Curve Ball

2/16/2021

Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Sometimes, just when things start looking up and you get a sense that things are going to be okay, you get a curveball thrown at you. As everyone knows, this has been a year full of them. So how should we react to these personal distractions in life? Well, I think the answer is - like all things - a measure of where your walk is with Jesus. 

This past week, after a time of so much answered prayer, I got a curveball thrown in my direction. Do I duck it, pull back and ignore it, or hit it will all of my might? How I handle this bump in the road will definitely affect those around me, and can be a powerful witness to the love and strength that only God can provided. 

Now if I am being honest, I would state here that I am a classic "avoidance" person. This is very typical for people with OCD. If I have to do something that upsets my delicate mental balance or makes me uncomfortable, I can very easily avoid the situation. I am actually a master at this, although that is not something I am proud to admit. Sometimes, however, the curveball needs to be dealt with. Just because I don't want to take a swipe at it, doesn't mean I don't need to. The thing is, if I can get away from my fear just long enough to lean into God and commend myself and the situation to Him, He will lift me up and give me the strength to hoist my bat for the hit. If I can reverse my tendency to retreat, thereby becoming intensely internalized, and commit to fighting whatever comes at me with my spiritual armor firmly in place; anything that happens can be used to glorify my Savior. He has brought me through so much in my life, ultimately saving me from the pit of illness and despair, that there is no other way for me to approach life's unexpected issues than fully trusting in Him.