It Is So Difficult (and Why Difficulties Must Exist)

It’s that time of year when our high school students are registering for next year’s classes. In the past years, it’s been uneventful for me. My boys knew what they needed and wanted to take.

Now, I am deciding Rachel’s sophomore schedule, and it is eventful. You see, my daughter doesn’t have the understanding to do it herself. And it’s so difficult. 

Rach is also at the threshold of a milestone in our church. And I’m wrestling with what to do. And it’s so difficult.

In addition, it is time to start looking toward transitioning my lovely daughter to adulthood. Where will she live? What vocation will she have? Should I have her attend activities when all she wants is to be home? And it’s so difficult.

You see, I’ve never traveled this road before. I have no prior experience to base my decisions on. 

Do I let her stay in choir even though she can’t sing? Do I keep her in Sunday School class with her same age peers or move her where she can better understand the material? Should she be confirmed in the church? Should she stay at home or find a home to call her own? Should we take her on vacation or go without her? Which of the boys’ events will she be able to handle? 

Answers are hard to find, but the questions keep rolling in. 

But really isn’t that the way life should be in this fallen world?

Difficult, not easy?

Fraught with times of uncertainty, not having every moment planned?

Impossible under our power, possible only under our Creator’s?

We don’t like it, for sure. No one wants to be told they are supposed to have troubles. Or are too weak to handle a situation.

Why Difficulties Must Exist

But think for a minute. What would happen if there were no difficulties? If we knew the best decision in every situation? If our plan always turned out and was always the best plan? If we never faced hardship or confusion or weakness or uncertainty?

If everything went just as we hoped, we would see no need for the Lord in our lives. And we would be lost in our self-centeredness and pride.

If everything went just as we hoped, we would see no need for the Lord in our lives. Share on X

I live a blessed life, but I have experienced some very difficult times. And although I wouldn’t want to walk through those valleys again, I’m grateful for the harvest I received in the sowing of my tears.

Because it was in those valleys where I first saw Jesus in amazing detail. 

It was in my emptiness where I became filled with the Holy Spirit. 

It was in my exhaustion where I felt the Father’s arms support me.

It was in the storms where I discovered the true value of grace.

As I peer into my future, I know I have some very tough decisions to make on Rachel’s behalf.

And it is difficult.

But as King David repeated in Psalm 42, “I will still praise Him, my Savior and my God” (5, 11).

Because adversity lays us empty for God to fill.

And that’s a beautiful thing.

In the Lord lies our hope. Always.

Adversity lays us empty for God to fill. And that's a beautiful thing. In the Lord lies our hope. Always. Share on X

“The Lord will send His faithful love by day;
His song will be with me in the night—
a prayer to the God of my life.” (Psalm 42:8)

Reflection: Have you experienced the same thing I have: where adversity laid you empty, but God filled you up? Are you now at a place in your life where you can do as King David did in Psalm 42, “still praise Him” in the midst?

Linking with: