hopesightings

finding hope and sharing it

How do You Define Strong? February 24, 2021

Filed under: Hope — Brooke F. Sulahian @ 8:49 pm
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HOW DO YOU DEFINE STRONG? 

During a season of suffering, 

the suffering is not 

only physical.

 The suffering is also

emotional, 

social,

 and 

spiritual. 

One particular moment 

I spent with God

during my season

of suffering

 focused on the 

physical aspect of

my suffering.

or so I thought.

 As I sat in the quiet 

with our Creator,

 I focused my mind and heart 

on being fully 

present 

with 

God.

 He communicates with me

through pictures,

 In these pictures,

I saw that He was going to 

give me

 the strength I needed

 for each and 

every day.

 From my perspective, 

this was physical strength.

 I would see myself

 standing tall.

 I would see myself

 standing still and not

 teetering back and forth due to

my dizziness.

 I saw myself strong.

 During my third similar session

 with our Creator,

 He asked me to 

consider something

I had not thought of before.

 God asked me to

consider

 that my definition 

of strength,

 may be very different 

than His definition of 

strength.

 I had never thought about 

strength

 this way 

before.

 I saw this as an invitation

 to broaden my 

perspective of strong

 and to be open to 

the kind of strength

 God knew 

I needed 

the most.

 So I left this third session

 with our loving Creator

and Sustainer

 believing the strength 

I needed

 for each day 

would be there,

 but I needed to 

be open to the 

fact that the 

strength He knew 

I needed,

 could look, 

feel, and 

serve

 in a very different way

 then I had 

originally 

envisioned.

  Seasons of suffering are 

times of transformation 

amongst frustration, hope

 anger, thankfulness,

sadness, joy, 

fear and freedom.

 Seasons of suffering usher in

 new experiences, 

limits, questions, and 

relationships.

 What a joy it was

 to know that God, 

our Creator and Sustainer,

would provide

 the strength

 He knew 

I needed 

in each moment 

of my

 journey 

of

suffering.

Knowing this

made

me

strong.

© 2021 Brooke F. Sulahian

 

The Middle Path December 22, 2019

Filed under: Hope — Brooke F. Sulahian @ 12:47 am
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I find myself looking at a new path.

A new path due to my health.

I do not fear my health challenges to be fatal.

However, I find them very intrusive, frustrating,

And debilitating.

I have never been on a road like this.

A road for which I have no map.

 

Did I just say that?

Did I just say that I have no map?

I sure did and that speaks to a continued weakness of mine.

Maybe this is my thorn?

The desire to control or at least feel in control.

When my health is good, do I have a map?

No, I don’t…I just feel like I do.

I feel like I have a map because the path seems familiar.

That is the crux of the issue isn’t it?

Where am I placing my trust?

In the familiar or the hand of God?

 

Constant dizziness, nausea, and lack of ability to focus

(No more reading for fun)

For any extended time along with painful migraines,

If I get overtired,

Wear me down

Drain my energy, and

Attack my hope.

I feel as if I don’t even know this current version of myself.

 

I asked God to show me what, if anything, I am to learn through this journey.

He showed me three versions of myself.

Each version is in the same general area,

Like a triangle surrounding this new path.

The first me is “Superhero me”.

Standing tall, hands on hips, like a superhero, but without a cape.

Standing upon a tall platform,

Ready to take on the world.

The second me is “Flattened me”.

Flat, actually sunk deep into the ground

Like a cartoon character dropped from a cliff.

The hole in the ground is actually the outline of my body.

I’m not dead, but I am unable to move, cut off from my world.

Ready for nothing.

The third me is “Fractured me”.

All in pieces, scattered on the ground.

No blood or gore, just sections of me scattered in a small area.

Totally disoriented, unable to function,

Waiting to be put back together again.

Waiting? Should I be waiting?

I’ve never been “here” before, so I’m not sure of my next steps.

I am a doer…what am I to do?

For now?

Just breathe…just be…be still.

 

Now, what else do I see?

I see this path ahead of me again…is this my path?

This path is different than any I have ever seen.

It’s actually floating off the ground, shoulder height.

It’s in the middle of my three selves.

How do I even get on? Stay on?

I know I won’t have any map, but I sure do want one.

 

I believe God is calling me to climb upon this new path.

To trust Him that I won’t fall.

It reminds me of a quote by Erin Hansen,

“And you ask, “What if I fall?””

(My question, my delay)

“Oh, but my darling, “What if you fly?””

(God’s reply to me)

 

Flying is the last thing on my mind these days.

I’m not even sure I’ll have the energy

To serve God as He calls,

To love on my family and friends,

Or hold onto a path that floats.

Did I just say hold on?

Am I called to hold on or trust in?

Am I viewing this path from my perspective

Or from the view that God always provides?

 

I hear God say…

“You don’t have to hold on.”

“You’re not supposed to hold on to the path.”

I don’t have to hold on?

Really?

I feel like holding on is one of my best skills.

Holding on tight to the people and work that I love.

Holding on to protect and provide.

 

But we are not asked to hold onto anything

Other than God’s hand.

We are asked to let go of all we love.

Let go and trust God fully and completely.

Trust that God knows best.

God does not always answer as we like.

God does not always heal as we pray.

But God does promise His presence…always.

I pray that will be enough for me.

 

Back to this floating path.

I come alongside it as it floats and moves

Like a long, wide piece of satin blown gently in the wind.

Moving like waves…up and down in a beautiful rhythm.

No chaos…just a beautiful rhythm…calm.

I’m wondering how to climb upon it or

If I even should climb upon it.

Maybe I should start by asking God.

He is the one who created it.

 

I stand, next to this path.

Am I ready to ask God what I should do next?

Amy I ready to do what He asks me to do?

 

 

(More to come…)

© 2019 by Brooke F Sulahian