Saturday, December 29, 2018

A Treacherous, Rewarding Journey





“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”  2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Among the challenges in life, do you ever sit back and wonder why:  Why me?  Why now?  Why this?  Often, we follow such questions with how:  How will I get through?

I am a strong believer that everything happens for a reason.  My life depicts hundreds of events that fell into place, though many difficult, for a reason.  The reason remains the same for each; to carry out the plan God prevails on my life. 

Countless times, free will took over and wrong turns taken; but, God gently redirected my feet.  He brought healing to the situation and then used that comfort to help another in life.  His Ways are amazing. 

Each situation of the past paved a way to build my faith.  As faith grew, God moved me to the next level of maturity. . .

December 18, 2003 began the journey toward healing.  With one sentence, the walls crashed, a stubborn heart softened, and surrender released.  The doctor presented an ultimatum:  Admit to the hospital for nutrition or turn around and go home to die from malnutrition.  My frail little body had enough.  I could not carry the weight of the world while running to my eating disorder for survival anymore.  The irony; the very thing used for survival was killing me. 

I chose to stay.  I chose life.  I chose God; though, I only knew Him from a distance, I did know how to pray, and I knew a few prayer warriors.  Their prayers helped open my eyes to life.  Free will guided me to the situation above; but, God remained waiting with an open hand.  He loved me.  He wanted to use this messy past for a ministry to bring others to know Him.

Years have passed since that day.  I won’t sugar coat the journey. . .it has been treacherous.  But, with God, the strength comes each day to choose Him, not the enemy’s plan.  Each layer of recovery presents its own struggle.  Some layers take years to remove.  Some layers have come with regression.  But, each layer provides strength for the next.

I don’t know when the layers will be finished peeling away; but, I am thankful for the person God is fighting for me to become. 

My dear friends, He wants to fight for you in this life.  He wants to carry the burdens, peel back the layers of pain and strengthen you for what’s to come.  God provided a Guide for each of us when He sent His Only Son to die for us.  He provided the Holy Spirit to live within all.  The Holy Spirit helps God be seen at even greater levels in life. 

God sends His mighty warriors to encourage and walk along side in life.  These warriors experienced battle just as you have/are and want to provide empathy.  They listen, comfort and pray continuously.  Keep your eyes and hearts open for His warriors.  He will never leave you alone in sorrow or struggle.

The amazing part about our God. . .He uses you and me as warriors.  He takes what the enemy meant for destruction in life and uses it to bring another out of the darkest pits.  Will you accept Him, believe in Him and follow Him today?  The journey may be treacherous; but, He promises the reward far outweighs it all.  He holds true to His promises. . .ALWAYS! 

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  John 3:16-17

Live life. . .One Day at a time! 
Sheree Craig

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