Nothing Is Wasted

Well it's been quite awhile, I must say. Too long. Welcome back! I should probably be saying that to myself lol. 

It's been awhile since I've been this compelled to write something. I mean AWHILE. 

I was driving home from work. Just, you know...reflecting on everything. The last few months have been a struggle. I don't really talk about them that much because I have the mentality that it doesn't have to be about me everywhere I go. So many others are struggling, and some are struggling much worse than I am. There have been a lot of mental attacks. And it's been a pretty broad battlefield. Meaning, it's not been confined to one particular area. 

But as I was driving, I kept thinking about the attacks we've had to deal with as a married couple the past few months. Especially my husband. The man has been working so very hard the past few months, with very little free time. Sunday is his only day off. It's been a struggle getting to spend time together. So to put it in a nutshell...all work and no play can take a toll on your health, your mind, your stress level, and your marriage. Not to mention his attacks at work. It just makes everything stressful. Praying for that man and helping him has been my number one priority the past few months. 

As most of you may know, in early December...Ken was diagnosed with diabetes. So pile struggle on top of struggle. And that's been our story lately. I know many of you have experienced the same thing. 

It's been really hard on my husband since he was diagnosed. I know a lot of people have diabetes. It's not a new disease. But it is for us. Changing instantly from one thing to another is hard lol. What's even harder, is getting your husband to put down the dessert fork lol. I confess...I've stepped over the line lol. It's far better to let The Lord handle your husband. My way of handling it is actual intervention. Like, locking him inside the car to tell him he ate too much rice at the restaurant where we just ate lol. I was just trying to help, honest! It's like being with a smoker who's trying to quit. Whew! It's been a ride for sure! But I've finally realized that if my hands are on it, The Lord's hands are off. And He can do a much better, kinder job lol. But I've also had to realize this is my battle too. I can't sit around and eat anything I want in front of my husband, knowing he struggles. I've started to make changes too. But I just kept hearing NOTHING IS WASTED.

Our struggles have not been wasted. YOUR struggles have not been wasted.

Everything in life is planted. Either by us or our Heavenly Father. We know freedom, love, grace, mercy, purity,

and redemption because He first gave. I wonder if Jesus ever had thoughts like, "this is such a waste of time. Nobody cares about what I'm doing. They don't even like me. I don't why I am doing this for people who don't love me". But He knew He had a mission. A life full of selflessness. Laying himself down for the sake of The Father and others. And look at the result. Every tear we have shed, has not been in vain. There's purpose in our pain. But you can't know life without the loss. You can't know joy without grief. You can't know love without the pain. You can't be victorious without the race. You can't know peace unless you've experienced turmoil. None of these come individually wrapped. Jesus suffered for our victory. He was the ultimate example of how we are supposed to handle life. If you don't give, you don't get. If you don't fight, you can't win. If you don't cry, you'll never heal. And if you don't try...you'll never know. Our pain isn't wasted! Victories don't come by accident. You must fight to win! So fight with purpose! And run...run into the Father's arms. Lay your agendas down at His feet. Let Him help turn your tears into victory! Found this verse encouraging! 

Psalm 5: 11-12 (NASB)....

"But let all who take refuge in You be glad, let them ever sing for joy; And may You shelter them, that those who love Your name may exult in you. For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O Lord, You surround him with favor as with a shield."