We all lose sometimes.
Maybe one morning you’ll look in the mirror and decide you don’t like what you see. Maybe one day you’ll figure out you’re really sick and that it may cost you your life. You’ll have to watch a love one pass on. You may get your heart broken. You’ll get disappointed in yourself. You may not always get picked first for everything and some people may not like you. There are times in our life where we may feel like we are at a loss.
All of us have our problems, the things that keep us up at night or worry us. Some days are better than others, but of course it is the better days that we enjoy. It’s pretty common to be happy when “good” things are happening and to be upset when “bad” things are happening in our lives. In fact, we often want these “bad times” to go away fast. When we get sick, we hope to feel better rather than stay sick for a couple more weeks. Even while being sick, we don’t embrace the sneezing and high fever, instead we focus on getting better and getting back to our normal lives. I find that “bad things” in our lives are often brushed off as obstacles that we must quickly get over until we are in a happier season of life.
Personally, I don’t do well with “not knowing”. Let me explain, I’m a big planner. I like to have my entire life mapped out in my head, expectations are set for each season in my life. I find that when my life is not going the way I planned or imagined it’s disappointing and I know that’s a problem many can relate too. Especially while living during a pandemic, a lot of plans and expectations of the future have been changed, and change is not always easy. For the last few months, I’ve found myself trying to run away from this wildly different season in life. I’ve been eager for my life to get back to normal, to function the way I always intended it to. I’ve found that lately, this has been the mountain I’ve been facing.
I remember earlier in the year, reading a verse in the book of James. The verse spoke on how trials in our life build perseverance, and that we should be joyful because of it. I remember reading this verse, but not really dwelling on it much. To be honest, I felt that it didn’t apply to me at the time so it didn’t really stick into my brain until these past few weeks where it sort of just popped into my head. This verse put the idea of “bad seasons in life” into perspective for me. Despite the fact that as humans we will endure hardships, it’s still a period in which God calls us to be joyful. Rather than trying to run towards better days, it’s important to pay attention and be sensitive to what God is trying to tell us because these times are meant to build us up. It’s not always about focusing on the light at the end of the tunnel but instead living in the present even if it’s not where you want to be. We were never promised a comfortable life, but we know that all things work out for the good of those who love God. I usually write my posts based on my past experiences or things I feel passionate about, but I have to end this one by saying that I’m still figuring it out. Sometimes we do lose, or at least it can feel like it, but I’m learning the difference between living through the motions and living with my eyes wide open through every season.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything”
James 1:2-4