Where the Creek Meets the Lake....

Thursday, January 17, 2008 - Staying Afloat in Tough Times.....

Staying Afloat in Tough Times......

We all have them or have been through them in the past. Tough times. Well, what happens when things just don't go the way you expect them to? What happens then? Discouragement is a real possibility if we allow our thoughts to gravitate towards that line. It is said that the best offense is a good defense. This is where we put in all those scriptures we have been studying for ourselves and ponder and dwell on them instead of the discouraging things that are going on around us.

It is easy to become distracted from the goal of Christ. We must not let this happen. Keep strong to your convictions and beliefs. Know why you believe the way you believe before you are faced with tough times and challenging things. God will always show Himself strong.

There are many examples of times in my own life that I could give you. Some have already been shared here. I am not saying that I have never grown discouraged or weary in well-doing because I am human after all. I will share with you how I make it through them. It is basically keeping my eyes pointed upward and on the Lord! I cannot let myself become out of focus no matter what the circumstances may be!

We have been ridiculed and persecuted for many of our own convictions. From close friends and family and our own church (previous ones) as well. What keeps us strong is knowing that we have been called by the Lord to do the things we do or believe the things we believe. Scriptural reasoning stand behind these convictions and beliefs.

Choosing what is right and good and honorable to think about and dwell upon in these times is one of the hardest things you will be faced with. But you must! You have to pull out your concordance and Bible and look up scriptures on the thing you are facing. Then take a look around you and see what action you can be doing to help.

One of the toughest times in my life has been over these past two years. In June of '05 we graduated our first child after 12 years of homeschooling. The day before her huge graduation party I had found out we had lost our precious baby. I was over 14 weeks along and already showing. I was devastated. I could have cancelled the party and sat in my bed and cried but I gathered with family and friends to celebrate a milestone in my oldest baby's life instead. How did I do that? I don't know to be exact. I do know that I am committed to having an open womb to as many children as the Lord deems worthy for me. For however long. I didn't make this decision on that day though, it was made years ahead. Years I had lived the births of my other children and rejoiced with them. This time was different. I was able to rejoice in the short time I had with the child in my womb. I carried on for two more weeks and then ended up in the hospital for a procedure because of great amounts of blood loss. Ambulances, fire trucks and memory loss, loss of conciseness, low blood pressure and oxygen levels...

Sept. '05 found me letting two of my children, who had never been away from home beyond Grandmother's house, alone to serve in an organization we are involved in. The thoughts and worries that came with that went up to the Lord. I had done my best to raise them to do the right thing. They did.

Jan. '06 I lost one of my most favorite uncles on my daddys side. He was not even 56 years old and died in his home of a heart attack. Two weeks later we lost my dh father in a fatal car accident. A sudden loss...both of them...how could we handle this? I was pregnant again and not past the point where I had lost the previous baby. I gave it all up to the Lord and decided to just dig in my heels and work harder. It was us (dh and I) who did all of the details. No one else was there to help. He had been living with us, due to health reasons for the past six months. We were taking care of him already. He was excited of the baby coming....I had to exhaustingly clean out every bit of his room. I just dug in and asked the Lord to strengthen me and he did. I had to be the shoulder and sounding board for my husband. It is my job to support and encourage, love and honor him in all things. Through all things.

May '06 my dh mother died of a heart attack. She had a heart attack earlier in the week and didn't receive help until my dh gave her apartment complex permission to go into her place. Ambulance was called and she was taken to the ER. We went straightaway. I was 8 months pregnant here....I was at her apartment cleaning up and getting her some things. I had just talked to her face to face. Dh called me from the ER and told me they were working on her, she had just lost consciousness. She was stablized and we came on home. We were on our way the next day and she was losing ground again. She died before we could get there. I could have crawled into the bed and stayed there for days and let other people take care of us...I didn't! I gave the feelings up to the Lord. I read my Bible more. I read it aloud to my dh. We ended up taking care of everything for her death as well. I dug in my heels and worked to clean out her apartment with my dh and children. We cleaned out her warehouse also. In the hot days, falling into bed exhausted and weary....No one sent anything for condolences for my dh besides our church and our SS class and the funeral home who had also helped with his daddy. That made me angry and I could have held onto that anger which would have turned into bitterness. I didn't, I gave it up to God! He is far better to handle that than I am!!!!!!

That is just a short span of time. I could be sitting here a bitter lady or sorely depressed but I will not!!! I refuse to listen to the lies of the enemy! I choose to listen to the Voice of Truth!!!!! You can also! You must...no matter what you are going through. No matter what your past. Present or future!

Well, practically speaking what can you do in those tough times?

Spend as much time as you can with your Bible open on your lap, reading it.
Make a blessing chart of all the things He has blessed you with, ever...
Tape encouraging scripture to the doorframes of your home, inside...
Use paper plates and more conveinence foods.
Gather around the children and read, read, read good books and encouraging stories.
Turn on some good uplifting praise music.

Listen to sermons on the web. Charityministries.org is a good place.

Fill your house with the Lord. Work on memorizing scriptures that meet your circumstance. biblegateway.com
Don't dwell on the bad but be encouraged.
Eat the proper food and drink plenty of water.
Get outside in the sun for at least 15 minutes each day.
Keep busy with doing things around the house, cooking, doing something nice for your dh or other family members, deep cleaning, sewing something...
If money is your worry, or your dh has lost his job. Or you are facing anything of that nature,

look around at the things you can sell. Have a yard sell or sell it online.

Reduce your spending even lower. You don't need cable, phone, or internet at this time.

Oatmeal for breakfast, beans and cornbread for a late lunch and leftovers for dinner. Rice dishes.

Skip any convienence foods and paper plates mentioned above, of course.
Look around your community for a local food bank. Many churches have them. Don't be afraid to go to the church and ask for help.
Barter something you do or make well for the things you need.

Look at all the things you have become accustomed to and make sure you are just doing your needs. God will supply your needs and many of your wants as well...
Keep your chin up and make a joyful noise unto the Lord! I hope this has encouraged you who have read it!