ENOUGH ALREADY!

We have all gone through those times in our lives when we feel like the universe is "picking on us." It seems, if we didn't have bad luck, we wouldn't have any luck at all. It's just one thing after another. It feels like our life is in complete CHAOS.

Maybe it's a flat tire followed by engine trouble. Maybe it's a broken leg followed by pneumonia. Quite possibly, it's financial troubles followed by a job loss or a major house repair that is needed. I have heard people say, "I am afraid to answer the phone. Every time somebody calls, it's just more bad news. I can't take one more thing!"

Well, I have found myself in a chaotic season this January. I have three family members who have had major health concerns. All three traveled by ambulance and were hospitalized within three weeks of each other. Both of my parents fell. My mom fell on the ice while taking out the recycling and fractured ribs. She also hurt her knee and had to start using a walker. My dad fell while shopping. He developed a huge hematoma and was hospitalized. He also battles dementia and now needs 24-hour care until this heals.

In the meantime, my husband developed COVID and our septic line froze. This required a nighttime emergency house visit, and hundreds of dollars to repair!

And my poor granddaughter was sick for an entire week-during her birthday, nonetheless. Of course, this spread to another grandson, who also missed school. Did I say chaos?

So . . . what do we do when we find ourselves in one of these chaotic seasons? How do we keep ourselves from "losing it"?

For me, I try to keep my eyes focused on Jesus. I remind myself that God is in control and that nothing takes Him by surprise. He loves and adores us. He cares more about our lives than we even do. He does not want to see His children suffer. But the truth is, we live in a fallen world. We will experience sickness, sadness, and trouble. Jesus experienced trouble. Jesus experienced loneliness and a feeling of rejection. Jesus experienced terrible things . . . knowing that in the end it was for the good of the world. We experience terrible things, knowing in the end that our God has a good plan for us.

In Romans 8:28, it says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose."

In Hebrews 13:5, we have the promise that God will never leave us or forsake us.

And no bad thing lasts forever. God finds a way to get us through the tough, chaotic spots of life. Hang onto your faith. Know that God has a plan. You don't need to have all the answers. You just need to remain close to the One who does.

Look for the positive. Look for the helpers. Look for the truth in the midst of the enemy's lies. Look for grace and mercy. Look for kindness. Look for joy. And when all else fails and you can't seem to find these things, BE these things.