Ready For A Ride?

Spending time with your friends is a certain treat. Whether you are having a cup of coffee and talking, sitting by the pool drinking a cup of lemonade, or reading the same book and having a detailed conversation about the contents. But what happens when the good times aren't so good? How do you handle things when your friend gets upset with you and speaks negative things about you to others?  How do you handle things when the times just get difficult and hurtful, but they won't let you in? 

I recently went through a very difficult time in my life that left me feeling insecure about a friendship of mine. However, in the midst of my time with the Lord, He gave me a vision and words to live by as I went through my struggles. 

I imagined a huge yellow raft with thick and wide handles on the sides and I was sitting in this tube. The water under me and before me was raging wild. There was no rope coming from the rocks or trees on either side of me, just the water and raft. The Lord spoke to me and said, "You will go through tough times, but the waters you are in will not over take you, nor will you drown in them."  Sure enough the troubles came with a friend of mine and as I went through tears and hurt, my mind immediately went to the visual and words God spoke to me. The ride was for a short time and I did not drown. In fact, the next day I was blessed by my friend I had troubles with and God brought a few fresh friends in my path that encouraged me through prayer also.

~Be encouraged my friend, though we struggle with people or situations on our journey, God is our provider and protector. He is the One we should hold onto as we go through our struggles.  The sad truth is that we do not grab a hold of Him and we grab onto others and get deeper into our troubles.

  

Isaiah 43:2a

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.