Getting Through It

Psalm 66:8-20

Some days are more difficult than others. Sometimes those days can be such a drain on our life-energy that we can honestly think of nothing else except escape. We can get so caught up in looking for an escape that when the best solution is sitting right before us, we don't usually see it. Instead, we look past it and find other escapes: drugs, alcohol, promiscuity, isolation.

In ancient times, indigenous people would blame all of life's trials on themselves, feeling unworthy of life because they made one of the "gods" upset. Crops didn't grow because the god of soil was angry with them; fish weren't being caught because the god of the sea was angry with them; lives were ruined and people are unhappy because the god of life was angry at them.

Today, most people understand that most of the things which happen are due to outside, more natural, forces. However, sometimes things in our lives happen in such a way as to bring us down into what seems an inescapable depth, and in those times there seems to be only one way out.

I want to say here and now, never look for a way out when things get that far - look for a way through.

Life's trials come. We are constantly "tested" (as much as I don't like the theological implications of that word, I find it to be the one that best fits here...the word, not the theology) by things we have no control over. It's in those times we need to give control to someone else; whomever you think that someone else should be.

Today's psalmist writes from this point-of-view. He understands that life can get so filled with challenges that we become overwhelmed with the things going on around us. Today's modern society almost dictates we need a good job, graduate from a good school, make good money, have a good family, be able to leave a good name behind when our good life is over. It all becomes so overwhelming that we forget all that is required of us is to be as good a person as we can be, and that in itself is more than enough.

Those who love you don't do so for any reason other than you are as genuine as the love you share with them. All of that other stuff just doesn't matter. Of course they want to see you succeed, and of course they want you to be happy. What the people who truly love you don't want is to be kept out of your innermost thoughts and feelings. The same is with your God.

God is your closest ally. God wants to be your closest friend. Open yourself to God and let God's presence restore you. Note I didn't say heal you, because that might imply to some that a physical restoration is coming. What I'm talking about here is getting on the path to accepting you for who you are, and to know that there is a God who loves that person, just as much as there are people who do.

I don't want to make this seem as though it's as easy as "God, I love you" and all things turn to fields of (pick your favorite plant). What I'm trying to say is that the road we travel is difficult, but when we choose not to travel it alone it does get a little easier. So, please, take the advice of today's psalmist and tell the world of what is going on with you -  maybe it'll help to get you to a spacious place.