Hey Friends —
The past few weeks have been difficult. Real difficult.
On the one hand, I’m used to it.
I learned early on in ministry, not to be surprised when the attacks come. Pretty much without fail, every time I’ve geared up to launch a new Bible study or ministry project, there has been opposition.
However, this season’s setback threw me for a loop. Big time.
Whereas I can’t go into specifics or details (thanks for understanding) — please know your prayers for my family/marriage would be super appreciated and welcomed.
In the mean time, I’m clinging to God and His Word. A verse that has been helping me navigate these challenging circumstances is Hebrews 10:23 —
Sounds powerful — but realistically, how do we do this?
How do we hold on to hope –- keeping a firm grip on God and His promises –- when we’re faced with seasons of disappointment or discouragement?
Not that I have all the answers (trust me!), here’s what I’ve been learning, friends —
1. Be Honest.
One of the things I’m mindful of — I must have safe places where I can be honest and share how I am really doing.
I heard a woman share on Oprah once (don’t judge) you have to “Feel, deal, heal”
For me, part of being honest is allowing myself to ….
- Feel – feel the hurt and disappointment (which, let me tell you, as a former addict is not easy). Sweet friend, we cannot selectively numb. We must be honest with our feelings.
- Deal – find healthy, life-giving ways to cope. Talking with a trusted friend, counselor, or journaling my thoughts and prayers.
- So God can heal –believing God can heal, repair and restore hurts and disappointments — if I give them to Him.
I’m super thankful for the few trusted confidantes who have allowed me to be honest and share how I am really doing.
2. Be Open
Confession: when life gets hard, everything in me wants to hide and isolate myself. How about you?
But I’m learning, if I want to victoriously journey through this hard stuff, I need to stay open and vulnerable. I’m asking God to help me keep my hands and heart accessible to Him and His work.
I keep asking myself, “Cindy, are you living with open hands or tight, clenched fists?”
3. Be Prayerful
Sweet friends, I believe with my whole heart that God is near to the broken hearted. If you too have found yourself in the midst of challenging circumstances, please don’t stop talking to God. Please be prayerful.
Some days my prayers have been more articulate and expressive than others. At first, it was just a lot of nonsense and gobbledygook through puddles of tears.
The next week, my prayers were shaped by structured prayers my mentor Mary has passed along to me (Check out Mary’s amazing prayer packet here) Powerful!
I believe HOW we pray in the midst of despair isn’t as important as IF we pray.
Remember, pray is just talking to God. Keep talking, friends, keep talking!
4. Be Expectant
I believe we serve a God who brings beauty from the ashes, and I’m fully expectant in His perfect timing God is going to redeem every bit of this yuck.
As I mentioned last week, I’ve been listening to this song like 800 times a day. Or so. 🙂 These words bring me hope every time…
Yes! God is with us. God is on our side. He will make a way!
Be expectant, friend. This isn’t the end of the story, I promise. If you too find yourself in a chapter you don’t like one bit, remember it’s not over yet. (Thank God!)
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. –Hebrews 10:23 NIV
- Be Honest.
- Be Open.
- Be Prayerful.
- Be Expectant.
How are for you, friend? How do you navigate through the storms of life? What are you holding on to for hope? I’d love to hear from you!
Thanks for stopping by *She Sparkles*! I’m thanking God for the gift of being honest, open, prayerful, and expectant before you.
With a hope-filled heart–
P.S. Although this post was originally written in 2014, it is every bit as true today. Maybe even more so. Am I surprised by the opposition when my manuscript is due August 1, 2016? No. Do I need to reach out to my sisters for prayer and support? Yes. I pulled up this post today because I needed to be reminded of HOPE, and then realized I might not be the only one. If you are sitting in the midst of chaos and confusion, please know you are not alone. <3
You are a dear, dear person. I too am going through a rough time and needed to hear this! God bless you!! Love, Kimberly
Oh Kimberly, I’m sorry you are going through a rough time too. May God reveal Himself to you in specific ways, and fill your heart and mind with HOPE.
Sweet blessings to you too,
Cindy 🙂
Praying for you dear friend. Thank you for your consistent, honest, walk in faith and transparency. You are loved.
Thanks, Brenda. As always, you are such an encourager. You are loved too!
xoxo
Dear Cindy,
Thank you for sharing! It is Gods way of letting us know you need us there to uplift you, with prayer! Thank you for praying for me! I shared a personal problem I was struggling with and you prayed for me. My struggles are not all solved, but because of your praying, I can work things out with Jesus by my side. My prayer for you is to keep trusting! Slow down a bit and listed to his voice. Gods voice was hard for me to hear because I wasn’t in his word as I ought to be. May you continue to seek HIS wisdom; may you continue to listen to HIS voice; may HE give you rest, (May you be healthy); may you continue to be strong and courageous! Isa: 41:10 God is in control my friend! May you feel his presence in all you do! Keep the HOPE! Your sister in Christ! Julie
Aw, Julie — you are so sweet. Thanks for your prayers and words of HOPE. I receive them all, my favorite zipline partner!
Love to you
Cindy 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing! Our family has been going through some rough times for a while now. Through a lot of prayer, we are finally coming out on the other side! Battered a bit, but THE ANCHOR HOLDS. In the middle of the pit, when it seems all is dark & lonely, look up. He is there…grab His hand. Thankful He knows are thoughts & the Holy Spirit intercedes when we can’t muster up the words. Praying for you & your family. The Lord WILL get you through it…He is Faithful! <3
Cindy, I’m sorry your under attack. We were there at our church recently, and it was really rough. I pray that God is with you and your family.
Cindy…..I am praying for you and your family. It doesn’t surprise me with the recent release of your study that you are enduring such warfare. It still stinks and I am continuing to cover your in prayer. May you not lose heart or grow weary. I know you won’t because I know Who you look to for your strength and hope. Oh and by the way your new blog look totally rocks! LOVE IT! Looks really nice.
Cindy, I am so sorry you are going through this. The Lord is with you. He is on your side. I know you know that. Please know you are in my prayers. You are such a blessing to so many people. Thank you for the link to the beautiful powerful prayers. My prayers disappeared and I was praying for a way to contact Mary S. for more copies. Love you. God bless.
praying…
Dearest Cindy,
Thank you for being a Godly example of how our faith will never fail us. I will raise you and your family up in prayer when I raise my own. It is a tough world. I keep reminding myself that God knows the troubles, all of them. I meditated on this verse last week.
Lamentations 3:55-57
But I called on your name Lord,
From deep within the pit.
You heard me when I cried, ‘Listen to my pleading!’
‘Hear my cry for help!’
Yes you came when I called,
You told me, ‘Do not fear’
May God bless,
Julie
Praying for you, Cindy! Thank you for your honesty. Being real is hard, but I think it is freeing too.
I’m so sorry Cindy. But your comments are spot on. I’m not experiencing a difficulty at the moment, but when I do, being honest(or being vulnerable in reality) and being in the Word has been key as well as praying. I have to choose to believe the promises I read in the Bible, because during that difficulty, I’m sure not “feeling” it, but I know in my heart I believe it. Speaking scripture out loud is helpful too as is praying out loud against the enemy. I’m praying for strength and energy for you to endure and for your heart to heal. I don’t live too far if you ever want to grab a coffee or walk our “Rocky” dogs.