Sunday Reflection: Life Junk and Enemy Chases


A long time ago, in what seems like a land far, far away, I went through a divorce. During that time, I was severely depressed, but didn’t have Dr. Lovely Daughter’s expertise, as yet, to tell me to get professional help (although she has bossed me her entire life). :)
During that time, I floated from day to day, wanting the turmoil to end. I cried a lot. I retreated. I prayed. I got really skinny. What I remember most about that time (and I journaled about it) were the miracles—the ones I saw in action. I know there were those I didn’t get to see, too. The one thing I knew for sure during that time was that because of my faith in God, and even at my lowest points, I knew I was never alone.
There are so many awesome accounts of miracles in the Bible like 2 Corinthians 11 where it documents Paul's struggle to stay alive in his journey to tell others of Jesus. Guess what? Paul's enemies didn’t win that battle.
In the end, God wins the battle.  
Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?
If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying. In Damascus the governor under King Aretas had the city of the Damascenes guarded in order to arrest me. But I was lowered in a basket from a window in the wall and slipped through his hands.” 2 Corinthians 11:24-33 (NIV) (Emphasis mine)
When I’m in the middle of life junk and enemy chases, “...where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth”. Psalm 121
Blessings to you all,
Teresa

Comments

JoJo said…
Going through a divorce, esp if you aren't the one that wanted it, is absolutely like experiencing the death of someone close. You go through all the stages but then you end up coming out stronger for it at the other side. Well....except in the case of my exhusband who basically collapsed in on himself and passed away a year later but he was already very physically and mentally ill from rampant alcoholism at the time I left.
Pat Hatt said…
The little things sure can keep us going no matter what we have to wade through
Stephanie Faris said…
Divorce is extremely hard, no matter what the circumstances. But I believe we come out stronger at the end of it. It is interesting how, even in the darkest time, we find hope in the smallest things.
JoJo is right: divorce has all the stages that come with death, for it is a death of sorts. The Father is always there though sometimes all we can see and feel is the pain. In the deepest darkness, the smallest candle's flames will seem the brighter.

Fernando Ortega's THROUGH THE FIRE is a Christian song that helped me through some dark times. It has become my anthem of sorts. May each new day bring you added peace and healing. :-)
No matter what stage of the journey, God is always with us.

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