By Karen Porter
After years in the corporate world, fighting turf battles and pushing against the glass ceiling, my job was eliminated.
I missed the excitement and thrill of crafting, proposing, and following through on projects, business deals, and big sales.
And I missed seeing people every day and dressing up—and my big private office.
Deeply hurt by the pain of loss and angered at the injustice of being downsized out of my job, I couldn’t get a grip on what my new life would be.
Lost in the Silence
My grandchildren were nearby, and those funny and interesting little personalities were sunshine in my dark world.
I tried to organize our home and cook and go out into the new surroundings. But deep inside, my feelings were sad and empty. Broken. And it seemed to have no end. Today, I’m fulfilling my God-given purpose more than I can explain.
Someone asked me recently, “When did you know you could move on?”
I’d never been asked this question before, so I considered my answer. I know the only way to peace went directly through the hands of God who pulled me out of the pit and set my feet on solid ground, because He loves me so much and had a future and plan I had not even considered. But what was that one moment when I turned the page?
Two Roads, One Choice
I believe it was one day when a lawyer discussed the probabilities of a lawsuit.
He said, “I believe we will win, but you need to know it may take 10–15 years.” At that moment, I saw before me a road with two turns. I could turn one way and embroil myself into a long and likely vicious back-and-forth in the courts, or I could take the other road to see what God had planned for the rest of my life. It was a moment of decision and determination.
I walked away from the disappointment and hurt, opening a new door to the future.
When God Steps In
That’s my moment.
If you are enduring a tragedy or pain or hurt, ask God to bring you to that road with two turns. Then choose Him. He is faithful. I depend on it, and my trust in Him is valid because He always shows up; He is always faithful. “Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning” (Lamentations 3:23 NLT).
And when I hit bottom and defeat overwhelms, He is still there helping me.
Writing through the Weary
I started a new company editing, coaching, and eventually publishing.
Once, I couldn’t finish an editing job. The more I worked, the more the job seemed never ending. Each paragraph took longer than it should. Every page was filled with problems. My discouragement slid right down the slope into defeat.
I did what I’m sometimes best suited for—I panicked. I felt the only choice was to quit.
Then God Intervened.
In the case of the never-ending editing job, the deadline was extended. Really?
God can do the impossible. Once when dealing with a difficult client, an email arrived telling me how happy and thrilled the client was to be working with me.
Yes, really. When I want to quit, he infuses me with hope via a phone call or a text that lights my fire again. When we feel defeated, God intervenes and entwines himself into our situation. Sometimes constant, chronic, ever-present troubles feel pointless and never seem to end.
But James said, “Rejoice because when endurance is tested, we win over the trouble” (James 1:2–4, 12 My paraphrase). He will make you strong if you endure.
And God-given strength is victory.
