Are there times when you are troubled on the inside, but appear fine on the outside? Recently, while attending an event, a US Army chaplain shared her story about returning home from her second deployment in Iraq. Shortly after returning to her military base in Germany, she realized that her family wasn’t there to greet her. She understood it was an expensive and long trip, but it still hurt.
When home, it hit hard, and she began to cry. This was the beginning of a dark time for her. She had never felt so alone. On the outside she looked perfectly normal, but inside she was faced with loneliness and sorrow.
Everyday people are faced with troubles but must continue to work, care for loved ones and fulfill their life obligations without showing external signs of their inner struggles. At such times, people ask them why can’t they get it together or why are they still holding onto their struggles?
When life seems to be working against us, how can we get through these difficult times? When asked to lead the funeral service for her uncle, a World War II veteran, one chaplain unexpectedly began her path to healing. As she brought comfort to others and lead a service for someone she had loved, she herself began to feel whole again.
We don’t know how and when we will get though our dark and troubled times, but there are things we must continue to do:
- Maintain our trust in the source of hope…God.
- Pray through our challenges.
- Keep the Word of God close to our hearts. Remember His promise, “I will never forsake you.”
- Express our feelings, especially to trusted friends.
- Celebrate small moments and good days.
One of my favorite texts is from the book of Lamentations, “The thought of my pain, my homelessness, is bitter poison. I think of it constantly, and my spirit is depressed. Yet hope returns when I remember this one thing: The Lord’s unfailing love and mercy still continue, fresh as the morning, as sure as the sunrise.”
I also think of the Rev. Robert H. Schuler’s words, “Tough times never last, but tough people do.”
When life gets tough, let us remember God’s faithfulness, love and mercy.
How have you overcome life’s toughest problems? What keeps you going when life gets rough? Please share with us.
