I have always heard this phrase spoken....."I don't look like what I've been through," and I've wondered "What in the world does it mean?" Well I think that I have gotten a true insight of this phrase for the very first time in my own life. Everyday we walk around about our daily lives, passing people here and there. Some we acknowledge and some we pass without a glimpse, but almost never do we look at them and say, "I wonder what it is that makes them tick, or I wonder what emotional struggles this person has had to endure." We see people and they have a beautiful smile and we AUTOMAGICALLY (my word..no need to check Webster's Dictionary ;-) ) think that this person has it all together. When in actuality they are putting on "the peoples face" (as my friend so eloquently calls it).
During the past three years or so, I have seen many struggles throughout my life that I thought "this is NOT supposed to happen to me." I have wanted to give up so many times and have done so, only to come back to the realization that "as long as God has me, then I got this." I dust myself off and go back into the ring to fight yet again. I thought to myself, "hey I am really getting good at this." Cocky Right?! Sometimes you think you can master any storm that comes your way, because the waves aren't that big, the current isn't that strong. But what happens when a Tsunami comes?! You thought the waves were something, but OH BOY this flood is more than what you could have ever imagined. That's how I felt.
Each storm I had would be something so minor, but at the time, I thought was so huge. Whether it was financial, emotional, or even physical, I would wallow in pity and close myself off from reality. Never at anytime did I realize that all of what I was going through was a DISTRACTION!!!!
When storms come it is usually when things are going good and you are on the fast track to birthing something great! The enemy sees how great things will turn out and decides its time to put a wrench into this development. And it BEGINS! Boom: The kids start rebelling, BOom: Wreck happens where you have to put money out that you really didn't have, BOOm: Sickness hits, BOOM: Ultimate Tragedy!!!! All the while you still have to go about your daily life moving and shaking to make things happen. Because after all "Life still must go on," right?! You would think that it would come one problem at a time but that's not how Tsunami's work. I felt like I was drowning! Being consumed by all of these distractions, and to top it all off, you have to include the judgement, disdain, and looks of people. So now distractions are coming in all directions. But remember, you have to go through contractions (relentless pain) to birth something GREAT!
This is why I say, "Surround yourself with positive people, strong people, LOVING people!" They reminded me that ONE: This IS just a distraction, TWO: People are going to talk, but if they don't affect your everyday life, then they nor their comments most certainly don't matter, and THREE: You are loved by God and us and we have your back! Get into a place in your life that when storms come, they don't shake you, or take you off coarse. Stop giving the enemy something that they're not supposed to have and that is POWER over you! Stop allowing him to take you out of character, break your focus, and your Spirit! Live Love Laugh. Not saying that it will be easy, nor am I saying you will bounce back immediately. What I am saying is you are resilient, you are a fighter, you are destined for greatness! Pray, Believe, Receive......IT WILL HAPPEN!
Until Next Time! Ciao for now!
