Today I’m excited to announce a new “mini” series. We all feel stuck sometimes–especially during a difficult season in life. I’ll be sharing six lessons that have helped me move forward and become “unstuck” during a trial. Read Part II here and Part III here.
Be serious! Be alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. Resist him and be firm in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.
Now the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will personally restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little.
1 Peter 5:8-10
The book of 1 Peter was written during a dark time in history. In the Roman Empire, Nero was brutally persecuting Christians. It’s safe to say that all Jesus followers were facing a difficult season in life at the time. For that reason, I find 1 Peter to be one of the best reads when facing a trial.
This passage, from the conclusion of his letter is so clearly instructive for anyone feeling stuck in hardship or a difficult season in life:
Be alert. Don’t fall prey to the enemy. You aren’t alone. God will personally see you through. He will bring good. This will end.
Honestly, is that not the best advice when walking through a difficult season?!
My Most Recent (mini) Difficult Season
Yesterday I dropped the “official” news that we are expecting a second little at the end of October. I’ve only been pregnant once before, so in no way can I claim to be an “expert.” I can only tell you that this time around has been very different and very difficult.
Unlike my first pregnancy, which had terrible–but acute–nausea, this time I felt puky around the clock. With no reprieve. It lasted all day. And all night. Movement made it worse, snacking made it better–but the idea of food, or looking at food left me gagging. I spent days calculating the minutes until I had to face food to prepare another meal or snack. Dreading the basic responsibility of feeding myself and Gideon.
The house was still mid-renovation, so there was the added responsibility of getting that back in shape. Then the pandemic hit and all of my “regular,” distracting activities stopped–leaving me lonely and alone with only nausea, high emotions, unfinished projects and a toddler for company. On top of it all, Derek was gone and unlike other deployments, I had no idea when he’d be back. I was miserable. Day after day I was frustrated, sick and had no idea when any of it would end.
We Will All Face a Difficult Season in Life
I’m not fishing for sympathy. I just need to spell out that the past few months have been hard. And, in many ways, unpleasant. I felt excited and so grateful about adding a second child to our family. However, it is difficult to live in pregnant bliss with a deployed husband, sick stomach, house in remodel shambles and social distancing restrictions in place. Today I’m not writing about pregnancy woes. Rather, I’m writing about feeling stuck and stalled during any difficult season in life.
The truth is, we’ll all need to survive a difficult season in life at some point. In difficult times, it is hard to move forward, stay faithful, persevere or just show up for the day ahead. No matter what is causing your hard season, take heart. You can get through it and Jesus will walk beside you every step of the way. He’ll even bring good from it, if you let Him.
I’ll Be Sharing Five Lessons That Help Me Move Forward During A Trial
Over the next week I’ll be sharing six things that have helped me move forward during a trial–this particular trial and those that came before…and the ones yet to come. I hope you’ll find some hope in my lessons learned. If you are walking through a difficult season in life right now, I hope you’ll come back.
Take Heart
Until then know that the One who create everything from nothing can create something lovely from whatever ugly situation is staring you in the face. The God who redeemed us from death can surely redeem your trial. He can transform it into a testimony worth shouting from the roof. He can even do it with your joy intact. You aren’t alone. It will be okay again.
Hang out with me on Instagram or Facebook. It’s where I share more encouragement and antics from this wild ride I’m on with God. He is so so good.
Read Part II (the first three lessons) here.
