“OHHHH the tragedy”, a trendy phrase in pop culture today. Being 17 & a senior in high school, I can assure you it’s overused, & most definitely out of context. At one juncture in my high school career, my worst tragedy was a break up with a self centered, hot head that clearly did not know my worth. And, let’s face it, that’s not a tragedy. That’s a blessing.
The question arises. “What is a tragic moment that has shaped or influenced you?”, “Please write it down on this note card”. Hmmmm…what I consider tragic at 17 is probably not what they are after in this exercise. As my anxiety begins to rise, I hear my youth minister’s assistant change her tune, “It doesn’t have to be a tragedy, it can be something good, maybe something that has impacted you in an amazing way”. Now, I can work with that.
It’s in those moments of being put on the spot, we search our thoughts & our hearts. I ended up writing something that was a tragedy to me. However, the Almighty DID in fact teach me something that evening. It’s all in one’s point of view. Our minds now-a-days have been inundated with the negative. We are trained to look at everything that’s wrong and negative. Let’s “train” our brains & thoughts and hearts to drowned out the negative.
Recently I was comforted by a lovey friend as we enjoyed sweet tea and salads. The salad completely negates the load of sugar in the tea, of course. She shared with me that she didn’t feel like she had ever experienced a true tragedy. Instead, she tries to experience the negative & the Lord’s bliss simultaneously. Okay WOW! Thanks girl, needed that. Much love to you.
Challenge accepted.
We don’t have to hit rock bottom to understand the Lord’s bliss, grace and mercy. Reality check people, I mean Abby! I mean, people! We have the blessing of experiencing it daily. What a gift. A true gift. One of my go to songs is “Strong Enough” by Matthew west.
(Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_gCfA0Dmgg) So much truth is spoken in this song.
“I know I'm not strong enough to be
Everything that I'm supposed to be
I give up
I'm not strong enough
Hands of mercy won't you cover me
Lord right now I'm asking you to be
Strong enough
For the both of us”
He quotes Philippians 4:13 during the song as well. We have known the verse by heart since our diaper days, but in times of trouble it’s a verse that can hit JUST the right spot! Too many times we overlook its power because of its commonality. I encourage you to take 60 seconds & ponder the power of this verse.
“For I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength”
(Phil. 4:13)
Luckily, & I hope the same for you, I don’t have a true tragedy to reflect on. And those of you that share this blessing with me, I invite you to not take this for granted. For some, the only way they can function is in turmoil, or tragic mode. That’s something I don’t feel like I can relate to very well. And, if I entertain the thought or show even a minute of heading in that direction, my Mom is there to kindly jerk the rug out from underneath me.
And then I remember, the One who loves me most is smiling down on me & I need to embrace Him with a joyful heart. Not just wait for something bad to bring me close to Him. “Rejoice in Lord always and again I say Rejoice…..”. Go ahead, sing along!
So, to my lovely, strong friends that are hurting right now let me tell you this: We have a God that reaches out His hand to cover you in mercy, love, and so much more we can’t even comprehend.. I am here to tell you that it can and WILL get better. God doesn’t move away from us. We move away from Him. Stick that one in your pocket for the week!
In closing, I encourage you to listen to another song by Matthew West entitled, Grace Wins” (Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JXl1czvh7g) He expresses so many emotions in this song, let me share a tidbit:
In closing, I encourage you to listen to another song by Matthew West entitled, Grace Wins” (Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JXl1czvh7g) He expresses so many emotions in this song, let me share a tidbit:
“There's a war between guilt and grace
And they're fighting for a sacred space
But I'm living proof
Grace wins every time
No more lying down in death's defeat
Now I'm rising up in victory
Singing, hallelujah
Grace wins every time”
EVERY.SINGLE.TIME. Grace wins my friends.
I love you, but oh how the Savior loves you so much more.
xoxo, A