Embracing the Journey: Overcoming Fear and Finding Strength

• By candidasullivan
• October 18, 2024
• No Comments

I am struggling. I have so many fears about this trial. I wish I could tell you that I am strong and have no doubts that the Lord will fix everything for me, but the truth is that I am scared. The enemy uses every hardship and obstacle to scare me and cause me to doubt my Lord. 

This morning, as I sat with God in the early morning hours, I asked God to give me something to show that everything would be okay. I just needed comfort and reassurance. 

God directed me to this verse. 

Psalms 126:5 KJV

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 

Then I turned my head and saw my favorite verse hanging on my wall. My mom and dad made it for me. My dad built it, and my mom wrote the verse. 

Romans 8:28 KJV

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

I love it when the scriptures come alive for me. It feels like God is speaking and reassuring me, and the whole verse just feels wrapped in so much love. 

God knows where I am, He can see the whole picture, and He knows how it will all work out. 

As a bonus, He showed me a little glimpse into a previous trial. I got to read about the struggle with all the pain and emotions involved. As I read my words, I relived the moment, but it was from a different perspective this time. God used my pain and struggles to give me a beautiful blessing. It all worked out for my good. 

Excerpt from my daily journal, October 18, 2016, after my thumb surgery, in quotations:

“I am so thankful I did not count the cost before this surgery. If I had known that I would be in pain day and night, then I wouldn’t have gone through with it. If I had known that I would struggle to eat and have nausea continuously, then I might have reconsidered. But I had faith that regardless of my struggle that, my Lord would help me—and He has. 

We are so much stronger than we realize. Even though I reacted negatively (with serious side effects) to my medicine and had to quit taking it all, I am so thankful that my God is helping me to get through it. My journey to get a thumb has not been pretty. I have struggled every minute since they brought me out of surgery, but I’m still so thankful for the opportunity. Because inside this bandage is hope. 

The reconstruction of my hand might eliminate the pain I deal with daily. Right now, I feel like I am on my belly, digging ditches in the valley, but I know that God can change my course at any moment.

Every night, I fall asleep, hoping that tomorrow will be better. As long as we have hope, we can get through it all. He is my hope and my strength. I won’t give up or be defeated because He understands my tears and struggles. He will help me get through this and give me a beautiful story to share.”

God knew that He had a beautiful blessing to give me. He knew that my thumb would help me and eliminate my daily pain. So, He allowed me to endure the pain to get to the blessing. Every time I share my story it still brings me to tears.

Right now, I am struggling, but I know the blessing is coming. God will also use this to give me a beautiful testimony. When we go through the darkness, the Lord will light our way. 

Sweet friends, I encourage you to record your trials and how God helps you through them. It is so powerful to read about the pain of the trial through the lens of the blessing. It sets up stones of overcoming for us and helps strengthen our faith. We know God did it then, and He will do it again.