Heartbreak to Strength Blog

I love the verse Isaiah 40:31

“But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”

John Ortberg gives some insight about this verse in his book, *If You Want to Walk on Water, You Have to Get Out of the Boat. He says, “We must live these words- soaring, running, walking- one line at a time.”

Sometimes in life, we will find ourselves in a season where we are soaring.

John calls this, “spiritual soaring,” when “God is answering your prayers with extravagant generosity, using you in ways that leave you feeling astonished, making you surprisingly productive in your life’s work, and flooding you with strength and wisdom beyond your ability.”

Friend, I want to be Soaring. I want to feel God’s power rise beneath me and propel me to new heights just like an eagle. Soaring is amazing, but it is important to remember John’s advice: “Don’t assume we are soaring in our own strength.” Remember God is helping us soar.

Sometimes we are not soaring, but we are running.

John says, “Your life isn’t feeling effortless. You do not see a lot of miracles, but with persistence and determination, you know you are running your race. You feel frustration, but you also feel God’s pleasure in your obedience.”

Friend, are you running and not growing weary? Are you in this season where you are serving, giving, praying, and faithfully following God? I love John’s advice for the runners: “Do not compare yourself with someone who is soaring right now.” Wow- I know I needed those words today.

Sometimes we are not soaring or running, we are just walking.

John shares that “because of doubt or pain or fatigue or failure, all we can do is just walk and not grow faint.” During this season, “all we can say is God, I’ll hang on. I don’t seem too fruitful or productive, and I don’t feel very triumphant. But I won’t let go, I will obey you. I’ll just keep walking.”

Friend, maybe this describes you. You are walking through a difficult season and it is taking all your effort to just put one foot in front of the other. Maybe you are leaning on God to help you get through your day.

Wherever you find yourself today, it is okay. In our Christian walk, I believe we will find ourselves in all three seasons. Sometimes we are soaring like an eagle and living our God given purpose. Other times, we are running, following faithfully after God. Sometimes we are walking, relying on God to get us through a difficult time.

I think it is important to identify where we are, so we can trust God in that season! Soaring, Running, and Walking- where are you?

Praying for you today!

Love, Jodi

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It felt like there was a hole in my heart.

I was waking up on a National family day without my family. I can honestly say it was one of the hardest days after my divorce. It was my first Thanksgiving without my kids.

Are you missing a loved one this Thanksgiving?

Perhaps your child is serving in the military and deployed this Holiday season. Maybe like me, the reality of sharing the time with your kids at Holidays is too much to bear. Or maybe this is your first Holiday since a loved one has passed, and you deeply miss them. If this describes you, let me first say that I am so sorry.

Grieving the loss of a loved one is hard, but Holidays without your loved one is the hardest.

Since Holidays have a way of magnifying our grief, let me encourage you by sharing some things that helped me during my grief.

Give yourself lots of grace if you are missing someone special this Thanksgiving.

Ask God for strength and energy to get through the day. Invite friends to pray for you too.

Surround yourself with people who care and can empathize with you. This could be your family, friends, or your small group at church.

Be honest with how you are feeling and let others know what you need. Journal how you are feeling if that helps!

Talk about the loved one you are missing. Let yourself cry if needed; I remember shedding lots of tears.

Don’t put any expectations on yourself to do the same traditions you have done in the past if it is too much for you.

Guard your heart by taking a social media break. Social Media makes you think that everyone has it all together, and you are the only one whose life has been shattered.

Fill your mind with truth by listening to worship music or reading a helpful book.

Please don’t rush your grief. Don’t worry about anyone else’s expectations. You set your pace for the day.

And most importantly, remember that “It is okay not to be okay.”

I know how hard it is to miss a loved one this Holiday so I will be praying for you as God helps you get through this day. Sending you a big hug!

Love, Jodi