STRENGTH IN GOD

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9

I have learned something very significant with having two sons in prison as a result of drug addiction (one for a very significant amount of time) and a daughter who is homeless and in an abusive drug addicted relationship.  I have learned that I need to have the strength to completely trust God with their lives, even if I don’t understand or would not have chosen this path for them.

When I trust God, I can have peace, joy, hope, and faith, no matter what is happening in their lives. I must remind myself that I can only see a little of the road ahead, but God can see from the beginning to the end. When I walk in God’s strength, I am able to seek out much-needed resources like Hurting Moms and others I have found in order to work on myself and allow God to heal me from the inside out.  Then I can put to good use what I’ve learned to help others, which is such a great honor.

One thing that I often remember what Philippians 4:13 tells us, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength”.  This verse gives me strength, even when the grief is overwhelming, because out of all the mom’s in the world God chose me to be their mother and that means God is entrusting their lives to me because he believes in me. God foreknew these times were going to come, and he still chose me. That perspective helps me hold it together and when I’m falling apart, I remember that God holds us all in the palm of his hand.

Completely surrendering my children to God gives me the necessary strength to pray without ceasing as I step back and allow his will to be done in their lives and mine. Knowing that he works all things together for our good and having this strength in God is helping me get through the holidays. I’m not alone.  He sees me and hears me. He is giving me strength.  Please be encouraged this holiday season!

By Evette Flores, Hurting Moms Leader – Avondale, Arizona