Lean on the Lord

We’ve all suffered loss—loss of a loved one, loss of a job, loss of a friend, loss of a dream, loss of health, loss of marriage, loss of childhood, loss of innocence, loss of freedom, loss of faith, loss of peace, and the list goes on.  Though the nature of our losses may be very different, the subsequent grief often leaves us in the same place—dangling from the edge of a precipice, sometimes desperately hanging on by the last two strands of a rope.  The last two fibrous pieces?  Strength and hope.

Though we try to be strong in the midst of our loss, it’s not unusual to find ourselves waking up one day only to realize that we have tapped out the last of our reserve from that sturdy barrel called strength.  Suddenly, we feel weak…and even alone.  And somehow weakness and loneliness give way to hopelessness. They wrap their gaunt arms around hopelessness’s neck looking for an anchor but are disappointed to find that hopelessness is clinging with taut arms in a reciprocal embrace.  Talk about a recipe for discouragement and depression…and potentially the making of a mental, emotional and spiritual train wreck.  (By the way, if at this point you feel that this article is going to be a downer, I encourage you, my friend, to keep reading.)

So, what’s the cure? A life of unbearable loss mingled with additional life-long deprivation of strength and hope?  Absolutely not!  Take a look here at the most perfect remedy offered in Scripture: “…but those who hope in the Lordwill renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles;they will run and not grow weary,they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31 Amazing, right?  But, what does that even look like?  If I may for a moment, here’s an image:  A couple of weeks ago, while eating an in-car, socially distant picnic by the river, I was observing the geese. No, it’s no accident that my husband and I were parked by a part of the river that the geese use as a playground and watering hole—they really are a lot of fun to watch.  The nature channel in 3D!  But I digress…

The geese sometimes take flight from that spot, and it’s beautiful to behold. On this day, their flight took them directly over our vehicle.  One goose in particular seemed so close as he flew overhead, and I remember looking up into his feathery chest and wings and seeing a strength and power emanating from his being that I barely have words to describe.  It was so dynamic, so majestic, so effortless. An endowment from His Creator, one that left him with unparalleled and unquestioning confidence.  A confidence so innate, so palpably rich…it was glorious.  I somehow felt little compared to him.  Even though I know if I were to stand next to him, I would tower over him, he possessed something I did not…an incomprehensible power and strength. I envied him (with a healthy envy, if that’s possible), and deeply longed to know and to enjoy that kind of uncomplicated trust.

Today, if you have experienced loss of any kind, no matter what it is—even if it is just the loss of normalcy through our COVID situation—lean on the Lord. Allow Him to fill you with HIS strength and HIS hope.  Let Him give to you the power and fortitude He promises in His Word, in Isaiah 40.  Let Him give you wings.  Let Him fill you with Life that you may soar, that you may not grow weary or faint, and let Him fill you will HIS confidence and trust.

–Katie Botello