Perservere
Continuing
Persisting
Enduring
Pursue
Steady
Even In
Despite
Through
Forward
These are the signs along the path of persistence as we follow forward.
What you have been through and are still going through has been heart-wrenching.
I know you want to numb, turn away, hide, or give up altogether.
Others may tell you that you are only given what you can handle or that there is, or will be, purpose in this pain you are facing.
There may be truth to those sentiments offered from kind hearts to give you hope and support.
I'm here to offer what might seem like a negative perspective.
You cannot handle it, and the purpose of this pain may never be made clear to you in this life.
Ugh, I know.
Following forward is easier when we are strong and see purpose in our pain.
But sometimes we aren't, and sometimes we don't.
Please let me offer you a more optimistic perspective as you feel this weight so heavily upon you, my dear one.
You do not, and you will never walk alone.
God is sending you helpers; they are here, ready and willing to help and hold you up.
Reach out and tell them what is going on.
Let them help you.
Let them be with you in this.
It is okay not to be able to handle it. Who would want to? This isn't some reality show where you gotta do all these crazy things alone, and only one survivor wins.
In this life, you don't get a badge for going it alone.
We are in this together, and we must reach out and let people in to be with us and help.
As for purpose, man, you got me there.
I don't know why great things happen for some but not all.
I don't know why devastating things happen for some but not all.
I don't know why answered prayers can quickly turn to squashed-flat hope without notice.
I don't know why a lot of things happen.
And yet.
I know God loves me, and I know He loves you.
I know He is with us, giving us hope and the help to persevere.
And so...
We continue, persist, and endure our trials as we take each step.
We steadily pursue a way forward.
Even in and despite the circumstances we face
We go through - we go forward.
Not around.
Not under
Not above.
WE go through.
And we come out the other side.
We may arrive "there" with great wisdom and renewed purpose that will drive us.
Or, perhaps, we will simply come through feeling loved, supported, and grateful to have made it to the other side with God's guidance and amazing people's support.
Our perseverance has nothing to prove.
We don't have to put a positive spin on it or write a book to tell a hero's story.
For all you helpers out there, you don't have to try to cheer someone on and say or do something that showcases your amazingness.
All you have to do is be there, in the despair.
And as we cling to each other, we are reminded that God is here and making a way for us to get through.
Persevering and following forward one step at a time, never alone, never alone.
James 1: 2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
Romans 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.
2 Corinthians 1:3-7
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.