But Not Everything.
I really need to remember this one. I don't say "no" nearly well enough for my own sanity! Actually, I think there is a find line between doing all that you CAN do, and trying to do Everything. I know that the life we live is really not long at all. I know there are so many good things to accomplish. I am just afraid to face my Heavenly Father with things that I should be doing, but they are left undone.
I seem to get overwhelmed so easily these days. I have battled depression for many years. It has not been an easy fight. I struggle with what would seemingly be simple things. I am tired most of the time. I have gone on and off the medication for years. I have tried in the past to go for a few years without it, before becoming overwhelmed and needing to get back on it again.
As I have gotten older, it is harder to get off the meds. That can be even more frustrating for me. I really want to be well. Sometimes, I think I should be able to do more and be more. I tell myself that "it is all in my head" and it is! But that doesn't change the struggle.
There are people out there who think that I should be able to just "have faith and pray" and it will all get better. I have not managed that one yet. I do have faith. I do pray. But I also struggle with depression and anxiety on a day by day basis. I know it is worse when I am overwhelmed with too many things. Even if they are all good things, I can still be overwhelmed.
One important thing that I have learned in this lasting battle, is that we all fight our own demons. We all have crosses to bear. Life isn't easy for any of us. My trials might not be as difficult as yours, but they are mine, and they are what I need in my life to grow and become closer to Him.
Even Paul had his trials. He referred to him as a "thorn in his side".
His grace is sufficient for us. We will find our strengths through our weaknesses. What beautiful promises. So, I don't know what I am supposed to learn from my own thorns, but I know that the Lord will be with me through this. I know that these weaknesses will become strengths for me. I know that I will learn and grow because of them. I know that when I choose the right, I will become as strong as He needs me to be.
I seem to get overwhelmed so easily these days. I have battled depression for many years. It has not been an easy fight. I struggle with what would seemingly be simple things. I am tired most of the time. I have gone on and off the medication for years. I have tried in the past to go for a few years without it, before becoming overwhelmed and needing to get back on it again.
As I have gotten older, it is harder to get off the meds. That can be even more frustrating for me. I really want to be well. Sometimes, I think I should be able to do more and be more. I tell myself that "it is all in my head" and it is! But that doesn't change the struggle.
There are people out there who think that I should be able to just "have faith and pray" and it will all get better. I have not managed that one yet. I do have faith. I do pray. But I also struggle with depression and anxiety on a day by day basis. I know it is worse when I am overwhelmed with too many things. Even if they are all good things, I can still be overwhelmed.
One important thing that I have learned in this lasting battle, is that we all fight our own demons. We all have crosses to bear. Life isn't easy for any of us. My trials might not be as difficult as yours, but they are mine, and they are what I need in my life to grow and become closer to Him.
Even Paul had his trials. He referred to him as a "thorn in his side".
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
His grace is sufficient for us. We will find our strengths through our weaknesses. What beautiful promises. So, I don't know what I am supposed to learn from my own thorns, but I know that the Lord will be with me through this. I know that these weaknesses will become strengths for me. I know that I will learn and grow because of them. I know that when I choose the right, I will become as strong as He needs me to be.
