Move over, helicopter parents who hover over their child’s every move. Get out of the way, snow-plow parents who remove any obstacle in their child’s path. A new, less menacing-sounding model has replaced you.
The other day, I read an article about “Sad Moms.” These parents have rid their houses of anything of color, including colorful children’s toys and clothes. They decorate their homes with beige on beige. One was even quoted as being offended by the green in the grass. It turns out that color overwhelms them in what they see as difficult times. Climate change, political division, or anything that offends them has driven them to dull their world.
For them, beige is the boss. Hard to teach your small children the colors when only one can be pointed out to them. Sad Moms, you bet, and off the mark. Yes, life is hard. But God is good. Erasing the color from life because times are tough won’t change your outward view. That only comes from within.
In Romans 12:12, we learn how to have joy no matter what life brings.
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
Tough times come. Trouble awaits. God tells us He will get us through when we turn to Him. Praying reminds us that He is in control, not our circumstances. Waiting helps us develop character, shaping and strengthening us.
This reminds me of the “No Pain, No Gain” theory of working out. This year I started a new exercise program to strengthen my core and back muscles. I want to stand up straighter and prevent injury to my aging body.
My muscles mutinied immediately. Small lifting movements and various bands and weights break down, exhaust, and strengthen muscles.
Friend, adversity does for the heart and soul what exercise does for the body. It’s pulling and prodding exhausts us and strengthens our faith in God as we turn it over to Him. Each trial helps us stand when a more challenging one comes our way. God reassures us that it will be worth the work.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”(James 1:2-5)
God wastes nothing. Even the bad things He uses for good. We must work it out, not tune it out. If we strip the world of color and joy when life gets tough, we will miss the masterpiece He is creating- a relationship with HIM.
IT'S A HARnDen LIFE... 