Ivy says:
I’m not much on sermonizing. I’m of the opinion that talking about religion is best done on a one-on-one basis. However, I felt compelled to write this post. If you don’t want to hear about religion, please skip this post.
Lately, both Heather and I have been down and troubled. Don’t worry- for both of us it is a matter of being overwhelmed by major life changes and a lot of little things. Finally, Monday night, I was about ready to lay down my sword and stop struggling with life*. I gave it all to God, because I was through dealing with it.
The very next day I woke up in a more positive frame of mind. Several things happened which helped to ease my worries and doubts. Although I am still feeling down and stressed, it has eased to a more manageable level.
That’s because sometimes you have to give all your worries to God and let Him deal with it. God loves us all and will help out, if you just ask Him to. Sometimes it may not seem like it, sometimes we feel forgotten and unloved by God, but He cares, and He is there to help with your struggles.
One of my very favorite pictures in the entire world is this:
Imagine. If you could write all your fears on a wall and have them magically erased, and then be able to pick your sword back up and go back to fighting with life. That’s the thing, though. With God’s help, you can.
John 14:27 says: Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. Do not be afrad, Jesus says. He brings peace.
And so I carry a little piece of that around with me all day as I go through life. We all have our struggles and doubts, God just makes it a little easier to bear.
*After re-reading, this sounds like I was suicidal. Please don’t take that meaning from it- it’s more of a matter of just laying down and giving up, not caring what happens.
WOW…I am so glad to hear that I am not the only one that has felt like the world around them is out of control. Thank you for your post…it was very good and gave me some word to go look at and pray about. Thank you!
Ivy, you know I’ve been stressed. This is very encouraging to me. I am going to write about this and I love that picture. Kind of reminds of the wailing wall in Israel where you put all your prayer requests on paper into little holes in the wall for God to answer. So I guess this would be a modern day wailing wall. It also reminds me of that song by Amy Grant “Lay down the burden of your heart”.
wow is right. we are tracking the same right now as life feels (and is, in reality) overwhelming and bleak, and I am having a hard time remembering that this, too, shall pass. thanks for these words…I imagine they were intially hard to write. I, for one, am feeling exactly like you are, and I needed to see this post. thank you, you helped me with my meatloaf, but this is even more important.
I don’t believe in God, and yet … I find this post comforting.
Thanks.
Thanks for this post, Ivy. After my daughter was born, I went through post-partem hell. And when I started asking around (after the meds kicked in!) most mothers had experienced some version of what I went through, but had never said a word. So I vowed that I would always tell my story and not pretend to be perfect; there is so much comfort in seeing sisters in the same spot I am/was in! Somewhere in the New Testament, there’s a verse that says “the truth will set you free.” Every time. Every time. May you find the strength you need to keep pressing on. May life regain some bloom and joy again. God bless you.
Ivy, you rock. Thanks for a great post.
Thank you. I so very much needed to hear that. I have a 2 year old, a 1 year old, and am pregnant w/baby #3 due in December. I’m feeling pretty defeated by life (although it is filled with much joy too). I am posting that verse on my wall.
Love ya girlfriend! Thanks for writing this, I needed to hear it, too.
Sharing your burden….lifts others….trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding…..acknowledge Him in ALL you do and He WILL direct your path. Thanks soooo much for your honesty….Pam, South Bend
Awesome post…I’ve been there. I’m glad that you shared this, and you and Heather are definitely in my thoughts.
God is always remembered when things are icky, but almost always is forgotten when things are wonderful. I would remind others they might want to remember to offer good things to God, too, like sharing a spectacular sunset (as seen through your eyes), a happy day (as felt through your emotions), a really exquisite meal (be sure to remember the things that went into it, too, so they get credit!), or any of a million other little events that make life a little more pleasant.
I try to give something back every day, even if it’s just a very little something. Yeah, it’s redundant to do this in the literal sense with an all-knowing being, but I suspect “it’s the thought that counts” — like when a little kid spends 10 minutes looking for the one perfect daisy to bring you…from a field full of them.
Keter you raise a great point and it’s the main reason I try to keep a gratitude journal. Even if I don’t always follow through, I do spend a lot of my time thanking, if only silently for the good things.
With photography as a hobby of mine, I do spend time looking for the beauty in unexpected places.
Thanks for bringing Religion and God into a place that it may not be welcomed by everyone, but needs to be seen by all. I appreciate your putting yourself and your site out on a limb and getting back to what/who we really need to know.. God. I’m certainly not perfect, by any means.. Hearing others that are not perfect makes me feel better about my shortcomings. I love seeing God mentioned outside of church. In today’s world, its hard to find. Thanks.