Like with part 1 of Letters to Sarah, this is another excerpt from a forthcoming book on living well in suffering. Please stay tuned for more excerpts to follow from this.
In case you missed part 1 of this series, here’s the link for it:
https://soulscientistblog.com/2023/03/11/letters-to-sarah/
Psalm 9:10 AMPC And they who know Your name [who have experience and acquaintance with Your mercy] will lean on and confidently put their trust in You, for You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek (inquire of and for) You [on the authority of God’s Word and the right of their necessity.
Dearest Sarah,
I’ve heard that today is an especially weak day for you, in body and heart. Please know I am praying for you as I write this to you. Weak(er) days are hard, in body and heart, both for getting through today and not dreading what tomorrow holds. I say that because, for me, the fear of weakness is usually the worst symptom I battle on such days.
The fear of weakness doesn’t just manifest itself in thoughts running one after another into worst-case scenarios but in bringing a darkness that hides hope. The fear of weakness doesn’t just play with my emotions; it grabs me by the throat and tries to change truth into lies. And when I start believing lies, fear changes gratitude into greed.
A greed that demands far more than this day and this disease allow. A greed that sees only discontent and denies joy. A greed that breeds envy which only makes the helplessness loom larger and longer.
Because when greed grows, so does worry. And we both know what worry does, it makes faith seem as weak, weary, and worthless as we feel in body and heart. Yet I’ve learned that here in the weak, if I will look closer, I will find a truth strong beyond compare. The strong truth that as my own strength erodes, my Cornerstone Christ is exposed in my life, both to me and to others. And nothing will ever be as lovely or lasting as He!
Psalm 73:26 GNT shows me this principle with My mind and my body may grow weak, but God is my strength; he is all I ever need. Truth is – there’s a big difference between want and need. Many days weakness wants me to believe that I need far more than what my Good God is giving. Psalm 23 tells me I lack nothing because of my Shepherd God. My Shepherd God has or will provide whatever is needed and whenever it’s needed, no matter how much the weakness tries to make me think otherwise. I want to be strong in my strength; this is greed. I need to trust God in His strength; this is faith. Those words are easy to write but often aren’t easy to believe or live, especially on days like today.
Scripture tells me over and again that all I need will be provided at the proper time. Scripture tells me that nothing is impossible or stronger or bigger than the One Who provides for my every need. My weakness can be that opportunity for a brighter display of His power if I choose gratitude over greed and faith over fear.
I don’t write any of this lightly, much less in saying that I have done anything right. Yet I do write all of this with much love. A love that prompts me to continue praying for you to look up on this weak day and see our Jesus right there with you. A love that compels me to keep praying for you to be looking forward to that glorious day when we will see Him clearly without weakness, pain, or tears.
Much love from your friend,
Beth
written by and copyrighted to Beth Madison, Ph.D., 2023.
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