In The Middle

There are landmarks when we travel that tell us where we are. Sometimes they are helpful and other times they are only informative; such as the small town in Wisconsin which informed me I was half-way between the North Pole and the equator. Knowing I was in the middle of something which wouldn’t impact my life one way or the other seemed perfectly safe.

However, in life—real life, I am learning that being in the middle of something looks much different. Truthfully, being in the middle of a difficult season can be confusing. There are no signs posted along the way letting one know that though it may feel like the middle, there may be a long road ahead still to travel before reaching the end. Being in the middle of something can last for minutes, days, weeks, months and even years.

The dictionary defines “middle” as an equal distance from the extremities of something; central. “Middle” is the point or position at an equal distance from the sides, edge, or ends of something; being at neither one extreme nor the other. Yet, in real life, being in the middle of a difficulty or hardship can most definitely take you to the end of something—yourself.

As challenges present themselves, we attempt to discern if our own struggles should remain a secret or if we are safe to share the truth of what our world looks like, even in the messy middle.

Oftentimes, we may feel validated to share of a dark season or a deep valley experience after we have reached the other side. Once we’ve put ourselves back together and are “all better,” our stories become safe as we cross from the middle of crisis to the safety of the other side.

Being in the middle of pain, heartache, fear, and circumstances beyond our control can cause us to retreat and fade away deep into the basements of our souls. Hope fades from sight when time does not bring us a happy ending.

I am learning that though I can easily lose faith in the middle of a tumultuous season, God still remains faithful. I am learning that sometimes dark seasons can only be brightened by the truth of God’s Word. I am learning that many things are lost during a storm, but there are two things which God tells us we must hold onto-- our courage and our hope (Heb.3:6).

If you are in the middle of something, may I encourage your heart today with Truth? Although there is much joy when standing high on the mountain; there is no place closer to God’s heart than when we are broken and messy, smack dab in the middle of high waves.

God is not hiding from us in the middle of our circumstances; instead He lovingly holds us as we allow Him to reveal all that must be revealed so that we may learn to trust Him and to know Him.

In the beginning there was God, in the end He will remain faithful—and in the middle He is the rock upon which we will stand.

Stay the Course...

Sheila Cote'