When I started planning this post, I struggled with the thought, “I’m not qualified to write this post!” I’ve struggled with depression and anxiety and even thoughts of suicide for more than 20 years now. But then I realized that I’m still here and that qualifies me to sit here and type these words to you: DO NOT QUIT.
You’ve probably heard the saying, “When it rains, it pours.” The memory comes to my mind of a young military wife I knew a number of years ago. Her husband was deployed during her first pregnancy, but after their first child came, he returned home and was home quite a while. But then, when she became pregnant the second time, he deployed again. She was eight months pregnant and chasing an eleven-month-old when she began having complications with the pregnancy and was put on bed-rest. And on the day that I arrived to pick them up and bring them home with me, the refrigerator was empty, the toilet was stopped up, and her car wouldn’t start.
We’ve all had those situations that feel like everything is going wrong at once and we don’t know what to do but throw our hands up.
But we’re not allowed to quit.
Recently, I went through a rough patch and in the midst of the rough patch, it felt like God kept tossing me other trials to juggle. And as each trial would come and I’d add it to the juggling act, I would grumble and whine and moan. And then, there came a point where, out of frustration and exasperation, I said, “God, REALLY?! Can you please just give me ONE disaster at a time?!” And even above my simmering anger, I heard God say, “No. You don’t know what’s best for you, and so you don’t get to choose how I shape you.”
Sound familiar?
“Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘You did not make me’? Can the pot say to the potter, ‘You know nothing’?” (Isaiah 29:16)
I don’t understand everything I experience. I don’t comprehend everything that God allows me to struggle with. And sometimes I get angry. Sometimes I get frustrated. Sometimes I question Him. And all of those things are allowable—as long as they’re temporary. What’s not allowable is quitting.
Bob Sorge says:
“If you’ve been waiting a long time, that means you’ve been seeking His face a long time. If you’ve been seeking His face a long time, that means you’ve been getting to know Him more and more. If you’ve been getting to know Him more and more, that means you’re being changed into the image of Christ, and the glory of God upon your life is growing ever brighter. If you’re being changed into the image of Christ, and the glory of God upon your life is growing ever bright, then why quit now?? Why cast away your confidence now??”
And he goes on to quote from Hebrews 10:35-36:
“Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.”
I don’t understand the struggles, but I work through them. I don’t like the pain, but I survive it. And I come out better on the other side. That’s His promise. And I choose to believe it.
This post is part of a weekly book discussion on Bob Sorge’s “The Fire of Delayed Answers.” You don’t have to read the book to chat with us. However, if you have written a response to this week’s chapter, please go visit my friend and co-facilitator, Jason Stasyszen, and link your post at the widget you’ll find there.
About Sarah Salter
We all do experience this in our lives..We don’t think we can handle/cope with so much at one time, and I guess we really can’t on our own.. That’s why we have God….cause me/you and God can handle it.. cause it make us a majority..So we don’t ever quit.. Love you sista.
This sooo speaks to where Eric and I have been since mid January. 4 weeks hospitalized for him, losing his job and my car accident last week. I have lifted my hands to God several times, and yea, with fists shaking at other times, and said in exhaustion, “Really? Why am I supposed to be the strong one? Can’t we just catch a break?”
The truth is, we have faith and we know that when He feels we are ready, things will change. Until then, we continue on, being faithful, knowing we will be ok.
Love you too, B!
Marissa, life is HARD. Oh, my gosh, is it hard! But we get through it together, with His help, and we end up better than we started. You just hang in there, okay? And remember, I live on your side of town now. Let me know if I can bring y’all supper some night. 🙂
Hang in there. I’ve been in your shoes and you’re right, sometimes it seems like God gives us one (or five) too many problems all at the same time. God He’s still God, even when we don’t like the situations in our lives.
Sorge’s book has helped me view these times with new hope and faith. I’m a work in progress, we all are.
You’re right, you’re here! Praise God for that.
Praying for you.
Thank you, Sarah. My heart responds to your lovely post of truth!
He promised this: I will never leave you nor forsake you-no not ever.
Then He said trials would come. Sometimes those trials really aren’t of His making.
It’s where we live. It’s a fallen place. Things will be more than we can handle.
But we can be faithful to enter into His rest.
When you get old enough-I ‘spouse you get that hungry knowledge that nothing satisfies-nothing quite quenches the desire for Life like Life Himself.
Desperate, angry, defeated–where’re I am-I am His.
I am my Beloved’s and He is MINE. His banner over me…
Is love.
Patience, kindness, self-control–He’s got it.
Currently–I’m tapped out.
But in reality–I have joy available and springing up –just a whisper if “help” away.
Oh, My Beloved.
“Wings as eagles…” May we soar on the richest fare even when we are made aware that we are in rags and tattered emotionally.
“He is my strong tower.”
As such–May my heart decide to have patience and be taught of The Lord!
No choking emotional pennies out of people!
Sarah, thank you for sharing this personal side of your life and letting us into your world. Sometimes we are not saved in an instant…Most times. I’m discovering this myself and I’ve been a believer for over 40 years, still struggling with the same insidious sin and trials.
I guess there’s a reason Paul talked so much about perseverance, running races and being steadfast.
The Bob Sorge quotes you shared are so powerful and true.
You will be in my prayers–for reals.
Life is indeed not easy–the life that we’re called to is called abundant, but sometimes we just don’t seem to see that abundance. I am continually amazed at what many people are going through in attempting to be faithful to serve the LORD. I am reminded of the writing of the Book of James: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers (and sisters), whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perserverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4 NIV) I am thankful to the LORD for HIS teaching me long ago that I must not despise these trials and tests because even though HE didn’t cause them, HE used them to help me mature into the person of God HE created me to be. I know the persons reading this blog are also looking to GOD for some answers as they face the difficulties of loving. Thanks again, Sarah for helping us see how beautifully GOD works to accomplish HIS will.
Thanks, TC! For the prayers and the encouragement. The lessons we learn are often hard, but if we learn them, they are worth the hardness of the lesson. 🙂
Lovely and encouraging, Sweet Amy! BIG HUGS to you!
Jody, I would say that there’s very little about my blog that’s average or ordinary. I go to the conferences like the one we recently attended and I wonder what these hip, fresh bloggers would think of mine, which is often heavy and transparent. But I made God a promise when I started this thing five years ago that I was either going to be honest and open or I wasn’t going to do it. I hope that someone gets something out of what I share. And I thank YOU for coming by and encouraging me! 🙂
Yeah, I think it’s perfectly understandable to question where you are. We are limited people with finite experiences. We can’t see the whole thing. God is not upset by our questions or anxiety, we just get to turn those over to Him. Easier said than done (as is usually the case), but He is molding and shaping us. Great thoughts, Sarah. I’m not giving up!
Yes, they are worth the pain because we know it all comes from God.
Hang in there and feel free to email me anytime. I’m here for you. And will continue to pray for you.
Just what I needed to hear. My “rough” patch is in full swing!
(((((((((((Sarah))))))))))
Nancy
Nancy, just remember — I’m not very far away and you can always call/tweet/text/facebook/scream real loud. 🙂