A friend and blog reader, J.K. asked how to sign up a friend of his for the blog who was/is "going through a hard time."
This note is to the friend and anyone else that may be going through a hard time:
You are not alone. We all have hard times. Having said that, when I am going through something, it feels much more personal and much worse than when others went through the same thing. So lets begin by extending empathy for your pain. Everyone reading this please just stop now and say a short prayer for this unnamed friend.
Amen.
Now some more thoughts... most problems in life are temporary. Or there are the problems that do hang around that we have to get used to. I hope that your situation improves, but if it does not, then please remember that sometimes we have to learn to play the cards that we are dealt. Sometimes our health issues do not go away. Sometimes we have to make peace with them.
Robert Schuler wrote a book, "tough times don't last but tough people do." I find that thought helpful, except for when the tough times do seem to last.
My hair loss is a permanent annoyance. My arthritic issues appear to be permanent. My weakness in old age is here to stay. Sometimes in life, when we can't wish or pray something away, we have to work to make peace with it. It is difficult, but it can be done.
So friend, for you, and for anyone else who is struggling right now... "may your struggles soon end, but if they do not, may you find the grace and the personal fortitude to not be consumed by the pain, but to overcome it."
Do not let your life stories of pain dominate your life. There is still much good to be seen and experienced in this life.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
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