We’re all trekking thru this life together and it is so important to be a light for others around us. Admittedly, sometimes that’s easier said than done.
Just look around you. If you’re at all like me, either you’re going through a trial or noticing that many, many, many of your friends are. Honestly, it seems like it’s getting a little heated around here! Just turn on the news.
A quick glance around me and I see cancer, suicide, loss of job, relationship challenges, strife, heartache, division – oh my…Enough!!! Don’t be discouraged – we can truly trek thru with grace. Let’s talk…
Life is full of trials. Always has been. Always will be. That’s how we get our experience! And experience is what gets us to the next level.
Did you ever read that book (or seen the movie) “The Giver” by Lois Lowry? The setting is a Utopian society in which there is no pain, no war, no poverty, no suffering, no emotions, absolutely nothing negative! A dream come true!!! Interestingly enough, as you make your way through the story, you begin to realize the value of struggle and pain. In the end, the society is seen not as a Utopia but instead as a Dystopia – where people are dehumanized, and the natural world is distrusted. God knew what He was doing when He assigned us to work and struggle a bit! Struggle builds confidence and character. Pain allows us to celebrate joy even more!
Imagine you are putting together a jigsaw puzzle and you pick up two pieces that fit perfectly together. Excitedly, you place the pieces together and then reach to find a couple more pieces that fit. You search for similar patterns. Shuffling and organizing the pieces, nothing seems to fit! So you move on to a new pattern… You know the drill. Nothing fits like you hope it will. Frustration strikes, but oh! Look, there’s one that looks like it will work, No! – it doesn’t – but wait try this one! Although you don’t realize it, in the process of putting the puzzle together you build patience, perseverance, and push through frustration.
That’s how we build character – by Trekking Thru the struggles! Experience is necessary. And it’s never complete if we just try to get out of our trials rather than pushing through them.
So how do you Trek Thru those trials with grace?
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Remember every cloud has a Silver Lining –
The silver lining may come in the form of a friend that reaches out, an opportunity to use your experience to help someone else in the future, a deeper perspective, etc. God’s word says that He works everything for good for those people who are His. Last year, when I went through cancer, I met one of the most precious ladies who I reached out to, we clicked and since then, we have become fast friends! Actually, I have met and strengthened many relationships during my journey through the big C.
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Stay Positive
You know that phrase, “This too shall pass” – it’s a bit harsh, maybe even cold… but it is true. Everything has a season. Even difficult seasons pass. Stay positive and fight discouragement. It is a choice to look at the glass half empty or half full. Keep your eyes on God and what He says is true.
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Reach Out to Others
There is nothing quite so therapeutic as putting your problems on hold to reach out and help someone else. This simple exercise adjusts our perspective and helps to show us that there is hope. Even in the pain, God can use us to touch and change the lives of those around us. That’s pretty cool!
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Acknowledge that Trials Bring Growth
None of us want to be average. Average is boring! We have an intrinsic desire to make a difference and change the world for the better. That requires growth, empathy, and know-how that comes from experience. Remember, in order to get to the next stair you have to lift your leg a little higher and exert some energy!
When things come too easy, or too quickly for us, we tend to be judgmental towards others who struggle. There is a sense of understanding and empathy that’s missing. It’s hard to understand why someone struggles so much when we didn’t have to. When our sons were little there was a bit of a debate about whether or not “Competition” was good. Some moms promoted the mindset, “Everyone’s a winner!” While others insisted that competition was healthy and an important part of childhood. What I noticed was the moms with athletic kids thought competition was healthy and the moms with not-so-athletic kids typically thought competition was bad. It’s human nature to want things to be easy – especially for our children. But, experience is what brings us that deeper understanding and empathy that helps us to be relatable to others.
Embrace the trials of life, knowing that they have the power to transform you and take you to the next level… but you have to trek thru them – not around them!
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If you’re blogger and you’d like to linkup your articles this week please click on the blue button below. Be sure to visit at least two other bloggers and say hello! Let’s use this party to build friendships and encourage one another! Have an amazing week friends!
Michele Morin says
Char, these are terrific principles for the days in which we feel that we’ve lost our moorings. I especially need to be reminded to reach out to others in that time.
Char says
It’s great therapy to reach out. Have a great week Michele!
