When The Going Gets Tough

It is okay to cry.

That is what I keep reminding myself of these days.  Crying is not a sign of weakness nor is it a sign of failure.  It is just a sign that I am physically and emotionally exhausted at the moment.

This inner battle is really waging war on every part of me these days.

Nights have been spent with very little sleep.  Days seem to go by in a blur.  Memories seem to blend one into the next.

Every morning I wake up and say:  "Dear Heavenly Father:  Please give me the strength that I need to get through this day.  Give me the power to resist temptation and the understanding to know the difference between craving food and craving you.  Allow my stomach to feel full and my heart to be empowered by your Holy Spirit and your life altering Word.  Amen"

Then I go and check my e-mail and temptation after temptation stares me in the face as I see recipes for some kind of dessert or some kind of cookie or treat.

Thankfully, God has empowered me to remain strong through those temptations.  He has given me the power to know that these temptations will only set me back in my walk from Him.

So, I quickly delete the temptations from in front of me and I turn to His Word.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith produces perseverance."  (James 1 vv 2 and 3)

"Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted."  (Hebrews 2 v 18)

"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are -- yet he did not sin.  Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."  (Hebrews 4 vv 14 to 16)

Dear Friends, I do not know about you but how comforting it is to know that Jesus was tempted just as we are.  Yet he remained faithful to His father just like we are asked to remain faithful.  How comforting and glorious to know that we can call on Him in our time of need and he will help us through our temptations.

Oh how blessed are we to have One who intercedes on our behalf!  I take joy and comfort in knowing that I need to only ask for the power and the knowledge to fight temptation and it will be given to me.

My battle will be won.  It will not be overnight and it will not happen without work.  I will continue to seek out our Heavenly Father and I will fight back with God's word and with prayer.

Dear Friends, if you are battling temptations know that you are not alone.  Your struggle is no less signification than someone else's.  That is what makes it your struggle.  Take heart it knowing that you have a Heavenly Father that wants to do battle FOR you.

And it is okay to cry.  You are not weak.  You are strong and you are courageous and you are beautiful!