When Life is Hard

 I vaguely remember seeing the sign.

"WARNING! Guests prone to motion sickness or dizziness should not ride"

Maybe it was the excitement of the lack of lines to Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey or maybe it was the fact that somewhere along the way, I was told that it would be like Epcot's Soarin'. Either way, I was convinced it would be a light, airy ride that would make us feel like we were flying in and around Hogwarts. Boy was I wrong.

I knew we were in trouble when I sat down in the pitch black dark in a ride seat that was a glorified cocoon. They pulled the hefty steel harness down tightly around my chest and shoulders, I felt the padded side supports that were there to keep my head from banging the person beside me. 

I instantly broke out in a cold sweat. 

Motion is not my friend. Like at all.

To make it worse, I had ASSURED Emma that it was going to be an easy, non scary ride...the ultimate betrayal. I could do nothing to help her. I knew at this point, it was every man for himself.

When you're buckled in, and the ride is leaving the platform, despite how rough you know it's about to get, there is nothing you can do except hold on.

Okay, Stacey. This ride is max 2-3 minutes long. I can do this. If I throw up, if any of the girls throw up, it will be fine. I will desperately apologize to Emma when it's over. I'm such an idiot! Why did I think this was a "nothing" ride?! Breathe, keep your eyes shut. You can do ANYTHING for 3 minutes. Just hold on.

Over here at the Wall house, we've been in a hard season for more than a minute. Hard on more levels than anyone knows. 

That being said, I realize that my hard isn't unique. I don't have to look far to see people going through varying degrees of difficult situations and seasons. Having an awareness of the needs of others helps me not get swallowed up in self pity. At the same time, someone else's hard that is harder than mine doesn't make my hard easy. 

God is able to sympathize with my weakness. He remembers that I am but dust. He is near to the brokenhearted. I find refuge under His wings. 

Sometimes, all you can do is just hold on. 

Stay steady in the hard, buckle your seatbelt, and hold on for dear life. 

~stacey

"we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul." Heb 6:18-19

Hebrews 4:14-16

Psalm 103:14

Psalm 34:18

Psalm 91:4

Hebrews 6:13-20