“God Strengthens”

By: Bailey Rains

Do you like a good story? I think everyone does. I find it interesting that we, as humans, enjoy stories, and God lined out our lives specifically so they become a story.

Everyone is living a story right now. I think sometimes we get stuck in the “right now” of our story and forget we’re on a journey, and there’s a bigger picture we cannot see. We focus on what’s right in front of us. That could be a bad grade on a test, a terrible job, a rebellious child, a low point in your marriage, or a feeling of loneliness inside of you. Life often comes with a series of highs and lows. But one of the best parts about God is that He doesn’t desire us to be stuck in the lows. However, the lows can be the best seasons of learning. Of course there are lessons to be learned in every season, but it seems like the lessons in the lows stick a little better. When we get in one of those trenches of life, God is just waiting with His arms stretched out toward us.

God always wants the best option for us. He doesn’t desire us to be hurting. That’s just not who He is. He’s a good God. John 10:10 (MSG) says, “A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.” I know my God is not a thief. That scripture tells me my story can be better than I’ve “ever dreamed of.” My life can be better than I’ve ever imagined it being.

That’s who my God is: He gives me the best life right now. I don’t have to wait to live the best life when I’m 40. I can live it right now.

I’ve had a difficult time being vulnerable in my life. I realized I can’t expect to have a close relationship with people if I’m not real with them. If I don’t share my happy, sad, rough, and silly moments with people, I won’t have those earthly relationships with people who can help me get out of those trenches. So here’s me ‘bout to get real vulnerable with you people.

One of the hardest seasons of my life has been this last year. I lost one of my best friends. I took a pregnancy test the day after her funeral that revealed I was pregnant. I was swallowed with so many sad emotions and so many happy emotions all at the same time. I was so excited to be pregnant but all I could think about was that I had to take on my first pregnancy, put together a nursery, have a baby shower, think about who my baby would be, and figure out how to be a mom without her humor, opinion, and help.

We found out we were having a boy. My husband and I knew we wanted to name our first son Hezekiah before we were even pregnant. The name means “God Strengthens.” I had no idea what that name would actually mean in my life when we chose it. Never in my life did I need more strength than I did then. I always thought the name would be a reminder for my little boy all the days of his life. I didn’t realize it was a message for me far before he could ever understand.

God took my low situation and He pulled me out. He didn’t leave me there weak and alone. Every time I looked at my growing belly, I remembered “God Strengthens.”

During the first week of his life when I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. I was crying, he was crying, I wondered how I’d survive, then I remembered “God Strengthens.” Every time I look at my little baby, I remember “God Strengthens.” A lot of people around me didn’t know what I was battling. They didn’t know that part of my journey.

I wonder how different life would be if we remembered that we’re not the only ones on a journey—everyone is. What if we believe the best in people and remember they’re just people and they have struggles. Your cashier complained the whole time she checked your items? Maybe her son has a drug addiction and she feels like she’s a failure. Someone cut you off in traffic? Maybe they’re late to work, and if they lose this job, their family won’t have food on the table next week.

Okay, maybe the cashier and that driver are just angry people, and those issues don’t exist in their lives. But they are absolutely just on a journey. Maybe they don’t have anyone in their life teaching them how to act. Maybe they don’t have friends who are reaching their hands down toward them, willing to pull them out of their low. Even worse, maybe they don’t understand that God has His hands stretched down toward them, ready to pull them out of that trench.

Your story could change someone’s life forever. Your story could give someone hope to keep pushing through. What if you become the hand that pulls them out of that low season?

So what’s your story? Don’t be ashamed of it. Your story can be more than helpful to the people around you. As difficult as it is for me to be vulnerable, if this part of my life story speaks to one person, it’s worth sharing. Never forget the strength God gives you through your journey. With His help, you can live a life better than you could ever dream.

Want to know more about Bailey? Visit this page to learn more about our writers.