Curveballs

Life has a tendency to through us curveballs. You know those moments in time when you know that everything around you is moving along normally; but you feel like your world has been turned upside down.

You wake up to unexpected news that someone you love and just spoke with has passed from this life.

You get devastating news from your doctor.

Your marriage has hit a rough patch.

You watch your children go through struggles.

Your job is demanding and difficult.

You get that overdue bill in the mail.

You feel like your spinning out of control.

In these times it doesn’t always feel like God is there walking beside you.

I often marvel at the life of Job and how he endured so many losses and devastation in his life, but did not waver from his love and devotion to God.

The enemy often uses those weak areas to creep in and fill our heads with his lies and destruction. He thrives on this, and will use it to elevate our anxiety, pain, hurt and confusion.

I remember my mom telling me when I was growing up that “God will never give you more than you can handle.” Well that is a tall order sometimes, and besides now I know the truth which is that HE will never give us more than HE can handle.

We get so caught up in how can we manage our anxiety, or keep from spinning out of control when things happen that we have no control over.  How can we keep those disappointments in check, hide hurt feelings, untangle the messes or just know how to walk in faith when we want to run and hide so we don’t have to deal with it?

Romans 5:3-4(NLT) tells us that “We can rejoice too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance, and endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.”

 What?!?  Sounds like work to me and pain and, and, and…..

The post-holiday “blues” are a thing, and sometimes can be overwhelming after all the hustle and bustle settles down. Suddenly those stressors grow and get overwhelming again. The family visits that had turmoil, the presents to return, credit card bills, and the job to return to. Well, you get the point.

Life does not have to feel this way and God gifts us with his words of love and faithfulness to prove it.

 Isaiah 41:10 says “So do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

If life is throwing you curveballs and you are feeling overwhelmed, sometimes it is good to gather with like-minded people to study and understand ways to cope, and live in God’s design for our lives, even when we feel we have it all figured out there is always another moment in time that will forever change our world as we know it. God wants us to feel comforted and prepared to deal with these things when they happen.

The Connection’s next book study will be Lysa Terkeurst’s newest book called “It’s not supposed to be this way”. It will begin on Thursday February 7^th from 7pm-8:30pm; and will be meeting every other Thursday at the Chamber of Commerce in Waynesboro. Lysa helps us understand what happens when life looks very different from the reality we long for. Find unexpected strength while wrestling between faith and feelings and learn how to stand through uncertainly and trust in God’s goodness.

Please join us as we look at ways to walk in God’s plan and learn how to cope with those “mountains” that life presents to us. Email us with questions or to RSVP.

Tammy “TT” Williford lives in Waynesboro with her husband of 42 years and their dog Riley. She considers herself to be a mother of 4; a son and daughter and their chosen spouses. She also has a beautiful granddaughter who may or may not be “the love of Nanny and Pappy’s life”.

Tammy currently works full-time for a local Health System as a Patient Advocate and is looking forward to her Retirement date in November 2019.

She attends LCBC in Waynesboro, and serves on the Board of Directors for The Connection. She has discovered a passion for Women’s Ministry, and being involved in other Women’s growth in their faith. She feels blessed every day to be surrounded by so many women who love the Lord and feels that they have helped to strengthen her faith walk.  She feels gifted for Mentoring and Prayer.

Tammy continues to look for ways to grow with The Connection and help to serve as God would lead her.