Debbie Putman says
I used the book The Giver when I taught seventh grade; such a great example of our need to struggle and be the individuals God made us to be! Love your suggestions for trekking thru with grace.
Char says
Hi Debbie – I read the book while I taught Middle School too. It’s amazing how important struggle is – and easy to see in that story.
Ann Mathew says
Amen! Having a different and healthy perception toward trials surely brings in growth .. blessed
Char says
Perspective is so important! Thanks for reading Ann!
Lisa notes says
Staying positive isn’t always easy, but it’s usually rewarded. Thanks for the encouragement to keep our eyes on Jesus as we reach out to others!
Char says
It isn’t easy. I have a friend battling cancer and she is always positive around others. I’m sure in her quiet moments there are battles going on, but she inspires others and that fuels her to keep moving forward. Conversely, I see how people that don’t stay positive slip down the slippery slope that leads to depression. There is always hope!! Thanks for sharing your thoughts Lisa – trials are hard.
Marilyn Lesniak says
Thank you for the inspirational party. Enjoy your week!
Keisha Russell says
Number 4 really spoke to me! It is hard to sometimes see that during hard times you are actually growing! Thanks for such a wonderful reminder today. Be blessed!
Char says
Difficult times are usually a great opportunity to stretch….and grow. Remembering that is a little light in the tunnel for me!
Robin says
Yes! Trials bring growth and in challenging times, our faith and our character are strengthened! Thankful for the times of tribulation because it is in these times, I see God at work in my life! Thank you for sharing these words of encouragement.
Char says
It seems to work that way in my life too – where the tribulation is where I can see God working very clearly. Thanks for stopping in Robin.
Jamie@TheMomGene says
#2 is so very true and not trite at all when you think about it. It WILL pass and we WILL survive and when we turn around and see it from another angle, we will see the good God has done. It may not be for a long while, but we will see it in the end.
Char says
That’s when it’s good to look back and see all the other trials that did “pass.”
Yvonne Chase says
I had a conversation with a Christian sister yesterday where we talked about changing the narrative…changing the story. When things happen that aren’t good, how can we change the narrative/the story? One way I do so is by finding the good in every situation. It works! I’ve experienced unexpected challenges over the last three years. Changing the narrative gets me through.
Char says
I love that Yvonne: “Change the narrative” !
Lureta says
Such wonderful principles to apply when faced with trials. I believe in many ways we cannot help others if we have not journeyed that road. Through our experiences we are able to encourage and comfort others. Thank you.
Char says
And people seem to have more respect for us, and accept us as authentic, when they know we have traveled their journey a bit…
Patrick Weseman says
Thanks very much for this. I found it very inspiring. Going through a lot of work stuff and I am trying to stay positive. Thanks for this.
Thank you hosting and have a wonderful weekend.
Char says
Good for you Patrick – staying positive is a huge catalyst to success!
Maria Hass says
I definitely have been trekking through it the past few months but God has always been faithful. Thank you for the encouragement!
Char says
Thanks for reading, Maria. I’m glad you can see God in it!!
Gayl says
I love this post! Your suggestions are perfect! I am glad to have found you as you are my neighbor at #FreshMarketFriday. I’ll be linking up with you, too!
Blessings to you!
Char says
Thanks for stopping by and encouraging me. Glad to meet you! I’m headed your way now!
Rebekah DeVall says
Beautiful, and definitely something I needed this last month. Thank you for sharing.
Crystal Twaddell says
I love your practical advice and the challenge to do more than just make it through our challenges. It calls for great intention to press through with a sense of expectation for what God will do with in our hearts. Congratulations on being this week’s Featured Fresh Find my friend!
Maree Dee says
I love these principles to trekking through life. I write about embracing life in the midst of the unexpected, so I am going to share your post on my facebook page, it fits so well with my theme. Glad to have found you.
Char says
Hi Maree Dee, Thanks for sharing my post. I’m glad to have found you too! I read several of your articles. Love your way of expressing things we all think.
Miriam @ ChristianStressManagement.com says
Every cloud has a silver lining and that is why the Bible says “All things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purposes”. Thank you for sharing.
Char says
Hi Miriam! That’s a great verse that Christians lean on because it helps to realize that above all God is working on and has not forgotten us. Thanks for sharing!