anger, resentment and frustration take control? Or do I make the choice to believe and do?
In that moment I chose to stop yelling at the waves, and to steer the boat. Almost immediately I began to feel a little better, a little lighter and a little hopeful.
He bought me a chocolate shake and I began to smile.
I am still in the middle of the storm. The waves are so tall that I cannot seem to see past them. My boat has been rocked and I feel seasick. I have done an inventory of my abilities and found that I am seemingly unqualified to steer the boat. But, I know who can see the entire sea, and He is telling me things will be alright. I choose to believe Him (and my husband.)
And, for the first time, even in the middle of the storm, I feel peace.
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