When Life is Hard

Another acquaintance is forclosing on property this month. As the economy seems to be picking up overall, individuals that have been hanging on by the fingertips are finally losing grasp on homes and dreams. The long forclosure process begins, credit is ruined, and the black cloud just never seems to go away.

Doom and gloom - right?

One thing I’ve learned during these past couple of  years is that my circumstances don’t determine who I am or even limit God’s ability to use my life in a way that honors Him and is also for the good of myself and family. While the last couple of years hasn’t been “fun,” it has also allowed me to view the world and my place in it in a different light. God will do that for you, too.

So while the loss of a home or investment property might seem like the end-of-the-line, it might just be the transfer station God allows to move you in a different direction.  Don’t let guilt feelings rob you of the moment-by-moment experience of walking with God or even the new opportunities He brings your way. Check out the verse below from Revelation in the Bible. It refers to the end of this world, but also has meaning for when we feel at the end of the line.

He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true. Revelation 21:5

Take a minute and ask God to give you a new vision for your life and work, even today.

Have you ever wanted to help someone but found roadblock after roadblock come up in the process? Whether it is a communication issue or something else, it’s hard to get done what should be so simple.

Through these past few years, I’ve realized that just because there are roadblocks showing up, it doesn’t mean the path is necessarily wrong…it just means there are roadblocks. No more, no less. With a roadblock, there are four options I have:

1. Wait for another person–maybe a more qualified person — to get rid of it for me.
2. Move the roadblock myself
3. Crawl over the roadblock–usually using brute force
4. Turn back

All of these options have the potential to be the correct path. Figuring out which option it is has been the hard part for me. That’s probably the most difficult part of this journey. I just want to know what to do: #1, #2, #3, or #4.  I have no problem doing what I’m told when it’s clear direction. It’s just knowing what the direction is that makes things difficult.

So even when I’m trying to help someone and roadblocks show up, I’m learning that  my desire to help may not be the only thing happening in the situation.  If I don’t stop and process the roadblock through God’s filter, I might miss out on what  He was really trying to accomplish.

I’m learning that I will always need to stop, be still, and wait til God says “go.”  Even in the simple desire of helping someone else out, I should count on roadblocks coming up and remember that they are just a reminder to pray.  Do you have any roadblocks in  your world today? What is God telling you to do?

Last Sunday marked Mother’s Day. My girls and I had a great time letting my wife-their mother-know how much she means to us. These past few years she has not only been the one who plays the role of mother to two girls and wife to me, but also chief encourager. As we’ve transitioned from our dream house to a very nice but down-sized home that we are renting, she has handled it with grace. My wife plays the role of encourager well.

If you’re in the midst of a hard time…if life always seems hard…look around and see if you can find even that one person who gives you encouragement.  It might be a spouse, a parent, a friend or even a stranger. Take a minute to be thankful for them and maybe even take a minute to thank them.

In this journey, I’ve been amazed at the encouragers God brings my way…at just the right time.  My hope for you is that you see the people God leaves as encouragers in your life. Let them do their job of encouraging and just like we take time to thank mothers, take time to thank them.

Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God’s words; if help, let it be God’s hearty help. That way, God’s bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he’ll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes! 1 Peter 4:7  [The Message]

Spring is a great time of year. Fishing, four-wheeling, and being outside with the kids. But allergies are also part of Spring.  Most Springs, my wife and I spend time at the doctors with our daughter. Her allergies turn into breathing issues.  We spend restless nights hearing her labor for breath. She finds some sleep. We don’t.

This year, our daughter’s body is handling the allergy season well. No doctor’s visits. We’ve been grateful.

As I look back on the last few years, I’ve been amazed at all the doctor’s visits for my girls and myself. I’ve been amazed at the amount of things that had to be done and all the bills that needed paying and all the stress.  If you had shown me these past two years before I walked through them, I would doubt I could have handled them. Looking back on them now, I see how God handled them for me.

You may still be in the middle of life. You may even been suffering from allergies yourself! But know that God is in the midst of allergies and financial nightmares with you. He is probably even carrying you…you just won’t be able to see it for awhile. God is still good, even when we can’t see Him at work. God also still cares about what happens to you.

As I dealt with having to close down my company due to the economic downturn, I was confronted with determining if I should do a 180 in my career or stay in the field and just adjust what I offer.  It took awhile to figure that out. I’ve been a builder since I was a kid. I built things with my dad and brother, even our own air hockey table…I still remember drilling all those holes!

I’ve had friends that have been laid off from their jobs and are confronted with changing their career during the mid-life years. It’s overwhelming. You have to invest new energy and even money that isn’t there to get new training…and then you wonder if you’re going to even like it.  180’s aren’t always easy.

