If you’re thinking that it’s been a while since you heard from me, you would be right. I took a little break in January to recover from the craziness of running a small business during the holidays and to think and plan for the coming months.
The truth is that I’m weary. Professionally, the past few years of doing business, first through a pandemic, then through a season of exponential growth, and now into an uncertain economy, have worn me slap out out. Personally, my family is dealing with some difficult situations that feel increasingly impossible and have quite simply rocked my world.
Maybe you can relate. Your troubles may be different than mine, but if you’re alive and breathing, I imagine that something is weighing heavy on your heart.
If so, can I encourage you to preach truth to yourself every time your troubles cross your mind? I’ve found it helpful to remind myself over and over again that the promise of the gospel is not that I would never face trouble or hardship in this life, but that when those troubles come my way, I do not face them alone.
“In this world you will have trouble,” Jesus said. “But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
When I feel like I just can’t, I remind myself that God can, and that’s all that really matters. Then I pray and ask him (again) to fill up my lack with his abundance. To lead me in the way that he would have me go. To grant me wisdom. To order my steps. To redeem what seems unredeemable. To restore the shattered and broken. To heal. To sustain. And more than anything, to work wonders. To be the miracle worker that I know him to be. To bring glory to his name now and forever.
That’s what it means to take heart. It’s to hold onto hope in the muck and the mess of this life and to know that Jesus is Lord, even of this.
I don’t know what this year will bring, either for Muscadine Press or for my family, but I do know that whatever comes my way will come as no surprise to my Lord. He is good and faithful to meet and supply my every need. And that’s enough for me.
3 comments
I’m sorry you are going through hardship. Hardship may not be the right word. What you wrote is so encouraging to me. Thank you for sharing truth and the reminder that our Lord is in control.
Thank you for your transparency. Praying for you and your family. 🙏🏾
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.
It especially was great to read your words, “order my steps” and to, “hold on to hope in the midst of the muck of this life.”
I pray that God will continue to make you aware of His presence and that He will work wonders in your life.