I’m on my way home from a weekend at the beach. We went up to spend some time with my mom, dad, and brother. While we were there, we visited with my aunt, uncle, cousins, and Grandmother. We got some beach time in.
We got to do some shopping.
And some eating.
It was a fun trip. This is the “Facebook Story”. I posted these pictures this morning. For all the social media world knows, it was a great trip. Now, don’t get me wrong-it was. We were very blessed to take this trip.
Things not pictured, our run back to the car in the rain after 30 minutes at the beach.
My dad’s entire vacation was spent sheet rocking for my grandmother.
All the TCBY frozen yogurt places we went to (and we drove to several) discontinued our traditional parfait that we’ve gotten for years due to company updates.
The forecast for “all sun, all the time” changes to “all rain, all the time” as soon as we arrived in the state.
Add your own sound effects for the 9 hour ride there and the 9 hour ride home (no one slept. At all.)
And to top off the trip, I just got out at a rest stop and stepped in gum.
So how do these pictures never make the social media albums? Only the happy-go-lucky pictures to help us remember the good times. Don’t get me wrong, you know I’m all about the optimistic thoughts, but do we still take time to thank God for our weak times?
We read in the beginning of Job of his strength. He had everything: land, great business, close friends, and a loving family. Job had it made. He thanked God for his strengths-as many of us do. Then, suddenly, one right after another, Job became weak as his land, his livestock, his health, and even his family was ripped from him by Satan himself.
I know when my health is at jeopardy, my strength to do anything else is non existent. But you know what Job did? He refused to curse God. Job 1:22 says, “In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.” The book of Job is fascinating to see what all he dealt with. He wasn’t bummed about some rain on his beach trip. Job remained thankful to God even in His weakness.
Job 17:9 says, Nevertheless, the righteous will hold to their ways and those with clean hands will grow stronger.”
Job’s hands remained “clean” during the hardships, and you know what? God gave him even more blessings after his weakness than before! “The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part.”
Our weaknesses make us stronger than ever. Don’t ignore them, forget them, or curse them. Notice them, take a deep breath, and thank God for them. Thank God for entrusting you with such strength.
For comfort during these times, remember my all time favorite verse in the Bible: 1 Corinthians 10:13, “No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it.
Facebook photos don’t portray the whole story, but your Christian light’s brightness does. Don’t let Satan “phwf” it out due to times of weakness. “They (We) are weak, but He is STRONG! Yes, JESUS, loves me!!”
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