Bosnia, Afghanistan, and Iraq are a few places listed on my friend’s resume. TJ’s a colonel in the United States Army and has also served her country faithfully during Desert Storm and at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. Her resume is littered with impressive honors, strong leadership, and passionate pursuits. There aren’t many challenges that will intimidate a soldier of her standing but one duty still makes her nervous: briefing a general. There’s something about all those stars on his uniform that gives her pause. Even with rigorous research, scrutiny of information, and extensively rehearsing the speech, her heart still races when she approaches the general’s office. So she leans in. Psalm 86:7, “In the day of trouble I call upon you, for you answer me.” Even a strong colonel needs the support of an Almighty God.
Psalm 46:1 states, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” You don’t have to face your challenges alone. God wants to be right there in the thick of your problems. He promises that you do not have to face one day without His help. “Be strong and courageous. Don’t fear or tremble before them, for the Lord your God will be the one who keeps on walking with you-He won’t leave you or abandon you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6) You are in the majority when God is on your side because He is bigger than anything you are facing. The things in front of you may seem impossible, but everything is possible with God. “But this is a simple thing for the Lord, for He will make you victorious…” So stand tall because God is right beside you. And that means not only will you win this battle, but you’re also going to win the war.
Have you ever felt like you were in a maze and couldn’t find your way out? I felt that way as I drove to visit friends in Lafayette, Indiana. I came upon Huntington, a city filled with one-way signs, detours around closed bridges, and blocked-off streets. I caught on fast that I was in a labyrinth when the directions took me to the exact place I entered the city. A pedestrian tried to help but soon realized even he was challenged with giving directions because of the many diversions throughout the town. Just when I started wondering if he was about to say, “You can’t get there from here,” he came up with an unexpected plan. He suggested I follow him in his car through the maze of city streets and he’d point me in the right direction. His plan worked perfectly!
This summer was a hot and dry one in Northeast Ohio. There were relentless, unforgiving temperatures in the 90’s day after day. A once-thriving lawn became brown from the scorching and arid summer. Although we looked ridiculous, most of us in my neighborhood strategically mowed our lawns where the persistent weeds continued to grow. But here’s an enigma, throughout the dog days of summer, the trees in my yard were still green and thriving. By looking at them, you’d think they received a perfect allotment of sunshine and rain. But we know better than that! Their secret is in the roots. The roots grow deep to keep the tree stable, to absorb water from the soil, and to get much-needed nutrients. For that reason, even in a drought, the tree remains healthy and continues to grow.
When Lake Erie gets waves big enough to surf, look for me in the biggest one. Surfing is fast, exciting, and intense. It takes a lot of practice to become a skilled surfer. You must learn the proper technique of standing, positioning yourself on the board, and finding the right wave. There’s even a correct way to fall! The experts describe in detail how to fall, and give specific instructions about getting back up again. It’s not surprising that in surfing it is predicted that you will fall a few times, and probably many times. But mainly, I like that it’s expected you will get back up.
Seemingly from out of nowhere, a friend of mine had to take her mother to the hospital with serious health concerns. She was fighting fluid around her lungs, extremely low blood pressure, and a serious life-threatening infection. The family rode a roller coaster for days. There were moments when all hope seemed lost and times when they saw slight improvements. Although the crisis was unexpected, the family ran straight to the only One who could help. Isaiah 41:10 says, “So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” It’s incredible that at this very moment her mom has been moved from the ICU Unit. And thankfully, she plans to be home soon.