I was saddened to hear of the impending divorce between Lysa TerKeurst and her husband.  Is no one safe?  I guess not ☹

In case you don’t know who Lysa is, she is the founder and president of Proverbs 31 Ministries.  Additionally, she is an author, blog writer, speaker and teacher.  Her mission is to lead women in the adventure of faith and she has done just that for millions of women around the world. 

If you haven’t used her devotionals or read her books, I highly recommend it!  She truly has a gift and I’m so glad she uses it for God’s Glory.

The reason I know about her personal battle is because she wrote a heart-wrenching blog post that detailed what she is currently going through.  It is a story of infidelity, addiction, two years of trying to make her marriage work and lastly, a hope that can only come through God.

If you would like to read the blog in its entirety, please go to http://www.lysaterkeurst.com/2017-06-rejection-heartache-and-a-faithful-god.html.

I think it is really important to realize that even people who are Christians and trying to live their God purpose on Earth are still affected by life’s challenges, sin and struggles that are common to every one of us.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4

It’s easy to look at the lives of others (especially those in high places) and think they live in a bubble where the evil of the world doesn’t touch them.  This is simply not true.  In fact, the devil is probably working overtime to drag those people through the wringer to add one more minion to his ever-growing group of followers.

The discouraging reality is that none of us are untouched by the woes of humankind.

As depressing as this sounds…there is a Hope like no other in a God who loves us so much that He gave us a Savior in His Son, Jesus Christ.

But remember, even Jesus went through trials and tribulations.

And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’” And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, …  Luke 4:1-13

Then what makes us think we are any different?

We each have our own battles to fight.  Maybe for you it is divorce, infidelity, pornography, addiction, depression, or a wealth of other difficulties.

The real question is how are we going to respond to these sufferings. 

Are we going to give up or are we going to rely on God to lead us through, carry us beyond our troubles and give us a peace that is beyond human understanding?

We each have these choices and it is easier to give in to the temptation of turning from God and blaming Him for our hideous situations.  Instead we should trust in His divine plan – easier said than done.

The most effective way to get through anything challenging in our lives is to pray. 

Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. Isaiah 55:6-7

Take heart.  God is there even in our battles.  He will not leave us, nor forsake us.  Most importantly, we are not alone.  Others have battled the same things and survived, thrived and moved forward towards the light that can only come from Jesus Christ.

I hope you will take your battles to God and let Him transform them into learning experiences and lessons for you and others so that God’s name will be glorified.

Some Wisdom for Today:  Proverbs 3:26 – For the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.