Cheers to the Struggles-Guest Blog

As 2011 comes to a close, I have been taking a stroll down memory lane and thinking about all of the year’s events- the good, the bad, and the oh so ugly. My mind then wandered to the start of my young adulthood- the 18-25 years. The things that stuck out to me were the relationships built, memories made and most of all the struggles.

You see, the struggles are bittersweet to me. Without struggles, I would have no stories to tell. I would have nothing to say about the jobs I hated, boys I dated, and credits rated.

When I was 19, I quit my job as a bank teller, watched my parents move a million miles away and take my sister with them, was in a long term relationship I knew I shouldn’t be in, and my finances were quickly becoming completely disarrayed.

Needless to say, I was STRUGGLING.

I remember thinking my life was over! I would forever be unemployed, lonely and poor (I know, quite the dramatic). What I didn’t realize at the time was what a loving God I had on my side, who had a much bigger picture than my small mind could see. There was a night when I checked and saw my account was negative and had no idea where I would come up with money to even cover the overdraft fees. I felt totally alone and was so embarrassed of myself and the life I was living that I didn’t feel like I had anyone to turn to. I threw myself on the floor and cried out to God in the most desperate of times. It was then I realized that my only solution was Him. 

I’m a tiny bit of a control freak and all along I had been struggling because I wanted to do it all on my own, without His help and His perfect guidance. This was the most valuable lesson I ever learned. Now I know that God isn’t some magic genie that will just nod his head twice and make my problems disappear, and after that night, I was still broke as ever and had a long road ahead of me. But only He could fill the missing pieces in my life that I had filled with other useless things. It wasn’t pretty.  It has taken years of counseling, a few financial freedom seminars, and loving and supportive family and friends to help me along the way.

You see, I wouldn’t be half the woman I am today if I never struggled. I’m thankful for every struggle along the way because it forced me to cling to my loving God in a way I never imagined I would have to. When I felt so alone, He was there. When I was poor and jobless, He provided. When my heart was broken, He healed it. 

In the years that followed I was blessed to experience freedom from past relationships and the bondage of debt, study abroad in London as well as serve in Cambodia, find a great job and come to love and understand the reasons God sent my parents to Corinth all the way in Byron Center, Michigan!

I’m sure you are thinking that my life couldn’t possibly be perfect now and by NO MEANS is it. At times, my life is still what feels like a chaotic mess, but on the other side of the struggle I can say that I know and believe in God who is so much bigger than any struggle I could ever face. I have learned that every challenge that comes my way is just that. A challenge. But with God on my side, I got this.  

“But I call to God, and the Lord will save me. Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice. He redeems my soul in safety from the battle that I wage.” Psalm 55:16-18

So, cheers to the struggles and to the many more that are guaranteed to come in the 25-30’s.

Lissa

Lissa Cobb is my youngest daughter and according to her my favorite one! She is deeply in love with Jesus, enjoys making yummy food, travelling to new places and is learning to be an Aunt to Drake Spencer Dixon.  

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