Beat Down – Day 3

It can seem that Murphy may have been right sometimes.  You know the law…if something can go wrong, it probably will.  And it can feel like those times build one on the other.  Or, if you prefer, it can feel as though the things collapse one after the other until you are left in a rubble.  Either way, once it begins, it can feel as though this is just the way it is.  

I don’t necessarily think that’s the way it goes, but I definitely FEEL like this is the way it goes.  I think once something happens, we are more in tune and more sensitive to things which would not have bothered us otherwise.  Those other things may have happened and we wouldn’t have even cared.  But the fact they follow one seemingly major problem, it snowballs.  

What do we do when we get caught in this loop?  It is helpful to take just a moment and step back.  It is best if we can get a view from the outside, a glimpse at the reality of the situation.  Do things stink?  Probably.  Are we upset they happened?  Most definitely.  But is this the worst like we feel it is?  Probably not.  Most of the time, a new view or a glimpse of the whole situation helps us to see things are not as bad as they feel.

It also helps if we can write those things down.  Once we see them on paper, they aren’t nearly as daunting.  And they also don’t feel so defeating.  In the end, it is helpful to remember we are loved and cared for – even in the most difficult times.  Even if the situation really is overwhelming and things really are stacked against us, remembering we are loved can help to shift our perspective.  

No matter what, you are loved.  No matter what you may face, you will not face this alone.  No matter how difficult, the battle is not fought without God standing with you.  That really does change everything because God changes everything.  

Psalm 73

²³ Nevertheless I am continually with you;
    you hold my right hand.
²⁴ You guide me with your counsel,
    and afterwards you will receive me with honour.
²⁵ Whom have I in heaven but you?
    And there is nothing on earth that I desire other than you.
²⁶ My flesh and my heart may fail,
    but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever.

We are not alone, friends.  No matter what we may face, God is with us.  May you find God holding your hand today.