I keep finding moth carcasses in my house – under chairs, in corners, beside walls and in window tracks. This year was particularly heavy with moths here in Denver. These are not the treasures I like to find. On the plus side, when I slide open the back door for my porch, I’m not as concerned as I was a few weeks ago about letting moths in the house. For longer than I like, I’d slide open the back door and close it super fast, hoping to let in only one moth rather than the seemingly Egyptian plague of hordes, waiting to make their residence in my house as if they belonged.
Alas, we’ve moved from the live moth infestation to the dead moth carcass collection. I think I like the dead moth adventure more than being startled by a moth coming to life at the flip of a light switch. Now that we’ve shifted into the dead moth season, it reminds me of some helpful wisdom my friend once gave me, “Sarah, this has come to pass.” When I asked her what she meant, she explained, “This situation is temporary and it will pass.”
I’ve taken this advice to heart many, many times and I’m reminded of it today, reflecting on moth carcasses and a moth-less porch.
I bring the whole moth thing to your attention because it’s a good reminder that the difficult things going on in your life will pass. Maybe they won’t pass as quickly as you want them to, but they will pass. To drive home this point, let’s consider that when Jesus lived in human skin, he also had similar experiences with us. In Hebrews 12:2 it says about Jesus, “…who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Jesus went through a massively difficult season, enduring the cross, shame, betrayal, rejection, abuse, deprivation . . . . And maybe it helped Him to consider that there are good things on the other side of such struggles and adversity.
To this end, as you read this blog, it’s my prayer that you remember that the struggles, adversity, shame, etc. that you’re currently experiencing will pass:
- The COVID crisis will pass.
- Financial struggles will pass.
- Future uncertainty will pass.
- The Presidential election season will pass.
- Health challenges will pass.
While I want to encourage you that these adversities and lots more will pass, you might find yourself in the thick of navigating lots of adversities NOW that might feel overwhelming or suffocating. Maybe it’s not enough for you, in this moment, to know that the future will be more bright than the present.
So if you’re struggling in this present moment, let me encourage you with the first half of Hebrews 12:2 which says we should fix “our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith.”
There are seasons in our lives when it’s hard to see tomorrow because today can be so discouraging, dark and can even feel hopeless.
In these times, it helps me to remember what the Israelites said in 2 Chronicles 20:12, “We are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You.”
I pray that Holy Spirit will encourage you that whatever you’re going through will pass and that Holy Spirit reminds you to keep your eyes on Jesus, resting in His love for you and trusting that Jesus can make all things work together (including adversity) for your benefit!
The moths are gone and you will also come through this season with Jesus’ help and genuine love!
