Joy Comes in the Morning
“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” ~Psalm 30:5
Last night everything seemed black. It seemed like so many things were going wrong, with no hope of anything ever turning out right.
For one thing, after my husband’s lab work came back a few days ago, we found out that he has Hyperthyroidism/Graves’ Disease, which isn’t the worst thing he could have, but it’s just an added difficulty to his other health issues.
And then, through no fault of his own, he just lost his job (yesterday), and in a very hurtful way. Last night I wasn’t sure how we were going to make it. Between the health concerns and then the sudden and very unexpected loss of my husband’s job, I felt very fearful and devastated. I wondered how things would be okay. How could God bring good out of what felt so evil?
Neither my husband nor I slept very well last night. Between health issues and anxiety, it wan’t very restful.
This morning, despite the “hangover” feeling of not having slept well, I knew it was going to be okay. Not like everything in this trial is going to be fun, but I know the Lord will watch over us and help us.
And the outpouring of love and support from our friends and family has been huge! When you’re going through a trial, there’s nothing more encouraging than knowing your friends are there for you and praying for you. And we’ve experienced nothing but love, understanding, and encouragement from our friends and family.
We had a very open discussion with our children this morning, letting them know what’s going on (and assuring them that it’s going to be okay), and we all tossed around some practical ideas for making and saving money. I’m thankful that we’ve got lots of beans and rice available in our pantry! We found some items we are hoping to sell online, and we even talked about the possibility of having a garage sale.
We also found out this morning that the company my husband was working for is willing to allow him to work there through the month of October, so at least he has employment until the end of next month. The prayer is that he might be able to find another job during that time.
Thank you all so much for the thoughtful and encouraging comments you left on my last post, and thank you especially for the prayers!
I also wanted to leave an update on our friend Zachary, who is in the PICU in another city, with what they think is Guillain-Barre syndrome (I had asked for prayer for him at the end of this post.)
Here’s the latest update from his mother:
I was very encouraged to see Zach yesterday. He seems bright in his eyes and much more alert. He has no improvements in his body with the paralysis, but he was communicating by a picture board and spelling out via touch on a letter pad. He was watching a cartoon! He is more alert than most on ventilators, due to the fact they don’t want him losing muscle control totally. The neurologist did tell [us] that this is one of the worst cases of GB they have ever seen. His recovery will be a VERY long and arduous one. But the Lord can help speed that up! He will be with us every step of the way and to Him I give all praise and glory. I will praise him in the good and the bad, just as Job did. Please do continue to lift him up to our Lord for healing.
If you are close, he LOVES visits, especially from the young men he has had interaction with. No one can come into the PICU under the age of 12, and only two are allowed into the room.
Zach will not be able to talk due to the tubes, ventilator, feeding tube, but he can spell out words on a pad next to his bed. He does not have abilities to move any part of his body and it does look “frightening”. Just a warning if you go. 🙂 Its not very pretty. But please do not let this discourage you!
Thank you all for your calls, emails, love and support in our deepest time of need. We are so grateful for our friends and family.
Thanks again so much for your prayers for our family and also for Zach and his family!
“Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” ~James 5:16
“The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth.” ~Psalm 145:18
Joy, I will be praying for you and so glad I saw this so I can come alongside you in this difficult journey. May the Lord just flood you ALL with great peace and even joy in the days ahead as He guides you into all wisdom and truth!! He IS near to the broken-hearted. We have been walking through some very bad things as well and we can pray for each other. I love you, sweet Mama. Stay in the Word, dear one <3
Thank you so much for praying, and for coming here to encourage me, dear friend! The sweet thoughts and hope you shared with me are truly a gift! Love you!
Hello Joy, I just wanted to say our son also had guillain-barres. He was 11 at the time and has since recovered. I know it is a very scary thing to get, and it takes a lot of perseverance. It will probably take Zachary a year to get over, with lots of therapy. Our son did not have it quite as bad because we caught it early, and and was able to receive treatment within a week of the symptoms beginning. Monday morning he was stumbling and Tuesday morning he could not even stand on his feet. The paralysis starts in the feet and moves up, but only went as far as his stomach so it did not affect his heart and lungs. We thank God for that. The last case they had before him was a 16 year old who was on a ventilator as well, and he fully recovered. We will pray for him as well as your family in your own set of challenges, and tell him to not give up, there is total recovery even though nerves are slow healing.
I'm so thankful that your son has fully recovered, Wilma! I'm so glad to read of your experience, as it gives me hope for our friend. Thank you so much for your prayers–it really encourages me to know others are praying!
Oh, my dear Joy! My words are completely inadequate…I'm sending big hugs across the miles and even bigger prayers across the sky. I KNOW how frightening this is and the uncertainty feels as if it will overtake you. These are the times when all those promises you've read in the Word will feed your soul as never before. He IS faithful and will bring your precious family through this, as He always has before.
I'm glad to know you all have family and friends who can help carry you along. My reaction was that I wish I could send you something…anything…to help. PLEASE email me if I can help in any way…ok? Hold on to your faith. Christy H hit it right on: God has got this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3wwWFsSlNQ
God bless you and we'll keep praying.
Sarah from VA
Sarah, this sweet comment from you just made my day! Thank you! I so appreciate the encouragement, the prayers, and the offer of help. And thanks so much for the youtube video, too. You've really blessed me this evening! ♥
I remember reading some where that the most often given command in the bible is, do not be afraid. God has got this. We have nothing to fear. Just something else I was reminded of when praying about your situation.
Christy, you have no idea how much it means to me that you're praying for us. I have really struggled with fear. Thank you so much for reminding me that I can let that go. ♥
Praying for you and your dear family! I have been in your shoes… God has never let me down. He will provide and grow you closer to himself. I will keep praying.
Thank you so much, Adrienne! I know you're right–I'm sure God will provide for us.
Praying the Lord will provide work for you husband and fill you with hope and courage as you walk through this difficult time. ((hugs))
Thank you for praying, Tanya!
The Lord is good through it all. Sometimes the trials are so great, but do not despair…He knows the ending and the beginning. Yes, He could change the circumstance, but He is the one that knows that this specific trial is important to go through at this exact time.
Be calm through it all Joy. Allow Our Lord to guide you and trust explicitly in Him. Do not allow doubt or fear to take root in your heart. Do not worry…remember Our Heavenly Father knows what is happening and is filling you with His Strength during this time.
Thank you so much for these encouraging thoughts, Maria!
Will continue to pray…
Thank you, JES!
If you lived close and we were friends in real life I would make you a cup of tea, hug you, bake your family some delicious treat, and make you laugh. My friends say I always make them laugh. God will see you through. These trials make me think of fire that the Lord uses to refine us and prune us. I am NOT fond of them myself but I know I need it. The Lord promises to never leave us or forsake us. I would be clinging to that. Our family will continue to pray for your family. Good news about Zach, Will continue prayers for him as well.
That's so sweet of you, Christy! I could use a good laugh right now. Thanks so much for praying for us and for Zach, and for all the encouragement.
Thanks for sharing this challenging information. I will be praying with you for your husband to find work soon! Perhaps this is God's way of moving him out into something new.
Deanna
Thank you, Deanna! Yes, I'm trying to look on the bright side. His other job was full of stress, which the doctor told him was contributing to his health issues.