#newsflash #lifeishard by: Deborah Ard
I am sure that is not news to you. It certainly isn’t news to me. As life goes, we have many ups and downs. Sometimes we seem to walk through a valley for a long season but praise God we then have mountain top highs to lift us up. I can say that with hope and assurance because God has brought me through many trials and victories. I can say that with confidence because I have a relationship with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As a result, He puts all the trials and tribulations into perspective for me. When I am down He lifts me up. When I feel hopeless he gives me hope.

I enjoy walking for exercise and for the fellowship with friends. Recently I had the blessing of walking and talking with a friend who has endured much hardship. As we walked and talked we both shared with one another some of our individual trials. She said more than one time that God had been so amazing through her difficulty. She also said she couldn’t imagine how someone could endure such hardship without believing in God. And I agreed. How could someone endure hardship and have no hope? She was able to walk through her painful experience because of her faith in Jesus Christ. He put all things into perspective.
Does that mean that believing in Christ and focusing on him makes life easier? Not at all. But it does mean that He will be right there with you, guiding and directing you, giving you strength and courage to face your difficulties and to get through the valleys of life. As some of you know, last school year was difficult for me. However God blessed me so much through that difficulty. As I look through my journal from last year I can see evidence of how God strengthened and encouraged me. Sometimes it was through scripture, devotions, prayer time, music or another person. During the season of Lent I read Draw the Circle by Mark Batterson, a 40 Day Prayer Journey. It gave me a daily reminder to stay focused on Him. By spending time with Him daily He put all things in perspective. He gave me the hope I needed each day, hour, moment.
In contrast to last school year, this school year has held many positives. I have had a renewed love and enthusiasm for teaching and I know God has me where He I need to be. Psalm 40: 1-3 sums it up best.
“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.”
As you face trials and tribulations are you able to keep it all in perspective? Are you able to have hope in seemingly hopeless situations? I encourage you to spend time daily with God. Allow Him to walk through the valley with you. Allow Him to give you comfort and peace. Allow Him to guide and direct you. He may not always change the situation but He will change you through the situation. He will put it all into perspective. He will give you hope.

The following song brought me much comfort in my valley,  Even If by Mercy Me

Photo by Toby Mac