That pain and sadness get better. I don’t think I’ll ever not have sadness at what my children have lost, but God is healing me, and He is showing me His love and faithfulness in amazing and beautiful ways.
I know that it’s so difficult to see past the situation now. I’m struggling with that very thing. I’m overwhelmed by my circumstances and my fears. And honestly, it baffles me. I know better. I know the God who I love and who loves me. Why in the world am I struggling? Why can I not just rest in His presence? Why do I get all wound up?
“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God” (Ps. 42:5).
I will tell you that as I have been writing, God has brought to mind so many Scripture passages. The one I shared earlier, 2 Chronicles 20—do you know what happens after God answers the people by saying, “Do not be afraid”? People are appointed to sing to the Lord and praise Him!
“Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever. And when they began to sing and praise, the Lord set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so they were routed” (v. 21).
Oh my goodness! I’m so excited how God has used His Word to show me His love again! So as I’m typing that verse out, I’m remembering that this morning I was studying Philippians 4:6-7:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and yours minds in Christ Jesus.”
Thankfulness
Could that be the answer to our current states of distress? Could it be that simple—and difficult?
Could I choose thankfulness? If I cannot find anything to be thankful for in this world, could I focus on the next? Could I focus on Christ? Could I focus on my new identity in Christ—not this discouraged divorced, single mama, but that beautiful child of the King, loved, cherished, precious, chosen, forgiven and redeemed? I think if I truly grasped how amazing that is, I wouldn’t be able to become discouraged by this world. I could live within a different paradigm. I could find my strength—emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually—in the Lord.
Oh, friends, the answer is there. It’s Him. Find Him in His Word.
“My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word!” (Ps. 119:28).
Say His words back to Him. Say those promises out loud. Pray and find Him in the chaos and the quiet.
I cannot begin to tell you how just in this time of writing God has calmed and quieted my heart through His Word. There are so many more verses I want to share, but I’ve already gone way past the word limit I set for myself.
But here’s two more to encourage you:
“I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon the rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord” (Ps. 40:1-3).
He is faithful. He is good. He is kind. He loves you. Rest assured He will walk you through this:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire, you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. … Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you” (Is. 43:1-4).
Sue Birdseye is an author and single mom of five kids that range from 4-years-old to 17-years-old. Her book, When Happily Ever After Shatters, is in bookstores. This is adapted from her blog, uptomytoes.com.
Janet Perez Eckles 
Shawn Akers 
Abby Trivett