Not What I Signed Up ForSample

Show Yourself Grace

Reflection:

We often have a strong desire to avoid grief. We’re worried that once we start poking the painful moments of our lives, everything we’ve bottled up will rush out with uncontrollable force, and we won’t be able to hold it together anymore. But lament honors what we’ve been through, and in it, we find truth. When we bravely face the painful reality of our circumstances and stop holding back the tears, we can truly give our situations to God and find rest in Him.

Allow yourself to lament. Take the time you need to grieve. Accept your tears and honor your feelings as they come. Declare specific losses and allow yourself to grieve each one, no matter how small. None of them are insignificant to God, and He wants to walk with you through each one.

In your challenging season, give yourself grace when you can’t see the whole picture and then cling to God’s promises. While the Lord does not guarantee that He will rescue you from difficulty, He does promise you His goodness, His presence, His blessing, and the assurance of your salvation as you wait.

Lord, although sometimes things go much differently than I expected, remind me that it does not mean I’ve failed or done something wrong. Help me to be compassionate with myself and to allow myself to feel the hard emotions. In those moments, remind me that You have blessings and goodness for me.