O is for Overcome
Texture by Jay Hilgert Nebula Paper 5
You’re up against surmountable odds. The challenge in front of you seems impossible to overcome. You feel the weight of the entire world will crush you at any moment. You’re physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted. And then…just when you think you can’t navigate through the muck and mire any longer…a light at the end of the black tunnel appears. It’s just the tiniest sliver of hope, but enough to keep you focused.
And the tide turns. You make it through…although maybe a little worse for wear. And the emotions are all over the board. Joyful, but relieved. Wiser, but still a little dazed. Exhilarated, but exhausted. You’ve overcome the tempest. And are stronger for the experience.
We’re challenged by things in life for a reason. While we all wish our lives to be all rainbows and butterflies all the time, the truth is that a life without struggles doesn’t help us discover anything about ourselves. It’s only when we’re forced to navigate through the hellholes of life that we discover what we’re really made of; discover our inner strength; discover our faith…or lack thereof.
I believe God helps us understand the power of faith by allowing us to fall into those hellholes once in a while. Be honest…how easy is it to believe when everything is going great? When prosperity blesses our lives, we jump on the grace bandwagon and think God’s a pretty swell guy. But misstep into one of those holes; put seemingly impossible challenges and struggles in our way…that’s truly when we discover how skillful…and faithful…we really are in overcoming life’s storms.
What tempest have you overcome lately?
