STRENGTH IN MY DIFFICULT SITUATION
Denise Linton
Today’s Scripture: “A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.” 1 Corinthians 12:7 (NLT)
Theme: With God, we can find our strengths and gifts even in difficult situations.
DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE
When my husband was alive, our family of three would take month-long cross-country camping trips during the summers. This is how the goal to visit all 50 states started. Since his passing 13 years ago, I have not done a cross-country camping trip.
This year, I decided I was not getting any younger. So, I began planning a camping trip to visit the Midwest states and on into Ontario, Canada this summer. The reactions from the majority of my friends have been: “You can’t do that alone,” “You are crazy,” “It is a really bad idea for a widow to be out traveling by herself.” And my favorite, “You need to wait until you can find someone to go with you.” At first, I shrugged it off. Then I found myself going down the rabbit hole and becoming angry. Those statements led me from thinking, “I can’t do this,” to being angry with God for allowing me to be in this situation.
I had supposed this to be the period of life that my husband and I would be enjoying the empty nest and traveling together. Even darker thoughts began to form: “Why should I wait until I find someone to go with me? That may never happen.” Have you gone down the rabbit hole due to other’s comments about your life, even if they were well intentioned? You’ve probably done that; we all have.
RECALL PAST SUCCESSES
Fortunately, one friend reminded me of Romans 8:28 (ESV), “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Okay, that sounds good, but what purpose can I find in traveling alone?
I began to think of the smaller trips I have taken over the past two years alone. I remembered that on each of those trips, I had the privilege of talking to new people, helping some in need, and (on some occasions) sharing my faith. Would I have done that if I had someone else with me on whom to focus my attention? Probably not.
DON’T GIVE IN TO EARTHLY THINKING
Being told you shouldn’t travel alone may not seem like a big deal compared to being marginalized by sexism and race. However, we need to focus on both the large and insignificant things that limit us. One of the scenes from the movie “Hidden Figures” really jumped out at me. Dorothy is at the library looking for a book to help her learn about “programming the IBM.” She was told that she could not have a book from the “white section only.” There are many parts of the movie where the three women are told they can’t do something, and this seems almost insignificant. Yet that book was the key to helping Dorothy increase her knowledge of the computer and helping many other employees to keep their jobs.
We all find ourselves in a place of self-doubt. Our limitations, the voices telling us we are not good enough, smart enough, or in any position to make a difference may deter us from worthy goals. Yet, we must not lose sight of the fact that these characteristics makes us who we are: our ethnicity, our gender, our gifts, and our experiences are determined and imparted by a Sovereign God for the purpose of bringing glory to Himself. Jeremiah 1:5 reminds us that God knew all about us even before we were born. He created us and allowed us to be formed. He gave every gift, knew every characteristic about us, and He has a purpose for each of us.
Make it Personal: Have you found yourself becoming frustrated or discouraged due to what you think are your limitations? Or do you feel that the hurdles are too big and you just don’t have much to offer? Start off small, think about what you do have to offer: gifts, experiences, and your own characteristics. How can you use just one of these to help someone else? Do you like to talk to new people? Become a greeter at one of the campuses. Are you in the stage of your life where your children are grown, and you are experiencing an empty nest? Serve in Cove Kids or Cove Students. Memorize Jeremiah 1:5 and Romans 8:12; these are great scriptures for when you go down the “rabbit hole.”
Pray: Father, thank You for Your gifts and how You have chosen everything about me to be perfect in Your eyes for the purposes You have planned for me. I am sorry for the times I have gone down the rabbit hole, been angry at my circumstances, or the situations around me. Help me to seek out and use the gifts You have given me and fulfill the purposes You have for my life. I want to glorify You, Lord. Amen.
Read: Jeremiah 1:5; Romans 8:28
Weekly Memory Verse: "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9 (NIV)