Sometimes Things Are Just Difficult

"I will both lie down in peace and sleep, for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety."
Psalm 4:8

I don't remember when I found that verse in the Bible, but I was pretty young. And I'm sure I found it at a time when I was scared. I've repeated it to myself often, and it has brought me comfort.

"What then shall I look for? My hope is in You." Psalm 39:7

I found that verse written on a picnic table somewhere in East Texas as my family moved Chicken Nugget and me out to California one summer. My brother saw it written there and asked me what that verse says (you know, since everyone knows that I've memorized the book of Psalms). When we got back into the car, I looked that verse up and read it, and it spoke so much comfort to me. Earlier that day, I had asked God for a word, because I was scared. Though I was stepping out in obedience, I was scared, and God gave me that word. I was comforted.

I know many people who need comfort right now. Life is difficult. Jesus told us that life would be difficult, but that He has overcome. (John 16:33) Sometimes it is hard to remember that.

One of my friends found out last week that she has stage three cancer. She'll be having surgery next week.

One of my friends has ALS, and she is one year younger than me.

I have some friends that have recently had to leave a mission position due to illness. They have experienced sadness and confusion. They dearly loved their place of work and the people there.

Another couple I know had their first baby last year. When he was four months old, he started having seizures and they found out that he has a disorder that will affect him for the rest of his life.

I know several others who are experiencing trials.

I have experienced trials. In one year, my oldest brother passed away and I went through a devestating divorce. I remember going through so much sadness and depression and a lack of hope. I also remember the night that my husband left, that I put my daughter (then just 9 months old) into bed and I sat in my green chair by the window and I prayed: "God, You've got to get me through this. You're all I have left and I can't do this by myself."

And God did. And God gets me through every day. When I'm tired from just being a wife and mom. When I'm feeling like a horrible person because I've hurt my husband or one of my children. When the enemy attacks and I succomb to his lies. I don't understand it, and I certainly don't deserve it, but God is always there to remind me how precious I am to Him. He made me. He loves me. He desires so much just to know me, and that I know Him.

Like I said, I don't understand it.

I don't know who might be reading this and what trials are in your life. There's no way to sugar-coat life. Sometimes, it's just really, really hard. Things happen that shouldn't and that I just don't understand. All I can do is hurt with my brothers and sisters, to cry with them and pray with them and that's what I do. And I just hope it is enough for that small moment. God is bigger than all of the difficulties. God hurts with us, too. O, Lord God, we need You so much.