Hardship

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. (Isaiah 43:2)

Have you ever been at the end of your rope? Hit rock bottom? What about being in a situation you thought would be the end? I've seen rock bottom. I know what it feels like. I've also learned that rock bottom is a firm foundation that we can build our life on. We can choose to hang on there or claw our way up. When I stopped drinking nearly 33 years ago all I had left was my family and my daughters. I was barely hang on to my job. For me this was rock bottom. You may be thinking, "That's not rock bottom." However, rock bottom is different for everyone. Rock bottom is the place you come to where you see only one way out. "Up!" Like I said, rock bottom is a firm foundation. 

Isaiah talks about hardships in the verse for this reflection. He tells about going through waters, rivers, and fires. The waters, rivers, and fire are hardships. They are the things in life that bring us to our knees. One things to keep in mind is that Isaiah didn't say "if" you pass through these things. he said "when" you pass through them. If you are a living, breathing human you will pass through hardships. However, as bad as hardships are they can be beneficial. I'm sure you're thinking, "have you lost your mind?" Maybe! However, I know rock bottom. I know hardships. I have passed through many in my life. I also know that I have survived them and I am sitting here with the ability to write these words. How is it possible? When I was at rock bottom I looked up, and when I did, I found Jesus waiting for me, hand extended, offering me help to climb out.

Isaiah tells us that when we pass through the waters, rivers, and fires, God will be with us. We are not passing through alone. We have the Creator of all things passing through with us. Isaiah says that we will not be overcome by the hardships in our lives. Instead, God will see us through our hardships. Sure they're tough, and we feel overwhelmed by them at times. This is a normal human reaction. But we can get through our hardships, and when we do will be stronger, wiser, and in a better place. Hardships are part of life. It's who travels with us that makes the difference. 

I live with no regrets. The reason for this is that I am the person I am today because of my experiences, including hardships, which I have seen my share of. God has used them to help me be who I am today. God can take your hardships and mold you into the person He wants you to be. The question is "Will you turn to Him?