“He’s gone.”
Those were the fateful words my brother spoke on the phone telling my wife and I that my dad had passed. The next week was a flurry of activity and emotions. For Melane, Callen, and I it meant we needed to quickly pack and head to Indiana.
The day after we returned from that trip, we were trying to get back into the swing of normal life, but I woke up just feeing completely unmotivated to do anything. The pain of dad being gone hung heavy and I just wanted to sit on the couch and feel sorry for myself.
I know it’s okay and even healthy to grieve, but how does one move forward when you get thrown a curveball like this?
Lots of us are going through hard times, so I prayed about what I should should share with my community and readers going forward. Even in the midst of my hurt I want to be an encouragement, because my community and readers are such an encouragement to me.
Even in the midst of this difficult time for me personally, I felt the hand of God on my heart guiding me to share and to know that I do not have to carry this burden alone.
I go into this in more detail on episode 128 of my podcast, but here are the practical steps I sensed the Lord telling me to do when you’re going through a tough time….
1) Come to Him
He knows what you’re going through and cares. Matthew 11:28–30 says
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will [a]ease and relieve and [b]refresh [c]your souls.]
Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest ([d]relief and ease and refreshment and [e]recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls.
For My yoke is wholesome (useful, [f]good — not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne.”