When you do a 180, though, there is always a pivot point. During my transition these past few years, my wife and I have discovered that when God is the pivot point and we are doing the 180 around Him, it doesn’t fully  overwhelm us. God is like a strong stake planted deeply into the ground that doesn’t bend or wobble when we turn around it. He stays strong and we can make those turns with confidence.

It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. Psalm 18:32

So if you’re going through a 180 in life, take time to check out your pivot point.  Are you doing your 180 around God or are you trying to do it without Him?

New starts are hard and time consuming. This past week we finished moving the things we can take to our rental home. There are many more things that will have to be sold and our dream house will go back to the bank within weeks. One more garage sale. One more sweep of the house. My wife and I can’t imagine that final walk through.

As we were loading things a week ago, neighbors came by to wish us well. Rather than paid movers, they saw a growing group of friends pack boxes, load them into a donated trailer, and another family bringing pizza they paid for to share with all of us. A day that none of us looked forward to became another confirmation that God is at work and does care.

God cares about you, too. The economy isn’t getting any better. You’re probably in a pinch…or deep well…yourself. All I can say is that God hasn’t failed me yet.  He won’t fail you either. As our family makes another transition, the verse below is a great reminder about what is real.

You’re all I want in heaven!
You’re all I want on earth!
When my skin sags and my bones get brittle,
God is rock-firm and faithful.
Look! Those who left you are falling apart!
Deserters, they’ll never be heard from again.
But I’m in the very presence of God—
oh, how refreshing it is!
I’ve made Lord God my home.
God, I’m telling the world what you do! Psalm 73:26

Hang on to God. He’ll get you through.

I had a very tough week.  One day in particular I felt like I just could not go on.  It seemed like everything was against me, I was tired from no sleep and seemed to be getting nowhere.  I kept asking God for help but things just did not seem to be changing.  I was beat.  My family was in the other room watching TV and I overheard them talking about a t-shirt that someone on TV was wearing.  I walked through the room and looked at the shirt which had a scripture verse on it, but did not stop to read the verse.  Later that evening I took my oldest daughter to DQ and as we were ordering a kid walked in with the same shirt on….(this time I stopped and noticed)
Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
…but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

I had been asking God for help, He had tried to help me earlier in the day but I was too busy with my problems to stop and notice.  If we ask for help or answers, we then need to pay attention and be looking for that help or that answer.

Our pastor told the story this morning of the paraplegic whose friends lowered him through the roof to Jesus, because they knew Jesus was the answer.  My first thoughts were of how important those friends were to the healing of that man.  Without the friends he would not have been able to get to Jesus that day.

If you know of someone without work or going through a difficult time, come along side them and be their friend.  They may need your support to get through the day.  Show them Christ’s love and you’ll be amazed how it helps you through your day as well.

Home Depot laid off 7000 workers…a guy in our small group saw 500 positions and the people who held them laid off last week…and the list goes on. The economy is still correcting itself and in the process people are impacted…big time.  Homes are lost, credit scores ruined, and financial stress increased. It’s hard for me to watch.

My wife and I have some good friends who are where we were about 9 months ago. They will probably lose their home. A home he built over the period of years…their dream home.  We know where they are and much of what they are feeling. I wish they would not have to walk through the hardness of letting go of it all.

I guess that what I’ve learned in what I’ve gone through isn’t so much the “how”…it’s the Who. Just like I need to always look to God for peace, they will too. So I need to find ways of helping people look up, rather than on their situation. I need to make sure my kids understand God’s Word and memorize it so when they need God’s perspective, they have it handy. I need to keep praying for myself and others.

As this economy gets more challenging and we see ourself and others having to let go of dreams and expectations, how can we help ourself and others manage? How can we help our spouses, sons and daughters get through the tough times?

When the construction crunch started and I had no work, all I seemed to notice were the builders that did have work.  I was overwhelmed with bills. They were overwhelmed with getting the job done with a smaller crew than before and fewer office staff–but they got a paycheck!

As I’m trying to get my feet back underneath me–on a much smaller scale–I am grateful for the work that has come my way. I can be overwhelmed, too, because now I’m doing the work and handling all the office work…sometimes the grass seems greener…you know the line.

And then last week, three friends from church lost jobs. They weren’t in construction, but the declining job market is hitting everyone right now. One of the guys said, “It’s good. God might use this to get me out of my comfort zone. Maybe I’ll try this one career I’ve always thought of doing but wouldn’t have until He let me be pushed out away from the safety net of a secure job.”

Philippians 4:11
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

I guess what I’m learning is the grass is greener…if you’re right in the middle of God’s will.  Keep on even if life is hard. Respond to this blog posting with your own thoughts.  I know they’ll help someone else, too.