My Weekly Inspirations 32: When Life is Hard…

Message: “But He knows the way that I take [and He pays attention to it].
When He has tried me, I will come forth as [refined] gold [pure and luminous].” Job 23:10

I can recall some particular seasons in my life where life felt like a standstill although still moving. I was often frustrated, I shed many tears and wondered “why Lord?” He would always assure me that I will come out but yet it seemed impossible.

I have learned that hardships are often an opportunity for God to prune, conform and perfect us to the image of Christ. My difficult seasons in life have undoubtedly been my most deepest walk with the Lord. I have known Him in ways I hadn’t before. I have heard Him speak in ways I hadn’t before. I have experienced His love so deeply that it brought me to tears of joy. Although it wasn’t easy, I am grateful to God for those difficult seasons because God used it to refine me and I am that much better for it today. I have and continues to become gold through heaven’s refinery.

Sometimes the future looks blurry, uncertain, unclear. The beauty of faith in Christ is that we are certain that even when we can’t see the end of a matter, of the journey, of the process, we can trust Him through it. He knows the way through the wilderness. He has the power to part the red seas and to give us victory when we face distractors and giants on the way. He promises to be with us every step of the way. “…I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5

What season of life are you in? I want to encourage you to commit your ways to the Lord, trust also in Him and your destination is guaranteed. 

Modesty: There are times when I have felt somewhat alone in my journey of modesty. Everyone around me seem to look the same and I different. But I encourage myself in the Lord and He gives me strength to continue. One incident occurred that really elevated my spirit on my modesty journey. I was in college at the time and used to hang around some group of people. One day, I was absent in that circle.

When I came back the following time, one of the people inquiring about whereabouts continued to share that one of the young men said “where is the girl that dresses like she respects herself?” I was so shocked to hear those words. My appearance was noticed and seen as a form of respect! It is true that people will address you by the way you dress. If you are half naked you will be seen as a commodity and an object to play with, and touched without consent. Ladies let us learn to cover those precious parts of our body, it is actually for our own good and a form of dignity. Modesty is God’s way and it is perfect! “As for God, his way is perfect…” Psalm 18:30

Marriage: marriage has it’s difficult seasons too, even godly marriages. This is what I have learned:

Always remember that you are a team: the Enemy wants you and your spouse to be at discord. No matter how upset you are, remember that you are a team, teams work together to find solutions to problems because that is the only way to win. “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” Amos 3:3

Seek to understand your spouse’s perspective without defending yourself: we all have different perspectives of a matter. It is important to hear the other side and how it made the person feel, value those emotions and ask how to be better next time.

Pray for your marriage daily: it is not a mistake that it is recorded that marriage was attacked right in the first book of the Bible. This is very significant. Our marriages need prayer. The Enemy attacks this sacred union from so many angles and prayer is the weapon for defeat. If you are single, prayer for your matrimonial home cannot be overemphasized. Sow those seeds today!

Motherhood: Motherhood is the most difficult thing that I have done in my whole life. There is nothing so emotional, physical, spiritual, intellectual, and social. Motherhood requires so much of you that at the end of the day, you feel like there’s nothing else left to give. As a mom you can be tired, sad, happy all at the same time.

This is what I have learned and continue to learn; I hope that it helps mom’s-to-be and moms of young children. Motherhood is hard; therefore lean into the Lord. Sometimes you’re so tired you don’t even have the energy or words to pray. In such moments be vulnerable with the Lord, tell Him exactly how you feel. “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness…” 2 Corinthians 12:9