When Life Knocks You Down

If you’ve been reading my blog for any length of time, you know I HATE missing out on things. As a child one of my favorite phrases was, “Me go too!” I hated to be left out or left behind.

Life with chronic illness means that I’m often left out and left behind. I want to do it all, but sometimes my body just screams, “NO!” It’s not having it and as much as I try to fake it till I make it, it doesn’t always work.

Such was the case this long Labor Day weekend. I’m detoxing nasty old viruses and feel like poo. I rested up Friday and Saturday and most of Sunday. Sunday evening we were supposed to go out to eat for a birthday supper for my mom and our family friend.

I knew I shouldn’t have even tried to go, but I really wanted to go. I thought I could get through a couple of hours and be distracted from feeling icky. I rationalized with myself until I was all dressed up and ready to go.

I’m sure you can see where this story is going. I wasn’t there 15 minutes before I had to borrow the car keys and drive myself home to put some heat on my kidneys. I was miserable and I just couldn’t take it any longer.

The next morning I missed our Bible/Book Study birthday celebration lunch. They sent homemade cake home so that was nice!

It was the last week to visit Backroads Safari and visit all of the cute and exotic animals before they closed for the season. We were going to go one last time. Animals always cheer me up! But, we didn’t go. I wasn’t feeling well enough.

Sometimes life knocks you down and keeps kicking you so you can’t get back up. But guess what? Nothing can keep me down for good! #FaithOverFear

Tweet

In our Bible/Book Study Group we’re reading “The Essential Guide to Spiritual Warfare” by Anderson and Warner. It’s no secret that satan would love nothing better than for us to live a defeated life. To wallow in our misery. To curse life and die like Job’s wife encourages him to do in the book of Job in the Bible.

Ephesians 6:10-12 (NLT) tells us to “Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”

Did satan make me sick? No, I don’t believe that. But I do believe he’ll try to take advantage in any way he can. He will try to discourage me on my bad days. He will whisper lies that feed the darkness. He’ll try to get me to believe life will never get better and I might as well give up now.

This is why it’s so important to be in God’s Word. To read the Bible and let God’s truth soak into our minds and deep into our hearts. The truth can’t set us free if we don’t know the truth and the truth is found in God’s Word.

On my way home from town on Sunday I put on Christian music and sang along at the top of my lungs. Monday morning I spent like other mornings, reading God’s Word and letting it encourage and strengthen me.

I’ve learned to acknowledge the disappointment and feel whatever emotions are brought to the surface by them. But then I give my feelings to Jesus. I try to take every thought captive and hand it over to the One who knows what to do with it! Then I look for the blessings in the midst of the trial.

One of the greatest tools we have is our praise. When we worship God in the midst of a trial or hardship it’s kind of like telling the devil to shut up and shove off! Praising God in the storms of life is powerful. It’s something others take note of because it points them to Jesus. And if there’s anything I want my life to do, it’s to point others to Jesus! I want everyone to experience the joy and peace that’s found in Him.

So what did I praise God for over these past few days? I praised Him for who He is and how much He loves me. I praised Him for never leaving me. Because I’m united with Jesus Christ I can’t ever be alone. He is with me, always!

I also thanked Him for little Ruby Mae and her sweet cuddles. She hardly left my side this weekend and was an adorable comfort. Isn’t it neat how our pets always know when we need them most? I love that God made them that way!

If you’re going through a hard time right now, I’m sorry. I’d love to pray for you, feel free to drop me a comment below or send me an email at josie@josiesiler.com. I’d also love to hear how you praise God in the midst of trials. Are there things we can learn from you? Drop me a comment and let’s continue this discussion below!

Until next time,

Josie