By nature, I am a very sensitive person, I have a strong imagination, am creative and can easily understand how others feel. And sometimes I’m too much of a perfectionist. This is how God made me.
I’m in my mid-twenties and have already been through a lot. My circumstances are different from what I had ever imagined my life would be. At the age of 16, I became very ill and it took me a long time to recover to some extent. I still don’t have a lot of energy and drive.
I had to repeat one year of school, which for me, as a good student, was very difficult. My whole life was turned upside down. In the following years, until I graduated at 20, I managed to struggle through. Then I spent some time abroad, and I was doing very well. But then my illness came back and I had to go home again.
7 things that I learned through all of this
Why am I telling you this, you ask? Through all of these times my God has carried me, and I have received help.
Here are the things that helped me in the past, and still help me in difficult times.
There is a song called, “In God’s safe hand I always rest secure.” I have heard this song many, many times. In God’s hand I’m safe and nothing becomes too hard for me. In God’s safe hand there is no cause to fear. No one can tear me out of His hand, unless I decide not to trust Him. It’s only when I don’t trust Him that things become dark and too heavy.
“He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.” Psalm 23:2 (NLT). For me, green meadows and peaceful streams mean peace, happiness and everything my heart needs deep within. I myself often do not know what is good for me. Then I just have to trust God – He sees the whole picture.
Jesus loves me and He has confidence in me that I will pass these trials. Trials are meant to make me free from that which is not good for me – namely the sin that lives in me. Trials show me the sin that is living in me. (Philippians 1:6; 1 Corinthians 10:13; James 1:2-4.)
Do not ask “why?” I decided a few years ago not to ask why exactly this was happening to me. I’ve found this to be a good habit that has only made my life easier. (Philippians 2:14.)
One day at a time. I can manage one day, because I get exactly that much power from God. (1 Corinthians 10:13.) Today is a gift from God and I should be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24.)
If I don’t understand something, I leave it alone. It is written in Psalm 131:1 that we should not deal with things that are too high for us – those things I do not understand. When I let go of the things which I do not understand, I save myself from many thoughts and worries and unnecessary burdens.
The best reading: Psalms, Psalms, Psalms. David was often in great trials and poured out his heart to God, and he always found help. I too can always find help by reading these words.
I am so very thankful for the help that is available every day, and that it carries me through, especially in rough times. There are so many things that are unimportant and superficial in this world, and it is easy to lose the right focus.
Everyone has different circumstances in life, and it doesn’t help to compare myself with others. But there is help for all different times and people. For me, these few points have been very helpful. I hope it’s something that can help you too!