Family Hope

It is good to linger beside one who was so faithful to his charge, so hard a worker and so patient a sufferer. We may learn from these extraordinary labors and sufferings to do honest work and endure hardness ourselves.
The Preacher and His Models, 1891, James Stalker at Yale

Another example at being willing to share our battles, past and present. Of course, there is great danger in doing so---for there are those who will torment you for being so weak as to have a battle and seemingly be complaining about it. 
And yet share the battles anyway. So many people who have dealt with or are dealing with difficult things make it easier for me to deal with my RA. 

"But as for you, be strong and do not give up for your work will be rewarded." 2 Chro 15.7

Interesting that this verse has been one of "my" verses. This one I have said to myself since first grade Sunday School. 
Oftentimes, our work here does not seem worth the unknown wonders we will receive for obeying God. We cry, scream, sob, shiver and moan, all while trying to move forward. Mainly we try this alone, making it harder and more impossible...but sometimes even when we are focused on God it seems an impossible task.
Moses was standing before God, and saying that the task given him was impossible. He was refusing before the presence of God. He couldn't fight Pharaoh and get the Israelites---whether God was helping or not! No sir!
How often are we crying out no, no, no! to God whenever a trial is placed before us? I do not think God sends trials, as it is written He does not test us...but trials are allowed to us. Allowed so that we might be purified, we might show the world (seen and unseen) that we will always chose God. 
Sometimes we are standing beside the burning bush and saying no. We see the path we need to follow---maybe "all" it is is to read the Word, or to help out someone who is ill, or, horrors, sign up for some walkathon---and we won't. Like toddlers who just start to cry even though you are putting in the DVD they wanted, they are sure you are doing what they do not want. We think we want a different path than the one before us, and so go to any lengths to get onto our dream path. Our dream path is full of sticker-bushes, cacti, carrion; a miserable place. By golly, we are going that way. 
I can set myself up to be miserable about my RA, the life that was taken from me, or I can try and do what I can where I can---no matter how little it is. 
If God sees us when we pray alone and quiet in our rooms, the things we do alone, will He not also see the things we do when we can barely manage? Share your battle stories, share what God has done for you---give your "family" something to hope for. After all, don't you feel better meeting someone who survived with God through a tough trial?