Happily Ever After?

You know the “happily ever after” in movies? The characters experience some sort of crisis or difficult time but then they come out on the other side and they live happily ever after. It eludes to a life that experiences nothing but happiness from that point on. They had their struggle, got through it and life was forever easy and beautiful. That’s not life. I have wanted it to be that way. I have had the thought that if I could just get through this or if I could just make it to that age or past that particular point, I will find that sweet spot. But every time I come to what I think that magical point or age is, life doesn’t instantly let up or issues disappear. I have often found that new difficulties arrive and the reality of it all looks more like a roller coaster full of ups and downs. Is there something wrong with me? Why can’t I get it right and just stay at the top? What goes up, must come down…there is truth to that. Anyone who says or tries to portray this steady, happily ever after life is quite frankly, full of crap! We live in a fallen world. Jesus tells us that in this world, we WILL have trouble. It isn’t a conditional statement or one with parameters. For as long as we are here, we WILL have trouble. I’m not abnormal or a failure which is what the devil tries to tell me. The picture perfect life that people try to portray around us is fake. I know that sounds horribly depressing, but it’s not. It’s freeing. You aren’t the only one with problems. You aren’t the only one that goes up and down with the waves of life. You don’t have to feel ashamed or embarrassed. And the even better thing is, you don’t have to go through any of it alone! God’s right there in the storm and the sunny, blue skies and everything in between. And in the end, He has already won the war! So take it in stride. Fight that crashing wave and swim hard when it comes and rest and enjoy those moments of relaxing in the sand. I’m speaking metaphorically of course but you get me. Don’t be discouraged. Embrace the good moments. Learn and lean on Him in the dark times. We are all in that same boat of life.