2 Corinthians 4:7 “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourseleves”

This verse reminds me of a statement some of my girlfriends often use after stating a difficult season or moment in life – you will hear “but God”. A lot of times that is the end. But God – silence.

Today, I want to go further into my “but God” statement.

Life is not easy – there can be so many requirements, so many expectations. We are individuals, with individual goals, individual strengths and weakness, and yet all strive to be liked, loved, popular, and just well in all areas of human success. That is enough to drive anxiety, depression, fear, and discouragment to burnout city. There is a solution to the madness – In pursuit of Christ all of it makes sense. There is joy. There is hope. There is peace. Is it really so simple as pursuing Christ?

My quick answer is YES. My life proves it. Almost a decade ago, I was lying in a hospital bed where the doctors would not release me because they could not find what was wrong with me. After almost 48 hours, they had to release me and instructed me to follow up with my doctor. Months and months with blood work and no answers. Each time the blood work pointing to a different possibility. Hindsight now, I’m pretty sure the paragraph above describes the reason for my episodes of not being able to stand without fainting, inefficiencies in my blood work, and the mysterious rash that would come and go so quickly it was difficult to document. It was definetly stress related. By the way, no medical issues at all today. But God.

I knew something had to give or I would not be around much longer. My life was actually killing me. I sat in denial for a very long time. And there were only my family (the ones I grew with, not my married family) and just a couple of true friends that kept me from being a danger to myself. I’m forevery grateful for them and sit here in tears as I type this up today. But God…I believe those individuals were in my life for that very reason, for that season.

I started to lean back to God. I never felt alone from Him, just felt distant. I started to trust more and more each day. He was always faithful to me. It’s amazing what this season was for me. It’s really not as easy as I thought it would be to write about it. It really does not give the Holy Spirit the justice of what strength was given to me during this time.

I’m not sure anyone can relate to what I am writing today, as I am just typing and it feels a bit like rambling. All I know, moment by moment I started trusting God more (those moments are still growing the trust for Him to this moment right now) God can handle all of our needs. He knows us. He sees us. He hears us.

Ephesians 3:20 “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”

Keep leaning in. Keep trusting. We have this treasure within us doing a mighty work. Be complete in Him. It truly is the only way.