Starting to feel worn down....(CC)

[Julpost]

We visited a new church last Sunday for the second time. The sermon was on perservering through tough times, that it may feel like God has abandoned us but many times He allows these trial to develop perserverence in us. A very timely message considering......

First, the a/c in our van broke (especially grueling during the 90 degree heat wave we had a few weeks ago) then our cat dies, 3 days ago, my washer stopped draining and it has been filling w/water since then and periodically popping open and spilling water everywhere! I normally do 3-4 loads of laundry a day to keep up so you can imagine the backload of wash I now have. I've been washing cloth diapers by hand to keep from buying disposables. My kitchen sink and dishwasher also won't drain so now I can't do dishes and my counters are full of dirty dishes. We're using paper plates but that gets expensive after awhile. We just don't have the money to hire a plumber right now and dh insists that it's just the saturated ground. Anyway, then the faucet on the shower breaks so I can't even get hot water out of that to wash the diapers in and my printer jams up in some weird way that I can not figure out.

It's almost comical...like what else is going to break?? I'm really trying to continue looking to God for strength and praising Him for whatever happens. But it's funny, I was telling a friend of mine about this and how I couldn't believe how I could feel so joyful handwashing diapers and not having a working kitchen. RIGHT THEN, my washer door pops open downstairs and it sounded like a geyser had erupted. I jumped off the phone in a panic to find out what happened. I guess she thinks it's really funny but I find it very discouraging...I'm trying so hard to remain positive and am truly thankful that I've had this joy in my heart...and more and more things keep happening. Honestly, I'm not feeling very joyful right now.

I feel like Job, sort of. Maybe I just need to go to bed and start fresh tomorrow. His mercies are new every morning....I love that verse!!

[Chris in CA]

:grouphug: No words, just hugs and prayers

[cowgirl]

... His mercies are new every morning....I love that verse!!

Me too! Hope things get better soon. :grouphug:

[Kathleen in VA]

God gets the most glory when we praise Him during our most difficult times. I think that is the main point of Job. I read this quote from a short story by Daniel Defoe, author of Robinson Crusoe, called "The Apparition of Mrs. Veal." I won't go into all the details of the story, but suffice it say there are two old women who are best friends, both of whom go through quite a lot of various trials in their lives. Here is what one of the women says to the other:

If the eyes of our faith were as open as the eyes of our body, we should see numbers of angels about us for our guard. The notions we have of heaven now are nothing like what it is...Therefore be comforted under your afflictions, and believe that the Almighty has a particular regard to you, and that your afflictions are marks of God's favour; and when they have done the business they are sent for, they shall be removed from you. And believe me, my dear friend, believe what I say to you, one minute of future happiness will infinitely reward you for your sufferings; for I can never believe that ever God will suffer you to spend all your days in this afflicted state; but be assured that your afflictions shall leave you, or you them, in a short time.

I know that is not scripture, but I believe it is biblical. Your afflictions are a mark of God's favour. He must think you are very dear to trust you with such a heavy load. Perhaps that provides little comfort. Practically speaking I can understand how it would not lighten your burden. However, think how much glory God gets when we accept the bad along with the good with equal thankfulness. Think of the testimony of God's love and faithfulness you are showing to your dear children.

Remember the Footprints poem - during the most difficult times He is carrying us. Dear sister, I really feel for your troubles. These are the times when, if we are careful not to grow bitter and resentful, we sense God's presence very near. I am praying for you.