Lows and Highs – Week One
Life is full of highs and lows. At times it can feel more like lows and highs. Most often our greatest triumphs are mixed in with times of intense challenge and uncertainty. We experience great joy in one area yet face pain in another.
Recently, I experienced what I would call a setback. After returning from my trip to Nicaragua, I was unusually tired. It was not long before that fatigue turned into sickness. After over a week in bed with a fever and two doctors visits I was diagnosed with pneumonia. Now, if you know anything about pneumonia it does not typically make a quick visit and leave. Even though I am feeling significantly better, almost five weeks later I am still worn down and not able to keep up with everything I normally would.
Like many of the setbacks we face, there is very little control I have in the matter. If one could wish away sickness, trust me, I would have. But life does not work that way. We don’t always get to choose what we are handed, we only get to choose what we do with it.
During my time of forced bed rest, God reminded me of truth. Not just for this particular circumstance, but truth that paralleled the internal battles I had been facing for months. The message God had for me, the lesson I need to slow down and learn, was simple. I would summarize it this way – Don’t give up. Be encouraged. Trust God. He never fails. Be expectant.
In Isaiah 40 we are reminded that God is the Creator of the entire earth. Unlike us, He is full of understanding and never wears out. Out of His unending supply, “He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power.” (Isaiah 40:29 NASB) Even the young, the strong, and the most powerful among us get tired and need to rest. But not our God. We can always turn to Him and gain strength. Yes, it may take time. We may need to wait in His presence, but we will be lifted up. Then, out of His supply, we will have the stamina to run without exhaustion and to move forward on our path without weariness.
Often in our rushing about we forget to pause and look to God. Maybe just maybe that is why God allowed me to face a forced stop. Maybe He needed to get my attention. In a season when I have many responsibilities and am working on a lot of exciting things, I needed to get my eyes back in the right place. When I was literally without strength, laying in bed, falling behind, not able to perform and do the things I feel responsible for, I needed a reminder to know God was still working.
And right there in the middle of my second week in bed, God did just that. Not only did He give me the truth of His word, in my “low” time of sickness,
Not too far back I submitted a manuscript for my first book to an independent publishing company. Before sending it, we had quick back and forth communication. Upon sending my work, they said they would be in touch very soon. Weeks had gone by. Doubt increased. I began to give up.
Then, I got the email: We have reviewed your manuscript. We think you have the makings of a really good book. We would like to work with you. Since then I have signed a contract. A launch date has been set. Finding Simplicity is
I don’t believe it was an accident that this news came when it did. God needed to deal with my doubt. I needed a reminder to trust Him. And I needed to find new strength – not in my physical abilities or performance, but in my God who is all-powerful.
Our lives are full of lows and highs. Moments that challenge us and victories that excite us. Times that point to our weakness and times that display the power of God.
What about you? What are you facing today? I want to encourage you, take your challenges into God’s presence. Let Him give you strength. And don’t let the low moments overshadow the high. Don’t miss how He is working. He is there. He is not overwhelmed, tired, or afraid.
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