A Hard Week

Emotions ran high this week.

I didn’t always have the words when someone asked, “how are you?” at the beginning of a Zoom call. Or when I received a heartfelt text from a colleague or acquaintance, I didn’t quite have an authentic expression to share. I found myself with a clenched jaw that I had to remind myself to release.

The thought of writing a blog post this week quickly went out the window. I was exhausted- mentally and emotionally. God couldn’t possibly use me when I was in this state of mind. There was no inspiration, and I needed the Holy Spirit to speak to me about how I was feeling, let alone use me to speak to others.

There were moments when I stared at my laptop screen and didn’t know what to write. Nothing could really capture the compassion I wanted to convey. Words didn’t string together as easily as I needed them to. When I would start, I would simply delete or allow myself to get distracted with a simpler task.

I just don’t have anything to say. I thought. It’s alright to skip a post. It was a hard week.

A hard week indeed. There were moments where the tears flowed, and the realities of this world felt heavy. I wasn’t sure if it was work stress, personal growing pains, social unrest, or a combination of it all that drained my body of its strength.

I stood in front of the neon pink, green and yellow post-its that I have up around my home. Written on each one is a scripture that speaks to the masterpiece He has created me to be. As the tears fell, I opened my mouth and read them out loud. Every. Single. One. I personalized them and spoke with boldness and ferocity.

I was reminded of how Joshua stood before the people after Moses’ death, probably feeling unqualified or terrified at the responsibility of having to lead the Israelites. Yet God told him to be strong and take courage for the Lord your God is with you (Joshua 1:9). I even thought about how David, anointed to be the next king, had endured being hunted and unjustly hated. Yet he called out to God who delivered him out of all his distresses (Psalms 34:19). And I could never forget the woman with the issue of blood who pressed her way through the crowd to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment and He declared that her faith had made her well (Luke 8:48) because without faith it is impossible to please Him (Hebrews 11:6).

While I couldn’t label my feelings, I knew where to go to feel better. While I couldn’t properly articulate why the tears streamed down my face, I knew Who was collecting each and every one. While my heart ached for all the hatred, despair and hopelessness I witnessed from others, I knew the Mender of all broken hearts.

A hard week doesn’t diminish who God is and what He can do. Therefore, here are some scriptures to help you renew your mind and protect your peace in difficult times:

• Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. James 1:2-3
• My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.” Psalms 27:8
• For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right. Psalms 84:11
• Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20
• Look around at the nations; look and be amazed! For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you about it. Habakkuk 1:5
• I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. John 14:27

This wasn’t the first hard week of my life and it won’t be the last. However, I do have constant help in the word of God. Speaking God’s promises out loud over my life enveloped me in such peace and comfort that by the time I was done, the cares of the day lost their weight and the burden was lifted. Let it do the same for you.

Lord, thank you for bringing us through another week. You said we could cast our cares on you and that is exactly what we need to do. Help us to look past the hurt and pain and see the hope and joy you have set before us. Infuse us with the faith to keep going and help us live lives of compassion and love toward others. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.