Sunshine and Shadows

Without going into too much detail  I can tell you that the past few days have been difficult but God has not promised that every step along the path will be easy. Sometimes when I hike I will carry a small backpack. I carried one when my family climbed Sugar Loaf Mountain in Marquette this summer. All I had in it was a water bottle and a snack along with some extra batteries for the camera. My family likes to add some of their things into my backpack which adds to the weight a little. In life there are some situations that feel like an up hill battle. It gets hard. I realize that there is scripture that says God will never give us more than we can bear, sometimes I have trouble comprehending that , especially when I see loved ones suffer. I want to fix things and I can't. It is so hard to watch those we care for struggle. If anyone tells me life is fair I would have to disagree. Some of the worst things happen to good people, sometimes it is from things that can't be helped such as a natural disaster, illness or accident that leaves us with a thousand questions. Faith  tells us God is good and that the afflictions of this life are so small compared to eternity and the weight of glory. There are other times however where people make bad choices and have to go through a long and difficult process because of them. It  hurts us when we love the person and we pray for healing and restoration but if anyone is like I am there are times I would carry some of their burden or wipe away the suffering if I could. But I cannot. I can assist and offer help to bear the burden but there are times that I am not meant to carry the weight I try to put in my spiritual type of backpack and I get overwhelmed and weary. God promises not to give us more than we can bear but sometimes we take on more than we are suppose to.

The Bible says "Casting all your cares upon Him for He careth for you" in 1 Peter 5:7. Got anything that is weighing you down? Is your heart aching and breaking for a loved one who is suffering? Are you suffering? There is a place where you can rest and pour out your heart before God. Just tell Him what troubles you and He won't be shocked. He knows. He has a plan and a purpose for your life. Nothing can separate us from His love.

I have had a prayer answered today for a person dear and near to me who has struggled for so long with depression and negative ways of dealing with it. It has been so hard to see the struggles. Although the struggles are not instantly over  this loved one has made positive steps to recieve help. There is a journey  and I hope somehow and someway that I can encourage along the way.

This blog is set so that a lot of people can see it thus the lack of specifics is needed but if you have someone you love struggling with depression don't give up . Keep praying but accept the fact that some things get better through a painful process. This is my little pep talk mostly to myself . I have experienced depression in my own life and sometimes I still battle it. It has been a very difficult year . If there is anything that you can relate to please be encouraged. Positive break throughs happen, dark clouds can be parted and the sun shines through.

Hope everyone has a great week. I've got a good start cleaning my house this afternoon. Yay! Just love when the mood hits. When it does I get at least twice as much done as when I force myself.