I’ve been there. The place where deep loneliness hovers over like dark cloud. Its gut-wrenching punch knocks air out of me. I fall, face in trembling hands.
I never invited it there. I want it to vanish, but can’t seem to shake its painful grip. It is in that moment, where life seems hopeless. Scary. Empty. Afraid of my own thoughts, my stomach wrenches. If I could just go crawl under a rock for a few days and hide out from the world. If only.
But life is meant to be lived! Life breathed out in human flesh. Tangible glimpses of His Glory in our frail humanity.
How do I soak up every bit of life? How do I make the most of each day; especially the mundane, dreary ones?
L.I.F.E
Live. It. For. Eternity
If I’m not living my life from an eternal vantage point, life shatters beneath me, and becomes hopeless. But, when I set my affection on things above, and remember that my life is hid with Christ, my shattered life seems to piece together! Bit by bit, like a once troubled puzzle, round edges meet their destined match. A beautiful picture of God’s grace is now unfolding.
It is about being obedient where I am at this moment. There is no promise of tomorrow.
Living LIFE can be seen in many forms; hugging little babes close on lap, looking deep into their eyes, smiling. It can be seen in the wonderful ways one can be restored to a family member or friend. Loving our neighbor as ourselves. Sincerely praying for others on bended knee.
It is there, where our foundation is firm, that we can have living and breathing power from on High, to do battle in the valleys of life. Deep, dark valleys, like when I faced the imminent possibility of losing our second child.
When we are tempted to question God’s goodness, let us instead, surrender everything into His big arms of sovereign perfection, and say,
“This LIFE is yours, God. I want to maximize You in my little life here on earth!” Remember, true L.I.F.E begins when we Live . It . For . Eternity!
Is it time to move out of your spectator role,
and start living LIFE today?
By Traci Michele, Ordinary Inspirations.
Leave a Comment
Marygems says
Tracimichelle- you are a girl after my own heart. I love your acronym for LIFE- thanks!
Making the most of every moment of every day is my motto- live life to the full- was Jesus intention for us- that’s why He said that He came to bring us life- abundantly!
That’s what helps me get through the loneliness days, when I miss my grown kids who live far away. Every time I get the lonelies- God send me tokens of His Love- my cat coming to sing to me and pummel me, or a friend asking me to go have coffee or to see a movie- or God saying- Come and sit with me awhile and hang out with ME- I love that invitation best!
I lost 6 babies between 24-26 weeks pregnancy- so i know about LOSS too- but over the years God has used me to minister to women in pain from loss- He truly brings good from EVERYTHING.
I agree with you with all my heart when you say:
let us instead, surrender everything into His big arms of sovereign perfection, and say,
“This LIFE is yours, God.
You keep on writing- you’re on to a great thing.
God Bless. Mary, New Zealand.
Traci says
Thank you so much Mary! You are a blessing. What a life of loss you have and yet, you still…. praise our LORD! You are a beautiful person!
Myrtle says
What a sweet surprise when I opened up my in box to your post! I forget that life- all of it is to be surrendered to God. Lately I have felt that urge to crawl under a rock… but he keeps pulling me out. Thanks for your inspiration.
Traci says
Praise the Lord for His faithfulness in our life! Thanks for commenting Myrtle! Love, Traci
Pregnant Mothers Choose Giving Birth in Silence –Prenatal Experience Can Influence Babies :: giving birth says
[…] When Life Seems Hopeless […]
Bindu says
Traci Michele,
Thank you for the reminder that we need to live life from an eternal vantage point. I so often forget this and find myself wanting to crawl back into my bed because its all too hard sometimes.
Traci says
You are so welcome! It is so easy to forget… let us keep our eyes fixed firmly on our Heavenly Father!
Love,
Traci
Christi {Jealous Hands} says
Mercy, I needed this today. I couldn’t have received a more perfect message!
Traci says
Praise the Lord! His timing is so perfect. Praying for you Christi!
Love,
Traci
Debbie says
Traci, such important truths you share in this post. I have been learning this very lesson as I go through the most challenging time in my life. It causes me to long for my heavenly home and realize that this world is only temporary for me.
In the meantime, I don’t want to allow the enemy to discourage me and then miss out on what God has for me today. I want to have my eyes opened to Kingdom living in the now as I abide in Him. So no matter whether I am problem free or loaded down with many challenges, I will be obedient to the Divine appointments the Lord has for me today.
Thank you for sharing your heart.
Blessings and love,
Debbie
Christy Goettel says
Awesome post Traci! What a great reminder and acronym! Loved it!
Heather says
Traci,
God has given you the gift of writing and encouragement! Thank your for sharing this and also caring. 🙂
Love, Heather
Holley Gerth says
Live It For Eternity. Oh, girl, that is GOOD. I will remember that forever. Thanks for this perspective, for reminding us of what matters most. So glad your words are with us today!
Teresa @ Too Many Heartbeats says
Traci’s blog, Ordinary Inspirations, is one of my absolute favorites!! I ALWAYS read something positive in her posts that I can take away and use in a practical way. She has such a HUGE heart for the Lord and an undeniable desire to share it with other women, especially those who are wives and moms. She is a true blessing and I am honored to call her my friend.
Teresa <
♥ Too Many Heartbeats ♥
Steve says
It seems that a more powerful cloud of darkness is falling over the earth in these days, as the people of our country who used to fear God are now ushering Him out of their lives, the vacume left behind is absorbing the prevading influx of evil, influenced by the many cultures who are becomming predominant today.
I frequently find myself in a state of fear, almost like my heart is being squeezed by an invisible force, and I like Peter cry out “Lord save me!”, and Jesus asks in times after “Why did you doubt?”… I need prayer and encouragement from brothers & sisters, it seems there are just not enough around me.