We’ve all heard the saying “When it rains, it pours.” Lately, my life has been living up to that statement - so much that I can quite possibly say it compares to Lemony Snicket’s popular books, “A Series of Unfortunate Events.” My grandmother passed away, my grades are lower than before, my self-esteem quite obviously lower and problems within my boyfriend’s family were only, and still are, continuing to get worse. I started to really get down on myself, get down on what I was doing to deserve all of this, to continually get blow after blow. But, unlike Ronda Rousey against Amanda Nunes, I refuse to give up and stop fighting so quickly.

“But now trouble comes to you, and you are discouraged; it strikes you and you are dismayed. Should not your piety be your confidence and your blameless ways you hope?”

--- Job 4:5-6 ---

Instead of continuing to pity myself, I remembered the story of Job, and how time after time he faced the works of the Devil, yet he still proclaimed Christ in the end. He remained steadfast in the Lord. Even proclaiming, “My face is red and weeping, deep shadows ring my eyes; yet my hands have been free of violence and my prayer is pure” (Job 16:16-17). Or Peter, poor Peter, who denied Jesus being the Lord, who was still loved by Jesus. There are continuously more stories about disciples and their struggles. But Christ gives us these struggles to make us stronger. To learn from them, learn to praise Him through the storms that we are facing.

“I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer.”

--- Psalm 17:8 ----

My heart is so, so heavy, yet Christ never fails to remind me that He is by my side, whether it be random acts of kindness, the song that’s playing on the radio when I get in the car or even just a pretty sunset as I drive home from work. There are days that tears just well up in my eyes, and I scream, I scream and cry, astounded by my own pain. But it’s in those moments, the moments that I feel the most alone, the moments that I feel completely hopeless, ashamed of my own pain, the moments of pure pain, that I feel God’s hand reach over me. In those moments, it’s as if He whispers to me, “It’s alright, I hear you, I’ve got this.” In those moments, when I feel as if I just can not continue, the moments that I do choose to wallow in my pity, it’s as if He says “Get up, quit crying and go enjoy life.” If you’ve never experienced a moment like this, I truly can not wait until you do, because it is one of the most frightening, blissful, beautiful moments that I have ever experienced.

My point is this, even when life gets you down, when you feel completely drained of hope, as if the world is completely against you, there is a God who loves you, who will continue to give you blessings, even if they are in disguise. Christ doesn’t want us to suffer; rather, He wants us to be delivered from evil. Through Him, I have found strength, calamity and the courage to speak out about my struggles. Through Him, I have found a reason to keep hoping, to keep praying, even when I am uncertain of the outcomes. Through Him, I have found peace, for He is my rock and my shield. While I am scared, I know that He is always there watching over me, for His plan is far greater than I could ever dream. Through Him, I have found the strength to dance in the rain, even when it’s pouring.

“The Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in Him.”

--- Psalm 32:10 ---