1. It’s easier said than done.

My last post I discussed shifting from surviving to thriving. An awesome concept, truly inspired by the Holy Spirit. But this morning, as I laid in my bed after waking at 3:30, I realized my first point: it’s easier said than done. In this next paragraph I’m going to share somethings that some will consider TMI, so feel free to skip over.

I had my surgery on my broken wrist yesterday. I had been covered in prayer for the 10 days prior to surgery, and was not anxious or worried going in. My pain had been managed with drugs, so I hadn’t had much to complain about besides the inconvenience of having my arm in a splint. Then the doctor informed me the first three days after surgery would be rather painful. Now the anxiety kicks in. Then I have the nurse put in my IV. Up the anxiousness. But I can handle it. Right? I’m trusting God and all my friends are praying. The shoe dropped after surgery. My bladder hurt so bad I told them I had to pee. They gave me an external catheter and told me to go ahead. There are three people in my room working on me and one is a man. Who can just pee? Over the next fifteen minutes or so I manage to empty some of my bladder, still totally feeling like I’m wetting the bed. I was so embarrassed. Then to my horror, the nurse started getting me dressed since I still felt my bladder aching. As I stood, I peed all down my leg wetting my only pair of underwear and a little on my pants. She pulled them off over the shoes she had already put on, and I’m wondering if they got wet, but she said they were fine. I was put into a diaper and she told me my pants were fine. I made it to the toilet after that, but the embarrassment didn’t go away. I had a shoulder block and so my left arm felt like dead weight. I couldn’t move it by myself. My husband tucked me into the truck for the hour and fifteen minute ride home and depression hit.

All this got me thinking about writers and writing. This blog, for instance, I write to encourage people who have depression and anxiety. I hope by sharing what God shows me, I can help someone get through their valleys.

I feel called to write, as I’m sure many other Christian writers do. But some days it’s easier said than done. Sometimes I’m more victim than victor. That’s when I need to be steadfast, and that’s why I’m repeating the scripture I quoted in my last blog post.

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 ‭ESV‬‬

2. Those who can’t, teach.

This is the next phrase H.S. dropped on me. Normally this has a negative connotation. I looked deeper into this phrase, and do you know what I found? Passion. This phrase is usually spoken about someone who finds they can’t prosper at what they’re passionate about, so they become a little league coach, or something like that. But what I saw was someone who had their dreams crushed, but not their spirit. Their passion remained and they found a way to help others reach their dreams.

Another way of looking at this is, someone running into obstacles in the pursuit of their dreams and wanting to save others the struggles they had. This is compassion. This is another reason writers write.

3. I’m not the same person I was yesterday.

The last realization came: I’m not the same person I was yesterday. This is where steadfastness is important. I may not make progress everyday. I may fail miserably at something. I may find myself so far behind where I was supposed to be. I may be feeling like I know it all and everything is peachy keen.

Everyday teaches me something. It may be something I don’t like and want to change, or it maybe something I’m succeeding in. Each day I am different. Each day moves me forward even when I think I’m moving backwards.

My advice today? Follow your passion. Everyday and every obstacle makes a difference in who you are.

Grace & Peace,

Sandy

Image by Katharina N. from Pixabay