Like Job, we all need an unwavering perseverance. The only way to deal with pain and suffering is to go through it, not around it, or away from it. One must remember, however, that we need not go through it alone. Jesus is with us, and we also need to reach out to our church community. We need prayers, assistance and lots of hugs from other prayer warriors, who have likewise, have met their Goliaths. Trials strengthens and stretches all of us. If life was always easy, we’d be weak and superficial. I’m a single mother of two children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, rarely get child support on a regular basis, and suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, and Raynaud’s Disease. My pain is as real as next person’s, and I’m just as deserving of Lord’s comfort and help, and I now can embrace it for myself, and receive His help. God doesn’t differentiate between types of pain. His love and healing are available to all indiscriminately. All we have to do is call on Him, and He’s there in pain with us. He understands human suffering because He lived it, and suffered one of worse deaths imaginable. He truly knows pain and suffering, but by His stripes, we are healed, and we need to embrace that for ourselves, and never give up hoping, even during times when there seems like there’s no reason for hope. We must persevere, and if we do, Lord in all His mercy, will transform us, and we will walk into promise land here on Earth.

No one said journey was easy, but those who push through, do make it, but we have to have faith and trust in Lord, and when we don’t have that faith, we need to call on friends to have faith for us. God only requires us to have faith size of a mustard seed. He grants us wide berth. How lucky we are to have such a loving God that truly knows our suffering, and is more than willing to dry our tears.

Those who sow in tears

Shall reap in joy.

He who continually goes

Forth weeping,

Bearing seed for sowing,

Shall doubtless come again

With rejoicing

Bringing his sheaves with him (Psalm 126:5-6)

Years ago, critics in my life, and in my own head, encouraged me to deal with responsibilities – IT profession was best way to support children, and carve out best possible life for myself. The inner critic agreed with them, and I squelched desires to become a professional writer to point, I stopped writing all together for 15 years. Everyone kept telling me that there’s only a one in a billion shot at becoming a successful writer and getting my novels published. I may have bought into it then, but I’ve discovered life is too short not to follow your passion. Therefore, I’m giving it a shot, and trying to write something worth reading. Over years, I’ve managed to get some poetry published; now I want something more. I’ve hired a writing coach, and I’m trying to write something, anything, each and every day. I’ve even started my first novel – one I’ve always wanted to write, but wasn’t sure I was good enough at my art. I know if I don’t try, I’ll never know what it’s like to actually find who I was destined to be, and I’ll live a life full of regrets for having failed to try.

One valuable lesson I will definitely pass on to my children, is to follow your heart, despite all those who try to discourage them. I, for one, will no longer be one of those critics. My son, Sean, is an incredibly gifted singer, song writer, and guitarist. I used to push him to do all he could do to prepare for college, and consider a major in music education, so he could always teach and make a good living, if band thing didn’t pan out. No more will I be my son’s critic, and squelch his dreams as being impossible If he must grow his hair long, and wear an earring, and play music all night, I will not rain on his parade. At least, he will know he tried to use his God-given gifts, and didn’t let them lie dormant.

My daughter, like myself, has passion for words. She writes stories in her free time. Thanks to internet, I can find endless essay contests for her to enter. Sure we’ll all meet with some discouragement and rejection, but we’ll have peace and contentment of doing what truly makes us happy – what we were put here on this planet to do. In this, we will find pot of gold and end of rainbow. If we aren’t rich, at least our spirits will be.