I can do tough

This week has been a very difficult week for me. I am dealing with some things that I don't quite feel comfortably sharing here... but I can share that my eyes feel very heavy this morning from the amount of crying I did last night. Thankfully it does not involve Steve or Jack just so I don't worry anyone. They're doing well, laughing, and kicking up a storm.

But I am facing various storms and trials around me. Not easy storms that will pass quickly, but the big, ugly ones that stick around for a while. The ones where you know upfront the road is not going to be short or easy.

Normally I would shy away from this type of trial. I would've repeatedly asked the Lord to miraculously make it go away. That I would wake up one morning and the problem(s) would be completely vanished in His mighty name. After all He has the power to do that right? I believe He does.

But I find myself with a different attitude today knowing that this one is not going away anytime soon. And to my surprise I'm ok with that. Not only am I ok with that, but I am ready to face it head on with all I have. Yes, come on storm give me all you've got! Bring on the rain even if it pours.

I think it was Mary Beth Chapman (Steven Curtis Chapman's wife) that wrote on her blog 'I can do tough'. Today I feel the exact same way.

Now I don't like it and this is not the way I would've done things if I was in charge (thankfully I'm not). But with each new trial I grow in confidence that if I hold on the Lord, He will come through for me and those I'm praying for. And I guess that makes me a little bit less scared and gives me courage when I feel weary.

"Finally be strong in the Lord and His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take a stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Therefore put on the full armor of God so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything to stand. Stand firm then with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayer and requests. With this in mind be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints"

Ephesians 6:10-18