Some people will look back and find reasons that make moving forward difficult.  Others will look back and find inspiration for moving forward.  Life is all about choices.  Making a conscious effort to draw strength from God and learn from past mistakes or become motivated from problematic situations is up to us.  Choosing to live is up to us. Choosing joy, yes, even choosing joy is up to us.  Not always easy, but still our choice.  

We used to have great sayings like- “when life gives you lemons, 🍋 make lemonade. “

Now we are told to feel sorry for ourselves because it’s our right as humans. I’m all about processing emotions, but we’ve also got to know when to pull ourselves up by the bootstrap.  When things get complicated, strong people take action.   

Remember this? 

When the going gets tough, the tough get going! 

Starting is easy. Quitting is easy.

Finishing is hard.   Sometimes, continuing in life is challenging because the weight of hardship can take a toll on us, but It takes grit.  It takes resolve.   It takes a determination to do whatever possible to keep living.  Find your reason; find your grit, and find your support because we must finish.   

We’ve all heard the famous quote by Winston Churchill – 

“If you’re going through hell, keep going.”

Sometimes hell gets hot and to keep going it takes help.  That’s not a bad thing. In my process of healing and overcoming so many things in life, I have needed a lot of support, and I’m not ashamed to admit it.  Oh, at the time, I was. I was stubborn and prideful.  Eventually, after getting banged up enough, I finally decided I was sick and tired of being sick and tired! 

Maybe you are like that? You hate asking for help because you don’t want to be a bother, or you are just too ashamed to admit you need it.  Well, let me tell you that pride will only prolong the process of getting better.  If help is what you need, then get it! You need to keep going because better days lie ahead.  You may feel numb, and you may be hurting, but you must keep going! Soon He will turn your mourning into praise! 

You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!

Psalm 30:11-12 NLT

Remember the story of Job?  

One day Job’s sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house. A messenger came to Job and said, “We were plowing the fields with the oxen and the donkeys were eating grass nearby, when some Sabeans attacked us and took your animals! They killed the other servants. I am the only one who escaped to come and tell you the news!” That messenger was still speaking when another one came in and said, “A bolt of lightning struck your sheep and servants and burned them up. I am the only one who escaped to come and tell you the news!” That messenger was still speaking when another one came in and said, “The Chaldeans sent out three raiding parties that attacked us and took the camels! They killed the other servants. I am the only one who escaped to come and tell you the news!” That messenger was still speaking when another one came in and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house. A strong wind suddenly came in from across the desert and blew the house down. It fell on your sons and daughters, and they are all dead. I am the only one who escaped to come and tell you the news!” When Job heard this, he got up, tore his clothes, and shaved his head to show his sadness. Then he fell to the ground to bow down before God and said, “When I was born into this world, I was naked and had nothing. When I die and leave this world, I will be naked and have nothing. The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Praise the name of the Lord!” Even after all this, Job did not sin. He did not accuse God of doing anything wrong.

(Job 1:13-22 ERV)

Talk about a bad day! But you know what? Job never quit. This passage of scripture is only a portion of what he went through.  Things had become so bad for him his wife tried to convince him to curse God and die! She couldn’t even understand why he wanted to live. But you know what his answer was? – God might kill me, but I have no other hope. I am going to argue my case with him.

(Job 13:15 NLT)

Job wouldn’t quit living, and he wouldn’t stop arguing his case with God. He knew God was his only hope, and in the end, it paid off.  It’s hard to imagine his pain and suffering. Yet, when he came through, God blessed him with twice what he had before.  

And the Lord  restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.

(Job 42:10 ESV)

Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.

Psalm 30:5 NLT

It may be hard for you right now, but hold on! God is coming!