I seem to be moved this month toward Heart to Heart chats; it is on my heart today to talk about overcoming tragedy. 

Tragedy can take on many forms in our modern day lives. Loved ones can die of diseases, illness, and age-related degeneration. Accidents sometimes occur. Unforeseen interruptions in career paths can cause plummeting finances, home foreclosures, repossessed cars or furnishings.

All over the world around us little boys and girls are stolen or sold as slaves or trafficked for prostitution. Nations in poverty go without food or clean water to the point of rampant disease and death of masses. Orphans wander worldwide, all alone because of wars and aids and other social scourges. I could go on, but that is enough to understand the word… tragedy.

No one really likes to talk about these things, mainly because they hurt too much or we just feel powerless to really make any impact. How can we, ordinary people, impact global health, social injustice, abject poverty – especially when our lives may also be full of our own kinds of perceived tragedy, such as the death of child, spouse, parent, other loved ones from trauma, violence, or disease?

There is a way. If we work together, learning and growing. We can do by renewing our minds with the Word of God. We can do it with leadership and discipleship. We can do it by being willing to share with others others that inspiration, help, teaching, and resources exist. As we do these things to show others there are people who really do care, we can bring manifestation of real change! We can turn millions of lives of tragedy into brighter futures of triumph. In the process, you and I become stronger, more valiant, and more compassionate.

Will you let your heart be moved to make a change? Will you take just one step forward to BE that change in measures we never dared to dream of before? Will you just take one step and let go of the grip on the ownership of your life’s trials, tests, and tragedies so you can learn, live, and lead in the way of freedom? 

It’s not about the looming mountains in our lives. The victory is in the overcoming; the victory is found along the trail in the silence of the journey, not the rehearsing of the tests, trials, or tragic event(s). 

Years ago, after what we perceived as big tests, trials, and tragedies, we took what we thought were big steps. Sometimes I laugh at that thought now. Since then we’ve taken many steps forward and been knocked back a step or two a few times. But, we haven’t quit. I can truthfully say that is solely because of the joy that is set before us. Ours is an eternal story of which there is no end, no if’s, or buts. We win.

This year we are walking through even more uncharted territory and even more mountainous terrain – literally and figuratively. Our #Expedition2016 to the Smokey Mountains and the Appalachian Trail is a metaphor for our lives in this season; it is a big stretch for us in terms of family concerns, time for fitness, increase in finances to take an even larger team this next year, and just to make continued forward steps of faith! But we are taking a step in that direction, trusting that all our steps will be made clear as we go. Because Love asked. 

How about you? I invite you to join me in these adventures in faith as we fully experience God’s enduring mercies and extravagant love! Who we are when we come off the mountain is way more important than who we think we will be for reaching the top. But if you never step out onto your path, you miss the journey altogether. #BeStrong #BeValiant He is with us.

 ~ Michelle

What step toward your bright future will you make today?

Write it down! Leave it in a comment below!

Believe. Choose. ACTIVATE. Achieve. (Repeat.)