Rejoicing In Our Suffering

The past several weeks have truly been a test of my perseverance. Dealing with a family member with addiction, having people judge my integrity and ethics, a confrontation with my parents over my children's safety and of course the daily discouragement of the never ending housework.  It did not make it any better that there were just two short weeks before school started and I would have to send my boys back to school. I have barely started their school shopping and my time with them was being clouded and taken away by all of the things that were being thrown at me. I felt like the devil was coming at me full force.

The situation that really had me the most on edge, though, was the people that did not trust me to be ethical. I had done everything correct. Several months passed since the event and not once had I heard anything negative. Until now. Until I found out someone didn't trust me. I felt completely defeated. My family felt like they were stabbed in the back. We were being judged, called names. Of course we wanted to know who, get answers, clear up the issues. But the more time went by I realized that it didn't matter. It doesn't matter who doesn't trust me. It doesn't matter if someone is running my name through the mud. God commands us that our love is to be sincere and that we are to love one another in brotherly love.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

Romans 12:14

 So what do I do? I quit! I just quit worrying about it. I gave it all to God! I gave my family member over to him. I pray for him. I will just have to wait and see what comes of it and just be ready when God calls me to be His hands and feet. The tension between me and my parents, I just let it go. It is because of a past incident and a great fear of mine. It's something that I have been dealing with almost my entire life. I know that I can't change whatever God's plan is for my children. (something else I struggle with. I am their mother, it's my job to protect them) I can't always be there with them hovering, watching their every move. As for the housework, I may have loads of clean clothes in our master bedroom that need put away. There may be dishes in the dishwasher and the sink, the yard may need mowed and the bathrooms could really use a scrubbing! But I am sitting, reading my daily devotional, watching my kids play because that's what's important. The other stuff can wait.


I know that no matter what I do someone is always going to find some fault in it.  I just have to keep doing what I know in my heart to be right. I am going to get frustrated with people and situations, I am going to cry over the piled up laundry and the kids that just won't listen to me today. But I have to keep pushing on.


 And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of the Lord. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our suffering, because we know that suffering produced perseverance, perseverance, character, and character, HOPE!
Romans 5:2-4