When thinking about the struggles and incertainties I'm going through, I mostly think of them in negative terms. Currently I'm experiencing major practical difficulties; they are struggles, battles, trials. I picture myself fighting, battling, laboring against adversity.
That's the picture of my mind; a predominantly negative picture. I would describe myself as a 'realist.' Yet sometimes I find that I am more of a pessimist rather than anything else. Because, in all honesty - being truly realistic -, ever since I gave myself complete to God, I experience that He holds me up, He carries me. I see myself struggling, but never giving up. Yes, I can be hurt, but never damaged. There is always a new treshhold to step over, but never a dead end. Always new adversities, yet not a moment in which i stand paralyzed.
God always gives me strength, He always give my feet the freedom to take the next step (even if it's only one step at a time). He always gives me flexibility to overcome dissappointments. The Lord always provides 'renewal of my youth', especially in the critical moments of my life. There are always victories.
So, instead of picturing my life as a succesion of trails and difficulties, from now on let me picture my life as a succesion of victories. He truly leads us from glory to glory.
Arnoud
