I’ve never thought of myself as a weak person. That is until the day I crumbled onto the floor of my bedroom, feeling as if I had nothing left to give. Tears had flowed earlier that day, but not now. I’d been trying to reach out to my angry daughter throughout the day but to no avail.
Although her anger was directed toward me, I knew I wasn’t the source of her mad. Her “mad” had built over the years: from early trauma, being put into foster care, and feeling like a burden, rather than part of a family, part of a home. And although my mind had compassion for her, my heart felt weak, as if it had been pulled out of my chest, wrung out, and tossed to the side.
Lord, I’m not sure I can keep doing this, I whispered into the carpet. I don’t think my heart can take anymore.
Parenting some days is harder than I ever imagined. “In this world, you will have trouble,” Jesus said in John 16:33. And there’s no truer verse in the Bible.
For my husband and I, this has meant dealing with our adopted children’s anger. It’s also meant facing financial troubles, losing key relationships unexpectedly and painfully, and so much more.
Thankfully, even though Jesus understands the pain this world brings, He’s also wrapped two promises around it. The full verse says: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
First, Jesus offers us peace. Second, he offers us himself. When we lose heart He’s the answer. How? He states it plainly. Jesus has overcome the world!
PEACE
Peace is hard to find these days. For years, after adopting seven children, we didn’t find peace in our home. What we found instead was anger, as I mentioned. Also, misunderstanding, fights, and lots of hurting hearts.
That day I found myself on the floor, there was very little peace in my home. Kids still yelled. Feelings were still hurt. Yet, as I prayed things changed. Not outwardly, but inwardly. Jesus came to me, just as He promised to do.
In John 14:25-26, Jesus promised His followers a special gift to help strengthen us during our weak times:
“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Feeling weak, feeling troubled, feeling afraid? Jesus gave us one solution for that: Himself. Jesus lived on this earth and faced heartache, trials, opposition and, yes, anger. Nothing we face surprises Him. Nothing we face worries Him. Jesus gives us His peace by giving us Himself.
Friend, do you find yourself in one of those “collapse on the floor” days? The way you stay strong when you feel weak is just to whisper one phrase: Jesus come near. And as you do peace will come. Jesus will come near.
Blessings,
Tricia Goyer, TriciaGoyer.com
